Yes, many UAE employees will get a three-day weekend from Friday, August 28, to Sunday, August 30, 2026. Friday has been designated as the public holiday for the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday. The Ajman Government Department of Human Resources has also confirmed the holiday for government entities in the emirate, with work resuming on Monday, August 31.
The holiday applies to federal government and private-sector employees under the UAE’s nationwide announcement, although employees working shifts or essential services may follow different schedules.
- Where: Across the UAE, including Ajman
- Organisations: UAE authorities and the Ajman Government Department of Human Resources
- Holiday date: Friday, August 28, 2026
- Who is affected: Federal government, private-sector and Ajman Government employees, depending on work schedules
- Long weekend: August 28–30 for employees with Saturday-Sunday weekends
- Business impact: Leisure, hospitality and local travel could see higher demand
- What’s next: Regular work is expected to resume on Monday, August 31
UAE employees following a Saturday-Sunday weekend are set for three consecutive days off from August 28 to 30, 2026, after Friday, August 28, was confirmed as a public holiday for the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday. The Ajman Government Department of Human Resources has confirmed the holiday for government entities in the emirate, while the occasion also applies to eligible federal government and private-sector employees under the UAE’s nationwide holiday arrangements.
The timing means many residents can enjoy a long weekend without using annual leave, although shift workers and essential service employees may have different schedules.
Is Friday, August 28, 2026, a public holiday in the UAE?
Yes. Friday, August 28, 2026, is an official UAE public holiday marking the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday.
The holiday arrangements cover eligible employees in the federal government and private sector. Individual emirates and government entities may also issue their own announcements confirming local work arrangements.
The Ajman Government Department of Human Resources has confirmed that government entities in Ajman will observe the holiday on Friday, August 28. Official work will resume on Monday, August 31.
Dubai Government employees were also covered by the holiday arrangements announced for the occasion, subject to the operational requirements of individual government entities.
The holiday is an official occasion in the UAE’s public holiday calendar and marks the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), observed according to the Islamic calendar.
Who will get the UAE three-day weekend?
Employees who normally have Saturday and Sunday off are expected to receive a three-day break from Friday, August 28, through Sunday, August 30.
The holiday falls directly before the regular weekend for many workers, creating three consecutive days away from the usual working week.
The employees affected include those working for:
- Federal government entities
- Eligible private-sector companies
- Ajman Government entities
- Other government organisations that have confirmed the official holiday schedule
Not every employee will necessarily have three days off. Businesses and organisations that operate seven days a week may require staff to work during the public holiday.
This includes some employees in healthcare, aviation, hospitality, retail, transport, security and other essential or operational services. Their time off will depend on their employer’s schedule and the requirements of UAE labour regulations.
Employees should therefore check directly with their employer rather than assuming that every workplace will close for three days.
Why was the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday holiday moved to August 28?
The public holiday falls on Friday, August 28, even though the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday itself fell on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Under the UAE’s public holiday rules, certain official holidays can be transferred to the beginning or end of a working week. Eid holidays are treated separately under the country’s official holiday framework.
For the 1448 AH Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday holiday, Friday, August 28, was designated as the official day off.
The decision creates a long weekend for employees who follow the standard Saturday-Sunday weekend. It also avoids placing the public holiday in the middle of a normal working week.
This distinction is important because the religious occasion and the official day off do not always have to fall on the same Gregorian calendar date.
Is the August 28 holiday only for Ajman Government employees?
No. Ajman’s announcement applies specifically to its government entities, but the August 28 public holiday is part of wider UAE holiday arrangements.
The nationwide announcement covers eligible federal government and private-sector employees. Ajman Government’s Department of Human Resources subsequently confirmed the implementation of the holiday for government employees in the emirate.
This means Ajman did not independently create a new UAE-wide public holiday. Instead, its announcement clarified the arrangements for its own government workforce.
For UAE residents, the distinction helps explain why announcements from individual emirates may appear separately even when the same public holiday applies more broadly across the country.
Could the three-day weekend affect travel and businesses?
The long weekend could increase demand for staycations, short trips and leisure activities across the UAE, although no official forecast for tourism or spending has been released.
A three-day break allows residents to travel within the country without taking additional annual leave. Popular destinations in other emirates, hotels and resorts may attract residents looking for a quick getaway.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah could also see higher demand for attractions, restaurants and leisure venues over the holiday period.
However, no UAE authority has announced specific tourism or economic figures linked to the August 28 weekend. Any increase in visitor numbers or spending will depend on consumer demand, events, hotel availability and individual travel plans.
Residents planning trips should check hotel availability, attraction timings and transport schedules before travelling, as public holiday operating hours may vary.
The August 28 public holiday gives many UAE employees an extra day off without using annual leave.
Workers following a Saturday-Sunday weekend benefit most directly, as the Friday holiday creates three consecutive days away from the office. Families may use the break for local trips, staycations or leisure activities.
The holiday could also benefit businesses in hospitality, tourism, entertainment and dining if more residents choose to travel or spend time outside their homes. However, the scale of any economic impact has not been officially forecast.
For Ajman Government employees, the Department of Human Resources has clearly confirmed the holiday and the return-to-work date. For everyone else, workplace arrangements should be checked with individual employers where schedules are unclear.
FAQs
How many days is the UAE long weekend in August 2026?
Employees with a standard Saturday-Sunday weekend can receive three consecutive days off: Friday, August 28, Saturday, August 29, and Sunday, August 30, 2026.
Is August 28, 2026, a paid holiday for private-sector employees?
August 28 has been announced as an official public holiday for eligible private-sector employees. Employees required to work because of operational needs may follow separate arrangements under applicable UAE labour rules.
When do Ajman Government employees return to work?
The Ajman Government Department of Human Resources has confirmed that official work will resume on Monday, August 31, 2026.
Why is the holiday on August 28 when the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday was on August 25?
The UAE can transfer certain official holidays to the beginning or end of a working week. For the 1448 AH Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday holiday, the official day off was set for Friday, August 28, 2026.
Will all UAE businesses close during the three-day weekend?
No. Many private businesses, shops, restaurants, hotels and essential services may continue operating. Opening hours and employee schedules will depend on each organisation.
The end of August brings a confirmed long weekend for many UAE employees, with Friday, August 28, designated as the public holiday for the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday. Ajman Government has confirmed the arrangements for its employees, while eligible federal government and private-sector workers are also covered by the UAE’s wider holiday announcement.
For employees following a Saturday-Sunday weekend, the result is a three-day break before work resumes on Monday, August 31.
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