UAE residents and expatriate workers often plan their year around public holidays. The first break of 2026 has now been confirmed. Officials have announced that New Year’s Day will be the first public holiday of 2026, and it applies to both public and private‑sector employees. This article explains what that means for your time off, how the holiday falls in the calendar, and how you can make the most of the long weekend.
Only one official day off
According to Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, which sets the country’s official public holidays, the Gregorian New Year is a statutory holiday for everyone. Arabian Business explains that the law states the New Year “shall be a day off for the public and private sector across the United Arab Emirates”. In other words, 1 January 2026 is a paid holiday for all workers, regardless of industry.
This one‑day break is different from extended holidays such as Eid Al Fitr or National Day. The New Year holiday is fixed and does not shift based on lunar sightings. The same law allows the government to move some holidays to the beginning or end of a week to create longer, but there has been no announcement that this will happen for New Year’s Day 2026.
When is the holiday?
In 2026, New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday. That means the official day off will be Thursday, 1 January 2026. The following day, Friday, is a normal working day for most private‑sector companies (unless their weekend starts on Friday). Many employers in the UAE now follow a Saturday–Sunday weekend, although some still operate on a Friday–Saturday weekend.
Time Out Dubai’s list of predicted public holidays notes that New Year’s Day is on Thursday, 1 January. Because of how the date falls, workers who enjoy a Saturday–Sunday weekend will have a regular working day on Friday and then two days off. Those whose weekend starts on Friday will be off on Friday and Saturday. In both cases, the New Year holiday itself is just one day.
Can it turn into a long weekend?
If you want a longer break, planning is essential. Khaleej Times points out that New Year’s Day on a Thursday gives people an “easy win” because taking annual leave on Friday, 2 January allows a four‑day break with the usual weekend. The newspaper notes that if the government decides to transfer the holiday to Friday, it would automatically create a three‑day weekend; however, such a transfer has not been confirmed.
Gulf News offers similar advice. In its holiday‑planning guide, the newspaper states that workers get one day off on 1 January and suggests that booking Friday, 2 January as annual leave allows employees to enjoy a four‑day break. This strategy is especially useful for private‑sector employees who follow a Saturday–Sunday weekend.
What private‑sector employees should know
For private‑sector companies, the labour law clarifies that the New Year holiday is a paid day off. Employers cannot deny this leave unless your job requires continuous service and alternative arrangements are agreed upon. Workers should:
- Check their company’s weekend: not all private employers have switched to a Saturday–Sunday weekend. If your weekend is Friday–Saturday, you will automatically have a three‑day break without taking extra leave.
- Request leave early: many people will want to take Friday off to extend the holiday. Gulf News recommends filing leave requests well in advance.
- Confirm with HR: some workplaces offer flexibility or additional days off. Others may operate on half‑days on Friday.
What comes next
After the New Year break, the next major public holiday will be Eid Al Fitr, predicted to fall from Friday 20 March to Sunday 22 March. Later in the year, residents can look forward to Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha at the end of May, Islamic New Year in mid‑June and the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday in late August. The year will end with the National Day holiday on 2–3 December.
In summary
- New Year’s Day 2026: Thursday, 1 January (one day off).
- Applies to: All public and private‑sector workers.
- Possibility of extension: The government could move the holiday to Friday, but no such decision has been announced.
- How to maximise: Request annual leave on Friday, 2 January to enjoy a four‑day break.
- Plan ahead: Check your company’s weekend schedule and request leave early.
While the 2026 New Year holiday is only a single day, the timing on a Thursday creates an opportunity for UAE employees to enjoy an extended weekend. By using one day of annual leave on Friday (or benefiting from a Friday–Saturday weekend), workers can welcome 2026 with extra rest, family time or a short getaway.
