Eid Al Adha 2026: A Guide to Holiday Durations Across the UAE
The UAE has officially confirmed the holiday dates for Eid Al Adha 2026, with the duration of the break differing significantly based on your employment sector and work schedule. For those in the private sector, the official paid holiday runs from Tuesday, May 26, to Friday, May 29. When paired with the following Saturday-Sunday weekend, private sector employees can enjoy a total of six consecutive days off. Meanwhile, federal government staff and employees across most emirates are granted a slightly longer official window, spanning Monday, May 25, through Friday, May 29, which creates a potential nine-day holiday when accounting for the weekends on either side.
Students and school staff are also set for a nine-day break, as their official holiday period aligns with the federal government schedule from May 25 to May 29. However, the longest holiday period is reserved for Sharjah government employees. Because their work week structure includes a three-day weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), they are set to enjoy a 10-day hiatus starting from Friday, May 22, and lasting through to Sunday, May 31. These varying schedules ensure that while the core holiday dates remain consistent, the total time away from work or school depends heavily on an individual's specific organization and typical weekly rest days.