In 2024, residents of the UAE can anticipate a total of 13 public holidays, as officially announced by the country’s Cabinet. Among these, four of the seven designated occasions will result in extended weekends, with the lengthiest break spanning six days.
These holidays supplement the 30 annual leaves allocated to employees each year. Numerous travel surveys conducted in recent months consistently show that a significant number of expatriates in the UAE opt to utilize their annual leave for trips to their home countries. Public holidays, along with the extended weekends they offer, become prime opportunities for global vacations or enjoyable staycations.
The dates disclosed on Tuesday align predominantly with the Islamic calendar. For enhanced 2024 planning accuracy, we have employed the Hijri calendar from the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) website to derive the corresponding Gregorian calendar dates.
Given that Hijri calendar months span either 29 or 30 days, contingent on the sighting of the crescent Moon, the specific dates will be officially declared by the pertinent authorities closer to each respective occasion.
Happy New Year : 3-day Weekend
Kicking off 2024, the first official holiday on January 1 falls on a Monday, giving everyone the luxury of a three-day weekend. So, after ushering in 2024 on New Year’s Eve, you have a whole day to relax and unwind.
Eid Al Fitr: 6-day break
This Islamic festival signifies the conclusion of Ramadan, the fasting month. The government has officially designated Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3 as a public holiday, providing approximately four or five days off, depending on whether the month extends to 29 or 30 days.
According to the Hijri calendar found on the IACAD website, Ramadan is anticipated to last 29 days. In alignment with this, the corresponding Gregorian calendar dates span from Tuesday, April 9, to Friday, April 12. Considering the additional Saturday-Sunday weekend, this results in a six-day break.
Arafah Day, Eid Al Adha: 5 days off
Recognized as the holiest day in Islam, Arafah Day falls on Dhul Hijjah 9, followed by the Islamic festival of Eid Al Adha spanning the subsequent three days. Translated to the Gregorian calendar, these dates align from Sunday, June 16, to Wednesday, June 19. With the inclusion of the preceding weekend (Saturday, June 15), this results in a five-day break to commemorate the festival.
Islamic New Year: 1-day holiday
The second New Year in 2024 is anticipated to occur in July. Muharram 1, marking the commencement of the Hijri year, is projected to fall on Sunday, July 7. While it doesn’t entail an extended holiday, it provides a day off for those whose weekend doesn’t include Sunday.
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday
It is commonly believed to occur on Rabi Al Awwal 12. The corresponding date on the Gregorian calendar is not immediately evident.
National Day
The final official holiday of the year is an extended one. December 2 falls on a Monday, and December 3 on a Tuesday. When coupled with the regular Saturday-Sunday weekend, this results in a four-day holiday.
