When is the next holiday? Another Deadline? Life is a never-ending cycle of work, especially when you belong to an HR- clan of one massive business hub, i.e. UAE. Being in HR means assuring you have to work without a hitch. But at times, these unforeseen public holidays keep halting your plans.
In 2024, UAE observes eight public holidays, including Eid-ul-Fitr, Arafaat Day, Eid-ul-Adha, Islamic New Year, Prophet’s Birthday, Commemoration Day, UAE National Day, and New Year’s Eve. These holidays offer opportunities for celebration, reflection, and time off throughout the year.
What are Public Holidays in UAE? Public holidays in the UAE are the specific dates throughout the year when government offices, businesses, and institutions are officially closed. These are paid-off holidays where friends and families come together to celebrate and strengthen the country’s identity. These holidays allow UAE’s population to observe cultural, religious, or national events. Moreover, these holidays play a crucial role in the work-life balance and foster unity, social harmony, and a sense of belonging.
Below, we’ve mentioned a calendar of public holidays in UAE in 2024 with precise dates to help you plan your leaves and schedule your work routine accordingly.
8 Public Holidays in the UAE in 2024
During UAE public holidays, most companies and government offices are closed. You will, therefore, need to be skilled at organizing holiday time and work schedules to comply with these public holidays.
| Date | Day | No. Of Days | Holiday |
| 8 April | Monday | 9 | Eid-ul-Fitr |
| 15 June | Saturday | 1 | Arafaat Day |
| 16 June | Sunday | 3 | Eid-ul-Adha |
| 7 July | Sunday | 1 | Islamic New Year |
| 15 September | Sunday | 1 | Prophet Birthday |
| 1 December | Sunday | 1 | Commemoration Day |
| 2 December | Monday | 1 | UAE National Day |
| 1 January | Monday | 1 | New Year Evening |
History & Background of UAE Public Holidays
1. Eid-ul-Fitr Holiday (8 -10 April 2024)
Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated after the auspicious month of Ramadan on the 1st date of Shawwal. According to the Islamic calendar, Shawwal is the 10th month of the year. In the coming year, the Eid holiday will be predicted to last 5 days. According to astronomers, Ramadan will start on Monday, March 11, 2024. If this prediction is true, Eid-ul-Fitr will be on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
As you know, Eid-ul-Fitr holidays are granted from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3. So, if April 10 is the day of Eid, the holidays will be granted from April 8 -12. This means it will be nine days off since each side has two weekends.
But again, it depends upon the duration of Ramadan and the appearance of the Shawwal moon. The dates may collide, but the 99% chance is that these days will be seen as Eid.
2. Arafaat Day – 15, June, 2024
The main focus of Arafaat Day is observation and prayer. A crucial component of the Hajj, the journey to Mecca, is it. It is among the most important occasions in Islamic history.
Considering it is a public holiday, you are free to spend it in peace and prayers. According to astronomical calculations, “Arafat Day will fall on Tuesday, June 15. So, the following day, Sunday, will be the first day of Eid-ul-Adha.”
3. Eid-ul-Adha – 16-18, June, 2024
Eid-ul-Adha, commonly referred to as the Eid of Sacrifice, is a time to ponder Ibrahim’s determination to offer his son as a sacrifice. Families gather to sacrifice for animals and provide meat to needy people. Of the two major festivals observed in Islam, it is the second and biggest.
The UAE Moon Sighting Committee hopes to observe the Dhu Al-Hijja on Sunday, June 16. The very first day of Eid-ul-Adha in 2024.
The official holiday begins Tuesday, June 15, one day before Eid on Arafat Day. Therefore, the holidays will extend till June 18. So, there will be 4 public holidays on this occasion.
4. Islamic New Year 7, July, 2024
The Islamic New Year, or Hijri New Year, marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar. While it might not involve fireworks or parties like the Gregorian New Year, it’s a significant holiday, and you’ll have a day off for the occasion. This first day of the Islamic year is observed on the first day of the month of Muharram.
Sunday, 7 July 2024, will be an official public holiday for all private and public sectors in the UAE on the day of the Islamic New Year.
5. Prophet Birthday – 15, September, 2024
Mawlid al-Nabi, commonly known as The Prophet’s Birthday, is a day set aside to honor the birth of the Islamic prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The birthday of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is a public holiday in Dubai. According to the UAE Government, it will be observed on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
Besides that, official work will resume on Monday, September 16, 2024.
6. Commemoration Day – 1, December, 2024
In the United Arab Emirates, Commemoration Day—previously known as Martyrs’ Day—is a national holiday saluting the devotion and contributions of Emirati martyrs who gave their lives for the cause of civic, military, or humanitarian service.
The celebration will occur on December 1st, 2024. It takes place the day before the national holiday. Therefore, you can figure out two holidays at the beginning of the month.
7. UAE National Day – 2, December, 2024
Every year on December 2, the UAE celebrates its National Day. As UAE was the last state to enter a federation, the seventh emirate joined on 10 February 1972. It is a day of pride and unity that celebrates the union of the Emirates and the birth of the nation.
You can expect grand parades, fireworks, and a sea of red, green, white, and black flags. It is also considered a public holiday filled with patriotism, peace, and pride.
8. New Year’s Eve – 1 January, 2024
In the Gregorian calendar, New Year’s Eve is the evening or whole day of December 31, the year’s final day. In the UAE, New Year’s Eve is a spectacular event. From the breathtaking Burj Khalifa fireworks through the whole night countdown, it sends a message of celebration and peace to the world.
Luckily, it will occur on the week’s final day, a Sunday this year. Therefore, we can enjoy a public holiday on Monday, January 1, 2024.
