On December 1-4, UAE residents will celebrate National Day, the last official holiday of 2022. Now is the time to plan your 2023 schedule.
UAE Cabinet approves official holidays for the public and private sectors in 2023. There will be multiple long breaks for country residents next year, including one of six days.
An equal number of days off is guaranteed for public and private employees in the UAE.
The following is the full list of holidays for next year, according to a government post:
January 1 is the Gregorian New Year
Eid Al Fitr: Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3
Dhul Hijjah 9 is Arafah Day
Eid Al Adha: Dhul Hijjah 10-12
The 21st of July is Hijri New Year
September 29 is the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
December 2-3 is UAE National Day
Several of the holidays mentioned in the list are based on the Hijri Islamic calendar. Moon sightings will determine their corresponding Gregorian dates.
The long weekend
Residents of the UAE are in for four long weekends next year, according to the official list.
According to the Hijri calendar, Eid Al Fitr occurs between Ramadan 29 and Shawwal 3. According to astronomical calculations, this would be from Thursday, April 20, till Sunday, April 23. Actual dates are subject to moon sightings.
- Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha: This will most likely offer a six-day break — the longest next year. The break is likely to take place between Tuesday, June 27, and Friday, June 30. If this is indeed the case, those with Saturday-Sunday off will get a six-day weekend.
- Hijri New Year: July 21 is a Friday. For those with Saturday and Sunday off, this translates into a three-day weekend.
- Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday: September 29 is a Friday, too. That would be another three-day weekend for residents.