2025 UAE Calendar - Full List of the National Holidays and Observances: Dates & Celebrations

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An Overview of Public Holidays in United Arab Emirates (UAE)

People who live in the UAE will have up to 13 days off in 2025 because of public holidays. A decision made by the UAE Cabinet says that next year's holiday for the Islamic holiday Eid Al Fitr will be a little different. This is the most important change to public holidays from the last few years.

It will go into effect on January 1, 2025.

These holidays are for UAE workers in both the private and public sectors. They are on top of the 30 annual leaves that workers can take each year.

Because of this unique mix of annual leaves and public holidays, people can take up to three vacations a year.

The Islamic Hijri calendar sets most of the holiday dates. The months are named after when the Moon is seen. The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar will be released closer to the events.

It's not possible to move a public holiday if it falls on the same day as another public holiday or the weekend.

Also, any other official holidays that aren't already set by the national cabinet can be approved by the local governments.

When are the UAE public holidays in 2025?

January 1 2025: New Year’s Day

Ramadan 30: If Ramadan is a 30-day month

Shawwal 1: Eid Al Fitr holiday

Shawwal 2: Eid Al Fitr holiday

Shawwal 3: Eid Al Fitr holiday

Dhu Al Hijjah 9: Arafat Day

Dhu Al Hijjah 10: Eid Al Adha

Dhu Al Hijjah 11: Eid Al Adha

Dhu Al Hijjah 12: Eid Al Adha

Muharram 1: Islamic New Year

Rabi Al Awwal 12: Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday

December 2: UAE National Day

December 3: UAE National Day

When are the expected dates for the UAE public holidays in 2025?

As was already said, exact dates will be known closer to the holidays when the moon is seen, but the Emirates Astronomical Society has made a rough guess about when the dates might fall.

New Year’s Day: January 1, 2025

Eid Al Fitr: March 31 – April 2, 2025

Arafat Day: May 30, 2025

Eid Al Adha: May 31 – June 2, 2025

Islamic New Year: June 27, 2025

The Prophet Mohammed’s birthday: September 1, 2025

Commemoration Day: December 1, 2025

National Day: December 2-3, 2025

List of UAE Public Holidays in 2025

Can holidays be moved? The resolution says that all holidays can be moved to the beginning or end of the week except for Eid holidays. The UAE Cabinet is the only group that can decide to do this. Once a holiday is set for the weekend, it can't be moved to a weekday. If they think it's necessary, the local government in each Emirate can add more holidays.

A Full List of Public Holidays in UAE 2025

UAE public holidays for 2025

A resolution from the UAE Cabinet lists all of the public holidays and long weekends that are coming up:

Jan 1 Wednesday - New Year's Day

Mar 29 Saturday - Eid al Fitr Holiday

Mar 30 Sunday - Eid al Fitr (End of Ramadan)

Mar 31 - Monday Eid al Fitr Holiday

Apr 1 Tuesday - Eid al Fitr Holiday

June 5 Thursday - Arafat Day

June 6 Friday - Eid al Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)

June 7 Saturday - Eid al Adha Holiday

June 8 Sunday - Eid al Adha Holiday

June 26 Thursday - Islamic New Year (may move to Fri. Jun. 27)

Sep Thursday - The Prophet's Birthday (may move to Fri. Sep. 5)

Dec Tuesday - UAE National Day

Dec Wednesday - National Day Holiday

Happy New Year: 1 day off

People in the UAE will have a holiday to start the new year. On January 1, 2025, Wednesday, people will have the day off.

Eid Al Fitr: Up to 4 days off in March-April

People will have up to four days off for the Islamic holiday Eid Al Fitr, which comes after the month of Ramadan. This year, the holiday is a little different. The resolution says that the first three days of Shawwal, the month that comes after Ramadan, are holy days. It will be a holiday on the 30th of the Islamic month if Ramadan lasts 30 days. This will give people four days off (Ramadan 30 to Shawwal 3). The holiday is only the first three days of Eid, even though the holy month lasts 29 days.

The holiday for Eid Al Fitr in 2024 ran from the 29th of Ramadan to the 3rd of Shawwal. This gave residents a nine-day break this year, if you count the weekends.

