You open your calendar app sometime in January and start counting how many days off you actually get in 2027. The answer depends on which holidays fall on which days and whether any of the Islamic dates land close enough to a weekend to give you a proper break. This guide gives you the full picture in one place.
The UAE has 7 public holidays in 2027, covering a mix of fixed Gregorian dates and Islamic lunar-based occasions. Fixed holidays like New Year’s Day and National Day are confirmed. Islamic holidays including Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, and the Prophet’s Birthday are estimates based on astronomical calculations. They will be officially confirmed after the crescent moon sighting by UAE authorities closer to each date.
UAE Public Holidays 2027: Full List
| Holiday | Expected Date | Day | Long Weekend |
| New Year’s Day | 1 January 2027 | Friday | 3 days (Fri to Sun) |
| Eid Al Fitr | 9 to 11 March 2027* | Tue to Thu | Up to 5 to 6 days |
| Arafah Day | 15 May 2027* | Saturday | Part of Eid Al Adha |
| Eid Al Adha | 15 to 18 May 2027* | Sat to Tue | 4 days |
| Islamic New Year | 6 June 2027* (observed 7 June) | Sun (Mon) | 3 days |
| Prophet’s Birthday | 15 Aug 2027* (observed 16 Aug) | Sun (Mon) | 3 days |
| Eid Al Etihad (National Day) | 2 to 3 December 2027 | Thu and Fri | 4 days (Thu to Sun) |
Important: Official confirmation for Islamic holidays comes only after the crescent moon sighting by UAE authorities. Dates can shift by one day in either direction. Always verify through the UAE Government portal or the UAE Government Media Office before booking flights or making firm plans.
Long Weekends in 2027 at a Glance
2027 is a good year for leave planning. Several holidays land right before or after a weekend, giving you extended breaks without needing to use much annual leave.
| Holiday | Total Days Off | Leave Tip |
| New Year’s Day | 3 days | No leave needed |
| Eid Al Fitr | Up to 5 to 6 days | Take Mon 8 March for a full week |
| Eid Al Adha | 4 days | No leave needed |
| Islamic New Year | 3 days | No leave needed |
| Prophet’s Birthday | 3 days | No leave needed |
| National Day | 4 days | No leave needed |
Best leave hack of 2027: Eid al Fitr is the longest potential break of the year. If it runs Tuesday 9 March to Thursday 11 March and you take Monday 8 March as annual leave, combined with the weekend before, you could get a 6 to 7 day break using just one day of leave.
Holiday by Holiday Breakdown
There are 7 public holidays in the UAE in 2027, spread across the entire year. Here is what each one means for your schedule, your leave balance, and your long weekend plans.
New Year’s Day, 1 January 2027
A fixed date has already been confirmed. Falls on a Friday, which automatically creates a three-day weekend (Friday to Sunday). The first working day in 2027 is Monday 4 January. No leave is needed to extend this one.
Eid Al Fitr, March 2027
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February. Eid Al Fitr is expected to fall on Tuesday 9 March to Thursday 11 March, giving 3 days of public holiday. If Ramadan runs the full 30 days, the holiday extends to Friday 12 March, making it a 4-day entitlement. Combined with the following weekend, residents could enjoy up to a 5 to 6 day break. Final dates depend on the official Shawwal crescent sighting.
Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha, May 2027
Arafah Day is expected on Saturday 15 May 2027, followed by Eid Al Adha from 15 to 18 May (Saturday to Tuesday). This gives you a clean 4-day public holiday that starts at the weekend and runs into the working week. Subject to the official crescent sighting of Dhu Al Hijja.
Islamic New Year, June 2027
Expected on Sunday 6 June 2027. Under UAE public holiday rules, when a holiday falls on a weekend it is observed on the next working day. This means the public holiday moves to Monday 7 June, resulting in a 3-day weekend (Saturday to Monday).
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, August 2027
Expected on Sunday 15 August 2027, observed on Monday 16 August following the same weekend transfer rule. Another 3-day weekend for residents. Both public and private sector employees are entitled to this day off with full pay.
Eid Al Etihad (National Day), 2 to 3 December 2027
This is a fixed two-day public holiday marking the UAE’s 56th National Day. It falls on Thursday 2 December and Friday 3 December. Combined with Saturday and Sunday, residents get a clean 4-day weekend from Thursday to Sunday, with no leave needed. This is one of the smoothest National Day breaks in recent years since both days land before the weekend.
Do Private Sector Employees Get All These Holidays?
Yes. Under UAE Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 (the UAE Labor Law), both public and private sector employees are entitled to all official public holidays with full pay. If you are required to work on a public holiday, your employer must compensate you with an alternative day off or additional pay as per your contract.
Note that local governments in the UAE can occasionally announce additional public holidays not listed above, particularly on significant national or Islamic occasions. These are announced through the UAE Government Media Office and individual Emirates authorities.
Final Thoughts
2027 lines up well for anyone who likes to plan ahead. National Day lands perfectly on a Thursday and Friday, Eid Al Fitr has the biggest break potential of the year, and no Islamic holidays overlap with each other. For anyone comparing this year to last, the UAE public holidays page covers the full 2026 calendar. As 2027 approaches and Islamic dates get officially confirmed by UAE authorities, this page will be updated to reflect any changes.