The UAE’s last public holiday of the year is almost here: UAE National Day 2026 — the 55th Eid Al Etihad — falls on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026, a two-day paid public holiday for both public and private sector employees. With three days of annual leave (30 November, 1 and 4 December), you can stretch the break into nine days off, from 28 November to 6 December. Fireworks, concerts, the official ceremony and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix all land on the same weekend — this is the complete guide to dates, events, fireworks spots and the 9-day hack.
When Is UAE National Day 2026?
UAE National Day 2026 is celebrated on 2 December, marking 55 years since the unification of the seven emirates in 1971. The official public holiday runs for two days:
| Date | Day | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2 December 2026 | Wednesday | Public holiday (National Day / Eid Al Etihad) |
| 3 December 2026 | Thursday | Public holiday (National Day) |
The dates are fixed by the federal calendar under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, so unlike Eid holidays they never depend on moon sighting. One caveat: the Cabinet has the power to transfer non-Eid holidays to the start or end of the week — it used that power in 2025, when the National Day break was moved to Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December (announced 17 November). For 2026, no transfer has been announced yet; expect the final confirmation around mid-November. Until then, plan around Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December. For the holiday mechanics in detail — sector rules, pay, schools — see our National Day holidays in the UAE 2026 guide.
What Is Eid Al Etihad?
“Eid Al Etihad” means “Festival of the Union” — the official name adopted for National Day celebrations since 2023. It commemorates 2 December 1971, the day the rulers of six emirates signed the union agreement forming the United Arab Emirates (Ras Al Khaimah joined in early 1972). The 2026 edition is the 55th anniversary, with the official ceremony — invitation-only and broadcast live — held on 2 December itself.
How to Get 9 Days Off Over National Day 2026
The mid-week placement is actually a gift if you plan your leave. Here is the leave-hack, step by step:
- Take Monday 30 November off (1 leave day). This is Commemoration Day — marked with ceremonies, but not a public holiday, so it costs one annual-leave day.
- Take Tuesday 1 December off (1 leave day). A normal working day sitting between your leave day and the public holidays.
- Enjoy Wednesday 2 & Thursday 3 December — the two paid public holidays.
- Take Friday 4 December off (1 leave day) to bridge into the weekend.
- Result: Saturday 28 November to Sunday 6 December — 9 consecutive days off for just 3 days of annual leave.
Book leave early: late November is peak season in the UAE, and colleagues will have the same idea. If your company follows a Monday–Friday or a six-day week, confirm the exact bridge days with HR first.
UAE National Day Fireworks 2026 in Dubai
Dubai runs citywide Eid Al Etihad celebrations from 30 November to 3 December 2026, but the 2026 fireworks venues and exact times have not been announced yet. Based on the 2025 programme, these are the locations to watch:
Global Village — expected 9:00 PM, 1–3 December
The family favourite: nightly fireworks in UAE-flag colours from 1 to 3 December at around 9:00 PM, plus themed UAE National Day drone shows on 1 and 2 December. Global Village is ticketed — combine it with our Global Village Season 31 guide for ticket prices, timings and what’s new.
Dubai Festival City — expected 8:00 PM, 2 December
Festival Bay traditionally hosts a free-to-watch fireworks show at around 8:00 PM on National Day itself, often paired with a ticketed concert.
The Beach JBR, Bluewaters & Souk Al Seef — expected 9:00 PM, 2 December
In 2025 these three waterfront spots fired simultaneously at 9:00 PM on 2 December — all free to watch, with Al Seef adding parades, live concerts and kids’ activities by Dubai Creek.
Hatta — expected 8:00 PM, 2 December
Fireworks by the Hatta sign in 2025 lit up at 8:00 PM on 2 December, with Hatta Heritage Village holding shows across both days. Pair it with a day trip — see our day trips from Dubai roundup.
