The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has officially confirmed the Eid Al Adha holiday schedule for 2026, granting private sector employees a four-day paid break from Tuesday, May 26, to Friday, May 29. For those with a standard Saturday-Sunday weekend, this translates into a welcome six-day vacation. Meanwhile, federal government staff are set for a more extended five-day holiday, which, when paired with the adjacent weekends, allows for a potential nine-day reprieve before work resumes on June 1.

Residents in Sharjah are looking at the longest break of all, with government employees granted a ten-day holiday. Thanks to the emirate’s unique four-day workweek, this period covers Arafah Day and the Eid festivities seamlessly. These dates were finalized following the official moon-sighting committee’s declaration that May 18 marked the start of Dhul Hijjah. Consequently, Arafah Day—a day of immense spiritual importance—falls on May 26, leading directly into the celebrations that coincide with the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.