2025 is a sweet mix of holidays, religious celebrations, national pride, and potential long weekends. Long weekends, fireworks, staycations, and mini vacations. Yes, it’s that time again!
Whether you are a 9-to-5 employee mapping out leave days or a tourist trying to catch Dubai’s famous National Day fireworks, knowing the UAE’s public holidays in advance is a hack to epic plans.
For this reason alone, we have crafted a list of UAE Public Holidays for you. Let’s go through it date by date, with tips on how to make the most of each one.
At a Glance: UAE Public Holidays 2025
| Date | Day | Holiday | No. of Days |
| 1st January | Wednesday | New Year’s Day | 1 Day |
| 30th March | Sunday | Eid Al-Fitr Start | 5 Days |
| 5th June | Thursday | Arafat Day | 1 Day |
| 6th June | Friday | Eid Al-Adha Start | 3 Days |
| 26th June | Thursday | Islamic New Year | 1 Day |
| 5th September | Friday | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | 1 Day |
| 30th November | Sunday | Commemoration Day | 1 Day |
| 2nd December | Tuesday | UAE National Day | 1 Day |
Note: Dates for Islamic holidays (Eid and Islamic New Year) may vary depending on the sighting of the moon.
Past Holidays
January 1 – New Year’s Day
The year starts with a global celebration: New Year’s Day on January 1st. You can expect fireworks in popular areas like Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, and Abu Dhabi Corniche. It’s a public holiday across all seven emirates. So, residents can relax after the busy holiday season or begin the year with a little getaway.
March 30 to April 3 – Eid Al-Fitr
Eid Al-Fitr translates to “Festival of Breaking the Fast.” It marks the end of Ramadan, a holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection.
In 2025, Eid Al-Fitr is expected to begin on Sunday, March 30th. The holiday is set to last 5 days. That’s one of the longest holiday breaks of the year!
Upcoming Holidays
June 5 – Arafat Day
Arafat Day, falling on Thursday, June 5th, is the second most important day in the Islamic calendar after Eid Al-Fitr. It takes place during Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims spend the day in prayer and fasting, reflecting on forgiveness and compassion.
Millions of people gather at Mount Afrat as on this day, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, delivered his Farewell Sermon during his final pilgrimage in 632 CE.
It’s a single-day holiday. But as it’s followed directly by Eid Al-Adha, it becomes a part of a potential long weekend or extended break.
June 6 to June 8 – Eid Al-Adha
Eid Al-Adha is also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice.” It begins on Friday, June 6th, and spans 3 days. It honors the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command.
Traditionally, families who can afford it sacrifice an animal (a sheep or a goat) with a portion shared with the less fortunate. The animal represents the lamb that Prophet Ibrahim sacrificed to Allah. It’s a time of charity, compassion, and celebration.
In some places, however, sacrificing an animal is not allowed. In such cases, people buy meat from meat shops and donate the same. Or they directly donate money to charities that arrange meat for the poor.
What to expect:
- Special mosque prayers
- Long family lunches
- Charity efforts across the UAE
- Cities like Dubai to lit up
- Shopping malls and cinema halls to set up massive discounts
- Exquisite food like Quzi, Chicken Machboos, and Luqaimat.
June 25 – Islamic New Year
The Islamic New Year, also called Hijri New Year, is expected to fall on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025, as per the current astronomical predictions. The exact date would depend on whether Dhu Al Hijjah, the 12th and final month in the Islamic calendar, is a 29-day or 30-day month.
It commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina. It also marks the beginning of the new Islamic lunar year. It is believed to be the start of the holiest month after Ramadan.
The Islamic New Year, is typically observed as:
- Dry day
- All hotels, public spaces, and educational institutions remain close
Additionally —
- Mosques hold special prayers and speeches discussing the importance Hijra
- Families get together and eat together
September 4 – Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday
Mawlid Al-Nabi is the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is expected to fall on Friday, September 4th, 2025. It’s not a flashy celebration. But many mosques host special sermons. Also, people often reflect on the Prophet’s teachings and values.
It’s typically a day of rest, spiritual reflection, and community. For many, it’s also a great chance to spend time with family or enjoy a peaceful Friday.
November 30 – Commemoration Day
It was in 2015, the late His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared November 30th as Commemoration Day, previously known as Martyr’s Day. It honors the Emiratis who have sacrificed their lives in service to the UAE, like the first Emirati martyr, Salem Suhail bin Khamis.
This day holds great emotional and national significance. Schools and workplaces pause to remember and reflect. A moment of silence is held at 11:30 AM across the country. Some of the initiatives taken by the UAE government to honor the martyrs are:
- Housing programs to ensure their family’s stability
- Quality education for the children
- Establishing Martyrs’ Families’ Affairs Office at the Crown Prince Court.
December 2 – UAE National Day
This is the big one!
UAE National Day falls on Tuesday, December 2nd. It commemorates the unification of the seven emirates into one country in 1971. It’s one of the most vibrant and patriotic times in the UAE.
What to expect:
- Fireworks in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah
- UAE flag on Burj Khalifa
- Air shows at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre for the rulers of the Emirates, members of the Federal National Council, and Emirati citizens
- Special aerial displays by UAE Air Force aerobatic team, Al Fursan
- Free concerts and cultural shows
- Decorations in red, green, black, and white everywhere, from cars to skyscrapers
In some years, December 3rd is also granted as an extra day off. So, this becomes a 2 or 3 day celebration. Keep an eye out for government announcements.
4 Tips to Make the Most of Your Time Off in 2025
Want to turn these holidays into mini-vacations? It is said that you can turn these 13 days of holiday into 45 days off with smart planning. Here are a few clever tricks:
- Plan leaves around long weekends, like Eid holidays, Islamic New Year, or Commemoration Day, to get more days off using just 3–4 leave days.
- Book early, especially for Eid and National Day. Hotels and flights can get pricey.
- Explore within the UAE. Don’t underestimate staycations. Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Al Ain offer relaxing retreats.
- Be flexible with Eid dates. They depend on moon sightings. So, confirm travel only after official announcements.
Wrapping Up
2025 is a balanced year of work and rest in the UAE. With multiple long breaks and a mix of solemn observances and national celebrations, there’s something for quiet family time, spiritual reflection, or vibrant fireworks.
Knowing these dates helps you plan better. On top of that, you can understand the rich cultural and religious fabric that makes the UAE such a unique place to live or visit.
So go ahead. Mark your calendar. Set reminders. Start planning your 2025 around these beautiful moments of pause and celebration.
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