UAE’s 2024 Public Holiday Calendar Revealed; Check the Dates

The UAE Cabinet has disclosed a lineup of 13 public holidays for 2024, offering residents extended weekends and opportunities for leisure. Four holidays will usher in extended breaks, the lengthiest being a six-day respite.

Annual Leaves and Travel Trends:

In conjunction with these public holidays, employees benefit from 30 annual leaves yearly. 

Recent travel surveys suggest that many expatriates in the UAE reserve their annual leaves for visits to their home countries, often utilizing public holidays and associated extended weekends for global vacations or staycations.

Hijri Calendar and Planning Assistance:

Most dates align with the Islamic calendar and were revealed on Tuesday, offering a guideline for planning in 2024. The Hijri calendar’s use, based on observations by the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), aids in calculating corresponding Gregorian calendar dates.

Breakdown of Key Holidays:

1. New Year’s Kick-off:

Commencing the year with a 3-day weekend, January 1 marks the first official holiday, providing a refreshing pause after New Year’s Eve celebrations.

2. Eid Al Fitr Extravaganza:

The end of Ramadan, from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3, promises a four or five-day break. Translating to April 9-12 (for a six-day break with the weekend).

3. Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha:

Honoring Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha from June 16-19, inclusive of the weekend, amounts to five days off.

4. Islamic New Year:

July sees the second new year, with Muharram 1 falling on Sunday, July 7, offering a single-day break.

5. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday:

Rabi Al Awwal 12 marks this occasion, with the Gregorian date yet to be confirmed.

6. Grand Finale – National Day:

Ending the year with a flourish, December 2 and 3, combined with the weekend, create a four-day holiday celebration.

Based on the Islamic calendar’s lunar cycle, this schedule may witness date adjustments closer to the occasions based on lunar sightings.