UAE Approves Six-Day Break for Eid Al Adha, Building on Lunar Calendar Forecast

Key facts

• Eid Al Adha is expected to begin on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
• The UAE Cabinet approved three days of public holiday for Eid Al Adha, May 27 to May 29.
• Arafah Day, marking the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijjah, falls on Tuesday, May 26.
• The full planned public holiday break extends to a six-day period when including the weekend.
• The Lunar month Dhu Al Hijjah is anticipated to begin on May 17, 2026, based on forecasts.
• Eid Al Adha commemorates the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son.
• The Hajj pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam, is expected to conclude around May 29–30, 2026.
• The public holidays for both sectors are typically standardized under a unified calendar.

Lunar Calculations Set Stage for Major Religious Holidays

Astronomical forecasts anchor the timing of several significant religious festivals across the Middle East. Experts predict the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar, will commence in the UAE on the evening of Sunday, May 17, 2026. This sighting paves the way for a sequence of public holidays spanning the latter half of the month. These holidays mark the conclusion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Eid Al Adha, known as the Festival of the Sacrifice, is the second of the two major Eids, commemorating the Prophet Abraham's profound willingness to sacrifice his son. Furthermore, the observance coincides with the final rituals of the Hajj season in Makkah. Final dates remain subject to the official sighting of the new crescent moon by the UAE's moon-sighting committee, a group comprising senior religious scholars, officials, and astronomers. However, preliminary calculations provide a detailed timeline for both the Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha celebrations.

The Significance of Arafah and Eid Al Adha

Arafah Day is the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijjah and holds considerable spiritual weight, marking a critical juncture for the Hajj pilgrimage. On this day, pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat and the surrounding plain in Makkah, the site of one of the Prophet Muhammad's final sermons. While the journey to Hajj is the central rite, the day holds profound significance even for Muslims not undertaking the pilgrimage. Fasting on Arafah Day is strongly encouraged as an act of reflection and worship. Eid Al Adha follows Arafah Day on the tenth of Dhu Al Hijjah. Although the day marks the official conclusion of the Hajj rituals for those who travelled to Makkah, the holidays offer a time for wider community gatherings and spiritual reflection among all Muslims.

Official Government Approvals Structure the Break

The structure of the public break is underpinned by official government actions. The UAE Cabinet formally approved three days of public holiday specifically for Eid Al Adha, running from Wednesday, May 27, to Friday, May 29. Adding to this, Arafah Day has been recognized as a dedicated one-day public holiday, falling on Tuesday, May 26. Taken together with the weekend of May 23–24, these days create a contiguous six-day period of time off for residents. This coordinated scheduling means that both the public and private sectors typically receive the same number of public holidays each year, adhering to a unified national calendar.

Extending the Festive Period

The timing of these mandated holidays allows residents a unique opportunity to extend their respite significantly. By taking a single day of annual leave on Monday, May 25, individuals could secure a remarkable nine-day break. This calculated period would combine the preceding weekend (May 23–24), the single day of annual leave, and the full run of approved public holidays, extending through to Sunday, May 31. The planning illustrates the potential for the religious observances to seamlessly integrate into longer-term travel plans.

Hajj’s Place in Islamic Observance

The Hajj remains the fifth pillar of Islam, an obligation for every Muslim who is both physically and financially capable of completing the journey at least once. It is globally regarded as a deeply transformative experience. The pilgrimage fosters profound humility before God and underscores a unique unity among Muslims regardless of nationality, background, or social status. The entire journey occurs annually during Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month, with the main rituals anticipated to conclude near May 29–30, 2026.