UAE Holidays: Predicting Eid Al Adha Dates and a Potential 6-Day Weekend

As the first extended weekend of the year, the four-day Eid Al Fitr break, draws to a close for UAE residents, anticipation for the next holiday is already building. Expected to be a longer break, the upcoming holiday will mark Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice.

According to the UAE's official public holiday calendar, this four-day break will occur on Zul Hijjah 9 to 12 in the Islamic calendar. If these dates coincide with the weekend, residents may enjoy a six-day break. As with other Islamic holidays, the exact dates will depend on moon-sighting.

Astronomy expert Ibrahim Al Jarwan previously revealed in a video that the Islamic month of Zul Hijjah is anticipated to start on Monday, June 19, based on calculations. Consequently, Eid Al Adha could likely take place on Wednesday, June 28, while Arafah Day, observed the day before Eid, may fall on Tuesday, June 27. Al Jarwan serves as the chairman of the Board of Directors for the Emirates Astronomical Society.

If these predictions hold true, the UAE holiday could span from Tuesday, June 27, to Friday, June 30, resulting in a six-day break when combined with the Saturday-Sunday weekend.

Islamic moon-sighting committees will convene again to confirm the official dates, and all Muslims are encouraged to watch for the crescent moon.

Eid Al Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, involves offering special prayers and slaughtering livestock—typically a goat, sheep, cow, or camel—in commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim's test of faith. The festival honors his willingness to sacrifice his son as commanded by Allah, who ultimately provided a ram for the prophet to slaughter instead.