Gulf Countries Public Holidays 2026 — UAE, Qatar, Saudi, Kuwait, Bahrain & Oman

Gulf Countries Public Holidays 2026

UAE • Qatar • Saudi Arabia • Kuwait • Bahrain • Oman | Religious & National Dates

Main Religious Dates

Eid 2026

Al-Fitr & Al-Adha

National Days

6 Events

One per country

Longest Breaks

3–5 Days

Typically for Eids

Calendar System

Hijri

Lunar alignment

Country Count

6 States

Total GCC members

Updated

Live

Unified Guide

✅ Unified Planning for 2026: For the first time, we present a unified calendar highlighting the major public holidays across all six GCC nations (UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman). This is essential for coordinating regional travel, business operations, and understanding local closures.

🌙 Major Religious Holidays 2026 (Hijri Calendar)

Islamic holidays are determined by moon sightings and may shift by 1–2 days from gregorian projections. The standard GCC moon sighting committee makes the final call. The following are projected dates for the most significant events in 2026.

Eid al-Fitr (Approx. March 20–22, 2026): Marks the end of Ramadan. While the exact duration varies, it typically involves a 3-day public holiday across the Gulf.

Arafat Day & Eid al-Adha (Approx. May 26–29, 2026): Commemorates the Hajj pilgrimage. Arafat Day is followed by the 3-day Eid. This often results in a 4 to 5-day continuous break.

Islamic New Year / Hijri New Year (Approx. June 16, 2026): Marks the start of the year 1448 AH. Usually a one-day holiday.

🇦🇪 Country-Specific Public Holidays 2026

Each GCC country observes several national events. The following are the major non-religious public holidays for 2026, arranged chronologically. *Note: Fixed dates listed below.*

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Beyond religious dates, the UAE observes several significant national holidays:

Commemoration Day (Nov 30): Honoring the sacrifices of Emirati martyrs. (Sometimes combined with National Day weekend).
UAE National Day (Dec 2): Celebrating the unification of the emirates in 1971. Usually a 2-day break (Dec 2-3).

Qatar

Qatar focuses its major secular holiday on one major event:

Qatar National Day (Dec 18): Commemorating the state's unification by Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia observes two major secular holidays, reflecting its historical milestones:

Founding Day (Feb 22): Celebrating the 1727 establishment of the first Saudi State.
Saudi National Day (Sept 23): Commemorating the 1932 unification of the Kingdom.

Kuwait

Kuwait observes two fixed public holidays, often paired for a long winter break:

Kuwait National Day (Feb 25): Marking the anniversary of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah's accession.
Kuwait Liberation Day (Feb 26): Celebrating the 1991 liberation from Iraqi occupation.

Bahrain

Bahrain's primary national secular celebration occurs in December:

Bahrain National Day (Dec 16): Commemorating the establishment of the modern state. Usually observed on Dec 16-17.

Oman

Oman focuses its main secular holiday on a single date, commemorating its longest-serving ruler and renaissance:

Oman National Day (Nov 18): Marking the anniversary of Sultan Qaboos bin Said's birthday.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How are Islamic holiday dates determined in the GCC? +

All GCC countries use the standard Hijri (lunar) calendar for religious dates. The actual holiday dates are officially confirmed only after a recognized moon sighting committee confirms the new moon. Gregorian dates provided are standard projections and can shift by 1–2 days.

Are GCC public holidays the same for public and private sectors? +

Generally, yes, major religious and national holidays apply to both public and private sectors. However, governments may announce different holiday lengths for each sector. Always check the official government announcement specific to your country.

What happens if a holiday falls on a weekend in 2026? +

Policy varies by country. While Qatar and Bahrain often compensate with a replacement day (usually the Sunday following a Friday/Saturday holiday), other countries like the UAE typically do not grant a compensatory day unless explicitly announced by the government. Saudi Arabia generally adheres to the announced duration.

Unified GCC Travel & Business Planning

Coordinate your logistics and stay informed about simultaneous closures across the region with our comprehensive 2026 guide.

🛂 View All 2026 Holiday Specifics

⚠️ Disclaimer: This unified guide is for informational purposes only. GCC holiday dates, especially religious events dependent on moon sighting, are subject to change by the respective governments and moon sighting committees. Always verify the latest official announcements from your specific country of interest before making any regional travel or business decisions.