By Staff Reporter
DUBAI: August promises to be a busy month across the United Arab Emirates, with residents preparing for a public holiday, changing weather conditions, major shopping events, airline schedule changes, a new shopping destination, and the return of students to classrooms.
Here are seven key developments to look out for this month:
1. Public Holiday Expected for Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH)
Employees in both the public and private sectors are expected to enjoy an official holiday to mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which is anticipated to fall on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, corresponding with the 12th of Rabi Al Awwal in the Islamic calendar.
As with all Islamic occasions, the exact date will depend on the official moon sighting. If the UAE applies its public holiday transfer policy, the holiday could instead be observed on Monday, August 24, creating a long weekend for residents.
2. Rain Chances Continue Despite Summer Heat
While temperatures remain above 40°C in many parts of the country, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast scattered afternoon rainfall and possible dust storms through August 3.
Convective cloud formation is expected over eastern and western regions, bringing occasional showers and reduced visibility in some areas.
3. Final Days of Summer Restaurant Week
Food lovers have only a short time left to enjoy Dubai Summer Restaurant Week, which concludes on August 2.
More than 50 participating restaurants have been offering specially curated lunch and dinner menus at discounted prices as part of the Dubai Summer Surprises festival.
4. Shopping Deals Continue Across Dubai
Although the Great Dubai Summer Sale reaches its final weekend, bargain hunters can still take advantage of promotions throughout the month.
Dubai Summer Surprises continues until August 30, with discounts reaching up to 80 per cent, while selected flash sales have offered reductions of as much as 90 per cent on thousands of products.
5. Airline Schedule Changes Continue
Several international airlines have extended flight suspensions to Dubai amid ongoing operational adjustments.
- Air France plans to resume Dubai services on August 11.
- Air Astana has suspended flights between Kazakhstan and Dubai until August 31.
- Aegean Airlines will also remain suspended until August 31.
- KLM, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Lufthansa have extended disruptions into September or October.
Meanwhile, UAE national carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways continue operating the majority of their scheduled services with minimal disruption.
6. New Community Mall Opens in Nad Al Sheba
Dubai’s retail sector will welcome The Grand at Nad Al Sheba Gardens on August 19.
The fully leased community mall will feature supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, healthcare facilities, wellness centres and a range of everyday services, serving the rapidly growing residential neighbourhood.
7. Schools Reopen on August 31
The summer holidays will officially end on Monday, August 31, when public schools and most private schools following the Ministry of Education calendar reopen for the 2026–2027 academic year.
The reopening follows the UAE Ministry of Education’s new three-year academic calendar covering the period from 2026 to 2029, providing greater consistency for students, parents and educators.
With public holidays, shopping festivals, weather changes, travel updates and the beginning of a new school year, August is set to be one of the busiest months on the UAE calendar.
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