Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

As the year nears its end, many of us are starting to look forward and plan for the next year. Check out these dates and see if you can plot your next getaway for 2023. The first public holiday of 2023 falls on New Year's Day, a Sunday. Following this, there will be 13 more public holidays. The first will be for Eid al-Fitr, expected on April 20, 21, 22, and 23, which falls on a four-day weekend (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). The holiday marks the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal and the first day following the month-long fasting and prayer during Ramadan. Arafat Day, the second day of the week-long Hajj pilgrimage, will take place on June 27. Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, immediately follows Arafat Day. It is expected to be celebrated on June 28, 29, and 30 as one of the most important days in the Muslim calendar. There could be four consecutive public holidays from June 27 to 30, potentially leaving the door open to a seven-day break if you include the weekend of July 1 to 2. Confirmed dates for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha will be announced in Dubai based on relevant moon sightings. A public holiday will also be observed on July 19 to commemorate the Islamic New Year, which falls on the first day of Muharram - the first of the Islamic lunar calendar. The Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) birthday is celebrated on September 27 as a public holiday. Finally, the public holidays in 2023 will conclude in December. Commemoration Day is on December 1, followed by National Day on December 2, and yet another holiday on December 3, which gives you a 3-day weekend from Friday to Sunday. BKM/ Expat Media
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