The Ten Official Dubai Holidays

The beautiful city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) officially observes ten holidays every year. Of these ten official Dubai holidays, five are marked as important dates on the Islamic calendar. These are the Islamic New Year, Eid Milad an Nabi, Lailat al Miraj, Eid Al Fitr, and Eid Al Adha.

The other three official Dubai holidays are exclusive to Dubai or the UAE (The Dubai Shopping Festival, His Highness Sheikh Zayed's Ascension Day, and the National Day), while the last two are observances adopted from Western tradition (New Year's Day and Christmas).

Let's understand the significance of each of these holidays:

1. New Year's Day (January 1):

This is one of two holidays adopted from the West that is officially observed in Dubai. Hence, Dubai observes the occasion also at the start of the new Gregorian year, which is January 1.

2. Islamic New Year (approx. February-March):

This occasion is observed on the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. It is the occasion when many Muslims remember the significance of the Hijra, or the migration, when the prophet Muhammad and his followers made it to the city now known as Medina in 622 (CE).

3. The Dubai Shopping Festival (First Quarter of the Gregorian Year):

An annual retail event that is also popularly referred to by its initials DSF, the Dubai Shopping Festival was first held on February 15, 1996, with the aim of revitalizing the city's retail trade. The event was later promoted as a tourist attraction. Some three million people visit Dubai each year primarily because of this event.

4. "Mawlid (Eid Milad an Nabi)" or the Prophet's Birthday (approx. April-May):

This day marks the observance of the birthday of the prophet Muhammad, which takes place on the twelfth day of Rabi II, the fourth month in the Islamic calendar.

5. "Lailat al Miraj" or the Ascension of the Prophet (approx. September):

This is one of the most important events in the Islamic calendar. Around the year 621 (CE), the prophet Muhammad embarked on what is known as the "Night Journey", when he was spiritually transported to heaven. The event is observed on the twenty-seventh day of Rajab, the seventh month in the Islamic calendar.

6. H.H. Sheikh Zayed's Ascension Day (August 6):

Through the observance of this event, Dubai remembers the great achievements of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose vision has placed the UAE among the top countries in the world, especially in terms of security and financial stability. It was on August 6, 1966 when Sheikh Zayed ascended to power and ruled the UAE until his death on November 2, 2004.

7. "Eid Al Fitr" (approx. November):

This holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is Arabic for "festivity", while Fitr means "to break fast". Hence, the holiday serves as a symbol of the breaking of the fasting period. The occasion is observed after the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan, on the first day of Shawaal (the tenth month in the Islamic calendar).

8. National Day (December 2):

This is the most significant occasion in the history of Dubai. It was on December 2, 1971 when Dubai gained independence from British colonial rule. Every year on this same day since then, the National Day of Dubai is held. The occasion is a celebration of honor, pride and patriotism.

9. "Eid Al Adha" or the Festival of Sacrifice (approx. January-February):

Also referred to as the "Greater Eid", this is a holiday celebrated by Muslims throughout the world, as a way of commemorating Abraham's (Ibrahim's) act of obedience to God with his show of willingness to sacrifice his only son. Besides this, the occasion likewise provides the people of Dubai the opportunity of simply spending time with their families and enjoying the fact that they all have food to eat and homes for shelter.

10. Christmas (December 25):

Yes, Christmas is celebrated in this predominantly Muslim state. Visitors to Dubai during this period find Christmas trees and decorations in stores. Children also have lots of fun having their pictures taken with a man dressed as Santa Claus in some of the malls.

Understanding the different Dubai holidays and knowing when each of these takes place will help you plan or organize a perfect trip to this marvelous city in the UAE.