Eid ul Adha 2026 is approaching, and across the Arab world, millions of workers and businesses are preparing for one of the most significant public holiday periods of the year. Whether you are an HR manager, an employer with teams across multiple countries, or an employee planning your break, knowing the exact Eid ul Adha 2026 Arab countries holiday dates is essential.

In 2026, Eid ul Adha is expected to fall on Wednesday, 27 May, with the Day of Arafah on Tuesday, 26 May. These dates are based on astronomical calculations and will be officially confirmed by moon-sighting committees in each country closer to the date.

This guide covers everything you need to know — country-by-country holiday dates, employee entitlements, HR planning tips, and answers to the most common questions.

What Is Eid ul Adha?

Eid ul Adha, known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” is one of the two most important celebrations in Islam. It falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to obey Allah’s command to sacrifice his son. In response to his complete submission, Allah replaced the sacrifice with a ram. This act of faith is remembered each year through communal prayers, family gatherings, and the ritual animal sacrifice known as Qurbani.

Eid ul Adha also coincides with the final days of the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. In 2026, Hajj is expected to begin around Monday, 25 May, with main rituals concluding around 29–30 May.

Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, Eid ul Adha falls approximately 10 to 11 days earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar. This means holiday dates shift annually, making it critical for HR teams across Arab markets to plan well in advance every year.

Eid ul Adha 2026: Key Dates at a Glance

Important Note: All dates are based on current astronomical projections and subject to official moon-sighting confirmation by each country’s religious authority.

Country-by-Country Eid ul Adha 2026 Holiday Guide

1. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is the spiritual heart of Eid ul Adha. The Kingdom’s Supreme Court confirms official dates following the crescent moon sighting of Dhu al-Hijjah. In 2026, Eid ul Adha in Saudi Arabia is expected to fall on Wednesday, 27 May, with the Day of Arafah on Tuesday, 26 May.

Under Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources regulations, private and non-profit sector workers are entitled to four days of fully paid Eid ul Adha leave, starting from Arafat Day. Employees required to work during this period must receive their regular wage plus 50 percent of their basic salary as overtime compensation. Public holidays do not count against an employee’s annual leave balance.

Expected Holiday Period: Tuesday, 26 May – Saturday, 30 May 2026 Work Resumption: Sunday, 31 May 2026 Estimated Duration: 4–5 days

2. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The UAE Cabinet has officially approved three days of public holiday for Eid Al Adha, from Wednesday, 27 May to Friday, 29 May 2026. Combined with the weekend (Saturday and Sunday), this creates a six-day break for residents across both public and private sectors.

The Day of Arafah on Tuesday, 26 May, is also a recognised public holiday in the UAE, giving employees an opportunity to start the break a day early. This structure is highly favourable for workforce planning, as the holidays fall at the end of the working week rather than in the middle.

Under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (Article 29), all employees are entitled to full pay during official public holidays. If required to work, employees must receive compensatory leave plus 50 percent of basic salary, or 150 percent of their regular salary in lieu of leave.

Official Holiday Period: Tuesday, 26 May – Friday, 29 May 2026 Combined with Weekend: Six-day break through Sunday, 31 May 2026 Work Resumption: Monday, 1 June 2026

3. Qatar

Qatar’s Eid ul Adha 2026 holiday is expected to span five days, consistent with recent years. Government ministries, public institutions, banks, and most private sector businesses will observe the full holiday period.

Under Qatari labour law, public holidays including Eid ul Adha are not deducted from an employee’s annual leave balance. If a public holiday falls on a weekend, employers are not required to provide a substitute day off unless specified in the employment contract.

Expected Holiday Period: Tuesday, 26 May – Saturday, 30 May 2026 Estimated Duration: 5 days Work Resumption: Sunday, 31 May 2026

4. Kuwait

Kuwait’s Cabinet typically suspends work across all government agencies and public institutions for the full Eid ul Adha period. Based on the expected dates, Kuwait’s 2026 Eid break will span from Arafat Day through to the weekend, giving residents an extended break.

Expected Holiday Period: Tuesday, 26 May – Saturday, 30 May 2026 Estimated Duration: 5 days Work Resumption: Sunday, 31 May 2026

5. Oman

Oman’s public holidays are governed by Royal Decree No. 88/2022, which sets the official public holiday framework. Eid ul Adha 2026 in Oman is expected to cover Arafat Day and the following days of Eid, from Tuesday, 26 May to Saturday, 30 May. This represents a five-day break for both the public and private sectors.

Expected Holiday Period: Tuesday, 26 May – Saturday, 30 May 2026 Estimated Duration: 5 days Work Resumption: Sunday, 31 May 2026

6. Bahrain

Bahrain’s Eid ul Adha holiday is announced by circular from the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The Kingdom consistently awards holidays covering Arafat Day and the three core days of Eid. In 2026, the Eid period from Tuesday to Friday aligns well with the working week, so no compensatory days are anticipated.

Expected Holiday Period: Tuesday, 26 May – Friday, 29 May 2026 Estimated Duration: 4–5 days Work Resumption: Monday, 1 June 2026

7. Jordan

Eid ul Adha is one of the most important official public holidays in Jordan, observed across all government ministries, public institutions, schools, and the majority of private sector organisations. Based on regional moon-sighting alignment, Jordan is expected to observe Eid on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.

Eid Date: Wednesday, 27 May 2026 Typical Holiday Duration: 4 to 5 days Work Resumption: Sunday, 31 May or Monday, 1 June 2026 (subject to official government announcement)

8. Egypt

In Egypt, Eid ul Adha is confirmed by Dar al-Ifta following official moon sightings and is a gazetted national public holiday. The country typically observes 3 to 4 days of official leave, with many businesses and government offices closed throughout the period.

