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The United Arab Emirates is one of the most popular relocation and tourist destinations, and therefore many tourists and expats may be interested in Dubai calendar holidays. Most of them are religious, and the specificity of religious events is that it penetrates into all spheres of life. Let's look at the main public holidays in the United Arab Emirates and discuss what foreigners should pay attention to in order not to violate local etiquette rules. The information will be useful for those who choose property in Dubai for relocation and as a holiday home.
Content:
- Review of holidays in the UAE
- Islamic holidays
- Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr: Celebrating the end of fasting
- Eid al-Adha: Festival of Sacrifice
- Islamic New Year
- National holidays and state events
- Contemporary festivals and cultural events
- Family and social events
- Impact of holidays on the UAE real estate market
- Tips for real estate investors and visitors to the UAE
Review of holidays in the UAE
It is important to take into account that the country’s calendar is quite different from the traditional European one. The Gregorian calendar calculates the year based on the movement of the Sun. The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, depends on the movement of the Moon. Therefore, secular holidays, which in Europe fall on a specific day, in the United Arab Emirates are shifted 10–11 days earlier. Since the Emirates is a religious country, the following holidays come first:
- Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday;
- Ramadan;
- Eid al-Fitr;
- Day of Arafah.
As the majority of the population are expats, other celebrations are also popular among locals. However, there is no official day off or shortened working day on Christmas or other common holidays in foreign countries.
Features of holidays in the UAE
Religious celebrations are designed to strengthen the unity of believers. Strict adherence to the canons is important in the UAE. If on the day of sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) it is customary to honor the Prophet Ibrahim with a long prayer and give part of the meat of the sacrificed animal to the poor, it would never occur to anyone to use this meat or skin for their own needs.
Another feature is tolerance. You can celebrate any holiday in the Emirates: St. Patrick's Day, Halloween, or Easter. The main point is that the format of the celebration does not violate accepted norms of behaviour. In honor of days that are significant for representatives of other religions, local authorities organize a variety of events. Signs of Christmas can be seen in almost every major shopping mall with Christmas trees and Christmas music playing. On Easter, you can find festivity meals in stores and restaurants or purchase Easter decorations for your home.
Influence of Islam and local traditions
Religious norms influence the format of any event. Drinking alcohol in public places is prohibited, even if there are foreigners among the guests. The dress code also remains quite strict. Revealing outfits are not welcome either in everyday life or during public celebrations.
Islamic holidays
Below you can find a major UAE holidays list.
Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr: Celebrating the end of fasting
The country honors Ramadan like any other Muslim country. This is the 9th month of the lunar calendar, during which strict fasting should be observed. After dawn and until sunset, you should not eat food and drink water. Fasting is intended to cleanse the soul and body.
The start and end dates change annually. Ramadan 2024, according to a statement by the Emirates Astronomical Society, will begin on March 11. The data allows you to calculate how many days Ramadan holidays in the UAE lasts. Taking into account the specifics of the local calendar, the duration of fasting is 30 days.
When UAE Ramadan holidays end, they are followed by Eid al-Fitr. If we talk about how many days Eid al-Adha lasts, it is worth keeping in mind that its duration can reach several days. According to preliminary calculations, in 2024 it will be celebrated from April 9 to 12.
Eid al-Adha: Festival of Sacrifice
Eid al-Adha does not depend on when Ramadan is in the Emirates. This date is associated with gifts to Allah and in 2024 falls between June 16 and June 18. These days, every devout Muslim must sacrifice a sheep, ram or cow, and the animal must be healthy. Meat is prohibited from sale. It is intended for treating loved ones and friends, as well as for charitable distribution for the glory of Allah.
Islamic New Year
The New Year in the country does not have a specific calendar date, so it is not similar to the European New Year. Each year the date changes depending on the movement of the Moon. While in 2023 it was on July 21, then in 2024, presumably, it will be July 7.
National holidays and state events
They relate to significant events that occurred in the country. Among them are not only official celebrations, but also cultural events that annually attract millions of visitors.
National Flag Day
UAE Flag Day is not a public event. It has been celebrated since 2013 in honor of Sheikh Khalifa's accession to the presidency of the Emirates in 2004. In 2024, this event falls on November 3.
Unification Day and UAE National Day
Early December marks the UAE National Day holidays, a celebration of the unification of the 7 emirates and the last public holiday of the year. It is over 50 years old. In 1971, 6 emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah) were united. The following year, the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah was added to them.
The main goal of the celebrations is to demonstrate the unity of the country and successful steps towards its development. There are usually shows that are televised and cover different areas of achievement. The finale of the festivity is stunning fireworks.
Contemporary festivals and cultural events
The Emirates is known not only for its technical achievements and innovations but also for its rich cultural life. Exhibitions, music and art festivals, fairs and large social events are held here every year.
