UAE marketing calendar 2026–27.
The dates that move sales in the UAE, with when to start preparing for each one. Subscribe once and new dates appear in your calendar by themselves.
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Subscribe once: when we add or confirm dates, your calendar updates too. Each date comes with a “start preparing” reminder.
October 2026
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Halloween
31 Oct
Big for Dubai malls, family venues and F&B. Themed menus, kids' events and costume offers work well. Keep it fun, not scary.
Start preparing: 17 Oct
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Dubai Fitness Challenge
31 Oct – 29 Nov
30 days of free fitness events across the city. Gyms, sportswear, healthy food and clinics can run their own 30-day challenge and join community runs and rides.
Start preparing: 10 Oct
November 2026
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UAE Flag Day
3 Nov
Organisations raise the flag together at 11 am. Share a simple moment with your team. Keep it respectful and light on branding.
Start preparing: 27 Oct
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Diwali
8 Nov
A major moment for the UAE's Indian community. Gold, fashion, sweets, gifting and restaurants see strong demand in the week before.
Start preparing: 18 Oct
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11.11 sales
11 Nov
Now common on UAE online stores. A good warm-up for Black Friday: test your offers and ad creatives here first.
Start preparing: 28 Oct
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Dubai Run
22 Nov
Part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, when Sheikh Zayed Road becomes a running track. Good for sportswear, nutrition and brands near the route. Plan content for the morning.
Start preparing: 8 Nov
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Black Friday
27 Nov
Some UAE retailers call it White Friday or Yellow Friday. This year Cyber Monday (30 November) falls on Commemoration Day, so move that push to 1 December or keep it quiet.
Start preparing: 6 Nov
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Commemoration Day
30 Nov
Honours the UAE's martyrs. Pause promotional posts for the day; a short, respectful message is enough. A minute of silence is observed at 11:30 am.
Start preparing: 23 Nov
December 2026
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Eid Al Etihad (55th UAE National Day)
2 Dec – 3 Dec
Holiday dates are confirmed by the government closer to the time. Plan visuals in national colours, local stories and long-weekend offers. Book creators early.
Start preparing: 4 Nov
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Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
4 Dec – 6 Dec
The Formula 1 season finale at Yas Marina. Hotels, restaurants, nightlife and car brands in Abu Dhabi see peak visitor traffic.
Start preparing: 13 Nov
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Dubai Shopping Festival
4 Dec 2026 – 17 Jan 2027
The 32nd edition: six weeks of sales, raffles and events. Retail and F&B brands should lock offers, creatives and ad budgets early, before ad costs rise.
Start preparing: 23 Oct
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School winter break
14 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027
Three weeks off for schools on the Ministry of Education calendar. Families travel or look for things to do: staycations, kids' activities and family dining.
Start preparing: 30 Nov
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Christmas
25 Dec
Hotel brunches, festive menus and gifting peak. Keep visuals festive and inclusive.
Start preparing: 4 Dec
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New Year's Eve
31 Dec
Fireworks, parties and hotel packages sell out early. Launch New Year's Eve offers in early December.
Start preparing: 3 Dec
February 2027
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Chinese New Year
6 Feb
The Year of the Goat. Relevant for retail, hospitality and real estate brands with Chinese visitors and residents.
Start preparing: 23 Jan
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Ramadan
8 Feb – 8 Mar
Expected start; it depends on the moon sighting. Shift posting to the evening, plan iftar and suhoor offers, and keep the tone calm and generous.
Start preparing: 28 Dec 2026
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Valentine's Day
14 Feb
In 2027 it falls in the first week of Ramadan. Keep campaigns low-key and avoid daytime food content.
Start preparing: 24 Jan
March 2027
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International Women's Day
8 Mar
Share real stories about the women on your team and among your customers, not a generic graphic.
Start preparing: 26 Feb
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Eid Al Fitr
9 Mar – 11 Mar
Expected 9 or 10 March, depending on the moon sighting; the holiday may run to 12 March. Gifting, fashion, salons, dining and travel peak in the last ten days of Ramadan.
Start preparing: 9 Feb
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Emirati Children's Day
15 Mar
A good fit for schools, family brands and kids' activities. Don't use children's photos without their parents' consent.
Start preparing: 5 Mar
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Mother's Day
21 Mar
Celebrated on 21 March in the UAE and the Arab world. Flowers, spa, beauty, jewellery and brunch offers do well.
Start preparing: 28 Feb
April 2027
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School spring break
5 Apr – 11 Apr
One week off for schools on the Ministry of Education calendar. Staycations, kids' camps and family activities.
Start preparing: 22 Mar
May 2027
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Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha
15 May – 18 May
Expected dates. A long holiday with travel, family gatherings and food shopping. Launch travel and staycation offers early.
Start preparing: 17 Apr
June 2027
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Hijri New Year
6 Jun
Expected around 6 June. Usually a public holiday. A short greeting post is enough.
Start preparing: 30 May
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Father's Day
20 Jun
The third Sunday of June. Gadgets, fashion, grooming and dining offers.
Start preparing: 6 Jun
July 2027
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Last school day, summer starts
2 Jul
Many families travel. Plan summer camps, staycations and offers for residents who stay in the UAE.
Start preparing: 11 Jun
August 2027
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The Prophet's Birthday
14 Aug
Expected around 14 August. Usually a public holiday. Keep posts respectful and avoid a sales tone.
Start preparing: 7 Aug
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Emirati Women's Day
28 Aug
Celebrate Emirati women with real stories and partnerships, not a stock photo.
Start preparing: 18 Aug
Dates marked as expected depend on the moon sighting or an official announcement; we update them when they are confirmed. School dates follow the Ministry of Education calendar for public schools and private schools on the MoE curriculum.
Questions
How do I add the calendar to Google Calendar or my phone?
Tap Google Calendar or Apple / Outlook above and confirm. You subscribe once, and new or updated dates appear in your calendar automatically. Each date comes with a “start preparing” reminder.
Why are some dates marked as expected?
Islamic holidays follow the moon, so their exact dates are confirmed shortly before. National holiday dates are confirmed by official announcement. We update the calendar when dates are confirmed.
How early should I start preparing for Ramadan and DSF?
About six weeks before. Creatives, offers, influencer bookings and ad budgets all take time, and ad costs usually rise as the season starts.
Which school calendar do you use?
The Ministry of Education calendar for 2026–27. It covers public schools and private schools on the MoE curriculum. Some private schools follow other dates, so check if timing matters for your offer.
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