The 15 days you need to save now for UAE public holidays in 2024
A nine-day weekend as well as two four-day weekends are likely to be part of the schedule for 2024.
A lot of us are looking forward to the UAE public holidays in 2024.
To make the most of your 15 days off in 2024, plan ahead now.
It's important to keep in mind that planning ahead is not an exact science. Several of the UAE's public holidays are determined based on moon sightings.
However, scholars can predict when these holidays will fall within two to three days.
With our diary-planning guide, you can still plan ahead as long as you are aware that minor changes may still occur.
UAE public holidays in 2024: 15 days to save now
Monday January 1: New Year’s Day
Monday April 8: Eid al Fitr holiday
Tuesday April 9: Eid al Fitr holiday
Wednesday April 10: Eid al Fitr
Thursday April 11: Eid al Fitr holiday
Friday April 12: Eid al Fitr holiday
Saturday June 15: Arafat Day
Sunday June 16: Eid al Adha
Monday June 17: Eid al Adha holiday
Tuesday June 18: Eid al Adha holiday
Sunday July 7: Islamic New Year
Sunday September 15: Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday
Sunday December 1: Commemoration Day
Monday December 2: National Day
Tuesday December 3: National Day holiday
UAE public holidays in 2024: Eid al Fitr
After New Year’s Day, the first key holiday to look out for is Eid al Fitr – which immediately follows Ramadan.
Astronomers predict that Ramadan will begin on Monday March 11, 2024. If this is accurate, Eid al Fitr will fall on Wednesday April 10, 2024.
If this takes place, UAE workers – both in the private and public sector – look set to enjoy a nine-day weekend.
This is because Eid al Fitr holidays are granted from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3 in the Islamic calendar and, if April 10 is indeed Eid al Fitr, then Monday April 8 will be Ramadan 29 and Friday April 12 will be Shawwal 3 as per the Gregorian calendar.
What this means is that we’re all likely to have the week off from Monday April 8 to Friday April 12. Given the two weekends either side, that’s nine days off.
UAE public holidays in 2024: Eid al Adha
You might remember that Eid al Adha in 2023 was commemorated with a six-day weekend.
Well, it doesn’t look like that will be the case this time around – but UAE workers can still look forward to four consecutive days off for the occasion in 2024.
That’s because astronomers predict Arafat Day – which is the second day of the week-long Hajj pilgrimage – will fall on Saturday June 15.
If this comes to pass, Eid al Adha will come on Sunday June 16 and the two subsequent holiday days that mark the occasion will fall on Monday June 17 and Tuesday June 18.
It means you can mark Saturday June 15 to Tuesday June 18 as a potential four-day weekend.
UAE public holidays in 2024: Islamic New Year
Islamic New Year is expected to fall on Sunday July 7.
Whether a public holiday on a working day will follow remains to be seen.
UAE public holidays in 2024: Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday
The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday is expected to fall on Sunday September 15.
Whether a public holiday on a working day will follow remains to be seen.
UAE public holidays in 2024: National Day
National Day celebrations fall in December every year, and 2024 will be no different.
There is likely to be a public holiday Monday and Tuesday December 2 and 3 in observance of Commemoration Day, which falls on Sunday December 1.