One of the biggest public holidays of the year in Dubai is fast approaching. With Ramadan now underway, there is greater clarity around the expected start of the Eid Al Fitr 2026 public holiday in the UAE.

The Eid break can only begin on Thursday, March 19, regardless of whether Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days.

And in both scenarios, residents are expected to receive a four-day long weekend.

How the Eid Al Fitr holiday is calculated

Under UAE public holiday law, Eid Al Fitr is officially a three- or four-day holiday, depending on the length of Ramadan.

Islamic months follow the lunar calendar, meaning the start of Shawwal (the month following Ramadan) depends on the sighting of the crescent moon. This is why the exact date of Eid can vary slightly each year.

Here’s how it works:

If Ramadan is 30 days

• Ramadan ends on Thursday, March 19
• The first three days of Shawwal fall on March 20, 21 and 22
• Result: Four-day long weekend (Thursday to Sunday)

If Ramadan is 29 days

• Shawwal 1 falls on Thursday, March 19
• Shawwal 2 and 3 fall on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21
• The official holiday ends Saturday
• Since Sunday is already a weekend day in the UAE, residents still receive four consecutive days off

What this means for residents

In either scenario, Dubai residents can expect a four-day break for Eid Al Fitr 2026, making it one of the most anticipated long weekends of the year.

Official confirmation will depend on the crescent moon sighting closer to the end of Ramadan.