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List of Public Holidays in Dubai

The great part about public holidays in Dubai is the fact that almost all parks, malls, beaches, and even retail stores are open!
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List of Public Holidays in Dubai

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There is no better feeling in the world than an approaching long weekend! If there is one thing all Dubai folks have in common, it’s looking forward to a lazy Monday morning spent at home after the usual weekend entertainment.

But be it a Monday, or any other day of the week, public holidays are a great time to connect with family and friends or discover Dubai’s ever-expanding list of attractions.

In this blog post, we’ll give you the low-down on what to do and what not to do during a public holiday in Dubai. This list filled with tips and tricks will help you navigate your next day off because, of course, you wouldn’t want to ruin such a precious occasion!

But that’s not all, at the end of the article, we’ll also list the public holidays to look forward to in Dubai in 2024, so stay tuned.

Tip 1: Don’t Worry About Closures

The great part about public holidays in Dubai is the fact that almost all parks, malls, beaches, and even retail stores are open!

Yes, you read that right. Bar corporate offices, Dubai and the UAE pretty much operate as normal during public holidays to facilitate visitors whether it’s Eid (the Muslim celebration festival) or UAE National Day.

However, it’s still wise to check on Google to see whether the operating hours are slightly affected for each individual place before visiting.

Tip 2: Plan in Advance

If you’d like a quick getaway, there is no better time to do so than over the long weekend. Dubai and the UAE usually club the day(s) off with the regular weekend so that people can enjoy an extended break.

However, as you can imagine, whether it’s a trip out of town or a staycation within the UAE (Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain, and Khorfakkan anyone?), be mindful that the prices of tickets and hotels are very likely to skyrocket due to increased demand during this time.

Your best bet would be to plan your holiday in advance and book your tickets well ahead of time. This way, your wallet won’t have to bear the brunt of all the fun you’ll have.

Tip 3: Check Public Transport Timings

If you’ve lived in Dubai for any amount of time, you’d know that taxis in the UAE cost an absolute fortune.

If you don’t drive, you aren’t left with much choice other than to take one of the several public transport options that the city has, including the Metro or a bus.

Lucky for you, during public holidays, the Dubai metro runs for extended hours! So you should have no issue getting where you need to be. In fact, on the occasion of the new year 2024, it was announced that the Dubai Metro will run for 40 hours on New Year’s Eve weekend from 8 am on Sunday, December 31, until 11:59 pm on Monday, January 1.

Tip 4: Avoid Crowded Areas

There is a lot to do in the UAE during the public holidays. Whether you’re spending time in the city of Dubai, or you’d like to drive to a neighbouring Emirate and discover hidden gems.

However, one rookie mistake most people make during the holidays is visiting the usual haunts. If you’re visiting the most popular beaches, parks, or attractions like Global Village, get ready to face a barrage of people.

It’s not advisable to visit such places with children and seniors. Moreover, it’s just not worth the hassle even if you’re on your own. Broaden your horizon and think out of the box, there is a lot to explore; take our word for it!

Tip 5: Avoid Nightmare Traffic

Do you know what’s the best thing about the New Year in this city? The beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime Fireworks show that lights up the sky! Only in Dubai, folks. Only in Dubai.

But there is a flip side to that glamour and experience, and it’s not just exclusive to the fireworks show. Massive traffic always accompanies any major event in Dubai. It’s not uncommon to hear stories of people having missed the entire event because they were stuck in a jam. Ouch.

So how do you avoid the nightmare traffic? Getting there early is definitely one option, and keeping your eye out for alternate routes while monitoring traffic and road closures online certainly helps too!

Tip 6: Explore the Local Culture

One of the most amazing things about Dubai is how welcoming the local culture is. Despite a large expat population, the people of the UAE live in togetherness.

During a public holiday, there are traditionally a lot of local events such as fairs and exhibitions, especially in the historic Bastakiya area of Dubai which showcase the rich heritage of the country.

Why not take a break from the usual activities and explore the amazing history behind the country we all love to call home? You’re welcome for the idea on how to spend the next public holiday in Dubai!

Tip 7: Enjoy but with Responsibility

Dubai severely penalizes being intoxicated in public, driving under the influence, overzealous public display of affection, immodesty, or indecency. For a more comprehensive list of what to strictly avoid doing while in Dubai, check out our blog post here.

It’s probably not a ‘Wise Move ’ to go overboard with any entertainment you’re indulging in during the public holidays in Dubai, especially during holidays which are due to religious observances such as ‘The Birth of the Prophet Muhammed’ or the ‘Islamic New Year’.

Make sure to stay within reasonable limits and you’ll not only make others feel more comfortable, but you’ll be doing yourself a favour by ensuring you don’t get into trouble with the law.

Tip 8: Make Use of Special Discounts

Here is another great tip that your bank account will thank us for! Despite the rise in expenses during public holidays, there are several outlets, hotels, malls, and restaurants that run special discounts to entice residents and drive sales.

Make sure to make good use of such offers instead of paying through the roof! One place to find similar discounted deals is Dubai’s online deals discovery website Cobone which has been around since 2010.

Alternatively, you can follow Facebook groups like Dirham Stretcher where members regularly post about the hot discounts in town.


Now without further ado, let’s take a look at the public holidays in Dubai for 2024 and the dates they are likely to fall on:

  • January 1 - New Year’s Day
  • April 8th - April 12th: Eid Al-Fitr
  • June 15 - Arafat Day
  • June 16-18 - Eid Al-Adha
  • July 7th - Islamic New Year
  • September 15 - Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday
  • December 2-3 - UAE National Day

*Since religious holidays are governed by the Islamic calendar that follows the moon, these dates are subject to change.

Conclusion

So there you have it! The comprehensive guide to public holidays in Dubai and how to make sure every public holiday spent here is positively memorable. A little bit of planning ahead, smart decision-making, and not going overboard is all you essentially need.

Just follow the tips highlighted above and you’ll save a lot of time, money, and stress. In our book, that’s a win-win-win situation.

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