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Arabian Business compiled projections for the UAE public holidays in 2027 that place Eid Al Fitr as the source of the year’s first six-day weekend. The publication drew on astronomical calculations to forecast the holiday running from Tuesday 9 March to Thursday 11 March or Friday 12 March depending on Ramadan length. Such an alignment with the standard Saturday and Sunday weekend would deliver consecutive days off without additional leave for employees across both public and private sectors. Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 establishes the uniform holiday rules that apply to all workers in the country.
The official UAE government portal lists Eid Al Fitr as spanning the first three days of Shawwal with an extra day added if Ramadan completes 30 days. A Khaleej Times review of the same astronomical data showed that the March dates would combine with the preceding weekend in some scenarios to create the six-day period starting as early as Saturday 6 March. The report noted that one day of annual leave could stretch the break to nine days total for those able to take Monday 8 March off. These forecasts remain preliminary until the UAE Moon Sighting Committee issues its formal determinations.
New Year’s Day on Friday 1 January 2027 will open the calendar with only a three-day weekend according to the Arabian Business breakdown. That alignment means residents receive Friday through Sunday off before returning to work on Monday 4 January. The limited initial break contrasts with the longer March holiday and sets the stage for Eid Al Fitr to serve as the first substantial long weekend of the year.
UAE legislation under the 2024 cabinet resolution provides for a total of 12 public holiday days or 13 if Ramadan lasts a full month. The government portal confirms that Islamic dates including Arafah Day on 9 Dhul Hijjah and Eid Al Adha from 10 to 12 Dhul Hijjah follow the lunar calendar and require official confirmation each year. Projections place Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha in mid-May 2027 where they could produce a four-day break from Saturday 15 May to Tuesday 18 May when combined with the weekend.
National Day on 2 and 3 December falls on a Thursday and Friday in 2027 which would create an additional four-day weekend at year end according to multiple calendar assessments. Hijri New Year and the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday are both expected to land on weekends limiting their impact to single additional days off in some cases. The resolution explicitly states that holidays coinciding with weekends cannot be transferred except under specific non-Eid circumstances outlined by the Cabinet.
Final dates for all lunar-based holidays will be announced by the relevant UAE authorities following moon sightings in the preceding months a government portal update emphasised. Employers and residents are advised to monitor official statements for any adjustments that could affect planning. The 2027 projections overall suggest a series of long weekends distributed through the year once the Islamic dates receive confirmation.
