UAE Public Holidays in 2020

Discover the complete list of UAE public holiday dates in 2020 for Ramadan, Eid, Islamic New Year and more

Posted on

27 February 2019

| Last updated on 21 August 2019

by Rebecca Roberts

Find our complete list of UAE public holidays in 2020 for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE.

Calendars at the ready! If you're planning ahead and dreaming of travelling - here we take a look at the holiday dates for Dubai and the UAE for 2020. This list includes fixed UAE holidays in 2020, as well as the UAE public holidays that are depending on moon sightings... Like Ramadan, and both Eids.

There are some things you should be aware of, though:

UAE public holiday dates in 2020 may slightly differ to the below list as we get closer to each occasion
Islamic holiday dates are subject to change due to moon sightings
In the UAE, weekends are Friday and Saturday
A public holiday in the UAE can be moved to the beginning/end of a week if it falls between two working days

For 2020, residents of the UAE will be able to enjoy a public holiday as early as March following from New Year's Day in January.

List of national public holidays in the UAE in 2020

Wednesday, 1st January: New Year's Day
Sunday, 24th May: Eid Al Fitr
Monday, 25th May: Eid Al Fitr holiday
Thursday, 30th July: Arafat (Haj) Day
Friday, 1st August: Eid Al Adha
Saturday, 2nd August: Eid Al Adha holiday
Sunday, 3rd August: Eid Al Adha holiday
Thursday, 20th August: Hijri (Islamic New Year)
Monday, 30th November: UAE Commemoration Day
Wednesday, 2nd December: UAE National Day
Thursday, 3rd December: UAE National Day holiday

When is Isra'a Wal Mi'raj 2020?

Isra'a Wal Mi'raj (or the Prophet's Ascension) is an Islamic holiday observed annually on the 27th day of the Islamic month of Rajab. The night of this UAE public holiday literally translates to 'Night Journey and Ascension'. For 2020, Isra'a Wal Mi'raj is expected to fall on Sunday, 22nd March 2020. However, there will be no public holiday for both public and private sectors for Isra'a Wal Mi'raj in 2020.

The holiday marks the night that Allah took Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on a journey from Makkah to Jerusalem, and then onwards to heaven. This journey was made in single night, hence the name's translation.

When is Ramadan 2020, Eid Al Fitr 2020 and Eid Al Adha 2020?

For 2020, Eid Al Fitr is likely to begin on or around May 24th, following the Holy Month of Ramadan.

What is Eid Al Fitr, and why do Muslims observe Eid Al Fitr?

Eid Al Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide, as it marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic Holy Month of fasting.

The day of Eid falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal, and has its own particular 'salat' - Islamic prayer - which consists of two units, and is generally offered in an open field or large hall for the community to participate in.

When is Ramadan in UAE 2020?

Ramadan 2020 is expected to begin on Thursday, 23rd April 2020 and end on Saturday, 23rd May 2020 - dates may vary due to the lunar cycle. The Holy Month of Ramadan is a 29 day or 30 day period of daylight fasting for Muslims worldwide.

When is Eid Al Adha 2020?

Eid Al Adha is a UAE public holiday which is observed approximately 70 days after the end of Ramadan. Eid Al Adha is the second celebration in the year, and translates as the 'festival of sacrifice'. Eid Al Adha marks the end of Haj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

Traditionally during Eid Al Adha, animals like sheep and goats are slaughtered. For many, it’s required to do the slaughter yourself and is often considered as a rite of passage for Muslim boys. Traditionally, one third of the meat is kept for the family, another third is given to friends and relatives, and the last third is given to the less fortunate.

For 2020, Eid Al Adha is expected to fall on or around Friday, 31st July 2020.

When and what is Arafat (Haj) Day 2020 in UAE?

Arafat Day 2020 is expected to be observed on or around Thursday, 30th July 2020.

On Arafat Day, Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) gave his last sermon on mount Arafat. This day is celebrated on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah and marks the second day of Haj – the pilgrimage that Muslims must make at least once in their life if they are physically able to. Haj is one of the five pillars that Islam is based on. Arafat Day always occurs the day before Eid Al Adha starts (see above).

When is Hijri - Islamic New Year - in 2020?

Hijri in the UAE in 2020 is expected to land on Thursday, 20th August. This UAE public holiday marks the Islamic New Year on the Islamic calendar, and is often celebrated in a similar fashion as the Gregorian calendar's new year's.

When is Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) birthday in 2020?

For 2020, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is expected to fall on or around Thursday, 29th October. This day celebrates the day on which Prophet Mohammad was born and is celebrated on the 12th day of Rabi Al Awwal. There will be no public holiday in the UAE for the occasion of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) birthday in 2020.

When and what is UAE Commemoration Day and UAE National Day?

These two UAE public holidays are the only two dates in the calendar that are not religious holidays. They are fixed dates and are the only two UAE holidays that are observed on the same date every year of the Gregorian calendar.

UAE Commemoration Day - previously known as UAE Martyr's Day - is observed annually on November 30th, with the country's UAE National Day landing shortly after on December 2nd.

The former honours the Emirati’s who have died for their country, and UAE National Day celebrates the day that the seven emirates came together to form the UAE. Originally only six of the emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah, Fujairah and Umm al Quwain - joined together to form the new country. Ras al Khaimah joined one year later in 1972.

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