Eid Al Adha is one of the two great festivals of the Islamic year and one of the most significant public holidays in the UAE calendar. Known as the “Festival of Sacrifice”, it coincides with the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage and brings the country a long, cherished break for prayer, family and generosity. Because it follows the Islamic lunar calendar, the dates shift each year — so here is how Eid Al Adha works in the UAE, how the public holiday is calculated, and what the occasion actually means.
When is Eid Al Adha in the UAE?
Eid Al Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. Since the Islamic year is roughly 11 days shorter than the Gregorian one, Eid Al Adha lands about 11 days earlier each year — drifting gradually backwards through the seasons. The exact date is never fixed far in advance because it depends on the sighting of the crescent moon that begins Dhul Hijjah, confirmed by the UAE’s moon-sighting authorities. As a rule of thumb, if you know when Ramadan begins, Eid Al Adha follows around two months and ten days later.
The UAE public holiday: Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha
In the UAE, the Eid Al Adha break bundles together two occasions. It starts with Arafat Day (the 9th of Dhul Hijjah), the holiest day of the Hajj, followed by Eid Al Adha itself across the 10th, 11th and 12th. In practice this usually gives residents a four-day public holiday, and since the UAE unified its public and private sector holidays, both salaried employees and government staff enjoy the same days off. The official dates are confirmed each year by the UAE Cabinet, typically a few weeks ahead, once the moon sighting is settled.
Why the dates are always “expected”
You will often see Eid dates described as “expected” or “predicted”, and there is a good reason. Astronomers can calculate the position of the moon precisely, but the Islamic calendar traditionally relies on the actual, visual sighting of the crescent. The UAE’s moon-sighting committee convenes at the end of the preceding month and announces the result, which is why the confirmed dates can land a day either side of the forecast. It is always worth waiting for the official announcement before booking flights or planning a staycation around the long weekend.
What is Eid Al Adha? The Festival of Sacrifice
Eid Al Adha honours the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, who then provided a ram in his place. Muslims mark the day with a special morning prayer, the giving of charity, and the tradition of Qurbani — the sacrifice of an animal whose meat is shared among family, friends and those in need. It is a time of gratitude, community and giving, and across the UAE it brings families together over long meals, gatherings and gifts.
The importance of Arafat Day
Arafat Day, the day before Eid, is considered the most important day of the Hajj. Pilgrims gather on the plains of Mount Arafat near Makkah in prayer and reflection, and Muslims who are not on pilgrimage often fast on this day. Its inclusion in the UAE holiday is what turns Eid Al Adha into one of the longest and most anticipated breaks of the year.
Holiday planning FAQs
What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend?
When an official holiday lands on a weekend, the UAE authorities sometimes announce a substitute day off, though this is decided case by case and confirmed in the official Cabinet announcement rather than guaranteed.
Where can I find the official dates?
The definitive source is the UAE Cabinet’s official holiday announcement, published each year. For the full year’s dates in one place, see our complete guide to UAE public holidays, which we keep updated as each announcement lands.
However the dates fall, Eid Al Adha remains one of the warmest and most generous moments in the UAE’s year — a proper pause to reflect, give, and spend time with the people who matter. Eid Mubarak.
