Dreaming of your next holiday? So are we. With the year just starting, it’s the perfect time to begin planning your getaways, and knowing the public holidays in the UAE for 2025 can help you make the most of your time off.
The UAE government has already announced the official public holidays for the year, ensuring that you can plan for both work and leisure.
In 2025, the UAE will enjoy at least 12 public holidays, including the special occasions of Eid, Islamic New Year, and UAE National Day. This could mean a bonus day off if Ramadan spans 30 days, as we experienced in 2024.
These dates are based on the UAE’s official gazette announcement and are confirmed in line with new resolutions that came into effect on January 1.
According to this update, if a holiday falls on a weekend, it “may be carried over by a Cabinet decision to the beginning or end of the week”.
While this does not apply to Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha, this could lead to some additional time off if certain public holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday.
For example, if the resolution had been in effect for the Islamic New Year 2024, we might have enjoyed an extra day off on Friday or Monday.
The law impacts both the public and private sectors across the UAE, ensuring that these holidays are enjoyed by everyone.
Official UAE public holidays in 2025
Here’s a breakdown of the anticipated public holidays in the UAE for 2025, including Islamic Calendar dates:
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has announced traffic disruptions for the Dubai Marathon 2025, which will take place on Sunday, January 12.
Thousands of athletes are expected to participate in one of the city’s most prestigious sporting events, which is set to begin at 6am and conclude by 1pm.
The marathon, known for its flat and fast course, attracts elite athletes from around the world and features multiple race categories, including the full marathon, a 10K race, and a 4K fun run.
The event is a fixture in the international athletics calendar, frequently setting records and offering substantial prize money for top finishers.
Road closures on January 12 during the race
The RTA has outlined the following road closures and traffic management measures for the event:
Umm Suqeim Street (between Al Wasl Street and Jumeirah Street) will be closed to traffic starting at midnight on January 12.
Traffic management will be in place along the race route, with designated vehicle crossing points on Jumeirah Street and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street.
Once the elite runners have passed, a lane will be opened on both Jumeirah Street and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, in coordination with Dubai Police.
Drivers in areas affected by the race, including Umm Suqeim, Al Sufouh, and Dubai Media City, are advised to plan alternative routes in advance.
The RTA also urges residents to set out early to avoid congestion and ensure a smooth journey during the event.
Dubai Metro extended hours
To accommodate the increased number of marathon participants and spectators, Dubai Metro will operate with extended hours on the day of the event. Metro services will begin at 5am, three hours earlier than usual, to provide convenient access to and from marathon-related areas.
The RTA encourages runners and spectators to use the metro to avoid road congestion and ensure timely arrival at the event.
Dubai Marathon race route details
The marathon will start at Madinat Jumeirah in Umm Suqeim, with various race categories following different routes:
The four-kilometre fun run will stretch up to just before Al Sufouh and loop back to Madinat Jumeirah.
The 10-kilometre race will pass key landmarks, including Dubai College, One&Only Royal Mirage, and Dubai Internet City, before returning to the starting point.
The 42.195-kilometre full marathon will cover a broader route, extending past Dubai Media City and Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, before completing two laps of the Jumeirah Beach Road section.
The RTA advises all drivers and attendees to stay informed and adjust their travel plans accordingly to ensure a smooth experience on race day.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Supreme Space Council, witnessed the signing of a pivotal agreement to develop a lander for the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA).
The deal marks a key milestone in the UAE’s space exploration ambitions, with significant roles played by both government and private sector entities.
The agreement was signed by Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, and Faisal Al Bannai, adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs, representing the Technology Innovation Institute (TII).
The lander is part of the larger mission to the asteroid belt
The lander, designed to study the asteroid Justitia, will be part of the larger EMA initiative, which spans a 13-year mission to explore asteroids beyond Mars.
In his remarks, Sheikh Hamdan emphasised the importance of the collaboration between various UAE institutions.
He said, “The agreement signed to develop the EMA lander, which is designed to study ‘Justitia’, highlights the spirit of cooperation between various UAE organisations and institutions, and embodies our philosophy of transforming challenges into opportunities, to build a bright future led by knowledge.”
Strengthening UAE’s goal to be a leader in space exploration
Further outlining the mission’s broader objectives, Sheikh Hamdan noted the UAE’s vision to become a global leader in innovation and space exploration. “The UAE’s space exploration journey follows the leadership’s vision to make the UAE a global hub for innovation and advanced technology, and a leader in the global space sector,” he added. “Our achievements in the space sector reflect our relentless ambition to promote the UAE’s competitiveness through pioneering steps that combine ambitious vision and scientific innovation.”
