Is Christmas a Public Holiday in the UAE?

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Understanding Christmas Day's status as a public holiday and practices in the UAE's diverse work culture.

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As the festive season approaches and year-end schedules begin to slow across offices in the UAE, many employees are asking the same question: is Christmas Day a public holiday in the UAE? The straightforward answer is no.

Read More: Where to Have Your 2025 Christmas Feast in Dubai?

Christmas Day, observed globally on December 25, is not included in the UAE’s official list of public holidays. Under the Cabinet resolution regulating public holidays for both the public and private sectors — which came into effect on January 1, 2025 — only specific national and Islamic occasions are recognised as statutory holidays.

Official public holidays in the UAE

According to the resolution, the UAE’s official public holidays include:

  • New Year’s Day

  • Eid Al Fitr

  • Arafah Day

  • Eid Al Adha

  • Hijri New Year

  • The Prophet’s Birthday

  • UAE National Day

Christmas does not feature on this list, meaning December 25 remains a regular working day unless employers decide otherwise.

New Year long weekend confirmed

While Christmas itself is not a public holiday, employees can still look forward to a break around the New Year. New Year’s Day on Thursday, January 1, 2026, is an official public holiday in the UAE. In addition, the government has announced that Friday will be observed as a remote working day for federal entities, creating a long weekend for many public sector employees.

Private sector practices during Christmas

Despite not being recognised at a federal level, Christmas is widely acknowledged across the UAE’s multicultural workforce. Many private companies, multinational firms, and educational institutions choose to offer internal leave, flexible working hours, early closures, or remote work options on December 25.

However, such arrangements are entirely at the discretion of employers and are not legally mandated. Employees in the private sector are advised to check directly with their organisations regarding Christmas working hours and leave policies.

As the UAE continues to balance its official holiday calendar with its diverse international workforce, Christmas remains a widely celebrated occasion — just not an official public holiday.

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