First UAE holiday of 2026 dates revealed

UAE citizens and residents enjoyed the final public holiday of the year this week, with a long weekend to commemorate Eid Al Etihad 2025.

Following the final public holiday of the year, workers don’t have long to wait until the first break of next year – with the next break just weeks away.

New Year’s Day is an official holiday in the UAE, meaning there is less than a month to wait before the next break for the public and private sector.

UAE New Year 2026

Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 concerning the public holidays in the UAE defines the officially mandated time off for workers in the country and it states the Gregorian New Year shall be a day off for the public and private sector across the United Arab Emirates.

In 2026 January 1 falls on a Thursday.

Public holiday legislation says the Cabinet can transfer public holidays to the beginning or end of a week to provide an extended holiday, when combined with a weekend.