The UAE has confirmed that Eid Al-Adha 2025 holidays will begin on Thursday, June 5, and extend through Sunday, June 8, according to astronomical calculations released by the Emirates Astronomical Society. The four-day break for both public and private sector workers coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage period in Saudi Arabia.
Key Details of the Holiday Announcement
1. Official Holiday Period
- Arafat Day: Thursday, June 5 (Dhul Hijjah 9)
- Eid Al-Adha: Friday, June 6 – Sunday, June 8 (Dhul Hijjah 10-12)
- Total Duration: 4 days (with potential extension pending moon sighting)
2. Expected Economic Impact
✔ Tourism surge: Dubai airports preparing for 1.8M+ travelers
✔ Retail boom: Malls extending hours for Eid shopping festivals
✔ Hospitality sector: 85% hotel occupancy projected
3. Moon Sighting Protocol
- UAE Moon Sighting Committee to convene evening of June 3
- Potential 1-day variance if crescent spotted earlier/later
Comparison to Previous Years
- 2024: 4-day break (June 16-19)
- 2025: Longer weekend due to June 5-8 alignment
- 2026: Expected 5-day break (May 25-29)
Frequently Asked Questions about the UAE’s announced (or expected) Eid Al-Adha 2025 holiday dates:
- Has the UAE officially announced the Eid Al-Adha 2025 holiday dates? While astronomical calculations strongly suggest the dates, the official announcement will come from the UAE’s Moon-sighting committee closer to the time.
- Based on predictions, when is Arafat Day expected to fall in the UAE in 2025? Astronomical predictions indicate Arafat Day will likely be on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
- Based on predictions, when is the first day of Eid Al-Adha expected in the UAE in 2025? The first day of Eid Al-Adha is likely to be on Friday, June 6, 2025, based on astronomical calculations.
- How long is the expected Eid Al-Adha holiday in the UAE for 2025? Based on current predictions, the public holiday is expected to be four days, starting with Arafat Day on Thursday, June 5th, and continuing through the weekend (Friday, June 6th to Sunday, June 8th).
- Will the public and private sectors have the same Eid Al-Adha holidays in the UAE in 2025? Yes, according to reports, both the public and private sectors are expected to observe the same holidays for Arafat Day and Eid Al-Adha.
- Why do the Eid Al-Adha dates change each year in the Gregorian calendar? Eid Al-Adha is fixed in the Islamic lunar calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian (solar) calendar, causing the Gregorian dates to shift each year.
- Is the expected Eid Al-Adha 2025 holiday longer or shorter than usual for schools in the UAE? Reports suggest that schools might get less time off than usual because the holiday falls over a weekend, reducing the number of actual school days off.
- What are the religious significances of Arafat Day and Eid Al-Adha? Arafat Day is a holy day of prayer and reflection preceding Eid. Eid Al-Adha, the “Festival of Sacrifice,” commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son.
- Will there be a moon sighting to confirm the exact dates? Yes, the official confirmation of the Eid Al-Adha dates depends on the sighting of the crescent moon by the UAE’s Moon-sighting committee.
- Could the predicted dates for Eid Al-Adha 2025 change? Yes, the final dates are subject to the official moon sighting, which may differ slightly from astronomical predictions.
- Are there any other public holidays expected in the UAE in June 2025? Yes, the Islamic New Year is expected to fall on Thursday, June 26, 2025.
- How many total public holidays are expected in the UAE in 2025? Current predictions suggest there will be around 12-14 public holidays in the UAE throughout 2025, including Eid Al-Adha.
- Will employees be compensated if Eid Al-Adha falls on a weekend? According to a recent UAE Cabinet Resolution, public holidays falling on a weekend may be moved, but this does not apply to Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha.
- What is the Islamic month in which Eid Al-Adha falls? Eid Al-Adha is celebrated in Dhu Al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
- What is the expected start date of Dhu Al-Hijjah in 2025? Astronomical calculations suggest the first day of Dhu Al-Hijjah will likely be Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
- Are other GCC countries expected to have similar Eid Al-Adha holiday dates? Yes, many GCC countries like Qatar and Oman are also expecting Eid Al-Adha to begin around Friday, June 6, 2025, with Arafat Day on Thursday, June 5th.
- Will the UAE government issue an official announcement of the Eid Al-Adha holidays? Yes, the UAE authorities will issue a formal announcement once the crescent moon is sighted.
- What activities are typically associated with Eid Al-Adha celebrations in the UAE? Celebrations include congregational prayers, family gatherings, festive meals, and the act of Qurbani (sacrifice of livestock).
- Will schools have their summer break immediately after the Eid Al-Adha holidays? For most UAE international private schools, Term 3 runs until late June or early July, so the summer break will likely follow a few weeks after the Eid holidays.