Arafah Day, Eid Al Adha: 4 days off in June

Considered the holiest day in Islam, Arafah Day will be a holiday. This will be on Dhul Hijjah 9. This will be followed by a three-day break for Islamic festival Eid Al Adha (Dhul Hijjah 10-12). This translates into four off days.

Hijri New Year: 1 day off in June

Muharram 1 will be a day off for residents. This falls a couple of weeks after the Eid Al Adha break.

Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday: 1 day off in September

Believed to be on Rabi Al Awwal 12, residents will get a holiday for the occasion.

UAE National Day: 2 days off in December

People will have two days off in the middle of the week to celebrate National Day. The last two days off from work in 2025 will be Tuesday, December 2, and Wednesday, December 3.

Key Facts • A public holiday can be moved to the beginning or to the end of a week if it falls between two working days • Since 2022, the weekend is Saturday and Sunday • Islamic holiday exact dates are subject to moon sightings and may differ from the date given • Public sector workers now receive the same number of public holidays as the private sector

Public National Holidays, Observances And Celebrations in UAE 2025

1 Jan Wednesday New Year's Day National holiday

In the United Arab Emirates, January 1st is a public holiday and New Year's Eve celebrations welcome the Gregorian-calendar New Year with great fanfare.

Unlike many Islamic holidays, New Year's Day is not moved to the weekend for obvious reasons. UAE public and private sector workers often receive a paid day off to celebrate.

Most UAE residents are Muslim, but most foreign workers and tourists are not. Everyone celebrates New Year's Eve and Day.

Parties at midnight, parades, and massive fireworks displays are the main events. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have huge celebrations, and the entire city is packed. For the entire evening of December 31, hotels, restaurants, malls, markets, and streets are alive.

Many host house parties, and it's easy to get invited. Tourist groups often host parties where everyone brings a dish to pass, creating a large feast. Others hold a party and rush out to see the fireworks in person, while others watch them on TV. Third, dine at a local restaurant, usually in a hotel or resort.

27 Jan Monday - Leilat al-Meiraj (The Prophet's Ascension) (Tentative Date) Observance

Israa & Miaraj Night in United Arab Emirates

This holiday takes place on the 27th day of Rajab, the seventh month in the Islamic calendar. It is also known as The Prophet's Ascension or the Night Journey.

Isra and Mi'raj Night is when Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) went from Mecca to Jerusalem and then to heaven. This happened around the year 621.

In the United Arab Emirates, Israa Wal Miraj is not a public holiday right now. From 7 p.m. on the day before Israa Wal Miraj, there is no alcohol on the night.

The Department of Tourism and Archaeology in Umm Al Quwain has rules that say bars and restaurants can't serve alcohol, music and other forms of entertainment should stop, and stores that sell alcohol can't serve either locals or visitors.

29 Mar Saturday - Eid al-Fitr Holiday

Eid Al Fitr is the first day of the Islamic month Shawwal. It is also the first day after Ramadan, a month of fasting and prayer.

The UAE's public and private sectors have different Eid al-Fitr holidays.

Like in other Muslim countries, the UAE has a government-appointed moon-sighting committee that calls it Eid Al Fitr when the crescent moon is seen. Every year, Eid Al Fitr falls on a different date.

When it comes to the UAE, Eid Al Fitr is a real holiday. Both government and private workers usually get two days off paid. Most businesses will have different hours if they are open, and there will be a lot of people around the mosques, making traffic jams.

A lot of Muslims in the UAE will go to mosques on Eid Al Fitr to pray, listen to a sermon called a khutba, and give food to others as a kind deed. These prayer meetings will sometimes happen in sports arenas or other places where a lot of people can gather.

Communities may also have events for kids and meals for everyone. Private families may also have holiday meals and give the food to poor people. People often wear nice, new clothes to these events. A lot of people will also go to the homes of family and friends, send greeting cards with the words "Eid Mubbarak!" (Blessed Eid!) written on them, and give candy and other gifts to children.

