UAE 2023 public holidays: Long weekend coming this September

With seven months of the year almost over, workers in the public and private sectors would still be eagerly waiting for their next holiday. In November last year, the UAE Cabinet granted equal leaves to the public and private sectors. This decision aims to achieve a balance between the two sectors in the number of official holidays they are entitled to.

With August starting from tomorrow, the next holiday on the list is Prophet Muhammad’s birthday on September 29, which is a Friday. That would mean a three-day weekend for UAE residents. After September 29, the next holiday is on 2nd and 3rd December for National Day. UAE’s National Day falls on 2 December and marks the UAE's formal nationalisation and the start of the federal unification of the emirates in 1971.

Here is the list of holidays for 2023 in UAE


Gregorian New Year: 1 January

Eid Al Fitr: From 29 Ramadan to 3 Shawwal* (4 days)

Arafah day and Eid Al Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): From 9 to 12 Dhu al Hijjah* (4 days)

Hijri New Year (Islamic New Year)

Prophet Mohammed's birthday: 29 September 2023

National Day: 2 and 3 December (2 days).

(Islamic holidays are determined according to moon sighting).