2025 UAE Public Holiday Calendar: Important Dates

As we approach the new year, it’s a good time to think about how public holidays in the UAE will impact our lives, particularly for those of us balancing work, family, and financial planning. With holidays scattered throughout 2025, there's plenty of opportunity to refresh, recharge, and even plan a few getaways.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the major public holidays in the UAE for 2025, offer some practical tips on managing work and finances around these days, and share a few personal experiences along the way. Whether you’re a busy professional or someone who loves making the most of time off, this guide will help you navigate the year ahead.

Key UAE Public Holidays in 2025

New Year’s Day – January 1, Wednesday

Ah, New Year's Day. The one holiday that feels like a fresh start for everyone. For many of us, New Year's Day falls right in the middle of the workweek, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less special. Whether you’re attending a New Year’s Eve party and recuperating the next day or enjoying a quiet reflection at home, it’s important to start the year right.

Pro Tip: As a financial planner, I always recommend using this time to set goals—both for your personal life and your finances. With January 1st falling on a Wednesday, it's a perfect mid-week break to reflect on last year’s achievements and failures, and lay out a solid plan for the year ahead.

My personal tradition is to spend the first morning of the year reviewing my financial goals. I track my expenses, see where I overshot my budget in the past year, and then adjust my goals accordingly. This is a great time to set up new savings plans or investments for the upcoming year.

Eid al-Fitr – March 31 to April 2 (Monday to Wednesday)

Eid al-Fitr is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, and in 2025, it’s a three-day celebration. The dates depend on the moon sighting, but we’re looking at a range from March 31st to April 2nd. This holiday marks the end of Ramadan and is typically a time to spend with family, exchange gifts, and reflect on the month of fasting and charity.

Pro Tip: Eid is the perfect time to plan a short vacation or a getaway with loved ones. Last year, my family and I took advantage of the long weekend to explore the coast of Oman, and it was one of the best decisions we made. It was a chance to disconnect, recharge, and come back to work feeling refreshed.

If you’re planning any trips during this time, remember to plan your budget in advance. Travel costs can go up during peak holiday periods, so it’s important to factor in accommodation, flights, and gifts if you’re visiting family or friends.

Arafat Day & Eid al-Adha – May 30 to June 2 (Friday to Wednesday)

Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha are significant holidays for Muslims, as they commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. The celebrations continue for several days, with May 30th falling on a Friday, and the holiday stretching all the way to June 2nd, Wednesday.

This extended break means you have the opportunity to plan a longer holiday or family gathering. Many people in Dubai take advantage of this time to travel or spend the day in the desert with friends and family, barbecuing and relaxing.

Pro Tip: Long weekends like this one can be great for diving into long-term financial planning. Personally, I often use these extended breaks to sit down and review my investment portfolio. I check how my savings are performing, reassess my retirement plans, and sometimes meet with a financial advisor to make sure I’m on track. A few hours of reflection can save you a lot of stress in the long run.

Islamic New Year – June 27, Friday

The Islamic New Year, marking the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar, falls on June 27th, 2025. As it’s a Friday, you get a long weekend to relax or reflect on the year so far.

Pro Tip: Take a moment to review your progress. Where are you in terms of your financial goals? If you’ve been falling short on savings, consider setting up automated transfers to a high-yield savings account. For me, this holiday is a reminder to make sure I’m saving not just for emergencies but also for the things that matter most, like family vacations or home improvements.

Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH) – September 1, Monday

This is another important holiday to observe. Prophet Muhammad’s birthday is celebrated on the 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal in the Islamic calendar. In 2025, it will fall on Monday, which makes for a nice long weekend.

While the holiday is more about spiritual reflection than anything else, it’s also a great time to spend with loved ones and reflect on the values of kindness and generosity that we all aspire to.

Pro Tip: Use this day for some personal reflection. For me, it’s a chance to spend time with family, discuss personal values, and look at how I’m doing financially. It’s also a great time to set new financial intentions for the latter half of the year, whether that’s paying off debt or saving for a big purchase.

UAE National Day & Commemoration Day – December 2-3 (Tuesday-Wednesday)

Finally, we reach the UAE’s National Day, celebrated on December 2nd, and Commemoration Day, which honors those who have died in service to the country, on December 1st. In 2025, these holidays will be observed on Tuesday and Wednesday, which gives us the perfect opportunity for a mid-week break.

The UAE’s National Day is a time to celebrate the country’s achievements, and the long weekend gives us time to spend with family or attend local events and parades.

Pro Tip: Since National Day and Commemoration Day are near the end of the year, it’s a good time to do a financial year-end review. Make sure your finances are in order before the year ends. Look at your spending, review your savings, and maybe even start preparing for next year’s tax returns. Trust me, taking an hour to do this now saves you hours of stress later on.

Note: The long weekends are indicated based on holidays that fall adjacent to weekends, providing an extended time off. Make sure to confirm the specific dates with your employer, as some holidays may be adjusted based on moon sightings or government decisions.

Financial Tips for Managing Holidays in 2025

Managing Annual Leave and Work Schedules

As we all know, balancing work and personal life can be tricky. Public holidays can sometimes disrupt the flow of work, but they can also provide opportunities to plan time off for rest or travel. In 2025, with holidays like Eid and National Day falling in the middle of the week, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for leave. You can either take advantage of the long weekends or use these holidays to get ahead on personal projects.

I’ve learned the importance of utilizing annual leave days wisely. By taking just a few extra days off around public holidays, you can maximize your time away from work without losing touch with your professional responsibilities.

Budgeting for Holiday Expenses

The UAE is known for its extravagant celebrations, and public holidays often come with a lot of expenses—whether it’s gifts for Eid, travel costs for a getaway, or celebrations with friends and family. Start setting aside a holiday fund each year so that you’re not caught off guard by last-minute expenses. Personally, I’ve found that planning for holidays early in the year helps me keep my finances in check and avoid financial stress.

FAQs

Holidays offer the perfect chance to relax, recharge, and spend meaningful time with loved ones. They’re also an ideal opportunity to reflect on your financial goals, plan for the future, and align your personal and professional aspirations. With key UAE public holidays in 2025 on the horizon, managing your time wisely—whether for rest, reflection, or strategic planning—can help you make the most of each break.

Anticipating these dates allows you to adjust your schedule and set yourself up for a successful year ahead. For a more organized start, check out our guide on DU Number & MSISDN Deletion to streamline your mobile accounts or explore Etisalat Data Plans to stay connected with family and friends.