Eid al-Fitr ends Ramadan; Eid al-Adha marks the end of Hajj and involves the sacrifice of livestock. Both are public holidays in the UAE — typically 3 days each, sometimes more. The city empties; roads are quiet, malls on limited hours.

The Islamic calendar is lunar — both Eids creep 11 days earlier every Gregorian year. Some years Eid falls in a cool winter. Others, in 42-degree June. Look up the date before you pack.