The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Cabinet has formally released its list of UAE holidays 2024, applicable to both the public and private sectors. The first of the public holidays UAE 2024 will be New Year’s Day, January 1, which falls on a Monday.
By announcing official holidays, the government aspires to give public and private sector employees the same number of days off. This move also helps UAE nationals and residents to plan their schedules more efficiently.
Emirates public holidays are an opportune time to do various personal activities. These include making travel arrangements, not just domestically but also globally. In 2022, international departures from the country reached 11.5 million. The top destinations are Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the UK, the US and Egypt.
The Abu Dhabi International Airport and Dubai International Airport emerge as the major transport hubs, especially during these occasions.
Confirmed UAE holidays in 2024
Here are the confirmed holidays in the UAE for next year:
- New Year’s Day: January 1
- Eid Al Fitr: Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3, 1445 AH
- Arafat Day: Dhu Al-Hijjah 9, 1445 AH
- Eid Al Adha: Dhu Al-Hijjah 10 to 12, 1445 AH
- Islamic New Year: Muharram 1, 1446 AH
- Prophet Mohammed’s birthday: Rabi’ Al-Awwal 12, 1446 AH
- UAE National Day: December 2 to 3
Read: UAE National Day 2023: 8 ways to celebrate the Spirit of the Union
Forecast dates for UAE holidays in 2024
Several UAE holidays 2024 don’t have a confirmed date yet as they are based on the Hijri Islamic calendar. The exact Gregorian dates will depend on moon sightings. Astronomers and researchers typically predict these holidays within a two to three-day window.
To help you maximize your vacations, here are the predicted dates for Islam calendar-based holidays.
- Eid Al Fitr: April 8 (Monday) to Thursday (April 11)
- Arafat Day: June 15 (Saturday)
- Eid Al Adha: June 16 (Sunday) to June 18 (Tuesday)
- Islamic New Year: July 7 (Sunday)
- Prophet Mohammed’s birthday: September 15 (Sunday)
Frequently asked questions
Below, we answer the commonly asked UAE upcoming holiday questions.
-
How many public holidays are there in UAE 2024?
There are seven confirmed holiday celebrations in the country for next year. These include New Year’s Day, Eid Al Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, Prophet Mohammed’s birthday and National Day. These commemorations will give a total of 13 days off, including holidays that fall on weekends.
-
When is Eid al-Fitr holiday in 2024?
Eid al-Fitr signifies the conclusion of Ramadan, the sacred month of fasting in the Islamic faith. This will be the next holiday after New Year’s Day.
According to astronomers, Ramadan will begin on March 11, Monday. Following this, Eid al-Fitr will occur on April 10, Wednesday.
Note that the Islamic calendar extends the commemoration from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3. In the Gregorian calendar, it could fall on April 8, Monday to April 12, Friday. Since these dates are weekdays, workers can expect a total of nine days off, taking into account the weekends before and after the Eid al-Fitr holidays.
-
When will the Eid al-Adha holiday be celebrated in 2024?
Eid al-Adha refers to the “Festival of Sacrifice.” It commemorates the climax of Hajj, a seven-day pilgrimage rites. In the Islamic faith, Eid al-Adha follows Arafat Day, the second day of Hajj.
For 2024, astronomers forecast that Arafat Day will be on June 15, Saturday. This indicates that Eid al-Adha will be on June 16, Sunday. The celebrations usually extend up to two days. This means that the Eid al-Adha holidays will be until June 18, Tuesday.
-
When is the UAE National Day holiday scheduled in 2024?
The UAE National Day is in commemoration of the unification of the seven emirates. It is celebrated every December 2, which falls on a Monday next year. December 1, Sunday, is expected to be the Commemoration Day, and December 3, Tuesday, is an additional day off.
-
When is the Islamic New Year holiday in 2024?
Followers of the Islamic faith celebrate a separate New Year based on the Islamic calendar. Next year, the Islamic New Year is predicted to happen on July 7, Sunday.
-
When is Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday holiday in 2024?
The birthday of Prophet Muhammad is among the most important UAE holidays 2024. It could happen on September 15, Sunday.
-
What date is Muharram in 2024?
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. For the year 2024, it starts on the evening of July 6, Saturday, and ends at dusk on August 5. Monday.
For more miscellaneous stories, click here.
