What happened?
The UAE’s next expected public holiday is Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday, likely to fall on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Who is affected?
Employees in both the public and private sectors across the UAE.
Why does it matter?
With no nationwide public holidays remaining in July, this is expected to be the next official break before the UAE National Day holidays in December.
UAE’s Next Public Holiday Expected on August 25, 2026
Residents across the UAE looking forward to the next long-awaited break may not have to wait much longer. According to the UAE’s official public holiday calendar, the next expected UAE public holiday is Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday (Mawlid Al Nabawi), which is anticipated to fall on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
However, the date has not yet been officially confirmed. As with all Islamic occasions, the final holiday date depends on the sighting of the moon and will be announced by the relevant UAE authorities closer to the date.
If confirmed, the holiday will apply to employees in both the public and private sectors, giving residents a welcome midweek break after a relatively quiet summer period.
Why is August 25 only an expected date?
Unlike fixed Gregorian calendar holidays, Islamic holidays follow the Hijri lunar calendar. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday is observed on the 12th day of Rabi’ Al Awwal, meaning the corresponding Gregorian date changes every year.
The UAE Government publishes an expected holiday calendar, but the official date is only confirmed after moon-sighting committees complete their observations.
As a result, while Tuesday, August 25, 2026, is currently the expected date, residents should wait for the official announcement before making travel or holiday plans.
Key points:
- Expected holiday: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
- Occasion: Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday (Mawlid Al Nabawi)
- Status: Subject to official moon sighting and government confirmation
- Applies to: Public and private sector employees
What do UAE holiday rules say?
The UAE’s public holidays are governed by Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, which applies to both government and private sector employees.
The resolution also gives the UAE Cabinet the authority to move certain public holidays to the beginning or end of the week where appropriate, with the exception of Eid holidays.
So far, no announcement has been made regarding any adjustment to the expected August 25 holiday, meaning residents should continue to treat it as a one-day public holiday unless authorities state otherwise.
for residents and businesses
After the Islamic New Year holiday earlier this year, there are no nationwide public holidays scheduled during July, making Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday the next anticipated break on the UAE calendar.
Although it is expected to be a single-day holiday, many residents often use public holidays to plan:
- Short staycations within the UAE
- Family outings
- Quick regional trips
- Leisure activities and shopping
- Time with family and friends
Hotels, attractions, shopping malls, and tourism operators also typically prepare seasonal offers around public holidays as demand for local leisure experiences increases.
While businesses continue operating normally leading up to the holiday, sectors such as hospitality, entertainment and retail often see increased customer activity during public holiday periods.
What comes after the August holiday?
Following Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday, the UAE’s final nationwide public holidays for 2026 are expected to be UAE National Day celebrations on December 2 and December 3.
These holidays commemorate the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971 and are among the country’s biggest annual celebrations.
Every year, residents can expect:
- Fireworks displays
- Cultural events
- Shopping promotions
- Family entertainment
- Hotel and staycation offers
- National celebrations across all seven emirates
As always, the government will officially announce holiday arrangements closer to the dates.
Should residents book travel now?
While August 25 is widely expected to be the next public holiday, residents planning holidays or international travel should keep one important point in mind.
Because the holiday depends on the Islamic lunar calendar, official confirmation will only come after moon sighting.
Those considering flights, hotel bookings or staycations may wish to choose flexible booking options until the UAE Government confirms the final holiday date.
Keeping an eye on official announcements will help avoid unnecessary changes to travel plans.
FAQs
When is the next UAE public holiday in 2026?
The next expected UAE public holiday is Tuesday, August 25, 2026, for Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday, subject to official moon sighting.
Will both public and private sector employees get the holiday?
Yes. Under the UAE’s public holiday regulations, the holiday applies to employees in both the public and private sectors.
Is August 25 officially confirmed?
No. The date remains provisional until the UAE authorities confirm it following the official moon sighting.
Why does the date change every year?
Islamic holidays follow the Hijri lunar calendar, which is approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, causing dates to shift annually.
What is the next public holiday after August?
The next nationwide holidays are expected to be UAE National Day on December 2 and December 3, 2026.
With no nationwide public holidays during July, Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday is expected to be the UAE’s next official break, likely falling on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Although residents may already be planning a day off or a short getaway, the final date will only be confirmed after the official moon sighting announcement. Until then, it’s best to keep travel plans flexible and watch for updates from UAE authorities.
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