Dubai: UAE residents are up for a long weekend this week, as Monday, June 15 has been announced as a public holiday for the Hijri new year.

That means that if you normally get a two-day weekend on Saturday and Sunday, this week, you’re in for a longer treat.

The announcement was made by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation on June 4, and more recently the Dubai Government Human Resources Department also announced that Monday will be a holiday for Dubai Government authorities.

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has also announced that Monday will be an official holiday across schools, universities and government and private early childhood centres.

Four-day weekend for Sharjah schools, government employees

Students and staff in Sharjah schools, and Sharjah government employees will get an additional day off, as the regular weekend for Sharjah schools is from Friday to Sunday. With Monday being a public holiday, this means a four-day break for families.

Public holidays remaining this year

Even after the Hijri New Year holiday, there are still a couple more long breaks that UAE residents can look forward to this year.

1. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday (One-day holiday)

In August, there will be a one-day holiday to mark Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday, which falls on the 12th day of the Hijri month of Rabi Al Awwal. While the exact date of the holiday will be declared after the announcement by the moon-sighting committee, it is expected to fall towards the end of August.

2. UAE National Day (Two-day holiday)

The last long holiday for the year will be for the UAE National Day, where residents will enjoy a two-day break from Wednesday, December 2 to Thursday, December 3.

So, you can expect a good mid-week break in the last month of the year.

The new year is also set to begin with a welcome break, with a three-day weekend, as January 1, an official holiday under Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024, will be on a Friday. For those with a Saturday-Sunday weekend, this means an extended holiday to start off 2027.

UAE long weekend: Are you ready for the three-day break for Hijri New Year?