In the United Arab Emirates, holidays are treated with attention. The calendar of national celebrations is drawn up in advance, it indicates the dates of the celebrations, cultural and mass events are planned. Holidays are celebrated in different ways in Dubai. For Muslims, one must adhere to strict rules; social events are accompanied by parades and fireworks.
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Calendar of national holidays
Every year a calendar of secular and national holidays in Dubai is compiled. For the celebration of Muslims, the lunar calendar is used, so they are not tied to the Gregorian, as in Europe and other conventionally Christian countries. The dates will be different every year, for example, you can see the calendar for 2023.
What events are celebrated in the UAE, which are declared days off in the working calendar:
- New Year – January 1st. Lasts only 1 day.
- Isra and Miraj – March 22. Celebrates the transfer of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem.
- Eid al-Fitr – from May 24 to 26. Marks the end of fasting in Ramadan.
- Arafat Day – July 30. Dedicated to the second day of the pilgrimage to Mecca.
- Eid al-Adha – from July 31 to August 2. The second name is Kurban-Bayram. On this day, the Almighty did not allow his son Ibrahim to make a sacrifice.
- Al Hiji – 20 August. All Muslim believers celebrate the Islamic New Year.
- Prophet Mohammed’s birthday is October 29th. A religious holiday in Dubai is held without lavish celebrations.
- Memorial Day – 30 November. Dedicated to all residents of the UAE who gave their lives for the independence of their country.
- Day of formation of the United Arab Emirates – from 2 to 3 December.
Before buying tours in the UAE, you need to study the national events that will take place during your vacation. Some of the holidays in Dubai are celebrated without pomp, most of the religious ones are an opportunity to study the Koran more deeply, spend the day in prayers.
How international holidays are celebrated in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates is a tourist country. Most of the budget is replenished by tourists and independent travelers. Therefore, the celebration of international holidays in Dubai and other regions of the country is treated responsibly. For guests of the UAE, they organize festivals, entertainment programs, make seasons of discounts for shopping.
How international holidays are celebrated in the UAE:
- Catholic Christmas. Traditional sweets appear in stores – gingerbread houses, cookies. On December 25, many hotels host mass events and festivities. There are entertainment programs for children.
- New Year is also a national holiday in the UAE. In the public places of the resorts you can see fireworks, laser shows. The “Singing Fountains” of Dubai and Sharjah present New Year’s pictures.
- Orthodox Christmas is celebrated less pompously, but for the Slavs and Russian-speaking tourists, hotel complexes and restaurants offer traditional dishes. Some stores make discounts, promotions for certain groups of goods, sales.
Other international holidays in Dubai are relatively quiet. The reason is that most of the local population and visiting workers are Muslims. In these countries, the traditional celebrations of Europe and the USA are not accepted. Therefore, it will be convenient to come on vacation in the summer for a relaxing holiday.
Features of national celebrations
During the national Muslim holidays in Dubai, you need to learn the traditions, rules and restrictions. Failure to comply with the latter can lead to conflict situations, and in some cases – violations of the law. The way out is to study the features of each date, the national traditions of holding them in Dubai. This is done before buying a ticket from Moscow or another city in Russia.
Isra and Miraj
On this day, the Prophet Muhammad was ascended to Heaven. Surahs Isra and Najmi are dedicated to this event in the Qur’an. At night during the holiday in Dubai, all Muslims spend in prayer. This event was the beginning of the traditional fivefold prayer. Local residents praise Allah, congratulate each other on the event. This is the main winter holiday in the UAE.
About the celebration of Isra and Miraj in the UAE:
- According to the Gregorian calendar, it will take place in 2020 – 22.03; 2021 – 11.03; 2022 – 1.03; 2023 – 18.02; 2024 – 7.02; 2025 – 01.27.
- Two days will be declared a public holiday in the United Arab Emirates.
- There are no lavish celebrations in the city, this is a family and tribal celebration.
Tourists and independent travelers experience this holiday in Dubai in their own way. Many shops, malls and amusement parks are closed. But the locals are becoming more attentive and courteous. In the evening, you should not ask for a visit to your Muslim friends. They should spend the night of Isra and Miraj with their families and close friends.
Eid al-fitr
The date marks the end of the fast, which is obligatory in the month of Ramadan. The second name is “Uraza Bayram”. Preparation begins in the morning with prayer. Then the hostesses prepare national Arabic dishes, invite friends and close relatives. Public events are not planned in Dubai on this holiday, Muslims congratulate each other, special prayers are held in mosques.
Features of celebrating Eid Al-Fitr in the UAE:
- Dates according to the Gregorian European calendar – 2020 – 24.05; 2021 – 14.05; 2022 – 03.05; 2023 – 22.04; 2024 – 10.04; 2025 – 21.03.
- There are a lot of customers in shops and supermarkets, long queues. Therefore, it is better to plan a grocery trip in the early morning or evening.
- Good time for shopping. In shopping centers they make promotions, make discounts on many groups of goods.
There are a lot of people in amusement parks, water parks, aquariums and other places for cultural and active recreation. Ticket prices are lower than usual. Therefore, you need to be prepared for long queues. Family tourists with children should refrain from going to the parks on this day.
Day of Arafat
This is the last day of the Hajj, when pilgrims to Mecca climb to the top of Mount Arafat to pray. Religious activities continue until sunset. The reason is that according to the Quran, a pious or bad deed will be rewarded or punished many times more than on other days. This is not a secular holiday in Dubai, all local residents and visiting Muslims spend it in prayers, dedicate it to doing good deeds.
What you need to know about the day of Arafat:
- Dates according to the European calendar – 2020 – 29.07; 2021 – 18.07; 2022 – 8.07; 2023 – 27.06; 2024 – 15.06; 2025 – 5.06.
- There are no celebrations or festivities on the streets.
- Even if a Muslim is forced to work on this day, try not to bother him with unnecessary questions or requests.
- National holiday, most supermarkets, shops in shopping centers are closed.
On the streets and parks you can meet resting and praying people. They do not need to be disturbed, come close to take pictures or make videos. In addition to violating national rules and traditions, it is illegal.
Eid al-Adha
The second name of this holiday in Dubai is Kurban Bayram. On this day, Allah did not allow the Muslim Ibrahim to sacrifice his son. With this, the first wanted to confirm his faith, but the Almighty indicated that the sacrifice of a sheep or a ram would be correct. Arabs meet with relatives, friends, plan a family dinner, a hearty dinner. An additional morning prayer “id” is obligatory.
About the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Adha in the UAE:
- Dates - 2020 – 30-31.07; 2021 – 19-20.07; 2022 – 9-10.07; 2023 – 28-29.06; 2024 – 16-17.06; 2025 – 6-7.06.
- Ritual sacrifice is not made on the street, in public places. This is prohibited by the laws of the UAE. It is allowed to do only at home, which is very rare, or in special slaughterhouses.
- The meat is distributed to the needy, relatives and friends. Only 1/3 is kept for themselves.
Each resident congratulates each other on this holiday. Family festivals and events can be arranged in Dubai. Weekends last three days in a row. Part of shopping centers. Stores may be closed.
The celebration of other memorable dates is treated less solemnly. But this does not mean that visitors to the UAE should not take into account the peculiarities of holidays in Dubai. Tourists should know local traditions and rules of conduct.