And this Eid Al Adha could be the longest public holiday in 2026
If you’re already planning your next long break, here’s an early look at when Eid Al Adha is expected to fall in 2026.
According to Gulf News, astronomer Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomical Society and a member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS), has stated that Eid Al Adha is likely to begin on Wednesday, May 27, based on astronomical calculations. Eid Al Adha is usually three days long, so in this case it would be Wednesday May 27 until Friday May 29. Leading up to the holiday, the Day of Arafah or Arafat Day — the most important day of the Hajj pilgrimage — is expected to fall on Tuesday, May 26.
Arafat Day is also a public holiday in the UAE, so for those with a typical Saturday-Sunday weekend, that would mean six days off . Those savvy with their annual leave dates could also take one day of leave on Monday May 25 and enjoy a nine-day break, with a weekend either side.
If you want to maximise your leave for the whole year, take a look at this article.
The prediction also places the start of Dhu Al Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar, on Monday, May 18.
The exact dates of Eid Al Adha 2026 are still dependent on the sighting of the moon.
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