UAE public holidays 2023: Up to three long weekends ahead

UAE residents can expect some significant differences in the holiday dates in 2023 – including some extra-long weekends.

After Eid Al Adha, the UAE has two main holidays for the year remaining – Hijri New Year and National Day, which includes Commemoration Day.

Eid Al Adha began on Wednesday, June 28, two days after the start of Hajj with Arafat Day falling on Tuesday, June 27.

Both public and private sector workers were able to enjoy an extra long Eid Al Adha break this year, with staff granted paid leave from Tuesday, June 27 until Friday, June 30. It meant many were able to enjoy six days off, with the weekend falling immediately after the festival.

Eid Al Adha is the second of the two Eids which take place during the year, after Eid Al Fitr which started on Friday, April 21. Employees enjoyed a four-day break for the religious festival from Thursday, April 20 and returning to work on Monday, April 24.

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While some of the longest breaks have already taken place this year, residents can still enjoy some time off and long weekends in 2023, with Hijri New Year, the Prophet Mohammed's birthday and National Day yet to come.

All three dates are expected to be marked with long weekends.

In November last year, the UAE Cabinet confirmed the dates of the Emirates' holidays for public and private sectors.

The government announced in 2019 that private sector workers would have the same number of holidays as government employees.

At the time, it said the alignment aimed to achieve balance between the two sectors and support the national economy. Previously, public sector employees had more days off than private companies.