Eid Mubarak!
The UAE Government will soon announce public and private sector holiday dates for Eid Al-Adha celebrations in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
It is expected Arafat Day will fall on Tueday, 27 June and Eid Al Adha will be observed from Wednesday 28 June to Friday 30 June 2023. There’s a high possibility (BUT NOT CONFIRMED) the whole week may be granted as a public holiday, giving many residents a 9 day break.
The exact dates are always subject to moon sightings. However, the public holiday dates are confirmed by the Government, they can sometimes differ by a day or two.
What do I need to know as a visitor to Abu Dhabi during Eid?
Eid Al Adha is the Festival of the Sacrifice. It is the second and holier of the two occasions of Eid marked by Muslims around the world. (The other Eid is Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan).
It begins on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijjah, which is the 12th and final month in the Hijri (Islamic) calendar.
The occasion is marked by prayers and large gatherings of family and friends over shared meals.
The last two years have seen limitations on the size of gatherings due to COVID-19 Safety precautions. Although the crowd size regulations have been dropped and in-person gatherings are permitted beyond first degree relatives in 2022, the UAE Government announced on 4 July 2022 that participants in any Eid events will need a negative PCR valid within 72 hours to attend any events.
As a non-Muslim, there is nothing specific visitors to Abu Dhabi really need to observe during Eid, however, it can be a busy time of year and hotel prices can rise as a result of a lot of local families choosing to staycation at this time of year.
Conversely, there can also be shopping bargains to be had and great special offers to enjoy. Retail outlets may stay open until much later at night.
All crowd limitations from COVID have now been abolished in Abu Dhabi so we expect Eid Al Fitr celebrations in 2023 will be much bigger than previous years.
As a non-Muslim, there is nothing specific visitors to Abu Dhabi really need to observe during Eid, however, it can be a busy time of year, and hotel prices can rise as a result of a lot of local families choosing to staycation at this time of year.
Conversely, there can also be shopping bargains to be had and great special offers to enjoy. Retail outlets may stay open until much later at night.
Learn more about what’s happening in Abu Dhabi over Eid and June here.
Further public holidays in Abu Dhabi and the UAE 2023
You will want to be aware of these calendar dates for the remainder of 2023:
- Arafat Day and Eid al Adha: 27 June to 30 June 2023 (4 days)
- Islamic New Year: 19 July 2023
- Prophet Muhammed’s (PBUH) Birthday: 27 September (not always a public holiday)
- Commemoration Day: Tuesday, 1 December (fixed date)
- UAE National Day: Wednesday, 2 December and Thursday, 3 December (fixed date)
You can find a full listing of Abu Dhabi’s public holidays and school holidays here
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.
- Find the latest Abu Dhabi COVID-19 Guidance here.
- Discover the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi, or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:
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