The Cabinet confirmed it WILL be a five-day weekend in December…

The UAE Cabinet has confirmed the official list of public holidays for the public and private sector for the rest of 2019 and for 2020.

The UAE Government official Twitter page posted the confirmed holiday list on Thursday October 31.

On the announcement, it confirmed that the next public holiday will fall on Saturday November 9, 2019, marking the the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday. So, we won’t be getting a day off in November.

But it’s not all bad news. The list also confirmed that we will enjoy a five-day weekend at the start of December, with Commemoration Day being marked on Sunday December 1, and the 48th UAE National Day public holiday running over Monday December 2 and Tuesday December 3.

Work will then resume on Wednesday December 4.

A previous update to the public holidays in November 2019 moved Commemoration Day to Saturday November 30, but in the latest communication from the UAE Cabinet, it’s been moved back to Sunday, meaning an extra three days off for those that typically enjoy a Friday – Saturday weekend.

ALSO READ: When is the next public holiday in the UAE? Here’s a guide… 

Looking to 2020, there will be 8 national holidays celebrated by the public and private sector in the UAE.

Here is the full list of public holidays in the UAE in 2020.

January 1: New Year’s Day

Like many countries, New Year’s Day is a public holiday in the UAE, and one of three secular holidays observed in the country. In 2020, it falls on a Wednesday.

May 23 to 26 (days dependent on moon): Eid Al Fitr

Eid Al Fitr roughly means ‘breaking of the fast’ and is the holiday marking the end of Ramadan. It’s dependent on the sighting of the moon, and automatically begins after the end of Ramadan. It’s likely to fall around Friday May 22, 2020.

July 29 (dependent on moon) – Arafat Day

This holiday marks the second day of the yearly pilgrimage to Haj, and will likely mean a day off. It’s dependent on the moon, but likely to fall on Wednesday July 29.

July 30 (dependent on moon) – Eid Al Adha

Honouring Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, we typically get three days off for this holiday – so combined with Arafat Day, we’ll likely get at least a four-day weekend, but it could be longer.

August 23 – Hijri, Islamic New Year

Islamic New Year in 2020 will be celebrated with a public holiday on Sunday August 23.

October 29 – Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday

The Prophet Muhammad’s birthday will be marked with a public holiday on Thursday October 29, 2020.

December 1 – Commemoration Day

Formerly referred to as Martyr’s Day, this holiday honours the Emiratis who have died while protecting their country. It falls on a Tuesday in 2020, and combined with two days off for UAE National Day, will mean a five-day weekend.

December 2 and 3 – UAE National Day

2020 will mark the UAE’s 49th birthday, celebrating the unification of the seven emirates in 1971. We’ll get two days off on Wednesday December 2 and Thursday December 3, so combined with Commemoration Day, will mean five days off for those that usually have Friday and Saturday as their weekend.

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Images: Getty