The UAE has officially confirmed the Eid Al Fitr 2026 holiday schedule, giving residents a clear view of the March break that many families, professionals, and travellers are already planning around.
Authorities announced that federal government employees will receive a four-day holiday from Thursday, March 19 to Sunday, March 22, 2026, with work resuming on Monday, March 23.
For the private sector, the holiday will run from Thursday, March 19 to Saturday, March 21, 2026. However, officials clarified that if Ramadan completes 30 days, the private sector holiday will also extend to Sunday, March 22, aligning it with the public sector break.
Across Dubai and the wider UAE, the announcement brings a sense of clarity — and excitement. From families planning travel, to residents booking staycations, to businesses preparing for one of the busiest retail periods of the year, Eid always reshapes the rhythm of the city.
Also Read: Ramadan 2026 in UAE: Expected Start Date, Fasting Hours and Eid Holidays
Moon sighting will confirm the final Eid date
As with every Islamic holiday, the final date of Eid Al Fitr depends on the sighting of the crescent moon that marks the beginning of Shawwal.
The official moon-sighting committee will meet on March 18, 2026 (the 29th day of Ramadan):
- If the moon is sighted on March 18 ? Eid begins on March 19
- If the moon is not sighted ? Ramadan completes 30 days, and Eid begins on March 20
This familiar waiting period is part of life in the UAE. Residents are used to the final confirmation arriving just a day before the celebrations begin — a tradition that blends faith, culture, and community timing.
The city is already shifting into Eid mode
In Dubai, you can feel Eid before it arrives.
- Tailors are closing Eid outfit bookings early.
- Malls are restocking festive collections.
- Sweet shops are preparing gift boxes.
- Supermarkets are filling shelves for family feasts.
- Mosques are planning large-scale Eid prayers.
From Deira to Downtown, Sharjah to Abu Dhabi, the signs are subtle but everywhere. Eid isn’t just a holiday — it’s a season, a mood, and a shift in the city’s energy.
For many residents, it’s about family breakfasts after prayers. For others, it’s about travel. For some, it’s the rare pause from work life. And for businesses, it’s one of the most important commercial periods of the year.
How residents can turn Eid into a 9-day break
With smart leave planning, UAE residents can easily stretch Eid into a longer holiday.
By taking annual leave from Monday, March 16, to Thursday, March 19, residents can enjoy nine consecutive days off from:
Saturday, March 14 to Sunday, March 22
That includes:
- Two weekends
- Official Eid holidays
- Four annual leave days
This strategy is already popular among residents planning international travel, home-country visits, or long local breaks — and demand for flights and staycations is expected to rise once the moon sighting confirms the final dates.
The Eid Al Fitr 2026 UAE holiday announcement brings clarity, excitement, and early planning opportunities for residents across the country. With confirmed dates for public sector employees and flexible extensions for the private sector based on moon sighting, March is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated breaks of the year.
As the UAE moves through Ramadan and towards Eid, the familiar rhythm returns — preparation, anticipation, celebration, and togetherness.
Follow Social Kandura for more updates on local news and things to do in Dubai and across the UAE.
Read More
