Residents of the UAE can look forward to at least 13 public holidays in 2024, as announced by the country’s Cabinet. These include four occasions that will result in extended weekends, with the longest break lasting six days.
In addition to these public holidays, employees in the UAE are entitled to 30 annual leaves each year. Recent travel surveys indicate that many expatriates in the UAE use their annual leave for trips to their home countries, often aligning these leaves with public holidays to enjoy vacations or staycations.
Most of the announced dates are based on the Islamic calendar. To assist in planning for 2024, the Hijri calendar from the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) website was used to calculate corresponding Gregorian calendar dates. It’s important to note that the actual dates will be confirmed by relevant authorities closer to each occasion, as the Hijri calendar months last 29 or 30 days based on lunar observations.
Here are some Highlights from the Announced Holidays:
- New Year’s Day: The year starts with a long weekend, with January 1 being a Monday, resulting in a three-day weekend.
- Eid Al Fitr: This Islamic festival, marking the end of Ramadan, is expected to provide a six-day break in April.
- Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha:Celebrated in June, this period includes a five-day break, encompassing Arafah Day and the three days of Eid Al Adha.
- Islamic New Year: Falling in July, ths one-day holiday (July 7) marks the first day of the Hijri year.
- Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday: The date in December is not immediately clear, but it’s a day off.
- National Day: The year concludes with a four-day holiday, with December 2 and 3 falling on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, and combining with the weekend.
These holidays offer residents various opportunities for rest, travel, and leisure throughout the year.
