The UAE’s final public holiday of 2025 is approaching, with residents set to mark Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day) at the start of December.

According to the official Cabinet calendar, this will be the country’s last long break of the year, and its length could vary depending on how the government designates the holiday days.

Under Cabinet Resolution No (27) of 2024 Concerning Public Holidays in the State, December 2 (Tuesday) and 3 (Wednesday) are officially designated as public holidays for Eid Al Etihad in 2025.

However, UAE public holiday rules allow certain holidays to be shifted to the beginning or end of the week to create longer breaks.

Could UAE get four- or five-day break?

The Cabinet may choose to add Monday, December 1, or move one of the official holidays to Monday. If Monday is declared a holiday in addition to December 2 and 3, residents could enjoy a five-day break, including the weekend.

But the more likely scenario is that the December 3 holiday will be moved to Monday, resulting in a four-day break from Saturday through Tuesday.

Last year, the 2024 National Day holidays fell on Monday, December 2, and Tuesday, December 3, with work resuming on Wednesday. With the weekend included, residents enjoyed four days off.

The government will confirm the official holiday pattern closer to the date.

How UAE public holidays are determined

Under Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024, the UAE Cabinet has the authority to shift non-Eid public holidays to optimise the workweek and offer extended weekends. The law does not permit shifting Eid holidays, which depend on moon sightings.

Local governments may also announce additional holidays for their specific departments or public entities when required.

Public holidays follow three main systems:
• Gregorian calendar holidays, such as New Year’s Day and National Day
• Islamic (Hijri) calendar holidays, such as Eid, based on moon sightings
• Cabinet-adjusted holidays, where non-Eid dates may be moved to create long weekends