If you’re already planning your next getaway, there’s good news ,  another UAE public holiday is just around the corner.

The next holiday on the calendar is Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH), one of the official public holidays observed across the UAE.

So, when is it?

The occasion falls on the 12th day of Rabi Al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.

Based on current astronomical calculations, Rabi Al-Awwal is expected to begin on Friday, August 14, which means the occasion is likely to fall on Tuesday, August 25.

As always, the exact date will only be confirmed after the official moon sighting.

Could it become a long weekend?

Possibly.

Under the UAE’s public holiday law, certain public holidays can be moved to the beginning or end of the working week to create longer weekends.

If that happens, the holiday could be observed on Monday, August 24, instead of Tuesday, giving many residents a three-day weekend when combined with Saturday and Sunday.

However, this has not yet been officially confirmed, so residents should wait for an announcement from the UAE government.

Why do the dates change?

Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle.

Each new Hijri month begins only after the crescent moon is officially sighted, meaning months can last either 29 or 30 days. As a result, the exact dates of Islamic holidays can shift each year slightly and are only confirmed closer to the time.

For now, if you’re hoping for another long weekend, it’s one to keep an eye on.