Public holidays in Dubai can be broken down into two categories; those that are fixed in the standard Gregorian calendar (Western calendar), and Islamic holidays that follow the Hijri calendar (Islamic calendar).
The Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar with 365 days (366 days in a leap year), whereas the Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar with 354 days.
Islamic holidays will therefore shift 11 or 12 days every year in relation to the Gregorian calendar. Things are further complicated by the fact that the start date of each month in the Islamic calendar is determined by local sightings of the moon (and can vary by a day from the anticipated date).
The actual dates of Islamic holidays are only confirmed a day a so before they begin.
The weekend in Dubai is Friday and Saturday. If a public holiday falls on one of these days, workers will generally get the next weekday off.
Public holidays in Dubai for 2020 are listed in the table below. The information in the table is based on this tweet from the UAE Cabinet. Actual dates may vary slightly as Islamic holidays are confirmed.
| Holiday | Public Holiday Dates | Fixed/Islamic | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year | January 1 2020 | Fixed | Falls on a Wednesday. |
| Eid Al Fitr | May 24 -26 2020 | Islamic | Update 22 May 2020 - May 24 announced as first day of Eid Al Fitr. Return to work on May 27. |
| Arafat Day | July 30 2020 | Islamic | Second day of the Hajj (the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca). Islamic day 9 Dhu al-Hijjah (31 July). |
| Eid Al Adha | July 31 - August 2 2020 | Islamic | Islamic days 10 -12 Dhu al-Hijjah. |
| Islamic New Year | August 23 2020 | Islamic | Also known as Hijri New Year. Marks the beginning of a new Islamic calendar year. 1 Muharram (21 August 2020) is a Friday. As Islamic New Year falls on a Friday, the public holiday will be on Sunday 23 August 2020. |
| Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | November 29 2020 | Islamic | Falls on 12 Rabi' al-awwal (Friday 30 November). As it falls on a Friday, Thursday 29 November will be the public holiday. |
| Commemoration Day | December 1 2020 | Fixed | Also known as Martyr's Day. New public holiday to honour Emiratis who have died for their country. Falls on a Tuesday. Workers enjoy a 5-day break (combined with UAE National Day holiday), returning to work on Sunday December 6 2020. |
| UAE National Day | December 2 -3 2020 | Fixed | Celebrates the union of the emirates. Usually offers parades, firework displays, concerts, and more (but likely to be scaled down in 2020). Public holiday on Wednesday/Thursday December 2/3 2020. Workers enjoy a 5-day break (combined with Commemoration Day holiday), returning to work on Sunday December 6 2020. |
As the Hijri calendar is shorter than the Gregorian calendar it is also possible for an Islamic holiday to be held twice within a western calendar year.
Ramadan
Ramadan is not a public holiday. It is ninth and holiest month in the Hijri calendar. During the month observant Muslim do not eat or drink during the daytime. Working hours are reduced.
Christmas
Christmas Day is not a public holiday in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. Islam is the official religion of the UAE, but the festivals and holidays of other religions are tolerated.
Shopping malls and many hotels will be decorated for the ‘festive season’, just as in western countries. However, expat-orientated schools will tend to hold ‘winter’ concerts rather than nativity plays.
Some western companies may give staff a holiday, though most workers wishing to celebrate the day will have to book time off.
New Year
New Year’s Day (January 1 – Gregorian calendar) is a public holiday but New Year’s Eve isn’t.
The Islamic New Year (Hijri) is also a public holiday in the UAE.
Joanne says
Is December 3 is also holiday for private sector? if the company required to work during that date, the company should pay them?
PGP says
Hello,
If my company asking me to work on Friday and public holiday falls on Saturday, do I entitled to get over time since I worked for 26 days ??
Dora says
Hello,
Based on the law you will have to get off at that day, or get the additional off later after the holidays, or get paid.
Visitor says
According to the official website of the UAE government commemoration day will be December 1st (as of the latest update on October 1st)
Moaz says
If any company allow to friday hoilday but detect money of the friday hoilday in your salary any law available for them
Dora says
They cant deduct any money for giving off on that day. NO LAW for that. but Law as I mentioned before : Get off that day officially, or get paid, or get the off later after the holidays
michael pesigan says
How many Holiday in total this 2019, I’m counting 15 Holiday?, please correct me if I’m wrong. Thank you
Niamath says
Is there is any holiday as on Islamic new year.
Ewaldo Bustos says
Hi there! Thinking in the holiday that your celebrate on Sunday, December 1, 2019, will be desert tours? And if there will be, will that affect your activities like belly dancing an others? And if there will be no tours on December 1…will there be December 2? The malls will remain open or closed on Monday 2, December? Thanks!
Tim Cook says
I am planning a business trip to Dubai in October, are there any events/disruptions expected during October, or any dates to be avoided?
Mahmoud says
Is it possible can you update according to 2019 and 2020 public holidays ?
Editor says
2019 public holidays have been updated. Holidays for 2020 will be added later in the year.
Adil says
30th Nov 2019 is the confirm date for Commemoration Day holiday or else it will be on 1st Dec 2019?
hoory says
What are the durations of these holidays
Editor says
The length of the holidays are listed in the table.
Victor says
Just a little wondering. If my day off in a week falls on a public holiday. Am I entitled for another off day in the future? Is there any law regulating this? Thanks!
hannah french says
Yes.
lorensia says
Is it possible if you could release public holiday for 2018?
Editor says
Now updated.
Mark says
Nice article. Thanks.
Fahad says
This article could have been better written. Why is it only focusing on westerners?
Editor says
Most of our readers are westerners. We’re an English language website.