UAE Public Holidays in 2021

This is your complete list of UAE public holidays in 2021 for Ramadan, Eid festivities, Islamic New Year, and more.

Posted on

28 May 2020

| Last updated on 28 May 2020

United Arab Emirates (UAE) Public Holidays in 2021

The complete list of public holidays in 2021 for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the rest of the UAE.

Take note of these dates for your diary! If you're planning ahead for your next break or travels, have a look at the holiday dates for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the rest of the UAE for 2021. This complete list includes fixed UAE holidays in 2021 as well as UAE public holidays dependent on moon sightings such as as Ramadan and the Eid breaks.

It's also important to be aware that...

UAE public holiday dates in 2021 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. The week starts on Sunday
A public holiday in the UAE can be moved to the beginning/end of a week if it falls between two working days
For 2021, 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 2021

Friday, 1st January: New Year's Day
Wednesday, 13th May: Eid Al Fitr
Thursday, 14th or Friday, 15th May: Eid Al Fitr holiday
Monday, 19th July: Arafat (Haj) Day
Friday, 20th July: Eid Al Adha
Saturday, 21st July: Eid Al Adha holiday
Sunday, 22nd July: Eid Al Adha holiday
Monday, 9th August: Hijri (Islamic New Year)
Monday, 18th October: Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) Birthday
Wednesday, 1st December: UAE Commemoration Day
Thursday, 2nd December: UAE National Day
Friday, 3rd December: UAE National Day holiday

When is Isra'a Wal Mi'raj 2021?

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 2021, Isra'a Wal Mi'raj is expected to fall on Thursday, 11th March 2021. However, there will be no public holiday for both public and private sectors for Isra'a Wal Mi'raj in 2021.

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 2021, Eid Al Fitr 2021 and Eid Al Adha 2021?

For 2021, Eid Al Fitr is likely to begin on or around May 13th, 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 2021?

Ramadan 2021 is expected to begin on Tuesday, 13th April 2021 - 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 2021?

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 2021, Eid Al Adha is expected to fall on or around Tuesday, 20th July 2021.

When and what is Arafat (Haj) Day 2021 in UAE?

Arafat Day 2021 is expected to be observed on or around Monday, 19th July 2021.

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 2021?

Hijri in the UAE in 2021 is expected to land on Monday, 6th 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 2021?

For 2021, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is expected to fall on or around Monday, 18th 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 2021.

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.