January 1st Announced as Public Sector Holiday for New Year's Day

New Year’s Day in the UAE will fall on Thursday January 1st, 2026, with public sector employees receiving the day off as part of the federal holiday calendar. Friday January 2nd will be observed as a remote-work day for government staff whose roles do not require in-person attendance.

The arrangement aligns with the country’s unified public holiday framework, which typically applies the same number of official holidays across both public and private sectors.

The timing creates a long weekend for many workers, coinciding with nationwide New Year’s Eve events and celebrations across major cities. Fireworks displays and public gatherings are expected to take place as the country marks the start of 2026.

The holiday also coincides with an updated national schedule for Friday prayers. From January 2026, prayers will begin at 11:45 AM, replacing the previous 12:15 PM start time, bringing unified timings across all emirates.