Dubai authorities have confirmed the Eid Al Fitr holiday schedule for government employees in the emirate, ahead of the nationwide break marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
In an official statement, Dubai Government’s Human Resources Department said public sector staff will receive a four-day holiday from Thursday, March 19, to Sunday, March 22. Government offices will reopen on Monday, March 23.
The UAE will observe the crescent moon of the Hijri month of Shawwal on Wednesday, March 18, following the Maghrib prayer to determine the start of Eid Al Fitr. As the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, the sighting of the moon officially confirms the beginning of the festival.
Eid Al Fitr Holiday in the UAE
Earlier, the UAE’s Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced the Eid Al Fitr holiday schedule for both federal government entities and private sector employees.
For federal government staff, the holiday will run from Thursday, March 19, 2026, until Sunday, March 22, 2026, with work resuming on Monday, March 23, 2026. In the private sector, employees will receive a break from Thursday, March 19, 2026, to Saturday, March 21, 2026. Those who usually work on Sundays will return to duty on Sunday, March 22.
Authorities added that if Ramadan lasts 30 days, the private sector holiday will extend to Sunday, March 22, 2026. The directive applies nationwide and follows the UAE’s established framework for public and private sector holiday schedules.
Likely Date for Eid Al Fitr 2026
The UAE-based International Astronomy Centre (IAC) has indicated that sighting the Shawwal crescent on March 18 will likely be impossible, suggesting Ramadan will complete 30 days. Based on astronomical projections, Eid Al Fitr in the UAE is expected to fall on March 20, along with several other countries.
The IAC explained that the moon will set before sunset and the conjunction will occur after sunset on March 18, making the crescent sighting “impossible” that evening.
