New Year’s Day in the UAE
View the global New Year's Day guide
New Year’s Day in the UAE is part of the UAE’s official public-holiday framework. It falls on 1 January and concerns the opening of the Gregorian calendar year.
New Year's Day
Holiday
United Arab Emirates
Country
2026
Next Date Year
Thursday
Day
Jan
01
January 1, 2026
New Year's Day Date in United Arab Emirates
Date
January 1, 2026
Day
Thursday
Public Holiday
Yes
Bank Holiday
Yes
Date Confirmed
Yes
New Year's Day Dates in United Arab Emirates
New Year's Day 2026
- Confirmed
New Year's Day 2027
- Confirmed
New Year's Day 2028
- Confirmed
History of New Year's Day
The holiday’s legal treatment follows Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 and annual implementing announcements. It is a one-day public holiday under the UAE framework.
Importance of New Year's Day
The UAE framework applies official holidays to public and private sectors, but federal-government circulars describe federal entities specifically. Confirm the applicable annual announcement for other employers and local authorities.
How New Year's Day Is Celebrated in United Arab Emirates
Countdown events and fireworks mark the Gregorian new year in several emirates; attendance and venue operation are local matters, not conditions of the public holiday.
Office Impact
The fixed one-day holiday applies under the national framework. Federal and private-sector notices specify return-to-work arrangements, while continuous services keep duty rosters.
Bank Impact
Banks issue New Year branch and settlement notices; mobile access does not guarantee same-day processing on 1 January.
School Impact
The date commonly falls within winter breaks, but each education authority or school calendar determines the surrounding closure.
Travel Information
Large countdown events can cause local road controls and late-night transport changes. Consult the relevant emirate and operator rather than assuming a nationwide traffic plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is UAE New Year’s Day?
It is the fixed public holiday on 1 January.
Is it lunar?
No. It follows the Gregorian calendar.
Is another day automatically substituted?
No automatic transfer should be assumed; check the applicable official announcement.