One of the smartest ways to enjoy more travel, rest, and family time isn’t by taking more leave, but by planning your annual leave strategically around UAE public holidays.

If you live and work in the UAE, 2026 offers plenty of opportunities to turn a few leave days into long breaks. Here’s how you can maximise your annual leave and make the most out of the year.

Why Planning Ahead Matters

Annual leave is precious. When planned well, it can mean:
  • More travel without exhausting your leave balance
  • Longer breaks for rest and family time
  • Better deals on flights and accommodations
  • Less burnout throughout the year

The Golden Rule of Leave Hacking

👉 Always check where a public holiday falls
👉 Look at the weekends before and after
👉 File leave only on the “buffer” working days

This way, 1–3 leave days can turn into 4–9 days off.⚠️ Note: UAE public holiday dates may be subject to official announcement depending on moon sightings.

UAE Public Holidays 2026

January

📅 1 January (Thursday)
🎉 New Year’s Day

March – Eid Al Fitr

📅 18 March (Wednesday) – Eid Al Fitr Holiday
📅 19 March (Thursday) – Eid Al Fitr Holiday
📅 20 March (Friday) – Eid Al Fitr
📅 21 March (Saturday) – Eid Al Fitr Holiday
📅 22 March (Sunday) – Eid Al Fitr Holiday

May – Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha

📅 26 May (Tuesday) – Arafat Day
📅 27 May (Wednesday) – Eid Al Adha
📅 28 May (Thursday) – Eid Al Adha Holiday
📅 29 May (Friday) – Eid Al Adha Holiday

June

📅 16 June (Tuesday)
🌙 Islamic New Year

August

📅 25 August (Tuesday)
🕌 Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday

December – National Day

📅 2 December (Wednesday) – National Day
📅 3 December (Thursday) – National Day Holiday 

How to Plan Your Leave Like a Pro in 2026

Here are some simple rules to follow:

1. Watch for Midweek Public Holidays

Public holidays that fall on Tuesday or Thursday are gold. Taking just one day before or after can unlock long breaks.

2. Pair Holidays with Weekends

Always check how public holidays align with weekends. Sometimes one leave day can give you 4–5 days off.

3. Book Early

Once the UAE public holidays are officially announced:
  • File leave requests early
  • Book flights and hotels ahead (cheaper & better options)

4. Save Leave for High-Impact Breaks

Instead of random days off, use your leave where it creates the longest continuous rest.

Other UAE Holidays to Watch in 2026

While exact dates depend on moon sightings (for Islamic holidays), keep an eye on:
  • Eid Al Fitr
  • Eid Al Adha
  • UAE National Day
  • Islamic New Year
These holidays often fall close to weekends and are ideal for extended breaks.

✈️ 2026 UAE Annual Leave Cheat Sheet

🧠 Leave Hack #1: New Year (January)

  • Holiday: Thursday, 1 January
  • Leave to file: Friday, 2 January
✅ Result:
4-day break using only 1 leave day
Perfect for:
  • Quick international trips
  • Staycations
  • Family time
Getaway ideas:
– Ras Al Khaimah staycation
– Oman road trip
– Short international getaway (Georgia, Armenia)

🧠 Leave Hack #2: Eid Al Fitr (March)

This is one of the longest holiday stretches of the year.
  • Holidays run Wednesday to Sunday
  • File leave Monday (16 March) and Tuesday (17 March)
✅ Result:
9-day break using 2 leave days
Ideal for:
  • Long vacations
  • Family travel
  • Overseas trips
Getaway ideas:
– Europe spring trip
– Japan cherry blossom season
– Long home visit (Philippines, India)

🧠 Leave Hack #3: Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha (May)

  • Holidays fall Tuesday to Friday
  • File leave Monday (25 May)
✅ Result:
6-day break using 1 leave day
One of the best-value leave hacks of 2026.
Getaway ideas:
– Turkey or Egypt
– Maldives / Bali
– UAE desert retreats

🧠 Leave Hack #4: Islamic New Year (June)

  • Holiday: Tuesday, 16 June
  • File leave Monday (15 June)
✅ Result:
4-day break using 1 leave day
Perfect for:
  • Short breaks
  • Rest & reset
Getaway ideas:
– Fujairah beach escape
– Salalah (start of Khareef season)
– Short city break

🧠 Leave Hack #5: Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (August)

  • Holiday: Tuesday, 25 August
  • File leave Monday (24 August)
✅ Result:
4-day break using 1 leave day
Getaway ideas:
– European summer destinations
– Asian food trips
– Cool mountain stays

🧠 Leave Hack #6: UAE National Day (December)

  • Holidays: Wednesday & Thursday
  • File leave Monday & Tuesday (30 Nov–1 Dec) or Sunday (6 Dec) depending on work schedule
✅ Result:
7–9 days off using 2–3 leave days
Perfect for:
  • Year-end travel
  • Family reunions
  • Long holidays
Getaway ideas:
– Christmas markets in Europe
– Ski trips
– Family reunions abroad

✔️ Pro Tips for UAE Leave Planning

  • File leave early, especially around Eid
  • Travel before or after peak dates to save money
  • Combine leave with remote work days if allowed
  • Align leave with school holidays if you have kids
  • Always keep 2–3 leave days unused for emergencies or bonus hacks

✈️ Sample Itineraries (Local vs International)

🏝️ Local UAE Itineraries

4–5 Days
  • Ras Al Khaimah staycation (glamping, beach resorts)
  • Fujairah + Dibba road trip
  • Abu Dhabi cultural & theme park trip
7–9 Days
  • UAE + Oman (Musandam, Salalah)
  • Desert retreat + wellness stay

🌏 International Itineraries

Short-Haul (4–6 Days):
  • Georgia (Tbilisi + Kazbegi)
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Maldives (budget-friendly shoulder season)
Long-Haul (7–10 Days):
  • Japan (spring/autumn)
  • Italy + France
  • UK + Schengen Europe
  • Philippines family trip

💡 Pro Leave-Maximising Tips for UAE Residents

  • Book flights before official announcements (prices spike after)
  • Use mid-week public holidays strategically
  • Combine remote work days if allowed
  • Avoid peak return dates (Sun evenings)
Maximising your annual leave in 2026 isn’t about luck. It’s about planning with intention.
With just a little foresight, you can:
  • Travel more
  • Spend more time with family
  • Enjoy longer breaks
  • And still have leave days left later in the year
Start planning now, mark your calendar, and make 2026 a year of smarter breaks and better balance.