The UAE public holidays 2027 calendar gives residents up to 9-day breaks at least three times in the year — and every date except 1 January and 2–3 December is an expected date, not a confirmed one. Islamic holidays follow the Hijri calendar and the UAE moon-sighting committee, so dates can shift by a day or two. Here is the complete 2027 list, the long weekends hidden inside it, and the leave-hack calendar that turns 11 official holiday days into 24+ days off.
The official holiday list comes from Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, which the UAE Government portal publishes for both the public and private sectors. New Year’s Day (1 January) and National Day (2–3 December) are fixed. Everything Islamic is moon-sighting dependent until officially announced.
Public Holidays UAE 2027 at a Glance
| Holiday | Expected date (2027) | Day | Days off | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Friday | 1 | Confirmed |
| Eid Al Fitr* | 10–12 March (or 9–11 March) | Wed–Fri | 3–4 | Expected |
| Arafah Day | 15 May | Saturday | 1 | Expected |
| Eid Al Adha | 16–18 May | Sun–Tue | 3 | Expected |
| Hijri New Year | 6 June | Sunday | 1 | Expected |
| Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH) | 14 August | Saturday | 1 | Expected |
| Eid Al Etihad (National Day) | 2–3 December | Thu–Fri | 2 | Confirmed |
*Eid Al Fitr length depends on whether Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days in 2027.
UAE Public Holidays 2027: Dates and Long Weekends
Here is each holiday broken down — the expected dates, how many days you actually get, and the trip-planning window it opens.
New Year’s Day — Friday 1 January 2027 (confirmed)
The year opens with a freebie: 1 January falls on a Friday, which means a 3-day weekend (Friday–Sunday) with zero annual leave spent. Expect the usual NYE events — Dubai’s fireworks are the headline — and book any January travel before school terms resume.
Eid Al Fitr — expected 10–12 March 2027
Ramadan 2027 is astronomically projected to begin around Monday 8 February. If Ramadan runs 30 days, Ramadan 30 becomes an official holiday on Tuesday 9 March (Cabinet Resolution No. 27 adds it), followed by Eid Al Fitr on Wednesday 10 to Friday 12 March — a 5-day break including the weekend (13–14 March). If Ramadan is 29 days, Eid falls Tuesday 9 to Thursday 11 March, still giving a 5-day weekend.
Either way: this is 2027’s first major travel window. Leave hack: add Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 March as annual leave and you get up to 9 days off (8–16 March in the 30-day scenario).
Arafah Day — Saturday 15 May 2027 (expected)
Arafah Day, the Day of Hajj, falls on a Saturday in 2027. Since Saturday–Sunday is the standard UAE weekend, it does not add a standalone day off for most employees — but it does stretch the Eid Al Adha break that starts the next day.
Eid Al Adha — 16–18 May 2027 (expected)
Eid Al Adha holidays run Sunday 16 to Tuesday 18 May, fused with Arafah Day on Saturday 15 May — a 4-day run before you spend any leave. Leave hack: take Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 May as annual leave and you get 9 days off (15–23 May). This is the best weather window of 2027’s holidays: still bearable before summer peaks.
Hijri New Year — Sunday 6 June 2027 (expected)
Islamic New Year is expected on Sunday 6 June. Note: under the UAE’s holiday-transfer rule, the Cabinet may move non-Eid holidays to the start or end of the week — Time Out Dubai’s projection has this one shifting to Monday 7 June to make a 3-day weekend. Wait for the official announcement; either way, expect a long weekend.
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday — Saturday 14 August 2027 (expected)
The Prophet’s birthday (12 Rabi Al Awwal) is expected on Saturday 14 August — again a weekend date, so limited standalone value. Some projections have the observed day moved to Monday 16 August. Like Arafah Day, it mostly matters to shift workers and schools.
Eid Al Etihad (National Day) — 2–3 December 2027 (confirmed)
The year’s finale is fixed: Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December, celebrating the 56th UAE National Day with fireworks, military parades and city-wide events. That is a 4-day weekend (2–5 December) with zero leave. Leave hack: take Monday 30 November and Tuesday 1 December as annual leave → 9 days off (28 Nov–6 Dec). Planning December travel? Start with our Dubai in December 2026 weather and events guide — the seasonal formula repeats every year.
The Leave-Hack Calendar for 2027
Spend just 6 annual-leave days and turn the 2027 holiday calendar into three 9-day breaks:
| Holiday | Leave to take | Total break |
|---|---|---|
| Eid Al Fitr (Mar) | 8–9 March (2 days) | 9 days (8–16 Mar) |
| Eid Al Adha (May) | 19–20 May (2 days) | 9 days (15–23 May) |
| National Day (Dec) | 30 Nov–1 Dec (2 days) | 9 days (28 Nov–6 Dec) |
Add the free New Year’s 3-day weekend in January and the likely Hijri New Year long weekend in June, and you have 24+ travel days for 6 days of leave — the classic UAE resident arithmetic.
Rules Worth Knowing for 2027
- Moon sighting is law: Islamic dates are confirmed by the UAE moon-sighting committee. Astronomical projections are usually within a day, but never book non-refundable flights around Eid dates before the official announcement.
- Eid dates cannot be moved: the transfer rule applies to non-Eid holidays only. Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha dates are never shifted to create longer weekends.
- Private vs public sector: Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 lists the same holidays for both sectors — but implementation (especially for shifted dates) follows each employer’s policy.
- School breaks: KHDA/ADEK academic calendars typically align long breaks with Eid holidays — family travel prices spike, so book flights early for March and May.
What Closes (and Stays Open) on UAE Public Holidays 2027
A common question from new residents: does Dubai shut down on public holidays? Government offices, schools and banks close on all official public holidays. Malls, restaurants, cinemas and tourist attractions stay open — often with extended hours and National Day or Eid sales. The Dubai Metro and public transport typically run on Friday/holiday timetables, so check RTA timings before heading out. Private-sector employees get the same official holidays under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, but individual companies set their own policies for shifted dates — confirm with HR rather than assuming.
Planning Trips Around the 2027 Holidays
March Eid weather is perfect for desert trips and beach days; May Eid is the last comfortable window before summer; the December National Day break pairs naturally with Christmas markets and DSF season. For date ideas, see our things to do in Dubai in December and 25 free things to do in Dubai guides.