Looking to plan your trip to Abu Dhabi around UAE public holidays? Here’s a guide of what to expect in 2022:
- 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)
- Arafat 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* (Approx. 30 July 2022, observed on 1 August 2022 – 1 day)
- The Prophet Mohammed’s birthday: Approx. 8 October 2022, observed on 10 October 2022 (1 day)
- Commemoration Day: 1 December 2022 (1 day)
- National Day (51st Anniversary): 2 and 3 December 2022 (2 days)
Jump to Another Year: Abu Dhabi 2021 Pubic Holidays | Abu Dhabi Public Holidays 2023
*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 Abu Dhabi
You can also check out our guide here to the daily prayer times in Abu Dhabi. 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.
You can use this tool to see when daily prayer times are due to occur in Abu Dhabi:
Abu Dhabi School Holidays 2022
There is both a public (MoE) and private (international) school sector in Abu Dhabi. 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 29 August 2022*
*The end of summer break is only anticipated until formally announced by the Government.
You can learn more and see further academic year calendars here
Other major events in Abu Dhabi & 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 Abu Dhabi Events Calendar:
- Sheikh Zayed Festival – 18 November 2021 to 1 April 2022
- Middle East Film & Comic Con – 4 to 6 March 2022
- Ramadan – the Holy Month from approx. 2 April to 1 May- not a public holiday but month-long religious observance
- Expo 2020 in Dubai – 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – 18 to 20 November 2022
- Diwali – 24 October to 28 November 2022 – with a large Indian expat community the event is widely celebrated in the UAE
- Mubadala World Tennis Championships – dates for 2022 TBC usually mid-December
- Mother of the Nation Festival – dates for 2022 TBC – previously December
- 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
We still await finalized dates for a number of the Emirates popular Heritage Festivals, these are a great immersive way to learn more about the Emirati culture.
You can see our complete guide to the best times to visit Abu Dhabi here, or click on your planned month below to get a detailed guide to events and the best activities to try that month.
Before you go… Important things to consider planning a trip to Abu Dhabi
- Pop into our essential planning information page, it includes everything you need to know about getting around Abu Dhabi, a handy guide on what to pack as well as top tips for first-timers on the dos and don’ts, laws, and customs in the UAE.
- Check the most up-to-date COVID entry rules for Abu Dhabi.
- Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!
- Discover the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi, or bag a bargain on your accommodation 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 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 hotel or tour recommendation links.
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