National Holidays in UAE 2021
Holidays in UAE – All You Need To Know
Holidays in UAE; It’s crucial to recognize these major holidays, whether you live in the UAE or are simply visiting, because some establishments may be closed. All public or national holidays are decided by the government. In the United Arab Emirates, there are 14 official public holidays. Eid al-Fitr, which commemorates the conclusion of Ramadan, is one of the most important public holidays. People stay home with their families and celebrate it, eating sweets and delicious foods. It starts the day after the crescent moon is seen, therefore the dates are simply estimating and could vary by a day or two.
This article compiles a list of the UAE’s public holidays, details of important holidays and key dates for your calendar to guarantee you don’t miss anything essential.
List of Observances, Seasons, National Holidays of UAE in 2021
Date | Name | Type | ||||
1 Jan | Friday | New Year’s Day | National holiday | |||
11 Mar | Thursday | Leilat al-Meiraj (The Prophet’s Ascension) | Observance | |||
20 Mar | Saturday | March Equinox | Season | |||
13 Apr | Tuesday | Ramadan Start | Observance | |||
11 May | Tuesday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | National holiday | |||
12 May | Wednesday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | National holiday | |||
13 May | Thursday | Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date) | National holiday | |||
14 May | Friday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | National holiday | |||
15 May | Saturday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | National holiday | |||
21 Jun | Monday | June Solstice | Season | |||
11 Jul | Sunday | Hajj season begins | Observance | |||
19 Jul | Monday | Arafat (Hajj) Day | National holiday | |||
20 Jul | Tuesday | Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) (Tentative Date) | National holiday | |||
21 Jul | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date) | National holiday | |||
22 Jul | Thursday | Eid al-Adha Holiday | National holiday | |||
12 Aug | Thursday | Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year) (Tentative Date) | National holiday | |||
22 Sep | Wednesday | September Equinox | Season | |||
21 Oct | Thursday | Mouloud (Tentative Date) | National holiday | |||
1 Dec | Wednesday | Commemoration Day | National holiday | |||
2 Dec | Thursday | National Day | National holiday | |||
3 Dec | Friday | National Day Holiday | National holiday | |||
21 Dec | Tuesday | December Solstice | Season | |||
31 Dec | Friday | New Year’s Eve | Observance |
Details of 5 Important Holidays of UAE in 2021
1. New Year
Although the first weekend of the year isn’t quite a long weekend, that doesn’t mean we ignore it. January 1st, 2021, occurs on a Friday, thus it won’t be a long weekend unless you work on Fridays. So, while there isn’t a designated holiday, don’t treat it like any other weekend. Plan a brief staycation to kick off the year in style.
2. Eid Al Fitr
Ramadan ends with Eid Al Fitr. In the United Arab Emirates, the three-day commemoration is a public holiday. Eid Al Fir could fall on Thursday, May 13, 2021, according to astronomer projections. If this is the case, residents will have a three-day weekend. The exact dates, however, will be announced a few weeks before the end of Ramadan. The crescent moon marking the month of Shawwal will be seen on May 11, 2021, according to Ebrahim Al Jarwan, member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences and director of Sharjah Planetarium. However, it will not be accessible until Thursday, May 13th.
3. Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha
Arafat Day is set for July 19, 2021, and Eid Al Dha is set for July 20, 2021. These dates, however, are subject to moon sightings. If forecasts are correct, UAE residents will be able to take a week off from July 19 (Monday) to July 22. (Thursday). With Friday and Saturday as weekend days, most residents may have a 6-day weekend.
4. Hijri New Year
In 2021, Hijri, or the Islamic New Year, is expected to fall on a Tuesday, August 10th. If verified, this may mean a holiday for residents in the middle of the week.
5. Commemoration Day and National Day
Residents of the UAE will have a four-day weekend from December 1 to 3 in 2021 (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) to commemorate Commemoration Day and the 50th UAE National Day. This would result in a four-day weekend, sufficient for a brief staycation or international excursion.