During the month of Ramadan, it is the norm and a religious act to give food to people who are poor. People who haven't done it yet or who just want to be "extra generous" often do it on Eid Al Fitr. Food like raisins, dates, flour, and barley are often given. Donations of money equal to the value of the food are also given sometimes.

1 Mar Saturday Ramadan Start (Tentative Date) Observance

Ramadan Start in UAE

In Islam, Ramadan is the ninth month of the year. It is also written as Ramadhan or Ramzan. This is the time of year when Muslims all over the world focus on religious devotion, prayer, fasting, and giving to charity. The last third of Ramadan is a very holy time because it marks the anniversary of when the first verses of the Koran (Qu'ran) were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (Mohammad or Muhammed).

Saturday, March 1, 2025, is Ramadan Start, but it is also a work day. In the United Arab Emirates, most businesses have set hours.

20 Mar Thursday March Equinox Season

The March equinox is when the Sun moves from south to north across the celestial equator, which is a made-up line in the sky above Earth's equator. Every year, this takes place on March 19, 20, or 21.

30 Mar Sunday - Eid Al Fitr

Eid Al Fitr is the first day of the Islamic month Shawwal. It is also the first day after Ramadan, a month of fasting and prayer.

The UAE's public and private sectors have different Eid al-Fitr holidays.

Like in other Muslim countries, the UAE has a government-appointed moon-sighting committee that calls it Eid Al Fitr when the crescent moon is seen. Every year, Eid Al Fitr falls on a different date.

When it comes to the UAE, Eid Al Fitr is a real holiday. Both government and private workers usually get two days off paid. Most businesses will have different hours if they are open, and there will be a lot of people around the mosques, making traffic jams.

A lot of Muslims in the UAE will go to mosques on Eid Al Fitr to pray, listen to a sermon called a khutba, and give food to others as a kind deed. These prayer meetings will sometimes happen in sports arenas or other places where a lot of people can gather.

Communities may also have events for kids and meals for everyone. Private families may also have holiday meals and give the food to poor people. People often wear nice, new clothes to these events. A lot of people will also go to the homes of family and friends, send greeting cards with the words "Eid Mubbarak!" (Blessed Eid!) written on them, and give candy and other gifts to children.

During the month of Ramadan, it is the norm and a religious act to give food to people who are poor. People who haven't done it yet or who just want to be "extra generous" often do it on Eid Al Fitr. Food like raisins, dates, flour, and barley are often given. Donations of money equal to the value of the food are also given sometimes.

31 Mar Monday - Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date) National holiday

Eid Al Fitr is the first day of the Islamic month Shawwal. It is also the first day after Ramadan, a month of fasting and prayer.

The UAE's public and private sectors have different Eid al-Fitr holidays.

Like in other Muslim countries, the UAE has a government-appointed moon-sighting committee that calls it Eid Al Fitr when the crescent moon is seen. Every year, Eid Al Fitr falls on a different date.

When it comes to the UAE, Eid Al Fitr is a real holiday. Both government and private workers usually get two days off paid. Most businesses will have different hours if they are open, and there will be a lot of people around the mosques, making traffic jams.

A lot of Muslims in the UAE will go to mosques on Eid Al Fitr to pray, listen to a sermon called a khutba, and give food to others as a kind deed. These prayer meetings will sometimes happen in sports arenas or other places where a lot of people can gather.

Communities may also have events for kids and meals for everyone. Private families may also have holiday meals and give the food to poor people. People often wear nice, new clothes to these events. A lot of people will also go to the homes of family and friends, send greeting cards with the words "Eid Mubbarak!" (Blessed Eid!) written on them, and give candy and other gifts to children.

During the month of Ramadan, it is the norm and a religious act to give food to people who are poor. People who haven't done it yet or who just want to be "extra generous" often do it on Eid Al Fitr. Food like raisins, dates, flour, and barley are often given. Donations of money equal to the value of the food are also given sometimes.

1 Apr Tuesday - Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date) National holiday

Eid Al Fitr is the first day of the Islamic month Shawwal. It is also the first day after Ramadan, a month of fasting and prayer.

The UAE's public and private sectors have different Eid al-Fitr holidays.

