The UAE Government has announced Friday, August 28, 2026, as a public holiday for Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH). The holiday applies to federal government entities and the private sector. For employees who follow a Saturday-Sunday weekend, it creates a three-day break from August 28 to August 30.
The announcement gives residents an official date to plan around, including short breaks, staycations, family time and other long-weekend activities.
At a Glance
- Location: United Arab Emirates
- Announced by: UAE Government
- Public holiday: Friday, August 28, 2026
- Who is affected: Federal government and private-sector employees
- Business impact: Most eligible employees receive a paid public holiday; businesses operating during the break may adjust staffing
- What’s next: Employees return to work on Monday, August 31, for standard Monday-Friday schedules
The UAE has officially announced Friday, August 28, 2026, as a public holiday for Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH). The announcement covers employees in the federal government and private sector, according to the UAE Government Media Office and reports from leading UAE news outlets.
Because August 28 falls on a Friday, employees who normally work Monday to Friday and have Saturday and Sunday off can expect a three-day weekend from Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30. Normal working schedules will resume on Monday, August 31.
The announcement also clears up earlier uncertainty around the exact day off, which had been linked to the expected Hijri date of the religious occasion.
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— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) August 7, 2026
The Prophet's Birthday holiday for the Federal Government and private sector will be observed on Friday, 28 August 2026. pic.twitter.com/t6ue8BphSw
When is the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday holiday in the UAE?
The official UAE public holiday will be observed on Friday, August 28, 2026.
The religious occasion is associated with 12 Rabi Al Awwal, the third month of the Islamic Hijri calendar. Because the Hijri calendar is lunar, the corresponding Gregorian date changes each year.
Several calendars had previously placed the expected Gregorian date of the occasion around late August. However, the UAE’s announcement confirms August 28 as the public holiday date, meaning residents no longer need to rely on predicted holiday calendars for planning purposes.
This distinction is important because the date of the religious occasion and the date designated as the public holiday do not always have to fall on the same Gregorian day.
Who gets the August 28 day off?
The holiday applies to federal government entities and private-sector employees across the UAE.
For employees following the country’s common Monday-to-Friday working pattern, the timing creates a useful long weekend:
- Friday, August 28: Public holiday
- Saturday, August 29: Weekend
- Sunday, August 30: Weekend
- Monday, August 31: Return to work
Employees working different schedules should check their employer’s arrangements, particularly in sectors that operate throughout weekends and public holidays.
Businesses providing essential services, hospitality, retail, transport and other customer-facing operations may continue operating, although individual working arrangements can vary.
Why do UAE public holidays move every year?
The changing dates of Islamic occasions are linked to the Hijri calendar, which follows lunar cycles rather than the Gregorian calendar.
A Hijri year is shorter than a Gregorian year, so Islamic occasions move earlier in the Gregorian calendar from one year to the next. This is why Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha and Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday appear on different Gregorian dates each year.
The UAE’s public holiday framework also allows certain holidays to be transferred to the beginning or end of the week. This gives the government flexibility when determining how eligible public holidays are observed.
For residents, that means an Islamic occasion that falls around the middle of the working week can sometimes result in a different official day off.
What does the August long weekend mean for Dubai residents?
The three-day break gives residents another opportunity to make short-term plans without taking annual leave.
For Dubai and Abu Dhabi residents, the weekend could be useful for staycations, local attractions, family gatherings or short trips. Travel businesses and hospitality operators also commonly see increased interest around UAE public holidays, although individual demand and prices can vary.
Residents planning to travel should also remember that public holidays can bring increased demand for flights, hotels and popular attractions. Booking ahead may be useful for those who already have plans for the weekend.
At the same time, not every business closes during a public holiday. Shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues and tourism attractions generally continue to operate, although opening hours and staffing arrangements can differ.
Why it matters
The August 28 announcement gives UAE residents a confirmed date for their next long weekend and removes uncertainty around the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday holiday.
For employees, the main benefit is a day away from work without using annual leave. For families, it provides an opportunity to spend additional time together, while the hospitality, tourism and leisure sectors can prepare for increased activity around the weekend.
The announcement is also useful for employers, who can now finalise staffing and operational arrangements for August 28.
What is the next UAE public holiday after August 28?
After the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday holiday, the next major UAE public holiday on the 2026 calendar is Eid Al Etihad, the country’s National Day celebration.
The official holiday dates are Wednesday, December 2 and Thursday, December 3, 2026. The UAE has not yet confirmed whether those dates will be transferred or whether any additional arrangements will be made around the weekend.
That means residents planning their remaining annual leave for 2026 can now factor in both the August long weekend and the December National Day holidays.
FAQs
Is August 28, 2026 a public holiday in the UAE?
Yes. Friday, August 28, 2026, is an official public holiday in the UAE to mark Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH). The holiday applies to federal government and private-sector employees.
Will August 28 create a three-day weekend?
Yes, for employees who normally have Saturday and Sunday off. The break will run from Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30, with work resuming on Monday, August 31.
Is Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday on August 28?
The UAE has confirmed August 28 as the public holiday date. The religious occasion is observed according to the Hijri calendar and is associated with 12 Rabi Al Awwal.
Do private-sector employees get the holiday?
Yes. The announced holiday applies to private-sector employees as well as federal government employees.
What is the next UAE public holiday after August 28?
The next major public holiday is Eid Al Etihad on December 2 and 3, 2026, marking the UAE’s National Day celebrations.
The UAE’s confirmation of Friday, August 28, 2026, as the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday public holiday gives federal government and private-sector employees another three-day weekend this year.
Residents can now plan their August break with certainty, while businesses can prepare staffing and operating schedules around the public holiday.
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