UAE's 2025 Public Holidays Revealed
New Year's Day Off for UAE Government Employees: Important Announcement for 2025
The United Arab Emirates has officially announced that Wednesday, January 1, 2025, will be a public holiday for government employees. According to a statement released by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAGHR) on Friday, this holiday has been designated in accordance with the country's official holiday calendar, which was published earlier in the year.
New Year's Day will be the first official holiday in the country for the new year, providing an excellent opportunity for residents to relax after the year-end celebrations and start 2025 with renewed energy. This public holiday allows for nurturing family and friendship connections while celebrating cultural and religious traditions.
Shorter Eid Al Fitr Break in 2025
In addition to the New Year's Day holiday, one of the most significant changes in the coming year pertains to the duration of the Eid Al Fitr holiday period. Eid Al Fitr, which follows the holy month of Ramadan, may provide up to four days off for UAE residents in 2025, according to the Islamic calendar.
The holiday break lasts from the end of Ramadan to the 3rd day of Shawwal. If Ramadan is 30 days, residents can enjoy four days off (from Ramadan 30th to Shawwal 3rd). If the holy month is 29 days, the holiday will be limited to three days (from Shawwal 1st to 3rd).
How does this compare to previous years?
In 2024, residents enjoyed a nine-day break for the Eid Al Fitr holiday, which lasted from Ramadan 29th to Shawwal 3rd and included weekends. The 2025 year may offer a shorter holiday period in this regard, marking a difference from the longer rest days of previous years.
Four Days Off During Eid Al Adha
The Eid Al Adha festival, regarded as the holiest day in the Islamic religion, will also offer residents a longer holiday. The Day of Arafah, which falls on Dhul Hijjah 9th, will be a holiday, followed by three additional days off for Eid Al Adha (Dhul Hijjah 10-12).
This provides a total of four days of rest during the festival, enabling families to celebrate together and nurture their religious traditions.
What does this mean for residents?
The official holidays in the UAE always play an important role in the lives of the country's residents, as these occasions allow for maintaining a balance between work and personal life. The changes among the New Year's Day, Eid Al Fitr, and Eid Al Adha holidays reflect the country's dynamic and cultural diversity, while also providing opportunities for residents to form deeper connections with their own traditions and communities.
The government-declared holidays help plan vacations in advance, whether for travel, family activities, or religious ceremonies. In 2025, UAE residents can enjoy various holiday periods that celebrate cultural and religious diversity.
Summary
The UAE's 2025 holidays create new opportunities for residents to enjoy the benefits the country offers. The New Year, Eid Al Fitr, and Eid Al Adha holiday periods offer exciting occasions while providing opportunities for families and communities to spend quality time together. The precise planning of holidays also allows residents to make the most of these special occasions.
