The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The Al Hijri New Year is the next public holiday in the UAE. Antonie Robertson / The National
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The Al Hijri New Year is the next public holiday in the UAE. Antonie Robertson / The National
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The Al Hijri New Year is the next public holiday in the UAE. Antonie Robertson / The National
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The Al Hijri New Year is the next public holiday in the UAE. Antonie Robertson / The National

When is the next UAE public holiday?


Ian Oxborrow
  • English
  • Arabic

The Eid Al Adha break is over and it's back to work for many UAE residents.

But for those who have returned rather bleary-eyed after the four-day public holiday granted to the public and private sectors and are hankering for another break, there isn't going to be much of a wait until the next holiday.

The Hijri New Year — the first day of the Islamic calendar, or lunar calendar, which marks the day the Prophet Mohammed migrated from Makkah to Madinah — falls on Muharram 1, 1441 which is set to be August 31.

The exact date of Al Hijri New Year is dependent on the moon sighting, and the government has not confirmed any dates, although it could be that workers are given another long weekend as August 31 is a Saturday.

Last year, the private and public sectors were given one day off — a Thursday.

The occasion does not involve public celebrations or events, and hotels and bars are usually asked to refrain from serving alcohol.

After Al Hijri New Year, the last public holiday of the year will be for Commemoration Day and National Day, from Sunday, December 1 to December 3.

This year, the UAE cabinet announced that the private sector would have the same amount of holiday as the public sector.

The decree, which unified the holiday days for the public and private sectors, stated that both workforces will have 14 days off in 2019.

The standardisation was part of a drive to attract Emiratis to the private sector.

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Joyous scenes as UAE worshippers gather for Eid prayers

  • Miran Omar and son Mohammed after at Eid prayers at Zayed the Second Mosque in Abu Dhabi's Khalidiya district. Victor Besa / The National
    Miran Omar and son Mohammed after at Eid prayers at Zayed the Second Mosque in Abu Dhabi's Khalidiya district. Victor Besa / The National
  • Two friends embrace after dawn prayers in central Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Two friends embrace after dawn prayers in central Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Prayer halls were packed across the country, including at Zayed the Second Mosque. Victor Besa / The National
    Prayer halls were packed across the country, including at Zayed the Second Mosque. Victor Besa / The National
  • Prayer halls were packed across the country, including at Zayed the Second Mosque. Victor Besa / The National
    Prayer halls were packed across the country, including at Zayed the Second Mosque. Victor Besa / The National
  • A solitary worshipper reads from the Quran at Zayed the Second Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    A solitary worshipper reads from the Quran at Zayed the Second Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • It is customary for Muslims to perform Eid prayers at the neighbourhood mosque so they can meet friends and neighbours. Victor Besa / The National
    It is customary for Muslims to perform Eid prayers at the neighbourhood mosque so they can meet friends and neighbours. Victor Besa / The National
  • Eid prayers at Zayed the 2nd Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Eid prayers at Zayed the 2nd Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Eid prayers at Zayed The 2nd Mosque. Friends and relatives greet one another after Eid prayers. Victor Besa / The National
    Eid prayers at Zayed The 2nd Mosque. Friends and relatives greet one another after Eid prayers. Victor Besa / The National
  • Eid prayers at Zayed the 2nd Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Eid prayers at Zayed the 2nd Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Owais family gather together for a quick photo after Eid prayers in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    The Owais family gather together for a quick photo after Eid prayers in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Early morning Eid prayers take place at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National