Eid al-Adha 2026 is just a few weeks away. And it is one of the longest public holidays that UAE residents wait for. In fact, for this year, it can even offer a holiday for up to six days if carefully planned. However, it might even turn into a nine-day break if you plan the holiday carefully.
When Is Eid al-Adha 2026?
On the basis of astronomical calculations, it is expected that Eid al-Adha may begin on May 27th, 2026, which is a Wednesday. It is expected that the Day of Arafah, which is a significant day of the Hajj pilgrimage, might fall on Tuesday, May 26th. However, these are obviously just astronomical calculations, and the actual day will be determined on the basis of moon sighting.
How Can You Get The Long Weekend?
Now comes the planning part. For most employees, Saturday and Sunday are off. So this creates a long weekend! This means the weekend of May 23rd & 24th and May 30th & 31st would be your weekends. Now, on Monday, which is May 25th, if you take an annual leave, you might just have the public holiday on May 26th for Day of Arafah, and of course, if Eid falls on May 27th, it will be a holiday from May 27th to May 29th. So, this means that by just taking one annual leave, you can clock in a nine-day weekend.
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The Holidays Will Be Decided On The Basis Of Moon Sighting
However, for this planning to fall in place, it is important to note that the holidays fall on certain dates. After all, these are just astronomical calculations, and the actual day can only be determined once the moon sighting committee has sighted the moon.
A good way to maximise your annual leave in the UAE is to apply early, as popular dates are often booked quickly. Make sure to follow your company’s procedures while applying for leave by using the official HR systems or written requests. Finally, don’t forget to stay flexible if your requested dates clash with operational needs.
So, with careful planning, you can actually make use of a long weekend to spend some time with your family
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/fadel dawod from Scopio (Cover image is for representative purposes only)
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FAQs
What is Eid al-Adha?
Eid al-Adha is a holiday that commemorates sacrifice and marks the Islamic New Year.
When is Eid al-Adha 2026?
It is expected that the Eid al-Adha may begin on Wednesday, May 27 2026. However, this is only on the basis of astronomical calculation. The exact day will be determined after moon sighting.