UAE Announces A 4-Day Break For Eid Al Etihad
December 1 and 2 have been declared paid holidays for public sector employees by the UAE government as the nation marks its 54th Union Day, celebrated as Eid Al Etihad, since the historic unification of the seven emirates on December 2, 1971.
Union Day is celebrated with dazzling fireworks, live concerts, cultural shows, heritage parades, sports events, and family entertainment.
The four-day public holiday is extended to private sector employees, along with federal and public sector workers, giving residents a nationwide long weekend when combined with the preceding Saturday and Sunday. The public and private offices would resume on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
A unified holiday policy ensures both public and private sector employees receive the same number of breaks throughout the year.
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A Cabinet resolution effective from January 1, 2025, allows certain public holidays in the UAE to be transferred to the start or end of the week if they fall on a weekend. This year, the holidays have been moved to Monday and Tuesday.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates have declared a four-day holiday marking the Union Day celebration. Even Sharjah has extended the holiday to 5 successive days, and the offices will open from Thursday, December 4.
Private and pubic school students in the emirate will also enjoy a longer break for Eid Al Etihad this year due to the same reason, while those from other emirates will be getting a four-day break.
The UAE’s Ministry of Education has also announced that private and public schools will get a holiday on December 1 and 2, which corresponds to Monday and Tuesday. Official working hours will resume from Wednesday, December 3.
What To Remain Open?
A circular issued by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department stated that the decision excluded entities, departments, and institutions working on a rotating shift, directly providing public services, or managing public service facilities.
It authorised these entities to set working hours for these categories based on their operational needs, ensuring continued work and regular and efficient service delivery during the holiday.
