UAE workers set for six-day Eid Al Adha break in May 2026

Key facts

• Arafah Day is expected on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, followed by Eid Al Adha from Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29.
• The UAE Cabinet has approved three days of public holiday for Eid Al Adha, plus Arafah Day as a separate holiday.
• Taking Monday, May 25 as annual leave would create a nine-day break from Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, May 31.
• The Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub forecasts the Dhu Al Hijja crescent will be sighted on the evening of Sunday, May 17.
• Professor Hamid Al Naimiy said the hub's findings have been shared with the UAE Fatwa Council.
• The UAE's moon-sighting committee will declare the official start of Dhu Al Hijja closer to the time.
• Hajj is expected to begin around May 25, corresponding to the 8th of Dhul Hijjah.

Six-day public holiday confirmed

UAE residents are set to enjoy a six-day break for Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha next month, as the government confirms public holiday schedules for both federal and private sectors. Arafah Day, falling on Tuesday, May 26, marks the most important day of the Hajj pilgrimage and is a one-day public holiday. The three-day Eid Al Adha break runs from Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29, combining with the weekend to create a six-day respite. The UAE Cabinet has officially approved the Eid Al Adha holiday dates, while the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) have issued circulars ensuring uniform leave across all sectors. Under a unified calendar, both public and private sector employees receive the same number of paid holidays.

Astronomical forecasts point to May 27 start

Astronomical calculations by Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomical Society, indicate that Eid Al Adha will begin on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. The Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub (SSAH), led by Professor Hamid Al Naimiy, independently forecasts the same date, predicting that the crescent moon heralding Dhu Al Hijja will be sighted on the evening of Sunday, May 17. If the moon is sighted as expected, Dhu Al Hijja will begin on Monday, May 18, placing Arafah Day on the 9th of the month (Tuesday, May 26) and Eid Al Adha on the 10th (Wednesday, May 27). The SSAH has shared its findings with the UAE Fatwa Council to support the official moon-sighting process.

One leave day unlocks a nine-day getaway

The alignment of the holidays at the end of the working week makes it straightforward to extend the break significantly with minimal annual leave. Arafah Day falls on Tuesday, May 26, followed immediately by the three-day Eid break from Wednesday to Friday. By taking Monday, May 25 as a single day of annual leave, residents can secure a nine-day break combining the preceding weekend (May 23–24), the leave day, and the full run of public holidays through to Sunday, May 31. This planning opportunity has already generated interest among residents looking to travel or spend extended time with family. The Hajj pilgrimage, which begins around May 25, adds to the religious significance of the period.

Religious and cultural significance

Eid Al Adha, or the Festival of the Sacrifice, commemorates the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's command. It is the second of the two Eids observed each year, coming after Eid Al Fitr. The occasion coincides with the end of the Hajj season, when worshippers travel to Makkah to perform the Islamic pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam. Arafah Day, observed on the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijja, is the most important day of Hajj. Pilgrims spend the day at Mount Arafat in Makkah, while Muslims around the world fast. For those not on pilgrimage, the rituals of Eid begin after Arafah Day.

Official confirmation and moon sighting process

The UAE government has already published provisional dates for Eid Al Adha 1447 AH, with final confirmation dependent on the official crescent moon sighting. The moon-sighting committee, comprising senior religious scholars, officials and astronomers, will convene closer to the time to declare the start of Dhu Al Hijja. Authorities reiterate that all Islamic holiday dates remain subject to visual confirmation. FAHR issued Circular No. (2) of 2026 confirming the holiday schedule for federal entities, while MoHRE issued a separate notice for the private sector on 23 February 2026. Sharjah's human resources department and other emirate authorities have issued matching schedules for their public employees.

Outlook for residents and pilgrims

With the holiday period approaching, residents are advised to plan their leave early to take full advantage of the extended break. The nine-day option, requiring just one day of annual leave, is expected to be popular for domestic travel or short international trips. For Muslims, the period offers a time for prayer, reflection and community gatherings. The Hajj pilgrimage, expected to begin around May 25 and conclude around May 29–30, will draw worshippers from around the world to Makkah. The UAE's moon-sighting committee will provide the final confirmation of dates, ensuring that the religious observances align with the lunar calendar.

The bottom line

• Eid Al Adha 2026 is expected to begin on Wednesday, May 27, with Arafah Day on Tuesday, May 26.
• The UAE government has confirmed a six-day public holiday for both federal and private sectors.
• Taking one day of annual leave on Monday, May 25 can extend the break to nine days.
• Astronomical forecasts from the Emirates Astronomical Society and Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub align on the dates.
• Final dates will be confirmed by the UAE's moon-sighting committee after visual crescent sighting.
• The holiday period coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage, adding religious significance to the break.