UAE residents to ring in 2027 with three-day weekend as holiday dates revealed

UAE residents will kick off the new year with a three-day weekend, as Friday, January 1 has been designated a public holiday. Prior to that, a long weekend is set to be enjoyed on August 28, coinciding with the birthday of Prophet Mohammed, who will be commemorated as a public holiday for both the public and private sectors. On December 2 and 3, UAE National Day, marking the country's 55th birthday, will also be celebrated with public holidays.

Consequently, the first working day of the new year will be Monday, January 4. Meanwhile, Ramadan is anticipated to commence on February 8, with Eid Al Fitr, signifying the conclusion of the fasting month, beginning on March 9 and lasting for either three or four days. In the event that the Shawwal crescent moon is not observed on the 29th day of Ramadan, the 30th day will be added to Eid on March 12, resulting in a four-day holiday and an extended six-day break following the weekend.

Arafah Day, considered one of the holiest days in Islam, will be followed by Eid Al Adha, adding three more days of holiday to the calendar. This holiday is projected to run from May 15 to May 18, although its official sighting of the Dhu Al Hijja crescent remains uncertain. The Islamic New Year is expected to occur on June 6, depending on moon sighting, while the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday holiday is anticipated to be on August 14, 2027.

As schools in the UAE prepare to reopen for the new academic year on August 31, parents and guardians will strive to plan their holidays for the upcoming 12 months. Most schools adhere to a unified academic calendar, facilitating clearer planning and consistency. The first half term break will be from October 12 to October 18, with the winter break commencing on December 14.

Pupils will return on January 4, followed by the Eid Al Fitr holiday in March, spring break from April 5 to April 11, and the final academic day of the year on July 2, 2027.