UAE announces official holidays for 2023

The UAE Cabinet has approved the official holidays for 2023 for public and private sectors. The country’s residents are in for multiple long breaks next year, including a six-day break. UAE residents will enjoy a four-day break from December 1-4 to celebrate the National Day in what will be 2022’s last official holiday. A unified list for the public and private sectors, in UAE, ensures employees get equal number of days off.

The following is the full list of holidays for next year, based on a post shared by the government.

• Gregorian New Year: January 1

• Eid Al Fitr: Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3

• Arafah Day: Dhul Hijjah 9

• Eid Al Adha: Dhul Hijjah 10-12

• Hijri New Year: July 21

• Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday: September 29

• UAE National Day: December 2-3

Some of the holidays mentioned in the list are based on the Hijri Islamic calendar. Their corresponding Gregorian dates will depend on moon-sighting.

Long weekends

UAE residents are in for four long weekends next year, according to the official list,

– Eid Al Fitr: As per the Hijri calendar, the dates are from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3. According to astronomical calculations, this would be from Thursday, April 20, till Sunday, April 23. Actual dates are subject to moon-sighting.

– Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha: This will most likely offer a six-day break — the longest next year. The break is likely to be from Tuesday, June 27, to Friday, June 30. If this is indeed the case, those with Saturday-Sunday off get a six-day weekend.

– Hijri New Year: July 21 is a Friday. This translates into a three-day weekend for those with Saturday-Sunday off.

– Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday: September 29 is a Friday, too. That would be another three-day weekend for residents.