Upcoming 2025 Holidays in the UAE You Should Know About

2025 is shaping up to be a year full of holidays for those in the UAE. With at least 12 public holidays, plus the possibility of an extra day off depending on the timing of Ramadan, there's plenty to look forward to in terms of time off work.

What’s New for UAE Public Holidays in 2025?

The UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 made an early announcement for the public holidays in 2025, following a review of several federal laws and the constitution. This new resolution introduces some important changes to how public holidays will be handled going forward.

One key change is how holidays that fall on weekends will be treated. According to the resolution, if a holiday falls on a weekend, it may be shifted to the beginning or end of the week through a Cabinet decision. This doesn’t apply to Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha, but it means that other public holidays could get an extra day off on the Friday or Monday.

For example, if the resolution had been in place for 2024, we could have had the Friday or Monday off work for Islamic New Year, as it fell on the weekend.

This decision comes as part of a broader review of labor relations, human resources, and public holiday laws in the UAE. The changes will apply to both the private and public sectors.

The new public holiday resolution will officially come into effect on January 1, 2025.

When Are the UAE Public Holidays in 2025?

While the exact dates for some of the holidays depend on moon sightings, we already know the main public holidays in 2025. Here’s what to expect:

• January 1, 2025: New Year’s Day
• Ramadan 30: If Ramadan is a 30-day month
• Shawwal 1: Eid Al Fitr
• Shawwal 2-3: Eid Al Fitr
• Dhu Al Hijjah 9: Arafat Day
• Dhu Al Hijjah 10-12: Eid Al Adha
• Muharram 1: Islamic New Year
• Rabi Al Awwal 12: Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday
• December 2-3: UAE National Day

Predicted UAE Public Holiday Dates in 2025:

• Eid Al Fitr: Sunday, March 30 – Thursday, April 3
• Eid Al Adha: Thursday, June 5 – Sunday, June 8
• Islamic New Year: Thursday, June 26
• The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday: Friday, September 5
• National Day: Tuesday, December 2 – Wednesday, December 3

Important Notes on Public Holidays:

• Public holidays won’t be carried forward if they fall on the same date as another public holiday or a weekend.
• Local governments have the authority to approve additional official holidays beyond those already outlined by the national cabinet.

With 2025 shaping up to have some great public holidays, it's a good idea to start planning for those long weekends and family get-togethers!