The UAE observes seven official public holiday occasions, as established in Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024, with the same public holidays applying to both public and private sector employees. Islamic holidays are based on the Hijri calendar and are subject to official moon sightings, so some 2027 dates remain predictions until confirmed.
Working hours are also reduced during Ramadan in accordance with UAE Labour Law.
This guide provides an overview of the key UAE public holidays expected in 2027, including the predicted start of Ramadan and the potential long weekends throughout the year.
2027 UAE Holiday Calendar*
Holiday |
*Expected 2027 date |
| New Year’s Day | Friday, 1st January |
| Ramadan (predicted start) | Monday, 8th February |
| Eid Al Fitr | Tuesday, 9th March to Thursday, 11th March, or Friday, 12th March |
| Arafah Day | Saturday, 15th May |
| Eid Al Adha | Sunday, 16th May to Tuesday, 18th May |
| Islamic New Year | Sunday, 6th June |
| Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH) | Saturday, 14th August |
| UAE National Day / Eid Al Etihad | Thursday, 2nd December & Friday, 3rd December |
New Year’s Day and UAE National Day follow the Gregorian calendar and have fixed dates. The remaining public holidays are based on the Islamic calendar and their exact dates will be confirmed following official moon sightings.
Potential Long Weekends in 2027
Several of the expected public holidays could give UAE residents extended breaks in 2027.
▪️New Year’s Day: January 1st falls at the start of the weekend, giving employees a three-day break including the weekend.
▪️Eid Al Fitr: The holiday is expected to run from Tuesday, March 9th to Thursday, March 11th. If Ramadan lasts 30 days and March 12th is added as an official holiday, employees could have a six-day break when combined with the weekend.
▪️Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha: The expected holiday period runs from Saturday, May 15th to Tuesday, May 18th. As Arafah Day falls on a Saturday, the total break will depend on the official holiday dates and the applicable weekend arrangements.
▪️UAE National Day: Thursday, December 2nd and Friday, December 3rd are expected to be public holidays. Combined with Saturday and Sunday, this would create a four-day weekend from December 2nd to December 5th.
The UAE Cabinet may transfer certain public holidays to the beginning or end of the week, except for Eid holidays. However, a public holiday cannot be transferred if it coincides with another public holiday or falls on the weekend.
Reduced Working Hours During Ramadan
Under UAE Labour Law, working hours are reduced during the holy month of Ramadan:
▪️Private sector: Working hours are reduced by two hours per day during Ramadan.
▪️Public sector: Working hours are typically reduced during Ramadan, with the exact arrangements determined by the relevant government authority.
Lunar-Based Holidays
Several UAE public holidays are based on the Islamic Hijri calendar, meaning their Gregorian dates change each year and are subject to moon sighting.
▪️Ramadan: The holy month of fasting, expected to begin on February 8th, 2027.
▪️Eid Al Fitr: Celebrated at the end of Ramadan. The public holiday covers the first three days of Shawwal, with an additional day if Ramadan lasts 30 days.
▪️Arafah Day: The 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah and one of the most significant days of Hajj.
▪️Eid Al Adha: Begins on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah and continues for three days.
▪️Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year): The first day of Muharram.
▪️The Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Mawlid Al-Nabi): Observed on the 12th day of Rabi’ al-awwal.
*The expected dates shown above are based on current astronomical calculations and published 2027 forecasts. Final dates for Islamic holidays will be confirmed by the UAE authorities following moon sightings.