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UAE announces official holidays for 2023: 3 long weekends; 6-day break likely this year

In the country, a unified list for the public and private sectors ensures employees get equal number of days off

Published: Sun 27 Nov 2022, 2:03 PM

Updated: Sat 18 Feb 2023, 9:56 AM

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The UAE Cabinet has approved the official holidays for 2023 for public and private sectors. The country’s residents are in for multiple long breaks this year, including a six-day break.

In the UAE, a unified list for the public and private sectors ensures employees get equal number of days off.

According to a post shared by the government, the following is the full list of holidays for this year:

  • Gregorian New Year: January 1
  • Eid Al Fitr: Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3
  • Arafah Day: Dhul Hijjah 9
  • Eid Al Adha: Dhul Hijjah 10-12
  • Hijri New Year: July 21
  • Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday: September 29
  • UAE National Day: December 2-3

As evident, some of the holidays mentioned in the list are based on the Hijri Islamic calendar. Their corresponding Gregorian dates will depend on moon-sighting.

Long weekends

According to the official list, UAE residents are in for four long weekends next year.

– Eid Al Fitr: As per the Hijri calendar, the dates are from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3. According to astronomical calculations, this would be from Thursday, April 20, till Sunday, April 23. Actual dates are subject to moon-sighting.

– Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha: This will most likely offer a six-day break — the longest this year. The break is likely to be from Tuesday, June 27, to Friday, June 30. If this is indeed the case, those with Saturday-Sunday off get a six-day weekend.

– Hijri New Year: July 21 is a Friday. This translates into a three-day weekend for those with Saturday-Sunday off.

– Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday: September 29 is a Friday, too. That would be another three-day weekend for residents.

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