UAE residents are in for a treat with at least 13 public holidays lined up for 2024, as per the official announcement by the country’s Cabinet.
Anticipate extended weekends on four of the seven official occasions, with the longest break spanning six days.
Holiday Extravaganza: 13 Days to Look Forward To
In addition to the 30 annual leaves available to employees, the public holidays provide opportune moments for travel or leisure activities. Most expatriates in the UAE strategically utilize these breaks, syncing them with annual leaves, creating perfect windows for vacations or staycations.
The recently released holiday dates are primarily aligned with the Hijri calendar, emphasizing Islamic events. To facilitate planning for the upcoming year, the Hijri calendar from the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) website was used to convert these dates into the Gregorian calendar.
A 3-Day Weekend
UAE residents will kick off 2024 with a delightful three-day weekend, courtesy of the New Year's Day holiday falling on January 1, a Monday. This allows for a restful day to recuperate after ushering in the new year on New Year’s Eve.
Eid al-Fitr
The celebration marking the end of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, promises a generous break. Designated as a public holiday from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3, this spans approximately four or five days, depending on the moon sighting. Factoring in the regular Saturday-Sunday weekend, this amounts to a splendid six-day holiday.
Arafah Day and Eid al-Adha
The sacred Arafah Day, observed on Dhul Hijjah 9, coupled with the subsequent Eid Al Adha festivities, results in a substantial five-day break. The corresponding Gregorian calendar dates fall from Sunday, June 16, to Wednesday, June 19, with the weekend commencing on Saturday, June 15.
Islamic New Year
Welcoming the second new year in 2024, Muharram 1 is anticipated on Sunday, July 7. Though not an extended break, it offers a day off, which is particularly beneficial for those with a non-working Sunday.
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday and National Day
The celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday on Rabi Al-Awwal 12 and the grand finale of the year, National Day, provide moments of reflection and patriotism. Falling on Monday and Tuesday (December 2 and 3), and combining with the Saturday-Sunday weekend, this culminates in a festive four-day holiday to wrap up 2024 in style.