Dubai Public Holidays in 2022

Looking to plan your trip to Dubai around Dubai’s public holidays?  Here’s a guide of what to expect in 2022 in Dubai:

• New Year’s Day: 1 January 2022 (1 day)
• Eid Al Fitr: From last day of the Islamic month of Ramadan to 3 Shawwal* (approx 2 May to 5 May 2022 –  4 days)
• Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha (Feast of Sacrifice):  From 9 to 12 Dhu al Hijjah* (approx 8 to 11 July 2022 –  4 days)
• Hijri New Year: 1 Muharram*  (Est 30 July 2022, observed on 1 August 2022 – 1 day)
• The Prophet Mohammed’s birthday: Est 8 October 2022, observed on 10 October 2022
• Commemoration Day: 1 December 2022 (1 day)
• National Day (51st Anniversary): 2 and 3 December 2022 (2 days)

Jump to Another Year: Dubai 2020 Public Holidays | Dubai 2021 Pubic Holidays | Dubai 2023 Public Holidays

*Islamic holidays are determined according to moon sighting. The date a religious holiday is observed and the public holiday declared may be two different dates, particularly if it falls on a weekend Friday/Saturday.

Note that the weekend in the UAE changed from 1 January 2022; Government working hours are now Monday to Friday lunchtime, the weekend is Friday afternoon, Saturday, Sunday.

Hijri Calendar to Gregorian Calendar

The Hijri Calendar moves forward by approximately 10 days more than the Gregorian Calendar every year. There is a good translation tool here from IslamicFinder.org to understand when important days on the Hijri Calendar will translate to:

Prayer Times in Dubai

You can also check out our guide here to the daily prayer times in Dubai. There isn’t much you need to do as a non-Muslim tourist at prayer times, but it has some great tips on understanding exactly WHAT is happening and WHY.

We also share some extra pointers on how you can have a more immersive Islamic experience during your trip to Dubai.

Dubai School Holidays 2022

There is both a public (MoE) and private (international) school sector in Dubai, governed by KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority). The dates they have stipulated as holidays in a three-term school year for September starting curriculums are:

Winter Break 12 to 30 December 2021 (schools return 3 January 2022)

Spring Break 28 March to 8/15 April 2022 (International Schools/MoE Schools)

Summer Break Not before 30 June 2022 until approximately 28 August 2022*

*The end of summer break is only anticipated until formally announced by the Government.

You can learn more at khda.gov.ae

Other major events in Dubai & the UAE 2022

Major events in 2022 may still be subject to postponement or cancellation due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic situation. Here’s what’s already lined up for the 2022 Dubai Events Calendar:

• Dubai Shopping Festival – 15 December 2021 to 30 January 2022
• Dubai DutyFree Tennis Championship – 14 to 26 February 2022
• Dubai World Cup – Horse racing 26 March 2022
• Expo 2020 – ends 31 March 2022
• Ramadan – the Holy Month from approx 2 April to 1 May 2022 – not a public holiday but month-long religious observance
• Expo 2020 – 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022
• nofilterDXB – 17 to 19 November – motorshow/urban lifestyle festival
• Diwali – 24 October to 28 November 2022 – with a large Indian expat community the event is widely celebrated in the UAE
• FIFA World Cup 2022 – in neighbouring Qatar, November 2021 to 18 December 2022
• Christmas – 25 December 2022 – not a public holiday but widely observed within the retail and hospitality sector
• New Year’s Eve – 31 December 2022 always a spectacular night of fireworks and festivities not to be missed

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You can see our complete guide to the best times to visit Dubai here

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Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE and transit passengers self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our recommendation links.

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