There’s just one UAE public holiday left in 2026 – when is it?

With just one final break left to look forward to. Eid Al Etihad, also known as UAE National Day, will mark the country’s final public holiday of the year. Here’s when it falls and what to know about the days off. The final public holiday of 2026 will be Eid Al Etihad, also known as UAE National Day. The official National Day dates are Wednesday December 2 and Thursday December 3, 2026. However, the days off could still be moved to the beginning or end of the week if the UAE Cabinet announces a transfer. Eid Al Etihad marks the unification of the seven emirates in 1971 and is celebrated across the UAE with cultural events, entertainment, fireworks and other festivities. As it stands, December 2 and 3 fall on a Wednesday and Thursday, so the two-day public holiday does not create a long weekend on its own. However, under UAE Cabinet rules, eligible public holidays can be transferred to the beginning or end of the week through an official decision. National Day is eligible for this transfer, so residents will need to wait for any official announcement before knowing whether the holiday will be extended into a longer break. If you’re already planning your holidays for next year, the 2027 UAE public holiday calendar is also taking shape. While New Year’s Day and Eid Al Etihad have fixed Gregorian dates, Islamic holidays are based on the Hijri calendar and their exact dates depend on the sighting of the moon. The following dates are therefore expected dates and are subject to official confirmation.