Eid al-Fitr, also known as the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," is a major religious holiday for Muslims around the world. It marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. The holiday marks the end of the 29 or 30 days of fasting from dawn until dusk during the month of Ramadan.

The exact date that people around the world celebrate Eid may change because it depends on when they see the moon. The exact dates of Eid Al-Fitr might not be made public until close to the beginning of Ramadan.

Traditions of Eid al-Fitr

People call Eid al-Fitr the “Festival of Breaking the Fast.” Fasting from dawn to sunset during Ramadan ("Sawm") is one of Islam's five pillars. Muslims believe Muhammad received the Qur'an during Ramadan.

Muslims pray "Salat Al Eid" on Eid Al-Fitr. The Eid call to prayer is silent. Muslims pray two "Rakat" prayers in mosques or open spaces. After prayers, the imam preaches for forgiveness, mercy, and peace for all.

Wearing new clothes, eating a date, and saying a takbeer on the way to the mosque are traditions.

Giving money to the poor (known as 'Zakat al-Fitr', depending on possessions), sending Eid greetings, and feasting with families are also important parts of Eid.

Many Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr to thank Allah for his strength and guidance during Ramadan to practice self-control.

Muslims greet this day with "Eid Mubarak," Arabic for "blessed festival." After Eid Mubarak, say "Khair Mubarak" to wish the greeter well.

First Eid al-Fitr was celebrated in 624 CE by Muhammad and his companions after their victory in Jang-e-Badar, a turning point in Muhammad's struggle with the Quraish in Mecca.

The Turkic word for holiday, Bairam, is also used to refer to Eid al-Fitr. Eid al-Adha, the holier Islamic festival, is the 'Greater Bairam', which is why it is called lesser.

2 Apr Wednesday - Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date) National holiday

From Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3, which is the third month of the Islamic calendar, the private, public, and government sectors will all be closed for Eid. Emergency services are the only ones that are still open, or the offices of some essential services will be open for a limited time.

Eid al-Fitr, also known as the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," is a major religious holiday for Muslims around the world. It marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. The holiday marks the end of the 29 or 30 days of fasting from dawn until dusk during the month of Ramadan.

The exact date that people around the world celebrate Eid may change because it depends on when they see the moon. The exact dates of Eid Al-Fitr might not be made public until close to the beginning of Ramadan.

29 May Thursday - Hajj season begins (Tentative Date) Observance

Even though Hajj season begins falls on Thursday, May 29, 2025, it is a working day. Most businesses follow regular opening hours in United Arab Emirates.

6 Jun Friday - Arafat (Hajj) Day (Tentative Date) National holiday

Afrah Day in United Arab Emirates

The Hajj is a seven-day journey that many Muslims from the UAE and other places take every year. Arafat Day is the second day of the journey.

Arafat (Hajj) Day is a holiday for everyone. People in general have the day off, and most schools and businesses are closed.

The Hajj takes place from the 8th to the 12th or 13th day of Dhul Hijja, the last month of the Islamic year. The ninth day of Dhul Hijja is Arafat Day. This is about 70 days after the end of Ramadan. It is the first of three or four festival days called "Eid Ul Adha" that happen right after Arafat Day.

Thousands of people in the UAE and around the Islamic world will gather and march in "pilgrimage processions" as soon as Hajj starts. The final stop is Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which is the holiest city in Islam. Since this is the case, Hajj and Arafat Day happen outside of UAE, even though many Emiratis are involved.

Rituals are done in Mecca, such as going around the "black box" called the Kaaba, which is thought to contain a meteorite (a black stone) that was put there by the angel Gabriel.

A huge crowd of people gathers on Mount Arafat and the plain it looks out over every year on Arafat Day. Many people think that Muhammad gave his "farewell address" here, close to the end of his life. In the sermon, he said that Islam was now complete. This famous verse from the Koran was written about this. On Mount Arafat, the pilgrims hold a vigil. They pray and read the Koran while standing there all night. After that, they shave their heads, make animal sacrifices, and throw stones at three pillars to represent the Devil.

Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha are public holidays in the UAE. During these times, many people don't have to work for up to a week. People who can't go on the pilgrimage will go to the mosque, fast, and pray more at home instead. Thousands of people will be traveling to and from Mecca at this time, making travel very crowded. Also, many businesses will be closed.

7 Jun Saturday - Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) (Tentative Date) National holiday

The UAE and the rest of the Muslim world celebrate Eid al-Adha, which means "Feast of Sacrifice." It is one of the most important days in the Muslim year.

In the UAE, as in many Muslim countries, Eid al-Adha is a time to spend with family and worship. Given that the word "eid" means "solemn festival," it's not a surprise that Eid al-Adha is a very religious holiday. People attend morning prayers at the mosque, listen to a sermon about the importance of sacrifice, wear new clothes, and sacrifice animals (called qurbani).

When it starts on the 10th day of the Islamic month Dhul Hijja, Eid al-Adha most often lasts for four days straight. Also, keep in mind that the exact date isn't set in stone until it's announced by a government oversight committee.

Eid al-Adha remembers the story in the Quran about how Ibrahim sacrificed Ishmael without question on Mount Moriah because Allah told him to. Then Allah sends an angel to end the sacrifice early, saving Ishmael's life. He tells Ibrahim that his sacrifice "has already been accepted."

This is the time of year when many Muslims in the UAE and other places who can afford to do so make the journey to Mecca to remember Ibrahim's sacrifice. Some people, though, sacrifice an animal in their home country. It's usually a cow, but it can also be a camel, a sheep, a goat, or a ram.

An animal used as a sacrifice must meet halal standards, be the best that its owner has to offer, and be approved by religious leaders. Because it is bad for health, it is against the law in the UAE to kill animals for fun or for religious reasons. They have to be taken to one of the four official slaughterhouses in the country instead.

People who can't afford to buy an animal for sacrifice on their own often do so with the help of their family or a group. Usually, the meat from the animal that was sacrificed is split into three parts. The family keeps a third, gives a third to family and friends, and gives the last third to people in need.

7 Jun Saturday - Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date) National holiday

8 Jun Sunday Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date) National holiday

The UAE and the rest of the Muslim world celebrate Eid al-Adha, which means "Feast of Sacrifice." It is one of the most important days in the Muslim year.

In the UAE, as in many Muslim countries, Eid al-Adha is a time to spend with family and worship. Given that the word "eid" means "solemn festival," it's not a surprise that Eid al-Adha is a very religious holiday. People attend morning prayers at the mosque, listen to a sermon about the importance of sacrifice, wear new clothes, and sacrifice animals (called qurbani).

When it starts on the 10th day of the Islamic month Dhul Hijja, Eid al-Adha most often lasts for four days straight. Also, keep in mind that the exact date isn't set in stone until it's announced by a government oversight committee.

Eid al-Adha remembers the story in the Quran about how Ibrahim sacrificed Ishmael without question on Mount Moriah because Allah told him to. Then Allah sends an angel to end the sacrifice early, saving Ishmael's life. He tells Ibrahim that his sacrifice "has already been accepted."

This is the time of year when many Muslims in the UAE and other places who can afford to do so make the journey to Mecca to remember Ibrahim's sacrifice. Some people, though, sacrifice an animal in their home country. It's usually a cow, but it can also be a camel, a sheep, a goat, or a ram.

An animal used as a sacrifice must meet halal standards, be the best that its owner has to offer, and be approved by religious leaders. Because it is bad for health, it is against the law in the UAE to kill animals for fun or for religious reasons. They have to be taken to one of the four official slaughterhouses in the country instead.

People who can't afford to buy an animal for sacrifice on their own often do so with the help of their family or a group. Usually, the meat from the animal that was sacrificed is split into three parts. The family keeps a third, gives a third to family and friends, and gives the last third to people in need.

21 Jun Saturday June Solstice Season

To be in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun must be directly above the Tropic of Cancer on June 21. It gets as far north as this latitude during the year. It starts moving south again after the solstice.