Culturally, Eid ul Adha is one of Egypt’s most widely celebrated occasions. Families gather for communal meals, visit relatives, and observe the Qurbani tradition. The traditional Egyptian Eid dish, Fattah — made with rice, slow-cooked lamb, and toasted bread drenched in garlic and tomato sauce — is a staple of the celebration.

Eid Date: Wednesday, 27 May 2026 Typical Holiday Duration: 3 to 4 days Work Resumption: Sunday, 31 May or Monday, 1 June 2026

9. Iraq

Iraq observes Eid ul Adha as a national public holiday across all federal institutions and the Kurdistan Regional Government. Eid prayers, family visits, and the Qurbani ritual are widely observed. In Iraq, kleicha — a traditional date-filled cookie — is a beloved Eid treat prepared in households across the country.

Eid Date: Wednesday, 27 May 2026 Typical Holiday Duration: 3 to 4 days

10. Lebanon

Eid ul Adha is a designated national public holiday in Lebanon, observed by government institutions and businesses nationwide. Despite Lebanon’s multi-religious composition, Eid ul Adha is one of the official public holidays enshrined in the national calendar.

Eid Date: Wednesday, 27 May 2026 Typical Holiday Duration: 3 days

11. Morocco

Morocco’s Eid ul Adha date is confirmed by official religious authorities following the moon sighting. The country aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s calendar, and Eid ul Adha is a significant national occasion observed across the public and private sectors.

Eid Date: Wednesday, 27 May 2026 (subject to moon sighting confirmation) Typical Holiday Duration: 3 days

Summary Table: Eid ul Adha 2026 Holiday Dates Across Arab Countries

Dates are based on astronomical projections for 1447 AH. Final confirmation is subject to official moon-sighting announcements in each country.

What HR Teams Need to Know for Eid ul Adha 2026

Plan Early — Dates Shift Every Year

Because Eid ul Adha moves roughly 10 days earlier each year, HR teams in Arab markets cannot rely on last year’s schedule. In 2026, the holiday falls in late May — different from the June 2025 dates. Workforce planning, payroll processing, and leave management should be adjusted accordingly.

Paid Holiday Entitlements Apply Across the GCC

In Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, Eid ul Adha is a fully paid public holiday for all employees. Workers required to perform duties during the holiday are legally entitled to overtime compensation — typically their standard wage plus at least 50 percent of their basic salary. Public holiday days are never deducted from an employee’s annual leave balance in any GCC jurisdiction.

Employees Can Extend Their Break with Annual Leave

In most Arab countries, employees are permitted to attach annual leave to either end of the Eid holiday, subject to employer approval. In the UAE, for example, taking just Monday, 25 May as annual leave creates the potential for a nine-day break running from the preceding weekend all the way through to Sunday, 31 May. HR managers should set clear leave request deadlines and ensure fair access to extended leave across the team.

Moon Sighting Creates Last-Minute Uncertainty

Eid dates across the Arab world are not fixed in advance. They are officially confirmed by moon-sighting committees, sometimes with as little as 24 hours’ notice. HR and payroll teams should build this uncertainty into their processes — having contingency plans ready for both a 26 May and a 27 May Eid start is good practice.

Cross-Border Teams Require Extra Coordination

GCC countries may return to work on different days. For example, in 2026, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia are expected to resume on 31 May, while UAE, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Morocco resume on 1 June. Companies with cross-border operations need to manage staggered return schedules carefully to maintain business continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: When is Eid ul Adha 2026 in Arab countries? Eid ul Adha 2026 is expected to fall on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, in most Arab countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, and Morocco. The Day of Arafah falls on Tuesday, 26 May.

Q2: How many days off do GCC employees get for Eid ul Adha 2026? It varies by country. UAE employees get up to six days when combining Arafat Day, Eid holidays, and the weekend. Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman are expected to observe five days. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain typically grant four to five days.

Q3: Is Eid ul Adha 2026 a paid holiday in Arab countries? Yes. Across all GCC countries, Eid ul Adha is a fully paid public holiday. Employees asked to work during this period must be compensated with overtime pay — usually their standard wage plus at least 50 percent of their basic salary.

Q4: What is the Day of Arafah and is it a public holiday? The Day of Arafah is the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, falling one day before Eid ul Adha. In 2026, this is Tuesday, 26 May. It is included in the official Eid holiday period across most Arab countries and marks one of the most spiritually significant days in the Islamic calendar.

Q5: Do Eid holidays count against annual leave? No. In all GCC countries, public holidays including Eid ul Adha are separate from and additional to an employee’s annual leave entitlement. They are never deducted from the annual leave balance.

Q6: How are official Eid dates confirmed in Arab countries? Official Eid dates are confirmed by moon-sighting committees in each country. These bodies observe the crescent moon on the 29th day of the preceding Islamic month. Once sighted, the government announces the start of Dhu al-Hijjah, and Eid dates are calculated from there.

Q7: Can employees extend their Eid holiday using annual leave? Yes. Employees across the Arab world may attach annual leave to the Eid break with employer approval. For example, in the UAE, taking just one extra day off on Monday, 25 May creates a nine-day break. HR managers should establish clear leave request policies before the Eid season.

Final Thoughts

Eid ul Adha 2026 is set to be one of the most significant holiday periods of the year for the Arab world. With most countries observing between four and six days off from Tuesday, 26 May through to the weekend, businesses must act early to plan workforce schedules, manage payroll compliance, and support their employees through a meaningful religious occasion.

At HCM Global Group, we specialise in HR, recruitment, and employment compliance across the GCC and wider Arab world. From Eid holiday planning to full-cycle workforce management, we help organisations operate smoothly — no matter what the calendar brings.