Public holidays in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the GCC are a mix of national celebration days and religious observances.
While many nations grant public and private sector vacations for events like Eid, other customs are only recognized in particular nations.
It follows that it can be difficult to keep track of each nation’s public holidays and business days.
Depending on the country, holidays like the national day are celebrated on a specific date every year and are based on historical events.
On the other hand, religious celebrations like Eid Al Adha and Eid Al Fitr are based on the lunar calendar, and the date varies every year.
The information below should only be used as a general reference; actual dates and observances may vary by country and by moon-sighting committees.
UAE
The following is the full list of public holidays in the UAE for this year.
- Gregorian New Year: January 1
- Eid Al Fitr: Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3 (Expected April 8 to 11)
- Arafat Day: Dhul Hijjah 9 (Expected June 15)
- Eid Al Adha: Dhul Hijjah 10-12 (Expected June 16 to 18)
- Hijri New Year: July 7
- Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday: September 16
- National Day: December 2-3
Saudi
Saudi Arabia’s public holidays in 2024 are a mix of cultural and religious observances.
Some public holidays in the Kingdom fall on a set date, while others are based on a lunar calendar and dates vary each year. All holidays are subject to change and official notification of dates and durations of holidays will be released by the Saudi government closer to the time.
- Founding Day 2024: February 22
- Eid Al Fitr: Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3 (Expected April 8 to 11)
- Arafat Day: Dhul Hijjah 9 (Expected June 15)
- Eid Al Adha: Dhul Hijjah 10-12 (Expected June 16 to 18)
- Saudi Arabia National Day: September 23
Qatar
In 2024, Qatar’s national holidays will similarly incorporate both cultural and religious traditions.
- National Sports Day 2024: February 13
- Eid Al Fitr: Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3 (Expected April 8 to 11)
- Arafat Day: Dhul Hijjah 9 (Expected June 15)
- Eid Al Adha: Dhul Hijjah 10-12 (Expected June 16 to 18)
- National Day: December 18
Oman
The days of the official holidays for 2024 are set forth in Oman’s Royal Decree No. 88/2022, which was issued by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.
- Hijri New Year (Muharram 1st)
- Prophet’s birthday (12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal)
- Isra and Miraj (27th of the month of Rajab)
- National Day (November 18-19)
- The day the Sultan assumed the reins of power in the country (January 11)
- Eid Al Fitr: Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3 (Expected April 8 to 11)
- Eid Al Adha: Dhul Hijjah 10-12 (Expected June 16 to 18)
Bahrain
Public holidays in Bahrain in 2024 represent a mixture of cultural and religious observances.
- Eid Al Fitr: Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3 (Expected April 8 to 11)
- Arafat Day: Dhul Hijjah 9 (Expected June 15)
- Eid Al Adha: Dhul Hijjah 10-12 (Expected June 16 to 18)
- Labour Day: May 1
- Hijri New Year: July 7
- Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday: September 16
- National Day: December 16
Kuwait
Kuwait will observe the following public holidays in 2024.
- Al-Israa wal Miraaj (Prophet’s Ascension) 2024: February 8
- National Day: February 25
- National Day: February 26
- Eid Al Fitr: Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3 (Expected April 8 to 11)
- Arafat Day: Dhul Hijjah 9 (Expected June 15)
- Eid Al Adha: Dhul Hijjah 10-12 (Expected June 16 to 18)
- Hijri New Year: July 7
- Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday: September 16
Employers may provide a day in place of the holiday when it falls on the weekend, which can range from Friday to Sunday, depending on the country.
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