27 Jun Friday - Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year) (Tentative Date) National holiday

The UAE, like many other Muslim countries, has a public holiday for the Islamic New Year. It is the first day of Muharram, which is the first month on the Islamic lunar calendar. It is also called "Al Hijra," which means "flight," because this is the day that Muhammad flew from Mecca to Medina.

The people of Mecca turned down the Islamic religion that Muhammad had brought to them, which led to the flight. This is a very important event in the history of Islam.

Based on the Gregorian Calendar, which is used all over the world, the date of Islamic New Year is different in different places. That calendar says that the Islamic New Year moves by eleven days every year. The exact date is never known for sure because each country announces it based on when they see the moon, but they can usually be very close. Also, keep in mind that the Islamic New Year starts around 6 p.m., since Islamic days always begin after sunset.

People remember important events from the past during the first month of the year, Muharram. They also mourn and think about the wrongs that happened in the past during this time. It is forbidden to fight during the whole month of Muharram because it is a holy month.

5 Sep Friday - Mouloud (Tentative Date) National holiday

It is the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi' al-awwal, which is the birthday of the Prophet Muhammed (also called Mohammed or Muhammad). Shi'a Muslims celebrate it on the 17th of this month. People think that Muhammed is the last prophet.

Mouloud is a holiday for everyone. People in general have the day off, and most schools and businesses are closed.

Different people have different ideas about how to celebrate Muhammed's birthday. Some people think that the Prophet's birthday is a great event that should be praised. Some people think that celebrating birthdays goes against Islamic law. Both sides use Hadith (stories based on the words and actions of the Prophet Muhammed) and events in Muhammed's life to back up their points of view.

In some places, Mawlid, also known as Milad, is celebrated with big parades through the streets. Home and mosques are also decked out. On or around this day, some people give food and other things to charity. Some parents listen to their kids read poems about things that happened in the life of the Prophet Muhammad. People all over the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia celebrate Mawlid in this way.

Many Muslims, on the other hand, don't celebrate this day either. They might instead spend more time reading the Koran to mark the event. It is said that Muhammed was born on a Monday, and some scholars believe that fasting during the day on Mondays is another way to honor his birth.

5 Sep Friday - Prophet Muhammad’s birthday

A lot of Muslims in the UAE celebrate Muhammad's birthday, but not all of them do so on the same day. The event is celebrated by 85% of Sunni Muslims on the 12th day of the month of Rabiulawal. However, 15% of Shi'a Muslims think it should be celebrated five days later, on the 17th of that month. They both agree that Muhammad was born in 570 A.D., that he was the last and best prophet, and that people should respect and follow him.

From a Western point of view, the date changes a lot from year to year because the lunar calendar doesn't work well with solar calendars. This means that the holiday could happen in December, January, or February.

On this day, there are big parades and celebrations outside in some parts of the UAE. A lot of the time, men who go to these kinds of parades wear green clothes and wave green flags. Little girls also dress in pink and white. At the end of these events, people often share a meal or a birthday cake, and food is often given to people who are not Muslim.

Some Muslims celebrate Muhammad's birthday, but they don't think it should be a public holiday. On this day, they read the Koran, recite suras (verses from the Koran), listen to religious talks, pray, and think about what we can learn from Muhammad's life. A lot of traditional poetry and prose works are also read out loud about Muhammad's life. Mosques and private homes are where a lot of this more private kind of celebration takes place.

As is customary in the UAE, the family gets together to read Islamic poetry, most of which comes from the Al Mawlid Al Barzanji collection. In a U-shaped formation, men of all ages and jobs listen to the poems read by a public speaker with a microphone. The poems can be heard by everyone in the house.

A traditional Emirati instrument called the Al Daf, which sounds like a drum, may also be played in the background. After the readings, people can eat Emirati dishes like sponge cake, tea biscuits, and more. The poor will get any food that is left over before the end of the day.

Readings of Islamic poetry from the Mawlid used to happen on TV, on stage, and from the Bahar Palace in Abu Dhabi in the 1970s and 1980s. When that was written, the Mawlid was also recited at weddings, birthdays, and when a baby was born. These days, it is mostly only recited on Muhammad's birthday.

