(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

We crunched the numbers for you in 2025, and now we are back with our holiday calculator for 2026.

Thanks to the UAE's 'transferable' public holiday rule, which was utilised during the 2025 Eid Al Etihad break, you now have even more flexibility to build longer getaways. So, consider this your yearly reminder that you don't need to stare at the calendar for hours - we have already done it.

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UAE public holidays in 2026 come with plenty of opportunities to stretch your time off. With just a handful of well-placed leave days, you can turn 12 days of yearly holiday into blissful breaks that feel like mini-vacations without burning through your annual leave balance.

New Year Day in January

The year kicks off with an easy win. New Year's Day falls on Thursday, January 1, if the government transfers the holiday to Friday, it becomes a 3-day weekend. If the law is not applied, with just one day of annual leave on Friday, January 2, you can ease into 2026 with a four-day break with the usual weekend (Saturday-Sunday).

Eid Al Fitr in March

The UAE marks Eid Al Fitr with three days of public holiday (Shawwal 1-3). In 2026, this non-transferable Islamic holiday is expected to fall from Friday to Sunday, March 20-22. However, the exact dates will be confirmed after the Shawwal crescent moon is sighted by official committees.

Smart planning can help residents maximise this festival period. By requesting annual leave from Monday to Thursday, March 16-19, it is possible to enjoy nine days off, from Saturday, March 14, through Sunday, March 22, including weekends and the Eid holidays.

Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha in May

Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha are set to create one of 2026's best long-weekend opportunities. Arafah Day (Dhul Hijjah 9) is one of the holiest days in Islam and a public holiday in the UAE, which is followed by three-day Eid Al Adha celebrations.

Arafah Day is likely to fall on Tuesday, May 26, followed by Eid Al Adha from Wednesday, May 27, to Friday, May 29. Again, the dates will depend on moon sighting.

To make the most of this period, taking one annual leave on Monday, May 25, would extend it into a week-long break, and including the two weekends could give residents an easy nine days off.

Hijri New Year in June

Start the new lunar year with a mini-break; the Islamic New Year falls on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, although the exact date will be confirmed after the moon sighting. Take Monday off, and you could enjoy a relaxing 4-day break including the weekend. Transferable leave may also apply, pending a UAE Cabinet ruling.

Prophet Mohammed's birthday in August

Here's another chance to extend your 2026 downtime: the Prophet Mohammed's (PBUH) birthday is expected on Tuesday, August 25 (Rabi Al Awwal 12). Take Monday, August 24, off, and you'll have a four-day holiday. This day may also be transferable, subject to government approval.

UAE National Day 2026 (Eid Al Etihad) in December

End the year with a bang; the 2-day UAE National Day holiday in 2026 falls on Wednesday and Thursday, December 2-3. If the holidays remain as scheduled, taking annual leave on Monday, November 30, Tuesday, December 1, and Friday, December 4, would give residents a well-timed nine-day break, including the weekends.

However, if the Cabinet officially moves the Eid Al Etihad holiday, the period could become a four-day weekend, making it even easier to create an extended end-of-year escape. Either way, with a little planning, 2026 can close on a high note.

With 12 official holidays and 11 annual leave days in 2026, UAE residents can stretch their breaks to 39 days including weekends - thank us later for the mental gymnastics!

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