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- With the date landing on a Thursday in 2026, it creates a clean break between the end of 2025 and the start of the new working year.
- A public holiday adjustment rule introduced at the start of 2025 allows certain holidays to shift to the beginning or end of the week.
- With January 1, 2026 officially confirmed as a public holiday, residents can now mark the first day off of the year with confidence.
UAE confirms January 1 as first public holiday of 2026
The UAE has locked in its first official public holiday for 2026, giving residents an early reason to start planning calendars and work schedules. The confirmation sets the tone for the year ahead and puts clarity around the very first day off everyone will receive once 2025 wraps up. With New Year celebrations already a major moment in Dubai, the announcement adds a clear date to mark straight away. The information follows official holiday rules currently in place and sticks to confirmed calendar facts rather than speculation.
The First Public Holiday Of 2026 Is Confirmed
According to Time Out Dubai, the first public holiday of 2026 will be New Year’s Day, officially observed on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The holiday marks the start of the Gregorian calendar year and applies nationwide.
Unlike several UAE public holidays tied to the lunar calendar, New Year’s Day stays fixed on January 1 every year. This makes it one of the easiest holidays to plan around for both residents and employers. With the date landing on a Thursday in 2026, it creates a clean break between the end of 2025 and the start of the new working year.
How The UAE Public Holiday Adjustment Rule Applies
A public holiday adjustment rule introduced at the start of 2025 allows certain holidays to shift to the beginning or end of the week. The goal of this policy is to create clearer scheduling and, in some cases, longer weekends for residents. New Year’s Day typically remains unchanged because it holds a fixed calendar position. While January 1, 2026 falls close to the weekend, no official announcement has been made to shift the holiday to Friday, January 2. As of now, Thursday, January 1 stands as the confirmed day off.
Predicted UAE Public Holidays For The Rest Of 2026
Alongside New Year’s Day, predicted public holiday dates for 2026 have also been outlined, subject to moon sighting for Islamic occasions. These dates give residents a working framework for planning leave, travel, and work commitments during the year.
The expected public holidays include:
New Year’s Day: Thursday, January 1
Eid Al Fitr: Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22
Arafat Day: Tuesday, May 26
Eid Al Adha: Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29
Islamic New Year: Monday, June 15, with the official date falling on Tuesday, June 16 and the holiday shifted to the start of the week
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH): Monday, August 24, with the official date falling on Tuesday, August 25 and the holiday shifted to the start of the week
UAE National Day: Wednesday, December 2 and Thursday, December 3
These dates remain projections until final confirmation for Islamic holidays.
New Year Context In Dubai
The New Year public holiday follows a packed calendar of citywide celebrations. Dubai has announced eight days of New Year’s Eve festivities, including fireworks, public events, and ticketed experiences throughout the city. Residents also have access to organized viewing areas and transport-led experiences tied to the celebrations. One confirmed option includes a New Year’s Eve abra experience priced at Dhs150, offered through Dubai’s transport authority, adding another officially announced activity to the holiday period.
With January 1, 2026 officially confirmed as a public holiday, residents can now mark the first day off of the year with confidence. The fixed date removes uncertainty and sets a clear starting point for the 2026 holiday calendar. As further confirmations follow later in the year, New Year’s Day stands as the first locked-in break that kicks off the year in Dubai.
