UAE residents could be in for a longer-than-usual break during the country’s 2025 National Day celebrations, potentially stretching the public holiday to five days.
According to the official calendar released by the UAE Cabinet in May 2024, National Day holidays are fixed for Tuesday, December 2, and Wednesday, December 3. However, there’s growing anticipation that Monday, December 1 might be declared an additional day off—especially if authorities aim to create a seamless extended weekend.
If approved, this would mean time off from Friday, November 28, to Wednesday, December 3, giving workers across the Emirates a five-day break. The official confirmation will be announced closer to the date.
Before that, residents can look forward to one remaining Islamic public holiday: the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The occasion is expected to fall on either Thursday, September 4, or Friday, September 5, depending on moon sighting announcements.
The Cabinet, under Resolution No. (27) of 2024, retains the flexibility to adjust certain holidays—excluding Eid—to the start or end of the workweek to maximize public convenience.
Islamic holidays remain dependent on the Hijri calendar and require official lunar confirmation, while Gregorian-based holidays, such as National Day and New Year’s Day, follow fixed dates.
