UAE Declares August 28 Paid Public Holiday for Federal and Private Sectors

The UAE Government Media Office, jointly with the MoHRE has declared Friday 28/8/2026 as an official paid public holiday for federal government and private sector employees.

It will be honored to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad known as Mawlid al-Nabawi. Employees in UAE will be given extra leave on top of the six permitted during the remaining summer weeks.

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August 28 Holiday Creates Three-Day Weekend

The holiday for those who work Monday to Friday will be Friday the 5th and also include a 3-day weekend.

The weekend will be from 28 August to 30 August (Friday to Sunday), which will include the official public holiday along with the regular Saturday and Sunday weekend. Return to normal work hours on Monday, Aug. 31.

However, the details may vary for those who are on an employer’s non-standard hours or as per workplace hazard standards.

Who Is Covered by the UAE Holiday?

It is for the benefit of staff members in the UAE federal government and in the private sector. UAE labour regulations stipulate that the private-sector employer must declare the holiday as an official public holiday.

For employers working during the night or on shifts, please see if there are employer-specific arrangements in place employees should contact their HR team for information in relation to workplaces.

Travel and Hospitality Expected to Benefit

The three day break comes towards the end of the hot season in UAE, which may also give an impetus to the domestic tourism industry. Families can celebrate the holiday by taking a short staycation, visiting a resort, shopping and getting indoor entertainment.

The gap could also help residents to take shorter trips abroad to popular destinations nearby. Oman, Saudi Arabia, Georgia and Armenia are popular choices for UAE residents, but the demand for travel is never uniform and prices will be different depending on the time of the year.

Retail and Leisure Sector Prepares for Long Weekend

During the holiday season, you may expect to see more people shopping at malls, dining at restaurants, staying at hotels and attending entertainment events. During public holidays, the service sector segments that do business in the hospitality industry have traditionally recruited families by offering accommodation packages, food and entertainment.

Additionally, it is the beginning of the school year in just a few days and families will still be able to bask in one more long summer holiday before returning to regular schooling.

When Is the Next UAE Public Holiday?

After the August holiday, the upcoming major public holiday on the 2026 calendar is UAE National Day – Eid Al Etihad.

A National Day holiday has been announced for December 2 and 3 this holiday week, providing another opportunity for a long holiday towards the end of the year.

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