The lander is set to be a key element of the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt, which will conduct a series of close flybys of seven asteroids, ultimately deploying the lander to study Justitia in detail. TII will lead the design, development, and testing of the lander, in collaboration with local academic institutions.
The project also includes the participation of UAE-based startups 971Space and SADEEM Space Solutions, which were involved in the mission concept review (MCR).
The UAE Space Agency has tasked TII with this important development following a competitive review process, given its extensive technical expertise and capacity to carry out such a complex mission.
The agreement also underscores the UAE’s commitment to empowering the private sector, with 50 per cent of the mission’s activities allocated to private companies and startups.
Collaboration between local and regional entities is a key focus
As part of the initiative, the UAE Space Agency plans to foster growth in the country’s space and technology sectors by encouraging collaboration between local and international players.
This approach aligns with the agency’s broader strategy to position the UAE as a leading space-faring nation, capable of generating business opportunities and expertise in cutting-edge fields.
The Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt, which will begin its spacecraft development phase, is expected to last a total of 13 years.
Following the spacecraft’s six-year development, a seven-year voyage will take the mission to the asteroid belt beyond Mars, where it will gather invaluable data on the targeted seven asteroids, before finally dispatching the lander to the seventh asteroid Justitia.
Sheikh Hamdan concluded by reaffirming the mission’s broader goals, stating, “This mission supports our ambition to transform our dreams into achievements that contribute to the advancement of humanity. We believe that this will inspire future generations in the UAE to achieve the impossible and explore new horizons.”
Once operational in low Earth orbit, MBZ-SAT will be monitored from MBRSC’s Mission Control Centre, where teams will analyse the data transmitted back to Earth
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) announced that final preparations are underway for the launch of MBZ-SAT, the most advanced Earth observation satellite in the region.
The announcement was made at a press conference attended by Salem Humaid AlMarri, director general of MBRSC and members of the MBRSC team.
The satellite project was initially announced in 2020 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It was named in honour of the UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Last year, the satellite was officially approved for launch by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and President of MBRSC.
Fully developed by Emirati engineers
Developed in the UAE, MBZ-SAT underwent comprehensive environmental testing at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) in South Korea. The satellite underwent a series of rigorous tests, including thermal vacuum (TVAC), vibration, acoustic, and mass properties testing to ensure it can withstand the extreme conditions of space.
After the successful testing phase, the satellite was transported to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California for final launch preparations.
AlMarri said: “As we approach closer to the launch of MBZ-SAT, this project reflects the UAE’s unwavering vision for progress and innovation under our wise leadership. MBZ-SAT represents more than a technological achievement; it is a testament to our nation’s determination to lead in space science and contribute meaningfully to the global space community.”
MBZ-SAT, fully developed by Emirati engineers at MBRSC, represents a major leap in the UAE’s space capabilities. Equipped with advanced technology, the satellite will offer Earth observation capabilities that set a new benchmark in accuracy and speed.
The satellite will deliver imagery twice as precise as previous models and generate ten times more imagery, thanks to its automated scheduling and processing systems.
These images will be processed and delivered in under two hours, supporting key applications such as environmental monitoring, disaster relief, and infrastructure management.
Image: Dubai Media Office
MBZ-SAT features the most advanced technology
With cutting-edge electric propulsion, an advanced navigation system with one-metre accuracy, and a star tracking system, MBZ-SAT will provide unparalleled precision in imaging.
The satellite’s high-resolution camera and data transfer speeds — four times faster than current capabilities — further enhance its potential.
The satellite’s development also marks significant progress for the UAE’s aerospace sector, fostering local economic growth through strategic partnerships.
Nearly 90 per cent of the satellite’s mechanical structures and a significant portion of its electronic modules were produced in collaboration with UAE-based companies, including Strata, EPI, Rockford Xellerix, Halcon, Falcon, and EGA.
This collaboration not only strengthens the UAE’s space capabilities but also facilitates the transfer of knowledge to local talent.
Amer AlSayegh AlGhaferi, project manager for MBZ-SAT, said, “MBZ-SAT is a benchmark in technical innovation and precision engineering, designed to deliver high-resolution data with unprecedented accuracy and speed.
“This satellite will advance Earth observation capabilities and provide essential data for sectors ranging from environmental monitoring to disaster management and urban planning.”
Once operational in low Earth orbit, MBZ-SAT will be monitored from MBRSC’s Mission Control Centre, where teams will analyse the data transmitted back to Earth.
The launch of MBZ-SAT will mark a significant milestone in the UAE’s ambitious space programme, solidifying its reputation as a global leader in space technology and sustainable innovation.
Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani said on Friday he expects more investments from the oil-rich Gulf into the US as President-elect Donald J. Trump’s second term in office heralds a “pro-business” climate.
