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Long Weekends in AE 2028

5 long weekends · 18 total days off · 3 leave days needed

2
Free long weekends
3
With bridge days
18
Total days off
28 Jan – 30
3 days off
No leave needed
Public holidays
Fri 28 JanFirst day of Ramadan
5 May – 7
3 days off
No leave needed
Public holidays
Fri 5 MayFeast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha)
25 May – 28
4 days off
1 leave day needed
Public holidays
Thu 25 MayIslamic New Year
Take leave on:
Fri 26 May
3 Aug – 6
4 days off
1 leave day needed
Public holidays
Thu 3 AugBirthday of Muhammad (Mawlid)
Take leave on:
Fri 4 Aug
14 Dec – 17
4 days off
1 leave day needed
Public holidays
Thu 14 DecLaylat al-Mi'raj
Take leave on:
Fri 15 Dec

Long Weekends & Bridge Days in AE 2028

AE 2028: 5 long weekend opportunities

In AE in 2028, there are 2 long weekends that occur naturally — no annual leave needed — plus 3 bridge day opportunities where a single day off creates an extended break. In total, across all 5 long weekends, you can gain 18 consecutive days off. The 3 bridge opportunities require just 3 days of annual leave.

What is a bridge day?

A bridge day is a single working day that sits between a public holiday and a weekend, turning a short break into a 4 or 5-day stretch. Known as Brückentag in German, ponte in Italian, pont in French, and puente in Spanish, the concept is the same worldwide: taking one strategic day of leave multiplies your time off far beyond what the same day used independently would give you.

How to plan your leave around AE holidays

The most effective leave strategy is to target the bridge day opportunities listed above rather than booking leave during peak periods. With just 3 days of annual leave spread across the right dates in 2028, you can extend AE's public holidays into 3 additional long breaks. Check the full AE holiday calendar for all public holiday dates.

← Public Holidays AE 2028