UAE Public Holidays 2026: Best Long-Weekend Plans for Working Professionals

When you know how many long weekends you will have during the year, planning your year becomes much easier. In the United Arab Emirates, the “Public Holidays for 2026” are an exceptional mix of both religious holidays as well as national holidays, which also give working professionals an outstanding opportunity to relax, travel, and recharge without requiring additional leave days. Whether you are interested in travelling to local areas or staying at home and enjoying staycations, 2026 will provide everyone with an opportunity to do so! Make Your Time Off Work for You by Planning Ahead – This structured listing of public holidays provides UAE residents with the ability to plan ahead to avoid high airfare prices while taking full advantage of the time off. Similar to 2021, there will be many long weekends available due to the occurrences of Eid, National Day, and various other public holidays. Professionals, families, and solo travellers will have a chance to synchronise their schedules so that they can make the best use of these holiday weekends. For more interesting stories, visit our Top Stories page.

As you begin to create your long weekend travel itinerary, it is a great idea to use resource links like ‘Best places to visit in UAE on public holidays‘ and travel guide websites to help ensure that you maximise your enjoyment of your long weekend.

UAE Public Holidays 2026 Overview

Below is a simple breakdown of the major public holidays and potential long weekends for 2026:

Holiday Table: Plan Your Long Weekends Efficiently

The table below helps you identify which holidays can turn into perfect long weekends with minimal or no leave required:

Best Long-Weekend Plans for Working Professionals

1. Brief trips to other countries

People who live in the UAE love to take short trips to Oman, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan more than anywhere else. These places are great for quick trips to refresh. The flights are short, and it’s easy to get a visa.

2. High-End Staycations Inside the UAE

If you like to relax without having to worry about anything, hotels in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah offer world-class staycation deals. If you want to get away for two to three days, resorts on Palm Jumeirah, desert getaways in Al Ain, and beachfront hotels in Fujairah are all great options.

3. Weekend Adventures

Dune bashing in the Empty Quarter, hikes in Jebel Jais, and kayaking in Hatta are all worth a try. You can relax with these micro-adventures without having to drive far from the city.

4. Getaways that the whole family can enjoy

Theme parks such as IMG Worlds, Warner Bros. Abu Dhabi, and Legoland Dubai are great ways for families to spend the weekend. You are ready to go if you pair them with a vacation stay.

Read More: Cheapest International Holiday Destinations from GCC Revealed

FAQs

1. In 2026, how many weekends are long in the UAE?

People who live in the UAE will get about 6 to 7 long weekends. This depends on how holidays line up with weekends and when moons are sighted.

2. Have the times for the Eid holidays been set?

Eid dates are based on the lunar calendar, so the exact days may change a little, but the expected range helps with early preparation.

3. Which places are good for short trips from the UAE?

Georgia, Armenia, Egypt, Oman, and the Maldives are good places to take short vacations.

4. Can experts use public holidays to plan long trips?

Yes, especially during Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, and National Day, when breaks can last four to five days.