Only one official public holiday is left in the UAE for 2026: National Day, also called Eid Al Etihad. The government’s official portal lists it as Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026, a two-day break for both the public and private sectors.
The final announcement usually comes a couple of weeks before, and last year the days were moved. Here is what is confirmed, what could still change and how to stretch the break with a little annual leave.
Quick facts
- Holiday: UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad), the 55th
- Listed dates: Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026
- Who gets it: Public and private sectors (two days)
- Status: Listed on the official UAE portal; formal confirmation and any date move still to be announced
- Best leave plan: 3 days’ leave gives 9 days off, Saturday 28 November to Sunday 6 December
- Next holiday after that: New Year’s Day, Friday 1 January 2027
Which UAE public holidays are left in 2026?
Just National Day. Eid Al Fitr, Arafah Day, Eid Al Adha, Hijri New Year and the Prophet’s birthday have all passed for this year.
The official UAE government portal lists National Day as a two-day holiday on 2 and 3 December. In 2026 those dates fall on a Wednesday and a Thursday, right in the middle of the working week.
This year marks the 55th anniversary of the union, which was formed on 2 December 1971.
Are the National Day dates confirmed?
Not formally yet. The dates on the portal are the standard ones, but the government can still move the holiday by Cabinet decision.
That is exactly what happened in 2025. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) announced on 17 November 2025 that private-sector staff would get Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December 2025 off, shifting the break to sit next to the weekend.
So expect the official word in mid to late November. Until then, treat 2 and 3 December as the working assumption and keep your plans flexible.
Can the holiday be moved to make a long weekend?
It can. Under the unified public holiday rules in Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, the Cabinet can move certain holidays that fall mid-week to the start or end of the week. National Day is one of the holidays that can move; the two Eids cannot.
A move is not automatic. It needs a specific decision, and reports in October 2026 said no transfer had been announced. If it does happen, you could get a four-day weekend without touching your leave.
How to turn National Day into a long break
These plans assume the holiday stays on Wednesday and Thursday and that you work Monday to Friday with Saturday and Sunday off, as most government staff and many private companies now do.
1. Take 1 day off: 5 days in a row
Book Friday 4 December. You are off from Wednesday 2 to Sunday 6 December.
2. Take 2 days off: 6 days in a row
Book Tuesday 1 and Friday 4 December. You are off from Tuesday 1 to Sunday 6 December.
3. Take 3 days off: 9 days in a row
Book Monday 30 November, Tuesday 1 December and Friday 4 December. You are off from Saturday 28 November all the way to Sunday 6 December.
This is the best value, but it is also when everyone else is asking. Get your request in early, and check your company’s leave policy first.
What if you have to work on National Day?
If you are in the private sector and your employer needs you on a public holiday, the UAE labour law gives you one of two options. You get either another day off in its place, or your normal pay for that day plus at least 50% of your basic wage on top.
The employer chooses which option applies, but they cannot give you less than the law sets out. If there is a dispute, MoHRE handles complaints for private-sector workers.
What about Commemoration Day?
Commemoration Day honours the UAE’s martyrs and is marked just before National Day. It is not listed as a separate day off on the official public holiday page, so do not count on it as an extra holiday unless the government says otherwise.
When is the next holiday after National Day?
New Year’s Day, which falls on Friday 1 January 2027. For most people on a Monday-to-Friday week, that means a three-day weekend from Friday to Sunday.
The Islamic holidays in 2027 depend on moon sightings, so we will publish those dates once they are officially announced rather than guess.
Planning a staycation or trip?
Flights and hotels around National Day fill up fast, as so many residents travel. If you plan to stay in Dubai, look out for the official celebrations programme, which is normally published closer to the date.
Also note that Dubai Run on Sunday 22 November closes Sheikh Zayed Road for the morning, a week before the long break begins.
Read next: Eid Al Etihad 2026 In Dubai: Holiday Dates, Theme, Events & Fireworks · 5 Best UAE Staycation Areas For Winter Weekends, And What Rooms Cost · 4 Day Trips From Dubai This Winter: Hatta, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah
FAQs
When is UAE National Day 2026?
The official portal lists Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026 as the holiday. National Day itself falls on 2 December.
Is National Day a holiday for the private sector?
Yes. Since the unified holiday rules, the public and private sectors get the same days off. MoHRE normally issues a circular confirming the dates for private companies.
Will the holiday be moved to a long weekend?
It is possible but not confirmed. The Cabinet can move it, as it did in 2025, so watch for an announcement in mid to late November.
How many public holidays are left in 2026?
One: the two-day National Day holiday in December.
Is 1 January 2027 a public holiday?
Yes. New Year’s Day is a fixed public holiday and falls on a Friday in 2027.
