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 2019 are listed in the table below.
| Holiday | Dates | Fixed/Islamic | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year | January 1 2019 | Fixed | Falls on a Tuesday. |
| Eid Al Fitr | June 2 - 6 2019 | Islamic | The end of Ramadan. 5 day break commencing Sunday June 2. Workers return to work on Sunday June 9 after weekend (Friday and Saturday in Dubai/UAE). |
| Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha | August 10 - 13 2019 | Islamic | Second day of the Hajj (the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca). Expected to begin Saturday August 10. Workers return on Wednesday August 14. |
| Islamic New Year | August 31 - September 1 2019 | Islamic | Also known as Hijri New Year. Marks the beginning of a new Islamic calendar year. Expected to fall on Saturday August 31, so workers will get a day off on Sunday September 1. |
| Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | November 9 2019 | Islamic | Announced as a public holiday in September 2019. |
| Commemoration Day | November 30 2019 | Fixed | Also known as Martyr's Day. New public holiday to honour Emiratis who have died for their country. Moved from December 1 to November 30 by announcement in September 2019. |
| UAE National Day | December 2 -3 2019 | Fixed | Celebrates the union of the emirates. Expect parades, firework displays, concerts, and more. Public holiday on Monday/Tuesday December 2/3 2019. |
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.
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.
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.