Eid Al Adha 2026 is expected to be the longest public holiday window of the year in the UAE. Millions of residents are planning travel, family gatherings, and time away from work—but the number of consecutive days off depends entirely on your employer type and whether you use annual leave.

This article breaks down official announcements for the private sector, public and federal government, and how private-sector employees can still match a nine-day break with a single day of leave.

When is Eid Al Adha 2026?

Eid Al Adha is observed on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. UAE authorities schedule public holidays around both Arafat Day (the day before Eid) and the Eid days themselves.

For 2026, the expected calendar is:

  • Tuesday, 26 May — Arafat Day (official public holiday)
  • Wednesday, 27 May — Eid Al Adha (first day of celebration; additional Eid days follow per announcement)
  • Thursday, 28 May – Friday, 29 May — continuation of the official Eid Al Adha holiday block as announced for the UAE

Exact moon sighting can shift observance in some contexts, but paid leave dates for employers are set by federal announcements, not by individual moon-sighting reports.

Private sector: four paid days, six with weekends

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) announced a four-day paid holiday for private-sector employees across the UAE in observance of Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha.

| | Date |
| --- | --- |
| Holiday starts | Tuesday, 26 May (Arafat Day) |
| Holiday ends | Friday, 29 May |
| Return to work | Monday, 1 June |

For staff on a standard Saturday–Sunday weekend, the official break does not start until Tuesday. That still produces a strong run of time off:

  • Saturday, 23 May — weekend
  • Sunday, 24 May — weekend
  • Monday, 25 May — normal working day (unless your company grants leave)
  • Tuesday, 26 May – Friday, 29 May — paid public holidays
  • Saturday, 30 May – Sunday, 31 May — weekend

Total without annual leave: six consecutive days off (Tuesday 26 May through Sunday 31 May).

Private-sector workers who do not take Monday 25 May off still receive the full mandated by MOHRE; the gap is only the single Monday between the prior weekend and Arafat Day.