Looking to plan your trip to Dubai around Dubai’s public holidays? Here’s a guide of what to expect in 2021 in Dubai:
- New Year’s Day: 1 January 2021 (1 day)
- Eid Al Fitr: From last day of the Islamic month of Ramadan to 3 Shawwal* (approx 11 to 15 May 2021 – 4 days)
- Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): From 9 to 12 Dhu al Hijjah* (approx 19 to 22 July 2021 – 4 days)
- Hijri New Year: 1 Muharram* (Est 9 August in 2021, observed on 12 August 2021 – 1 day)
- The Prophet Mohammed’s birthday: Est 18 October 2021, observed on 21 October 2021
- Commemoration Day: 1 December 2021 (1 day)
- National Day (50th Anniversary): 2 and 3 December 2021 (2 days)
*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.
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.
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 2021
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 13 to 31 December 2020 (schools return 3 Janaury 2021)
Spring Break 28 March to 15 April 2021
Summer Break Not before 30 June 2021 until approximately 2 September 2021*
*The end of summer break is only anticipated until formally announced by the Government.
Other major events in Dubai & the UAE 2021
Although, as you might expect, major events in 2021 will be hard to predict if they’ll go ahead due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic situation, here’s what’s already lined up for the 2021 Dubai Events Calendar:
- Dubai Shopping Festival – 17 December 2020 to 30 January 2021
- Taste of Dubai – 11 to 13 March 2021
- Dubai World Cup – Horse racing 27 March 2021
- Ramadan – the Holy Month from approx 12 April to 11 May- not a public holiday but month-long religious observance
- Expo 2020 – 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2022
- Diwali – 29 October to 13 November – with a large Indian expat community the event is widely celebrated
- Christmas – 25 December – not a public holiday but widely observed within the retail and hospitality sector