22 Sep Monday September Equinox Season

The September equinox is when the Sun moves from north to south across the celestial equator, which is a made-up line in the sky above Earth's equator. Most years, this takes place on September 22, 23, or 24.

30 Nov Sunday - Commemoration Day Observance

Even though Commemoration Day falls on Saturday, 30 November 2024, it is a working day. Most businesses follow regular opening hours in United Arab Emirates

1 Dec Monday - Commemoration Day

In the United Arab Emirates, Commemoration Day is held every year on December 1. Honoring those who gave their lives for their country is what this holiday is all about.

Commemoration Day honors the dead in both military and civilian roles, but it is clear that the focus is on military martyrs. This holiday used to happen a day earlier, on November 30, in the past. On November 30, the first soldier from the UAE died while protecting his country. This is why November 30 was chosen as the holiday.

This happened during the Battle of Greater Tunb, when Iran tried to take over islands off the coast of the Emirate of Aden, right before the country's official unification on December 1 and 2. The first martyr was then killed by Iranians because he wouldn't lower the flag of his Emirate and give up to the invaders.

People will also remember the soldiers who died freeing Kuwait during the First Gulf War and the 45 who died recently in the Saudi-led coalition against Iran's interference in Yemen.

In honor of Commemoration Day, many ceremonies and events are put together by local governments. In every city and emirate, there are memorials to heroes who have died and the brave things they did. People who live in the UAE and the large community of expats are both welcome to join in these tributes.

2 Dec Tuesday National Day National holiday

National Day in United Arab Emirates

This holiday, which is also called "Al-Eid Al Watani," takes place on December 2nd.

In most years, there are two days off. The third day is also a holiday, but depending on what day of the week December 2nd falls on, the second trip may happen before or after the first.

As is often the case in the UAE, people who work in the public sector may have a longer break for this holiday than people who work in the private sector.

On December 2, 1971, a British treaty came to an end, officially freeing the United Arab Emirate from the British Protectorate Treaties. This holiday is celebrated to honor that event. Because of this, seven sheikhdoms in the former Trucial States were eventually merged into one federal country in 1971. It was Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who was the first president of the UAE.

On National Day in the U.A.E., schools hold national celebrations and events. Local kids dress up in "thoub" and "kandoora" and do folkloric dances and musical performances. They also hold cultural contests.

3 Dec Wednesday - National Day Holiday

Emirates gained independence and then united as one country in 1971, which is celebrated on National Day.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is made up of seven separate Arab kingdoms that have joined together. It is on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula, next to the Gulf. The events that led to this are hard to understand.

Arab pirates used to attack British ships all the way back in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. This is why the British attacked in 1809 and 1819. Then, from 1820 to 1892, they made a deal with the local leaders to work together. In exchange for British protection, the country agreed to some limits on its freedom. Later, in the 1960s, the British left, and on December 1, 1971, the long-running "Exclusive Agreement" came to an end.

In the days before the treaty ended, there was no agreement on a union, and Iran and Saudi Arabia started to be mean to the small emirates. Because they had to, Abu Dhabi and Dubai made a constitution and joined together on December 1. On December 2, four more emirates joined. The last one joined in February 1972.

Every December 1st and 2nd, people celebrate National Day to remember the events we just talked about. This is also a time to honor the country's first president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who led the movement to unite the country.

Every year, big National Day events happen all over the country, and most people don't have to work for at least four days in a row. There are many fireworks shows lighting up the sky. There are a lot of dancing and car shows. All over the country, "Heritage Villages" are being built to remember how things were done in the past. There are lots of concerts, parades, special museum exhibits, and other events. A lot of people across the country are in a good mood and there are events "around every corner."

21 Dec Sunday December Solstice Season

In the Southern Hemisphere, the December solstice is when the Sun is directly above the Tropic of Capricorn. During the year, it gets as far south as this latitude. It starts moving north again after the solstice.

31 Dec Wednesday New Year's Eve Observance

On December 31, the Gregorian calendar marks the end of the year. New Year's Eve is one of the biggest celebrations in the world because it comes before the New Year. No matter where you are, count down to 2019.

There is no public holiday on New Year's Eve. Businesses are open at regular times.

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