UAE holidays: Just 2 weeks to first long weekend of 2023; possible dates for 4-day Eid holiday announced – News

Residents of the country have started preparing for the holidays, and airfares to popular destinations have risen

Ramadan is just over two weeks away. If travel trends are any indication, UAE residents are already planning their Eid holidays, which will mark the first long weekend of 2023.

Islamic festivals are celebrated in the first month after Ramadan, which follows the Hijri month of Ramadan.

Ramadan begins on Thursday, March 23 in the UAE. The Islamic month lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on when the moon is seen. According to astronomical calculations, Ramadan will last 29 days this year.

The official Eid al-Fitr holiday in the UAE is from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3. Shawwal 1 – the first day of Eid al-Fitr – may be on Friday 21 April.

The holiday begins on the 29th of Ramadan – Thursday 20th April. Shawwal 1, 2 and 3 are also holidays. According to astronomical calculations, these times are Friday, Saturday and Sunday (April 21, 22 and 23).

So the long weekend is from Thursday, April 20th to Sunday, April 23rd. Although astronomical calculations can determine the beginning and end of the lunar months, the actual dates will be announced after the new moon appears.

Airfares from the UAE to popular destinations have increased during the holiday season.

According to online travel agency Musafir.com, budget- and visa-friendly destinations are in high demand, including Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Vacation packages between Dh3,000-4,000 are most in demand.