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Eid Al Adha 2026 holidays announced in GCC countries
Sighting the crescent of Dhul Hijjah helps mark the day of Eid Al Adha. This also helps determine key dates such as Arafah Day
- PUBLISHED: Wed 13 May 2026, 5:40 PM UPDATED: Sat 23 May 2026, 7:37 PM
Muslims around the world will soon be marking Eid Al Adha, a signifying the importance of sacrifice, with many using the pious time to show gratitude and reflect on themselves.
Sighting the crescent of Dhul Hijjah helps mark the day of Eid Al Adha. This also helps determine key dates such as Arafah Day. In the UAE, the dates have set the stage for an extended public holiday.
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The six Gulf nations have announced the holiday as follows:
UAE
Eid Al Adha holiday dates have been announced for government employees in the UAE, with public sector workers set to enjoy a 5-day break this year.
The UAE's Federal Authority for Government Human Resources said in a statement that the holiday will be observed from Monday, May 25, until Friday, May 29, 2026. When combined with the weekends (Sat/Sun), this could give employees a 9-day extended holiday. Work will resume on Monday, June 1.
However, Sharjah government employees will enjoy a 10-day break for Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha. The Sharjah government continues to operate on a 4-day workweek with a 3-day weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). This will translate the 5 days into a 10-day-long mini holiday.
Qatar
Qatar has announced the dates for Eid Al Adha in 2026, citing astronomical calculations. Monday, May 18 will be the first day of Dhul Hijjah for the year 1447 AH, and Wednesday, May 27, will be the first day of Eid Al Adha.
Qatar News Agency reported that Dr Faisal Al-Ansari, Executive Director of the Qatar Calendar House, said that although the Dhul Hijjah crescent will be formed on Saturday evening (the day of observation) at 11.02pm Doha time (12.02am on Sunday, UAE time), it will be impossible to see it in the skies in Qatar and other Arab and Islamic countries, since it would not have been formed by sunset.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia announced a four-day public holiday for public and private sector employees in the country for Eid Al Adha. The holiday is set to begin from the Day of Arafah, which falls on Tuesday, May 26, one day before the festival.
Work will resume from Sunday, May 31, with most employees observing usual weekends on Friday and Saturday.
Oman
Oman has aligned the public holiday dates for the public and private sectors. In a statement, the state news agency said, "The Eid Al Adha holiday 1447 AH for employees in the public and private sectors will begin on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. Official duty shall resume on Sunday, 31 May 2026."
Bahrain
The Kingdom's ministries, agencies and public institutions will be closed for Day of Arafah, the first day of Eid Al Adha and the next two days (from Tuesday, May 26 to Friday, May 29). Since Friday falls within this holiday and it is a day off, it will be compensated for by Sunday (May 31).
This means that public sector employees in Bahrain will get six days off.
Kuwait
The Kuwaiti Cabinet has announced a holiday for all ministries, government entities, public authorities and institutions from Tuesday, May 26, until Sunday, May 31.
Entities with special work requirements, however, will determine their own holiday schedules through the relevant authorities.
