GCC public holidays in 2026: plan ahead to make more bookings

Saudi Arabia

Founding Day: Sunday 22 February 

The kingdom’s first three-day break of the year will be marked by Founding Day on Sunday 22 February. By bookending the weekend with one annual day off on Thursday 19 February and Monday 23 February, there’s a potential for a five-day recess. However, travel demand may be low as this holiday will coincide with the first weekend of Ramadan, which is expected to start on 18 February . 

 

Eid Al Fitr: Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March

Nearly a month later, Eid Al Fitr arrives with public holidays set to take place from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March. Saudi residents can take extra leave on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 March to extend the holiday to five days. 

 

Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha: Tuesday 26 to Friday 29 May 

With holidays for Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha, the end of May will be marked by a five-day break from Tuesday 26 through Saturday 30 May. Travellers can bookend this period by taking select days of annual leave, with potential for a one-week vacation. 

 

Saudi National Day: Wednesday 23 September 

The final public holiday will be for Saudi National Day on Wednesday 23 September. There’s potential to lengthen this holiday into a four-day break by taking one day’s leave on Thursday 24 September.  

Qatar

National Sports Day: Tuesday 10 February

Qatar’s first public holiday of the year will be National Sports Day, a yearly observance dedicated to promoting health and wellness in the country. With the end of the peak winter travel season, travellers can also take advantage of lower prices in February, ahead of high demand for Eid in March. 

 

Eid Al Fitr: Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March

A four-day holiday is awarded to Qatar’s residents for Eid Al Fitr, starting from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March. The period can easily be extended to a six-day holiday with only two extra days off before or after Eid. 

 

Eid Al Adha: Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 May 

In Qatar, Eid Al Adha will be marked by five days off. By bookending the weekend of Eid with four days of annual leave, travellers can maximise their holiday to a nine-day break. 

 

Qatar National Day: Friday 18 December 

Qatar’s National Day will fall on Friday 18 December 2026, with a public holiday expected on Thursday 17 December, resulting in a three-day weekend. Travel demand may be high as the holiday coincides with the start of the winter vacations for schools, extending through the New Year. 

 

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Oman

Isra and Miraj: Friday 16 January

Oman’s first Islamic holiday, Isra and Miraj, will likely fall on Thursday 15 January, marking the potential for a three-day weekend. Prices begin to fall in this period as the peak winter season tapers off, creating an opportunity for short regional trips. 

 

Eid Al Fitr: Friday 20 to Monday 23 March

Oman will have a four-day break for Eid Al Fitr, starting from Friday 20 to Monday 23 March. With just three additional days off from Tuesday 24 to Thursday 26 March, travellers can transform this four-day holiday into a nine-day recess. 

 

Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha: Tuesday 26 to Saturday May 30

The second Islamic Eid holiday, alongside Arafat Day for Hajj, will take place from Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 May in Oman. Locals can also transform this into a nine-day holiday by taking just four extra days of annual leave before or after the holiday. 

 

Muharram: Wednesday 17 June

Another Islamic holiday, Muharram, falls on Wednesday 17 June, with an expected day off on Thursday 18 June, offering locals a potential long weekend. Muharram also marks the last public holiday in the first half of 2026, with the next one expected five months later. 

 

Oman National Day: Wednesday 18 November

The final public holiday will be for Oman National Day on Wednesday 18 November, with Thursday 19 November also awarded off, creating a four-day weekend. Bookending the holiday with two days of leave can expand this period into a six-day break. 

 

Traditional celebrations for Oman National Day

Bahrain

Eid Al Fitr: Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March

Bahrain will mark its Eid Al Fitr public holidays from Friday 20 March to Sunday 22 March, marking the first long weekend of the year. With even just one day of annual leave on Thursday 19 March, travellers can extend their Eid recess to four days. 

 

May Day: Friday 1 May

The first day of May is a public holiday commemorating Labour Day. As 1 May falls on a Friday in 2026, the tentative day off will be on Thursday 30 April, marking a three-day break for Bahrain’s residents. 

 

Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha: Tuesday 26 to Friday 29 May 

Following Labour Day, the next holiday will be Eid Al Adha. Beginning with a day off for Arafat on Tuesday 26 May, followed by four consecutive holidays from Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 May for Eid. This five-day break comes right before the end of the academic year, as families gear up for summer vacation.  

 

Muharram: Wednesday June 17 

Muharram, another Islamic holiday, falls on Wednesday 17 June . There’s an opportunity to turn this day off into a four-day weekend by taking one day of annual leave on Thursday 18 June. 

 

Ashura: Wednesday 24 to Thursday 25 June

Shortly after Muharram, another Islamic holiday weekend comes on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 June, resulting in four days off. 

 

The Prophet’s Birthday: Wednesday 26 August 

The final Islamic holiday of the year is on 26 August , with a day off awarded to commemorate the Prophet’s birthday. Another opportunity for a four-day break arises here, by simply taking one day of annual leave on Thursday 27 August .  

 

Bahrain National Day: Wednesday 16 to Thursday 17 December

Bahrain’s National Day will be the last public holiday for 2026. A four-day weekend is expected, with days off on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 December. Bookending National Day with a few days off either before or after the weekend can result in a five, six or even week-long holiday. 

 

National Day parade in Bahrain

Kuwait

Isra and Miraj: Friday 16 January

Kuwait’s first long weekend of the year will be for the Islamic holiday of Isra and Miraj. As the holiday falls on a Friday, the tentative day off will be on Thursday 15 January, resulting in a three-day break. 

 

National Day and Liberation Day: Wednesday 25 to Thursday 26 February

A holiday is awarded on Wednesday 25 February for Kuwait’s National Day, followed by a consecutive day off on Thursday 26 for Liberation Day. The two dates add up to a four-day break with the potential to transform it into a week-long holiday with just three days of annual leave.  

 

Eid Al Fitr: Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March

Commemorating the end of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr holidays will take place from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March. Travellers can extend this holiday to a five-day break by bookending the weekend with just two extra days off.

 

Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha: Tuesday 26 to Friday 29 May

Kuwait will mark Eid Al Adha holidays from Tuesday 26 to Friday 29 May, including a day dedicated to Arafat. There’s potential for a seven-day recess by taking annual leave on Sunday 24 to Monday 25 May, as well as Sunday 31 May. 

 

The Prophet’s Birthday: Wednesday 26 August

Thursday 27 August is expected to be a holiday for the Prophet’s birthday, which will tentatively occur on Wednesday 26 August, creating a four-day weekend. As the final public holiday for Kuwait and the end of the summer season, there’s strong potential for travel during this period.