Eid Al Adha 2026 predicted dates: How many days off will we have?

Time Out Dubai

10-06-2025

Eid Al Adha is one of the most highly anticipated public holidays every year in Dubai.
And following the conclusion of this year's Eid Al Adha, it's time to look ahead to the 2026 edition of the festival.
Eid Al Adha is the second of the two main festivals of Islam, after Eid Al Fitr, and falls in the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar.
The extended break begins with Arafat Day before rolling into Eid Al Adha, giving us four consecutive official public holiday dates in Dubai.
Because months in the Muslim calendar change based on moon sightings, the exact UAE public holiday dates will not be officially confirmed by the UAE government until much closer to the time.
When is Eid Al Adha 2026?
The four-day break will begin on Dhu Al Hijjah 9 with Arafat Day before rolling into Dhu Al Hijjah 10, 11 and 12.
Dhu Al Hijjah is predicted to begin on Monday May 18 2026.
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If predictions are correct, then that means that the Eid Al Adha public holiday will begin on Tuesday May 26 with Arafat Day. The holiday would then roll into Wednesday May 27, Thursday May 28 and Friday May 29.
When combined with the weekend, the Eid Al Adha holiday will be a six-day long weekend in 2026.
What is Arafat Day?
Arafat Day, also known as the Day of Arafah, holds great significance for Muslims around the world. It falls on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijjah, roughly 70 days after the end of Ramadan and just one day prior to the festival of Eid Al Adha.
Arafat Day commemorates a key event in the Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj and marks a day of spiritual reflection, unity, and supplication.
Typically, Muslims all around the world, who are not in Mecca doing the pilgrimage, will fast on Arafat Day. It is not mandatory, but it is preferred.
What is Eid Al Adha?
Eid Al Adha is one of two major festivals for Muslims (the first one being Eid Al Fitr). The Muslim festival of Eid Al Adha marks the conclusion of the pilgrimage to Mecca.
The holiday gives Muslims the chance to come together with their community and celebrate with feasts and family time.
Early in the morning of Eid Al Adha, Muslims start the day off with a morning prayer either at home or at the nearest mosque.
It is also a custom among the community to exchange gifts and donate to charitable causes during the festivities. Most Muslims tend to spend most of their first day at home or with their relatives.
During the Eid Al Adha holiday, Dubai will celebrate in multiple ways, including exciting activities, firework shows, live music and so much more across the city.
Why public holidays change in the UAE every year
Islamic holidays use the Hijri calendar which is based on the cycles of the moon, unlike the more widely used Gregorian calendar, which is based on the sun.
The lunar calendar is used predominantly by Muslims around the world to determine the dates of religious events and observances.
And this fundamental difference impacts how the calendar operates and why Islamic dates shift annually in relation to the Gregorian calendar.
The Hijri calendar is about to 10 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar which is why events like Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha change date every year.
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