Burj Khalifa LED show & Dubai Fountain
The world’s tallest building lights up its 1.2-million-LED facade in the colours of the national flag, perfectly timed with a Dubai Fountain performance set to the national anthem. The Downtown Dubai / Souk Al Bahar area is the place to be — but arrive early; it gets extremely crowded.
National Day Fireworks in Abu Dhabi & the Northern Emirates
Yas Bay Waterfront — expected 9:00 PM, 2 & 3 December
Yas Island’s waterfront traditionally pairs its fireworks with family shows and falconry displays from the afternoon. In 2025 the show fired at 9:00 PM on both holiday nights.
Emirates Palace — expected 9:15 PM, 2 December
The premium option: fireworks over the marina at 9:15 PM on National Day, usually with children’s workshops in the days before.
Abu Dhabi Corniche — expected 9:00 PM, 2 December
The free, classic waterfront viewing spot, with concerts and food stalls along the promenade. Combine it with a day trip from Dubai if you’re based in the north.
Sharjah — Khorfakkan & Al Majaz
Sharjah’s celebrations centre on the Khorfakkan Amphitheatre (concerts, see below) and Al Majaz Waterfront, which traditionally fires its National Day display at around 9:00 PM.
Events & Concerts Over the National Day Break 2026
Official Eid Al Etihad ceremony — 2 December
The invitation-only official ceremony airs live on TV and public screens nationwide. The 2026 venue has not been announced yet (in 2025 it was held at the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi).
Andrea Bocelli at Etihad Arena — 2 December
The tenor’s Romanza world-tour show at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, lands on National Day itself — the biggest-ticket concert of the break. Ticketed.
Hala Mohanlal: The Complete Lalettan Show — 2 December, Dubai
Malayalam cinema icon Mohanlal headlines a stage show in Dubai on National Day; the venue and ticket details are still to be announced.
Nawal & Abdullah Al-Mistareeh — 28 November, Khorfakkan Amphitheatre
The official Eid Al Etihad concert programme opens early in Sharjah: renowned singer Nawal with Emirati composer Abdullah Al-Mistareeh at the open-air Khorfakkan Amphitheatre on Saturday 28 November. Tickets via Platinumlist.
Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — 3–6 December
The season finale runs 3–6 December at Yas Marina Circuit, with the race on Sunday 6 December — perfectly timed for the 9-day break. Yasalam after-race concerts (race ticket holders): Lewis Capaldi (3 Dec), Alex Warren (4 Dec), Imagine Dragons (5 Dec), and The Chainsmokers + The Script (6 Dec). Note: Zara Larsson, originally billed for 3 December, has withdrawn.
Sheikh Zayed Festival, Al Wathba — 28 November to 2 December
Abu Dhabi’s flagship heritage festival runs across the break with traditional performances, a massive fireworks display and drone shows (2025 pattern: fireworks 10:00 PM, drones 9:30 PM, 1–3 December; 2026 timings not yet confirmed). Ticketed.
Emirates Dubai 7s — 27–29 November
The rugby sevens festival at The Sevens Stadium kicks off the long weekend with three days of sport, music and fancy dress.
Mansour Festival, Yas Island — 26–29 November
Heritage activities, rides and drone shows on Yas Island in the run-up to the holiday.
City Walk parade — expected 2 December, 4:00 PM
City Walk traditionally hosts a National Day street parade with government groups, school performances and community showcases at 4:00 PM on 2 December — expected again in 2026.
Planning Tips for the National Day Long Weekend
- Book staycations now. Late November–early December is peak season; hotel rates spike over the 9-day window. See our staycation deals guide and best staycations in Dubai.
- Expect crowds at Downtown Dubai, Al Seef, the Abu Dhabi Corniche and Global Village — arrive at fireworks spots at least 90 minutes early.
- December weather is perfect for outdoor events: highs around 26°C, cool evenings. See Dubai weather in December and things to do in Dubai in December.
- On a budget? Most fireworks are free to watch, and there are plenty of free things to do in Dubai over the break.