UAE residents get one last break before the year ends: the National Day holidays in the UAE 2026 fall on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026. Both days are paid public holidays for public and private sector employees under the federal holiday law. This guide covers the official dates, who gets the days off, how the holiday pay rules work, whether the dates could move, and what stays open over the break. For fireworks, concerts and events, see our full UAE National Day 2026 guide.
National Day Holidays in the UAE 2026: Official Dates
| Date | Day of week | Occasion |
|---|---|---|
| 2 December 2026 | Wednesday | National Day (55th Eid Al Etihad) — public holiday |
| 3 December 2026 | Thursday | National Day — public holiday |
The two-day holiday is fixed by Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, which has governed the UAE’s official public holidays since 1 January 2025. Because National Day follows the Gregorian calendar, the dates never shift with moon sighting the way Eid holidays do. The 2026 edition marks the 55th anniversary of the union of the emirates on 2 December 1971.
Do Private Sector Employees Get Both Days Off?
Yes. Since 2019, the UAE has had unified public holidays for the public and private sectors, so private-sector employees are entitled to the same 2–3 December 2026 paid holidays as government staff. Under the UAE Labour Law, official public holidays are fully paid, and an employee required to work on a public holiday must receive either a substitute rest day or pay at 150% of the basic wage plus the day’s wage — so check with HR rather than assuming you’ll be compensated automatically.
Could the 2026 National Day Dates Move?
Article 2 of Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 gives the Cabinet the power to transfer non-Eid public holidays to the beginning or end of the week to create longer weekends. This is not theoretical: in 2025, the National Day break was moved to Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December (announced 17 November 2025). For 2026, no transfer has been announced — the standing dates remain Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December, and the final decision is expected around mid-November 2026. A move to Thursday 3 + Friday 4 December would create a four-day weekend for most employees, so it is worth watching the news before booking anything non-refundable.
Are Schools Closed for National Day 2026?
Yes — schools in the UAE follow the official public holiday calendar, so all private and public schools are expected to close on 2 and 3 December 2026. With the holidays landing mid-week, most schools will not bridge the gap with extra days off, but some may schedule staff training or remain open on Friday 4 December. Parents should check their school’s own calendar closer to the date. Universities follow the same federal holiday list.
Government Offices, Banks & What’s Open
- Government offices: closed on 2–3 December 2026; federal and local departments resume on Friday 4 December (or Sunday 6 December for entities on a Monday–Friday week).
- Banks: branches close for both public holidays; ATMs and digital banking operate normally.
- Malls, restaurants, cinemas and attractions: open as usual — National Day is one of the busiest retail weekends of the year, with malls running extended hours and National Day sales.
- Public transport: Dubai Metro, buses and the tram run on holiday timetables; expect extra services around fireworks venues on the evening of 2 December.
- Emergency services, hospitals and pharmacies: operate 24/7 as normal.
How to Check the Official Holiday Announcement
The only sources that matter are official ones:
- u.ae — the UAE Government portal’s public holidays page lists the federal dates.
- MOHRE announcements — the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation confirms the private-sector holiday circular.
- Media office circulars — Dubai and Abu Dhabi government media offices publish the local confirmations, usually in mid-November.
Ignore forwarded WhatsApp messages and unofficial “holiday extended” posts until one of the above confirms it.
Turn It Into a 9-Day Break
The mid-week placement is perfect for a leave hack: take Monday 30 November, Tuesday 1 December and Friday 4 December as annual leave, and you get Saturday 28 November to Sunday 6 December — 9 days off for 3 leave days. Note that 30 November is Commemoration Day (marked with ceremonies, but not a public holiday), so it costs a leave day. The full math, plus what to do with the break — fireworks, concerts, the Grand Prix and staycation ideas — is in our UAE National Day 2026: Holidays, Events, Fireworks & How to Get 9 Days Off guide. Planning a longer trip? December is peak season — see Dubai in December and UAE public holidays 2027 for the year ahead.