When is the next holiday? Another Deadline? Life is a never-ending cycle of work, especially when you belong to an HR- clan of one massive business hub, i.e. UAE. Being in HR means assuring you have to work without a hitch. But at times, these unforeseen public holidays keep halting your plans.
In 2024, UAE observes eight public holidays, including Eid-ul-Fitr, Arafaat Day, Eid-ul-Adha, Islamic New Year, Prophet’s Birthday, Commemoration Day, UAE National Day, and New Year’s Eve. These holidays offer opportunities for celebration, reflection, and time off throughout the year.
What are Public Holidays in UAE? Public holidays in the UAE are the specific dates throughout the year when government offices, businesses, and institutions are officially closed. These are paid-off holidays where friends and families come together to celebrate and strengthen the country’s identity. These holidays allow UAE’s population to observe cultural, religious, or national events. Moreover, these holidays play a crucial role in the work-life balance and foster unity, social harmony, and a sense of belonging.
Below, we’ve mentioned a calendar of public holidays in UAE in 2024 with precise dates to help you plan your leaves and schedule your work routine accordingly.
8 Public Holidays in the UAE in 2024
During UAE public holidays, most companies and government offices are closed. You will, therefore, need to be skilled at organizing holiday time and work schedules to comply with these public holidays.
| Date | Day | No. Of Days | Holiday |
| 8 April | Monday | 9 | Eid-ul-Fitr |
| 15 June | Saturday | 1 | Arafaat Day |
| 16 June | Sunday | 3 | Eid-ul-Adha |
| 7 July | Sunday | 1 | Islamic New Year |
| 15 September | Sunday | 1 | Prophet Birthday |
| 1 December | Sunday | 1 | Commemoration Day |
| 2 December | Monday | 1 | UAE National Day |
| 1 January | Monday | 1 | New Year Evening |
History & Background of UAE Public Holidays
1. Eid-ul-Fitr Holiday (8 -10 April 2024)
Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated after the auspicious month of Ramadan on the 1st date of Shawwal. According to the Islamic calendar, Shawwal is the 10th month of the year. In the coming year, the Eid holiday will be predicted to last 5 days. According to astronomers, Ramadan will start on Monday, March 11, 2024. If this prediction is true, Eid-ul-Fitr will be on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
As you know, Eid-ul-Fitr holidays are granted from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3. So, if April 10 is the day of Eid, the holidays will be granted from April 8 -12. This means it will be nine days off since each side has two weekends.
But again, it depends upon the duration of Ramadan and the appearance of the Shawwal moon. The dates may collide, but the 99% chance is that these days will be seen as Eid.
2. Arafaat Day – 15, June, 2024
The main focus of Arafaat Day is observation and prayer. A crucial component of the Hajj, the journey to Mecca, is it. It is among the most important occasions in Islamic history.
Considering it is a public holiday, you are free to spend it in peace and prayers. According to astronomical calculations, “Arafat Day will fall on Tuesday, June 15. So, the following day, Sunday, will be the first day of Eid-ul-Adha.”
3. Eid-ul-Adha – 16-18, June, 2024
Eid-ul-Adha, commonly referred to as the Eid of Sacrifice, is a time to ponder Ibrahim’s determination to offer his son as a sacrifice. Families gather to sacrifice for animals and provide meat to needy people. Of the two major festivals observed in Islam, it is the second and biggest.
The UAE Moon Sighting Committee hopes to observe the Dhu Al-Hijja on Sunday, June 16. The very first day of Eid-ul-Adha in 2024.
The official holiday begins Tuesday, June 15, one day before Eid on Arafat Day. Therefore, the holidays will extend till June 18. So, there will be 4 public holidays on this occasion.
4. Islamic New Year 7, July, 2024
The Islamic New Year, or Hijri New Year, marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar. While it might not involve fireworks or parties like the Gregorian New Year, it’s a significant holiday, and you’ll have a day off for the occasion. This first day of the Islamic year is observed on the first day of the month of Muharram.
Sunday, 7 July 2024, will be an official public holiday for all private and public sectors in the UAE on the day of the Islamic New Year.
5. Prophet Birthday – 15, September, 2024
Mawlid al-Nabi, commonly known as The Prophet’s Birthday, is a day set aside to honor the birth of the Islamic prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The birthday of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is a public holiday in Dubai. According to the UAE Government, it will be observed on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
Besides that, official work will resume on Monday, September 16, 2024.
6. Commemoration Day – 1, December, 2024
In the United Arab Emirates, Commemoration Day—previously known as Martyrs’ Day—is a national holiday saluting the devotion and contributions of Emirati martyrs who gave their lives for the cause of civic, military, or humanitarian service.
The celebration will occur on December 1st, 2024. It takes place the day before the national holiday. Therefore, you can figure out two holidays at the beginning of the month.
7. UAE National Day – 2, December, 2024
Every year on December 2, the UAE celebrates its National Day. As UAE was the last state to enter a federation, the seventh emirate joined on 10 February 1972. It is a day of pride and unity that celebrates the union of the Emirates and the birth of the nation.
You can expect grand parades, fireworks, and a sea of red, green, white, and black flags. It is also considered a public holiday filled with patriotism, peace, and pride.
8. New Year’s Eve – 1 January, 2024
In the Gregorian calendar, New Year’s Eve is the evening or whole day of December 31, the year’s final day. In the UAE, New Year’s Eve is a spectacular event. From the breathtaking Burj Khalifa fireworks through the whole night countdown, it sends a message of celebration and peace to the world.
Luckily, it will occur on the week’s final day, a Sunday this year. Therefore, we can enjoy a public holiday on Monday, January 1, 2024.
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