If you live in the UAE and you are trying to plan around Eid Al Adha 2026, the two questions that matter most are: when are schools closed? and when are offices closed? The answers are now fully locked in — on the evening of 17 May, the UAE Council for Fatwa confirmed the full Eid Al Adha holiday block: Arafat Day on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, followed by Eid Al Adha from Wednesday 27 May through Friday 29 May 2026.
This guide covers the full school and office closure rules during the Eid Al Adha holidays in the UAE, with emphasis on how MoE schools, private schools, government employees, and private sector workers each navigate the period. Includes the legal basis under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 and UAE Labour Law.
Wed 27 · Thu 28 · Fri 29 May — Eid Al Adha (Days 1, 2, 3)
The Confirmed UAE Holiday Schedule
With the UAE Council for Fatwa’s ruling on 17 May 2026, the full four-day public holiday block under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 is now activated. All four dates are confirmed:
- Tuesday, 26 May 2026 — Arafat Day (9 Dhul Hijjah)
- Wednesday, 27 May 2026 — Eid Al Adha Day 1 (10 Dhul Hijjah)
- Thursday, 28 May 2026 — Eid Al Adha Day 2 (11 Dhul Hijjah)
- Friday, 29 May 2026 — Eid Al Adha Day 3 (12 Dhul Hijjah)
Once the Council confirmed the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent (placing 1 Dhul Hijjah on Mon 18 May), the entire holiday block locked in automatically — both Arafat Day and the three days of Eid Al Adha are now official, single-ruling, single-announcement. Combined with the Saturday–Sunday weekend, the school break and the wider office break play out across an unusually wide window:
School Closures: The MoE Term 3 Midterm Break
The UAE Ministry of Education announced the Term 3 midterm break for 2026 running from Monday 25 May to Friday 29 May, with schools reopening on Monday 1 June. The break covers:
- All public and private schools across the UAE
- Students, teaching staff, and administrative staff — all off
- Following KHDA (Dubai) and ADEK (Abu Dhabi) approved school calendars
- Total school closure: 10 consecutive days (Sat 23 May – Sun 31 May)
Office Closures: Government Sector
UAE federal and Emirate-level government offices follow FAHR’s confirmed five-day public holiday block:
- Closed: Monday 25 May – Friday 29 May 2026
- Reopens: Monday 1 June 2026 (after weekend)
- Total time off (govt employees): 9 consecutive days (Sat 23 – Sun 31 May)
Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) auto-applies the Cabinet resolution. Dubai Government HR Department (DGHR) issued a matching circular for all Dubai government entities.
Office Closures: Private Sector
Private sector employees follow the four-day public holiday block under UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and its amendments):
- 4 paid public holiday days: Arafat Day (Tue 26 May) + Eid Al Adha Days 1, 2, 3 (Wed 27 – Fri 29 May 2026)
- Monday 25 May: Pending MOHRE’s formal circular, expected within 24–48 hours of the moon-sighting announcement
- If required to work on a public holiday: Substitute day off OR 50% premium pay
- Reopens: Monday 1 June 2026
Free Zone Companies
Free zone employees (DIFC, ADGM, Jebel Ali, DMCC, etc.) follow the same UAE federal public holiday calendar for Islamic holidays. The full four-day block — Arafat Day plus all three days of Eid Al Adha — applies. DIFC and ADGM operate under their own employment law regimes but align with the federal calendar on public holidays.
Domestic Workers
Under Federal Law No. 9 of 2017 on Domestic Workers, domestic workers (housemaids, drivers, gardeners, cooks employed in private homes) are entitled to the same public holidays as other employees. They receive paid days off on:
- Tuesday 26 May — Arafat Day
- Wednesday 27 May — Eid Al Adha Day 1
- Thursday 28 May — Eid Al Adha Day 2
- Friday 29 May — Eid Al Adha Day 3
- If required to work: substitute day off or premium pay
The Smart Move: Take Monday 25 May as Leave
The single most popular move among UAE residents this year is taking Monday 25 May 2026 as one day of annual leave. The reason is mathematical:
This break is one of the longest naturally-occurring leave windows in the UAE calendar in 2026 — outside of National Day and New Year periods. Many companies have already received clusters of leave requests covering this exact pattern.
If Your Employer Asks You to Work
Under UAE Labour Law, if an employee is required to work on any of the four public holidays (Arafat Day or any day of Eid Al Adha), the employer must provide either:
- A substitute day off — another paid day off within 30 days; OR
- 50% premium pay — 150% of normal daily wage for the day worked
An employer who provides neither is in breach of the Labour Law. To file a complaint:
- MOHRE hotline: 800 60 (8am–10pm)
- MOHRE app: File complaint with photo evidence
- Tawafuq system: Online dispute resolution
Frequently Asked Questions
What dates were confirmed for Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha 2026 in UAE?
The UAE Council for Fatwa confirmed the full block on 17 May 2026: Arafat Day on Tuesday 26 May, Eid Al Adha Day 1 on Wednesday 27 May, Day 2 on Thursday 28 May, and Day 3 on Friday 29 May 2026. All four dates were set in a single ruling.
Are UAE schools closed for the full Eid week?
Yes. The Ministry of Education has announced the Term 3 midterm break from Monday 25 May to Friday 29 May 2026 inclusive. Schools reopen on Monday 1 June 2026.
Are offices closed on Monday 25 May 2026?
Government offices: yes (FAHR confirmed). Private sector: pending MOHRE’s circular. Many private sector residents are taking Monday 25 May as annual leave to create a 9-day break.
When do UAE offices reopen after Eid Al Adha 2026?
Monday 1 June 2026 for both government and private sectors.
Do private sector employees get paid for Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha if they do not work?
Yes. All four days — Arafat Day (26 May) and the three days of Eid Al Adha (27–29 May) — are paid public holidays for all employees under UAE Labour Law. No deduction can be made for the four days.
What if my employer asks me to work on Arafat Day or Eid Al Adha?
Under UAE Labour Law, you are entitled to either a substitute day off within 30 days or 50% premium pay (150% of your daily wage). This applies equally to Arafat Day and all three days of Eid Al Adha. File a complaint with MOHRE (call 800 60 or use the MOHRE app) if your employer does not provide either.
Leave a Reply