Astronomers predict 8 UAE public holiday dates in 2026: Eid Al Adha, Eid Al Fitr and Islamic New Year
The International Astronomical Centre has announced its predictions for several of the UAE's major public holidays to begin in 2026.
The astronomy experts have shared insights into crescent moon sightings, which could have a major bearing on when we can expect to get time off work next year.
Start dates for holidays such as Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha and the Islamic New Year all shift around the calendar as they are tied to monthly moon sightings.
The Islamic calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, unlike the more widely used Gregorian calendar, which is based on the sun.
Each Islamic month lasts either 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon's visibility. Consequently, a lunar year is approximately 354 or 355 days long, which is about 10 to 12 days shorter than the solar year used in the Gregorian calendar.
Because of the shorter year, Islamic months drift through the Gregorian calendar.
And, as the current Islamic year 1446 draws to a close, the International Astronomical Centre in Abu Dhabi has revealed the predicted start dates in the region for the Islamic Year of 1447.
The Islamic New Year 1447 is currently predicted to begin on the Gregorian date of Thursday June 26.
Astronomers predict Eid Al Fitr start date 2026
Eid Al Fitr start date predicted (Credit: Canva)
The final day of Ramadan is predicted to be Thursday March 19 in 2026. After the month of Ramadan comes the month of Shawwal and Eid Al Fitr.
In the UAE public holidays law, the Eid Al Fitr holiday is the first three days of Shawwal. An additional public holiday is added if Ramadan is a 30-day month.
But in 2026, Ramadan is predicted to be a 29-day month, which means that the Eid Al Fitr break should begin on Friday March 20. As a result, we're likely to get a three-day long weekend.
Astronomers predict Eid Al Adha start date 2026
We'll find out when Eid Al Adha begins once the Dhu Al Hijjah start date is confirmed (Credit: Canva)
Dhu Al Hijjah is predicted to begin on Monday May 18 2026.
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, according to current predictions.
Astronomers predict Islamic New Year start date 2026
Public holidays in 2026 predicted (Credit: Supplied)
And, since the calendar has predicted the start date of the final month of the Islamic calendar, the Islamic New Year in 2026 can also be predicted.
Clear skies and high visibility are expected in the lead-up to the first month of the Islamic year 1448, which means that we can expect Dhu Al Hijjah to be a 29-day month.
If this is the case, then the Islamic New Year will fall on Tuesday June 16.
The Gregorian new year is also a public holiday in the United Arab Emirates and, of course, does not rely on any moon sightings. In 2026, the holiday will fall on Thursday January 1.
More public holiday news
There will be two Ramadans in 2030 – here's why
This won't happen again until 2063
When you can expect three Eid holidays in one year (yes, three)
Eid, sleep, repeat
UAE public holidays 2026: All the predicted days off next year revealed
Including when we can expect a six-day weekend
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