Introduction Of UAE
UAE residents can look forward to up to 13 days off as public holidays in 2025, as per a new resolution issued by the UAE Cabinet. The most notable change in the holiday schedule next year pertains to the Islamic festival Eid Al Fitr, which will see a slight adjustment in the number of days off.
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The resolution, effective from January 1, 2025, provides a unique combination of annual leaves and public holidays, allowing residents to plan up to three vacations throughout the year. Most holiday dates align with the Islamic Hijri calendar, which is based on lunar observations. Corresponding Gregorian calendar dates will be confirmed closer to the occasions.
Here’s the full list of public holidays for 2025 according to the resolution:
Full List of Holidays in 2025
Happy New Year: January 1, 2025
Residents will kick off the new year with a public holiday on Wednesday, January 1.
Eid Al Fitr: Up to 4 Days in March-April
Eid Al Fitr, the festival that marks the end of Ramadan, will offer up to four days off. The holidays will cover the first three days of Shawwal (the month following Ramadan). If Ramadan lasts 30 days, the 30th day of Ramadan will also be a holiday, providing a four-day break from Ramadan 30 to Shawwal 3. If Ramadan lasts 29 days, the holiday will span from Shawwal 1 to 3. This represents a slight reduction from 2024 when the Eid Al Fitr holiday was from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3, translating into a nine-day break when combined with weekends.
Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha: 4 Days in June
Arafah Day, observed on Dhul Hijjah 9, is followed by Eid Al Adha (Dhul Hijjah 10-12). This provides a four-day holiday period.
Hijri New Year: 1 Day in June
Muharram 1, marking the Islamic New Year, will be a public holiday a few weeks after Eid Al Adha.
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday: 1 Day in September
Residents will have a day off to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Rabi Al Awwal 12.
UAE National Day: 2 Days in December
The last public holidays of 2025 will be for UAE National Day, celebrated on Tuesday, December 2, and Wednesday, December 3.
Flexibility in Holiday Scheduling
The resolution allows for flexibility in scheduling holidays. With the exception of the Eid holidays, other holidays may be moved to the beginning or end of the week by a UAE Cabinet decision. However, if a holiday falls on a weekend, it cannot be shifted to a weekday. Additionally, local governments in each Emirate have the discretion to announce further holidays as necessary.
Conclusion
The updated public holiday schedule for 2025 provides UAE residents with ample opportunities for breaks throughout the year. While the Eid Al Fitr holiday may be slightly shorter, the combination of national and Islamic holidays ensures that residents will still enjoy several long weekends and extended breaks. Stay tuned for specific Gregorian dates as lunar observations are confirmed, and plan your vacations accordingly.