The real estate tycoon and longtime business partner of Trump this week announced at the president-elect’s Florida Mar-a-Lago resort that he planned to invest $20bn in data centres in eight US states over the coming years.
Sajwani, whose Dubai-based DAMAC Properties real estate firm owns the only Trump-branded golf course in the Middle East, made the announcement alongside Trump, who gave a commitment to expedite regulatory processes for such big-ticket investments.
“I think his overall policies are pro-business,” Sajwani told Reuters at his home on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah island.
Those policies would encourage others to invest in the US in the coming years, he said, adding that there were significant opportunities for artificial intelligence and other technology.
Sajwani, who made much of his wealth building residential neighbourhoods and apartment towers in Dubai, is an investor in Elon Musk’s SpaceX and artificial intelligence company xAI.
The Emirati magnate celebrated New Year’s with Trump and Musk, and other guests at Mar-a-Lago resort and said he had been invited to attend the inauguration in Washington on January 20.
Forbes estimates Sajwani’s net worth at $5.1bn.
Trump and his family have business ties to the GCC beyond the longstanding partnership with Sajwani. Trump-branded real estate projects are being built under partnership deals in Saudi Arabia and Oman, while Gulf state-owned funds are investors in an investment firm owned by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Gulf sovereign wealth funds are also big US investors.
AI race
The UAE is racing to become an AI leader amid rising competition in the region. Qatar and Saudi Arabia are also investing heavily in the technology and pitching themselves as potential global AI hubs.
Sajwani’s investment in data centres is being made by DAMAC subsidiary EDGNEX, which is operating and building data centres in the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
EDGNEX plans to build and own data centres with an overall capacity of 2,000 megawatts over the next four years in Texas, Arizona, Illinois and five other Sunbelt and Midwest states.
Sajwani cited access to land, energy and “more business-friendly approvals” as why the centres would be built there and said that most of the investment would be funded through debt.
DAMAC, which plans to fund 60-70 per cent of the investments through debt, is working with global banks and will offer the data centres under construction as collateral.
The remaining 30 per cent will come from DAMAC Properties’ balance sheet, banking on the funds the company has been receiving as it delivers real estate projects launched years ago.
“So the company’s balance sheet is strong enough to fund the coming four years. And, of course, all these things have been studied carefully, and a very detailed business plan has been done,” he said.
The deal is likely to come under scrutiny by the Committee of Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS), a panel that reviews foreign investments for national security concerns.
Some GCC officials privately complain about the lengthy time it takes for the interagency panel to review such deals.
Sajwani said the deal would go through “the normal process” but that he anticipates the incoming administration would “ease up” regulatory processes and “make it a bit faster”.
“We know from the overall policy of the government, (it is) going to be more encouraging to foreign investment.”
The world’s first flying taxi is scheduled to take off from the Dubai International Vertiport (DXV) in 2026, after the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the UAE civil aviation authority, granted technical design approval for the first commercial vertiport to Skyports.
DXV, the facility’s interim name, was chosen for its proximity to Dubai International Airport (DXB). It is the first of four vertical ports that Skyports is developing in partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and Joby Aviation.
The vertiport is the first facility to receive design approval under the newly established UAE Vertiport Regulations. The GCAA’s approval allows Skyports to continue developing the DXV facility.
“The approval of the DXV Vertiport design advances the UAE’s leadership in adopting innovative aviation solutions. Aligned with the ambitious visions of the country’s leadership and supporting the Air Taxi Project set to launch in 2026, this project exemplifies our commitment to creating safe, secure and future-ready infrastructure,” said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of the GCAA.
The UAE aviation authority said approving the design of DXV involved “a thorough assessment of critical factors,” including physical dimensions, layout, airspace considerations, the obstacle environment, and rescue and firefighting services.
The 3,100-square-meter facility will accommodate takeoffs, landings, aircraft charging, and parking. The vertiport is designed to handle around 42,000 landings and 170,000 passengers annually.
DXV will also leverage cutting-edge technology to enable efficient takeoffs and landings, ushering in a new era of flying taxis.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, approved the construction of the city’s first aerial taxi vertiport earlier in November.
Joby will handle aircraft manufacturing, operations, and passenger movement, while RTA will ensure governance and integration with other transport modes.
Joby applied for a certificate that will allow it to operate commercial air transport in the UAE last September. It signed an agreement with the RTA in February 2024 to launch an all-electric air taxi service in Dubai.
The eVTOL aircraft maker’s S4 Aerial taxi is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 322km (200 miles) per hour. During rush hour, the aircraft can travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 30 minutes, compared to around two hours by car.
