DUBAI: Eid Al Adha 2026: UAE residents can look forward to one of the longest public holiday periods of the year with Eid Al Adha, which could offer up to six days off. With careful planning, it may be possible to extend this into a nine-day break using just one day of annual leave.
Here’s how it works, what to check before applying, and tips to make the most of your time off.
When is Eid Al Adha 2026 expected?
Based on astronomical calculations, Eid Al Adha is expected to begin on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. The Day of Arafah, the most significant day of the Hajj pilgrimage, is expected to fall on Tuesday, May 26.
As with all Islamic holidays, these dates remain subject to the official moon sighting in the UAE.
UAE public holiday dates for Eid Al Adha 2026
If the expected dates are confirmed, the holiday structure would be:
- Tuesday, May 26 – Day of Arafah
- Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29 – Eid Al Adha holidays
For employees with a Saturday–Sunday weekend, this creates a natural long weekend extending into:
How to get nine days off using one day of leave
Because the public holidays fall midweek, you can extend your break by taking just one day of annual leave:
- Saturday, May 23 – Weekend
- Sunday, May 24 – Weekend
- Monday, May 25 – Take as annual leave
- Tuesday, May 26 – Arafah Day (public holiday)
- Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29 – Eid holidays
- Saturday, May 30 to Sunday, May 31 – Weekend
Total time off: Nine consecutive days
Annual leave used: One day
Does maximising annual leave actually work?
Maximising annual leave can be effective, but it depends on your employment terms. The key factor is how your leave is calculated and your company’s approval process.
Employees who plan around public holidays and weekends often gain longer breaks without using significant leave days but this only works under certain conditions.
