If you’re planning your breaks for the year, you might be asking: When is the next public holiday in the UAE? With 2025 already underway, many residents are looking forward to the upcoming official holidays to schedule family trips, staycations, or simply enjoy a well-deserved long weekend. Here’s a guide to the remaining public holidays in the UAE for 2025.
UAE : As the year draws to a close, UAE residents are looking ahead to the remaining public holidays for 2025. With opportunities for long weekends and celebrations on the horizon, now’s a good time to plan family time, travel, or a quick getaway.
After the spring and summer holidays, three key public holidays are still to come:
Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) — Thursday, 26 June 2025, marking the start of the lunar calendar year.
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Mawlid al-Nabi) — Friday, 5 September 2025, which could lead to an extended weekend for many residents.
Commemoration Day — Monday, 1 December 2025, a solemn occasion honoring the sacrifices of Emirati heroes.
UAE National Day — Tuesday and Wednesday, 2–3 December 2025—a festive period of national pride and celebration.
Long Weekend Alert: What to Expect
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday on September 5 falls on a Friday this year, which may create a mini three-day weekend when combined with the weekend days. This alignment is an excellent opportunity for residents to enjoy a restful break or short trip.
Late-year celebrations arrive in quick succession. Following Commemoration Day on Monday, December 1, National Day on December 2 and 3 promises a longer festive break filled with parades, cultural events, and public displays of patriotism.
Why Moon Sightings Matter
Islamic holidays in the UAE—like the Hijri New Year and Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday—depend on lunar observations. While current estimates place them in late June and early September, final announcements are made by local authorities. This means that exact dates can shift by a day depending on moon sighting results.
Holiday Calendar Summary – Remaining 2025
Date
Day
Occasion
26 June 2025
Thursday
Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year)
5 September 2025
Friday
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Mawlid)
1 December 2025
Monday
Commemoration Day
2–3 December 2025
Tue–Wed
UAE National Day
Tips for Planning Your Time Off
Watch for official updates—especially for lunar-based holidays—as dates may shift by a day.
Stack planning with weekends—especially around holiday dates like September 5 and early December for extended time off.
Consider travel or staycations—holiday breaks are perfect for regional trips or enjoying local festivities.
Book early—with holidays often leading to travel spikes, transport and accommodation can fill up fast.
Why This Matters
Quality of Life: These upcoming holidays offer meaningful moments of relaxation, cultural engagement, and reflection.
Travel Planning: Long weekends such as those following September 5—and early December—are ideal for travel, both domestically and internationally.
Cultural Experience: From the spiritual depth of the Prophet’s Birthday to national pride during National Day, each holiday brings a unique cultural flavor.
Work–Life Balance: Knowing upcoming public holidays helps with smart leave planning, preventing last-minute scheduling conflicts.
Final Thought
With two significant holidays and a festive year-end stretch ahead, the last four months of 2025 promise to be vibrant and restorative. Whether you’re planning quick breaks, cultural activities, or simply some downtime—these dates are worth marking on your calendar.
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