UAE confirms 4-day Eid Al Fitr holiday

The UAE’s first public holiday of 2026 is fast approaching, with residents set to enjoy a four-day weekend in celebration of Eid Al Fitr. 

 

While the exact date of Eid depends on the moon sighting, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) has revealed that the public and private sector holiday will run from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 March. Work will resume on Monday 23 March. 

 

Eid Al Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, with the sighting of the new moon signaling the start of Shawwal, the tenth month in the Hijri Calendar. 

 

For residents and travel agents, the long weekend represents an ideal travel opportunity. By adding just three days of annual leave, the four-day break can be extended into a week-long holiday. The dates also coincide with many UAE schools’ spring break, making it an ideal window for family travel. 

 

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March falls within the region’s shoulder-season period, typically offering smaller crowds and lower airfares compared to peak seasons. Top-value regional destinations from the UAE this month include Muscat, Riyadh and Kuwait City, all with average return flights under AED1,000, according to Skyscanner. 

 

Other popular short-haul options include Beirut, Amman, Giza, Alexandria and Baku. The Azerbaijani capital continues to draw GCC travellers thanks to its strong air links and relaxed visa policies. From 2 March, Etihad Airways will further enhance access with 10 weekly flights from Abu Dhabi.

 

Travellers looking to venture further afield can find competitive long-haul options as well, such as Kuala Lumpur, where average return fares currently sit just under AED2,500, offering an affordable getaway to the Malaysian city.  

 

For more information, visit fahr.gov.ae/en