The UAE had 13 official public holidays in 2024, running from New Year’s Day on 1 January through UAE National Day on 2 and 3 December. All dates on this page are confirmed — Islamic holiday dates were officially announced by UAE authorities following moon sighting confirmation and are no longer subject to change.
What to do now:
- Use the table below to verify past leave entitlements or payroll records
- Note the long weekend patterns for retroactive travel claim documentation
- See UAE public holidays 2026 for upcoming dates
UAE Public Holidays 2024 — Full Confirmed Dates
Uae holidays 2024 spanned eight distinct occasions, several of which created extended breaks when adjacent to the Friday–Saturday weekend.
| Holiday | Date | Day | Islamic Month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Monday | — | Fixed date |
| Eid Al Fitr | 9–12 April | Tuesday–Friday | Ramadan 29–Shawwal 3 | 4 days — Ramadan completed 30 days |
| Day of Arafat | 15 June | Saturday | Dhu Al-Hijjah 9 | Confirmed date |
| Eid Al Adha | 16–18 June | Sunday–Tuesday | Dhu Al-Hijjah 10–12 | 3 confirmed days |
| Islamic New Year | 7 July | Sunday | Muharram 1 | Confirmed date |
| Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | 15 September | Sunday | Rabiʽ al-Awwal 12 | Confirmed date |
| Commemoration Day | 1 December | Sunday | — | Fixed date |
| UAE National Day | 2–3 December | Monday–Tuesday | — | Fixed date |
Eid Al Fitr 2024 was a 4-day holiday, running from Tuesday 9 April through Friday 12 April. This longer-than-standard break occurred because Ramadan 2024 completed its full 30-day cycle before Shawwal began, adding one extra day to the standard 3-day entitlement.
Long Weekends in UAE 2024
Several holidays in 2024 fell adjacent to the standard Friday–Saturday weekend, creating extended breaks without requiring additional annual leave.
| Long Weekend | Dates | Consecutive Days Off |
|---|---|---|
| Eid Al Fitr | 9–12 April + 13–14 April weekend | Up to 6 days |
| Day of Arafat + Eid Al Adha | 15–18 June (Sat–Tue) | 4 consecutive days |
| Islamic New Year | 5–7 July (Fri–Sun) | 3 days |
| Commemoration Day + National Day | 1–3 December (Sun–Tue) | 3 consecutive days |
The Eid Al Fitr 2024 break was the longest extended holiday of the year. The Tuesday-to-Friday block sat directly before the standard weekend, meaning residents who arranged their schedule around it had up to 6 consecutive days off without using any annual leave.
Eid Al Adha 2024 UAE — Dates and Details
Eid Al Adha (meaning “Feast of Sacrifice” in Arabic) is one of the two major Islamic holidays observed across the UAE, commemorating the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his son Ismail (AS) in obedience to God’s command.
Eid Al Adha 2024 in the UAE ran from Sunday 16 June to Tuesday 18 June — three official public holidays corresponding to Dhu Al-Hijjah 10, 11, and 12 in the Islamic calendar.
The Day of Arafat on Saturday 15 June immediately preceded Eid Al Adha, creating a 4-day consecutive break from Saturday through Tuesday. With Friday already being a weekend day, the effective break for many residents began on Friday 14 June — 5 consecutive days off in total.
Eid Al Adha does not have a fixed date in the Gregorian calendar. It falls earlier by approximately 10 to 11 days each year as the Islamic lunar calendar does not align with the solar year. In 2025, Eid Al Adha fell in early June; in 2026, it falls in late May.
Pro tip: Eid Al Adha flight and hotel prices in the UAE typically spike 4–6 weeks before the holiday, particularly for destinations in Europe and the Far East. Retroactive comparison of 2024 booking patterns can help set realistic expectations for future Eid travel budgets.
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday 2024 and Other Holidays
Several 2024 holidays fell on a Sunday, which created a different dynamic than weekday holidays in terms of effective break length.
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (also known as Eid Milad un Nabi) fell on Sunday 15 September 2024. Since Sunday is part of the UAE’s Friday–Saturday weekend structure, this holiday effectively extended the preceding weekend rather than creating a standalone midweek day off.
Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) fell on Sunday 7 July 2024 — the first day of Muharram, the opening month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Combined with Friday 5 July and Saturday 6 July, this created a 3-day break.
Commemoration Day — formerly known as Martyrs’ Day — marks the dedication and sacrifice of Emirati nationals who served in military, civil, and humanitarian capacities. It fell on Sunday 1 December 2024, leading directly into UAE National Day on 2 and 3 December.
UAE public holidays 2026 | UAE public holidays 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public holidays were there in UAE in 2024?
There were 13 official public holidays in the UAE in 2024, applying to both public and private sector employees. These covered New Year’s Day, Eid Al Fitr (4 days), Day of Arafat, Eid Al Adha (3 days), Islamic New Year, Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, Commemoration Day, and UAE National Day (2 days).
When was Eid Al Adha 2024 in UAE?
Eid Al Adha 2024 in the UAE was officially observed from Sunday 16 June to Tuesday 18 June — three public holidays corresponding to Dhu Al-Hijjah 10, 11, and 12. The Day of Arafat on Saturday 15 June immediately preceded it, effectively creating a 4-day break from Saturday through Tuesday for most residents.
When was Eid Al Fitr 2024 in UAE?
Eid Al Fitr 2024 in the UAE ran from Tuesday 9 April to Friday 12 April — four days rather than the standard three, because Ramadan 2024 completed its full 30-day cycle before Shawwal began. Combined with the following weekend, this created a potential 6-day break for residents.
Are UAE public holiday dates from 2024 still relevant?
Yes. The 2024 public holiday dates are frequently referenced for retroactive payroll verification, leave entitlement calculations, employment contract disputes, and travel expense documentation. All 2024 dates are now fully confirmed with no remaining moon sighting uncertainty.
Last verified: July 2026 Reviewed by: UAE Content Team Source: UAE Government Portal — Official Holidays