Dubai International Film Festival
This film festival in the Middle East has been held annually since 2004. It has established itself as a major international festival that makes a significant contribution to the development of the regional film industry.
Shopping festival in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
The event is held during the first month of the year and is a series of sales taking place in every shopping mall. Sellers strive to attract the attention of customers with low prices and entertaining shows and colorful store design.
Music and arts festivals
Here are examples of Dubai upcoming holidays and events that will take place in 2024:
- Electronic music festival Untold Festival, which will be held at Expo City Dubai from February 15 to 18;
- Rewind 80s music festival takes place on March 1–2;
- Sikka Art and Design Festival will take place from February 23 to March 3;
- Art Dubai 2024 will take place from March 1 to 3.
Family and social events
Family and social celebrations are organized in theme parks, shopping malls, and outdoor areas in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other emirates.
Traditional weddings and family celebrations
Arab weddings can hardly be classified as modest family events. Men's and women's celebrations are organized separately, and the wedding itself can last several days. Every wedding combines modern trends and national traditions.
Social events in different emirates
Public holidays in the UAE 2024 are celebrated in every emirate. In addition, they host their own thematic festivals, sporting events and exhibitions.
Impact of holidays on the UAE real estate market
There are no universal conditions for any holidays. It all depends on the market situation, supply and demand. For example, Islamic holidays are associated with the tradition of spending time in prayer, communicating with loved ones, and doing charity work. Therefore, in the absence of an urgent need to sell housing, local residents prefer to do this after the end of Ramadan. But this does not stop developers from launching new large projects before the start of Ramadan, often attracting foreign investors.
In addition, on the eve of the New Year, many foreign buyers prefer to take a break from business and see how market trends change next year. In general, it can be noted that many real estate options are available for purchase any day of the year, so there are no time restrictions for choosing prestigious housing in a popular resort community.
Trends in buying and renting real estate during the holidays
If the date of purchase and sale coincides with an official calendar weekend or bank holiday, it will not be possible to register the transaction with a government agency until the start of the workweek. Otherwise, on a weekday you can freely get acquainted with objects and negotiate with sellers. There is always activity in the local market, even during Ramadan.
As for rent, apartments and villas in Dubai are in demand all year round. There are no seasonal restrictions for holidays. Of course, during the period of social celebrations common among foreigners, rented housing is more popular as those wishing to celebrate New Year in the Emirates by the sea come from all over the world. In addition, real estate in tourist locations has a high ROI rate throughout the year, which makes investments in apartments and villas potentially profitable.
Tips for real estate investors and visitors to the UAE
What is common in European countries may not be acceptable in the United Arab Emirates:
- Public displays of affection, including kissing, are considered offensive.
- You can wear swimsuits and shorts on beaches and resorts, but it is better to cover your shoulders and knees in public places.
- Swearing, arguing and fighting are offenses that may get you in trouble with the law.
- Drinking in public places is prohibited, as is driving while intoxicated. In Dubai, moderate consumption of alcohol is permissible in specially designated places - restaurants, bars.
- Taking photographs of people, especially women and children, without permission is illegal. Photography of government and military buildings is also prohibited.
During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. When visiting the country during this period, it is important to know that eating, drinking and smoking in public during daylight hours is strictly prohibited. This can be done in a hotel room or restaurants where there are specially designated areas fenced off with curtains.
Etiquette and cultural norms during holidays
Since holidays in Dubai are divided into secular and religious, standards of behaviour vary depending on their nature. At social events there are no strict dress requirements, for example, if you are celebrating Halloween. Regarding religious events, it is advisable to study the rules in advance, before attending them. This applies not only to celebrations, but also to visits to religious institutions.
Useful tips for tourists and investors: what to visit, how to behave and invest
The main thing is that foreigners, by their actions and behaviour, do not offend the customs and religious norms of the UAE and do not violate the personal space of local residents. The country has many interesting places that you can visit not only during the festivities. Most of the attractions are concentrated in Dubai. Visitors to the country should see:
- skyscraper Burj Khalifa;
- dancing fountains of Dubai Fountain;
- Dubai Miracle Garden;
- amusement park and virtual reality IMG Worlds of Adventure;
- Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo;
- Burj Al Arab hotel.
The list goes on: popular online resources specializing in recreation and travel highlight 50 or more attractions in the actively developing city. It is difficult to cover such a number of interesting places during one vacation. An increasing number of foreign investors are considering the opportunity to buy an apartment in Dubai not only as a place for a seasonal holiday, but also as an option for moving to a permanent place of residence. The metropolis has everything you need for a comfortable lifestyle. You can check out the latest real estate offers on our website. Our team will help you choose and buy housing for any goal.
