Abu Dhabi residents are preparing for Eid Al Adha 2026, with the first day of the festival expected on Wednesday 27 May 2026 and the capital's Eid prayer scheduled for 5:50am, according to UAE authorities and major Gulf newsrooms (per Khaleej Times and Gulf News).
Prayer timings across the emirates
Gulf News reports that Eid Al Adha prayers across the UAE will be held between 5:39am and 5:50am on Wednesday morning, with the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf) coordinating timings across mosques (per Gulf News).
The expected schedule is:
- Abu Dhabi: 5:50am- Dubai and Al Ain: 5:45am- Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain: 5:43am- Fujairah: 5:41am- Ras Al Khaimah: 5:40am- Ajman: 5:39am
Prayers are typically held 15 to 20 minutes after sunrise on the first morning of Eid, in line with Islamic tradition (per Khaleej Times).
Hajj and Arafat Day
The Hajj season for 1447 AH began on Sunday 24 May 2026, with Arafat Day, the most significant day of the pilgrimage, expected to fall on Tuesday 26 May, the day before Eid Al Adha (per Gulf News). Final dates remain subject to confirmation by moon-sighting authorities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Holiday dates and what's open
The UAE government is expected to grant a five-day public-sector holiday for Eid Al Adha 2026 running from Monday 25 May to Friday 29 May, with normal working hours resuming on Monday 1 June (per Khaleej Times). Many private-sector employers, banks and government counters are expected to follow a similar schedule or move to reduced hours, with confirmation from the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources still to be published.
Malls, restaurants and supermarkets are expected to operate on extended Eid hours, while parks, beaches and family attractions across Abu Dhabi traditionally see higher footfall during the long weekend.
Planning around the break
For families looking to travel, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Emirates have all built additional capacity around the Eid window, with Dubai Airports flagging higher demand through the long weekend (per Gulf News). Residents driving between emirates have been reminded that police patrols and speed enforcement remain active throughout the holiday.
UAE authorities have urged residents to confirm prayer times locally through the official Awqaf channels and to follow guidance on health, parking and traffic management around major mosques on Eid morning.
