The UAE's Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has officially declared a five-day break for public sector employees to mark Eid Al Adha in 2026. The holiday is scheduled to run from Monday, May 25, through Friday, May 29. By incorporating the surrounding weekends, government staff can look forward to a potential nine-day respite before returning to their desks on Monday, June 1. Employees in Sharjah are set for an even longer break, as the emirate’s standard four-day workweek extends their time off into a substantial 10-day vacation.

The precise timing of these holidays remains contingent on the traditional moon sighting, with a dedicated committee scheduled to observe the Dhul Hijjah crescent on May 17. While astronomical forecasts suggest that the final month of the Islamic calendar will likely begin on May 18, shifting Arafah Day to May 26, these dates remain subject to confirmation. Should the moon not be sighted on the initial date, the calendar may adjust by one day, which would subsequently shift the dates for both Arafah Day and the following Eid Al Adha celebrations.