Now Ramadan has finally arrived in Dubai, it’s only natural to also turn our attention to Eid Al Fitr.
It’s one of the major public holidays of the year and we’ll have at least three days off to celebrate at the start of April.
Eid Al Fitr in Dubai marks the end of a month of fasting for Muslims around the world during Ramadan. It is an official public holiday in the UAE lasting from Ramadan 30 (if Ramadan is a 30-day month) until Shawwal 3 in the Muslim calendar.
Ramadan can be either 29 or 30 days and the exact duration of the month is not known until the evening of Ramadan 29 which this year will be Saturday March 29.
Because months in the Muslim calendar change based on moon sightings, the exact UAE public holiday dates will not be officially confirmed by the UAE government until the end of Ramadan.
When does Eid Al Fitr in Dubai begin?
Be on the lookout for the Eid Al Fitr cannons in Dubai which will formally announce the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid.
Similar in concept to the iftar cannons, the Eid edition will officially declare the beginning of the festivities.
Cannons will be fired twice at locations across the city on the morning of Eid Al Fitr to declare the beginning of Eid and twice again after prayers.
It is a time-honoured Islamic ritual that dates back to the days before people could conveniently see the time of day and continues even in the modern day.
The cannon firing is the responsibility of Dubai Police.
For a less noisy way to find out when Eid Al Fitr begins, keep an eye out on Time Out Dubai for all the latest.
How much time off work do we get for Eid Al Fitr in Dubai?
The United Arab Emirates will officially have either three or four days of public holidays to celebrate Eid Al Fitr.
The predicted start date for Eid Al Fitr depends on when Ramadan ends.
This year it’s predicted that the break will start on either Sunday March 30 or Monday March 31 but this won’t be confirmed until closer to the time.
The UAE confirmed that public sector employees will be off from 1st to 3rd Shawwal 1446 AH, with work resuming on 4th Shawwal.
he UAE has also declared day 30 of Ramadan a public holiday if Ramadan lasts 30 days, which means that the Eid Al Fitr would be extended by one day.
How is Eid Al Fitr celebrated in Dubai?
Early in the morning, families start the day off with a morning prayer either at home or the nearest mosque.
It is also a custom among the Muslim community to exchange gifts and to donate to charitable causes during the festivities. Most Muslims tend to spend most of the first day at home or with their relatives.
After the first day, Dubai will celebrate in multiple ways, with exciting activities, traditional dance performances, live music and special shows in major public areas across the city.
Fireworks displays are also likely to be held at some of the city’s biggest landmarks to mark the occasion.
What changes during Eid Al Fitr in Dubai?
Formal announcements have yet to be made for any significant changes to daily life in Dubai during Eid, but we can make predictions based on what has happened in previous years.
Parking will likely be free during the public holidays, just as it was last year.
There are likely to be slight changes to the operating hours of public transport, malls and some restaurants.
A new thing to consider this year is the price of Salik toll gate fees during the public holiday. Prices will change during Ramadan but it’s unclear whether these prices will be maintained during Eid Al Fitr at this time.
More Eid Al Fitr in Dubai:
Eid Al Fitr 2025: 5 visa-free destinations for UAE residents
The time to book your Eid Al Fitr holidays is now
10 Eid holiday destinations just 5 hours away (or less) from Dubai
See just how much the city has changed through the decades
How to get a 9-day holiday for Eid Al Fitr using 2 days of annual leave
Ask your boss about these dates
