Most people in the UAE figure out their travel plans in one of two ways. Either they wait until a holiday is a week away and scramble for flights and hotels at peak prices, or they sit down at the start of the year, look at the calendar properly, and realise there are some genuinely good windows to work with. This blog is for the second type of person — or for anyone who wants to become one.
2026 is a decent year for long weekends. A few of the holidays land on Mondays or fall close enough to the weekend that a day or two of leave turns into a proper trip. We’ve gone through the full list of UAE public holidays and matched each one with destination ideas that actually make sense for the time you have whether that’s a quick 3-night getaway or a full 9-day break.
All dates are based on current predictions. Islamic holidays are subject to moon sighting confirmation.
The Full UAE Public Holidays 2026 Calendar
Holiday | Date | Day |
Arafat Day (Eid Al Adha Eve) | May 26 | Tuesday |
Eid Al Adha | May 27-29 | Wednesday-Friday |
Islamic New Year | June 15 | Monday |
Prophet’s Birthday | August 24 | Monday |
Commemoration Day | November 30 | Monday |
UAE National Day | December 2-3 | Wednesday-Thrusday |
Now let’s talk about what to actually do with them. Read more about the holidays and plan your vacations accordingly here.
Eid Al Adha – May 26–29 + Weekend (Up to 9 Days)
This is the big one for 2026. Arafat Day falls on Tuesday, May 26, Eid Al Adha runs from Wednesday to Friday, and the weekend follows immediately. With the confirmed government holiday extension, many residents are looking at up to 9 consecutive days off. Add annual leave on either side, and it stretches further.
Nine days is a proper holiday. Go somewhere that deserves it, just make sure to book your international tour packages in advance.
Where to go:
Europe – May/June is peak season in Europe for a reason. Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Prague — the weather is good, the days are long, and everything is open. Book flights now if you haven’t. Prices are already climbing.
Japan – if you’ve been putting it off, this is the window. June in Japan sits between the cherry blossom crowds and the July humidity. Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka — all manageable in 9 days if you plan properly. TravelSaga can provide Japan visa from UAE assistance.
UK and Scotland – June evenings in London go on forever. Add Edinburgh or the Highlands if you want something genuinely different.
Southeast Asia – Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia — beach or city, either works. Phuket, Hanoi, Penang — this region is well-priced, well-connected from Dubai, and endlessly good for food. Book Thailand or Vietnam tour packages with us.
Islamic New Year – June 15 (Monday)
Single-day holiday, but it lands on a Monday, which makes it a three-day weekend. June in Dubai is hot, which is actually a good reason to go somewhere with cooler weather.
Where to go:
Azerbaijan (Baku) – underrated, under-visited, and genuinely interesting. Old City, mud volcanoes, incredible food. Direct flights, no visa for most nationalities, and June is pleasant there. Book Azerbaijan tour packages with us.
Armenia (Yerevan) – similar distance, similar appeal. The cognac is excellent, and the landscape around the city is unlike anything in the region. Explore Armenia tour package with us.
Swiss Alps or Austrian Lakes – June is the green season. Everything is open, fewer crowds than July, and the mountain air is exactly what you want after a long, hot May.
Prophet’s Birthday – August 24 (Monday)
Another Monday holiday, another three-day weekend. August is peak summer in Dubai — indoors, air conditioning, and the urge to be literally anywhere else. Good time to use it.
Where to go:
London or Manchester – August bank holiday season in the UK. Warm enough to actually be outside, long evenings, and things happening everywhere. Three days is tight but doable for a city trip.
Kuala Lumpur – short flight, budget-friendly, great food, and the city is endlessly walkable. Pair it with a night in Langkawi if you want beach time. Plan to book Malaysia tour package with us.
Maldives – yes, again. It works for almost every break. August is shoulder season there, so prices are better than peak.
Commemoration Day And National Day – November 30 & December 2–3
This cluster at the end of the year is genuinely good. Commemoration Day on Monday, November 30, then National Day on Wednesday and Thursday, December 2–3. Take one day of leave on December 1 (Tuesday), and you have a six-day break. Take a full week off on either side, and December becomes a proper month-long travel opportunity.
December is also when Dubai itself is at its best cool weather, events everywhere, and the city fully lit up. Staying put is a valid option.
Where to go:
South Africa (Cape Town) – December is summer there. The Waterfront, the Winelands, Table Mountain, and one of the most beautiful drives in the world along the Garden Route. Five to six hours from Dubai, and the rand makes it a very good value.
Maldives – December is peak season, peak weather, and peak prices. Worth it if you book far enough ahead. Explore Maldives tour packages.
Sri Lanka – the west and south coasts are in their dry season in December. Colombo, Galle, Ella, and Sigiriya — a lot of country packed into a small island. Easy to do in 5–6 days. You can book Sri Lanka tour packages with us.
Christmas Markets in Europe – Vienna, Prague, Strasbourg, Cologne. If you’ve never done a Christmas market trip, December is the only time that makes sense. Book flights and accommodation early these cities fill up.
A Few Practical Notes
Book early on the big breaks: Eid Al Adha 2026 in particular nine days off means every UAE resident with annual leave is competing for the same flights. Prices go up fast once the dates are confirmed.
Islamic holiday dates shift: All Islamic holidays listed above are based on current lunar calendar predictions and are subject to moon sighting confirmation. Final dates may move by a day. Don’t book non-refundable tickets too far in advance for these specifically.
Annual leave strategy matters: The difference between a 3-day weekend and a 7-day trip is sometimes just one or two days of annual leave placed correctly. Look at the calendar, identify the bridges, and plan those leave days now before your colleagues do. It is always better to check annual leave calender in advance.
To Conclude
Make the most of the UAE public holidays in 2026 by turning every long weekend into an unforgettable getaway. From relaxing beach escapes to exciting international adventures, planning ahead helps you enjoy more while spending less. Whether you dream of exploring Europe, or nearby destinations, travelsaga.com offers customized holiday packages, visa assistance, and travel deals to make your trip seamless. Start planning your 2026 long weekend escapes with Travel Saga and create memories that last forever.
