Waleed Khan: Business, Tech, Culture & Lifestyle: UAE National Day 2026: Plans and Free Events

The short answer

UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) is a two-day public holiday on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026. It is the country's 55th. Expect fireworks, heritage shows and official ceremonies in every emirate, and many free options if you know where to look.

This guide is for residents and visitors who want to plan the National Day break without overspending. You will know the holiday dates, how to turn them into a longer break, which events are free, and what to check before you go.

Last updated: November 2026. Holiday dates checked against UAE news reports and holiday calendars. Event details come from published event guides and last year's programmes, because most 2026 schedules were not yet announced.

Holiday dates and a longer break

National Day is on 2 December. For 2026 the published public holiday is Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December, for both public and private sector employees. The theme reported for this year is "Spirit of the Union".

Because the holiday ends on Thursday, only Friday separates it from the weekend. If your weekend is Saturday and Sunday, taking Friday 4 December as annual leave gives you a five-day break (Wednesday to Sunday). Leave stays subject to your employer's approval.

The UAE Cabinet can move some public holidays to the start or end of a week, and it did this for National Day in 2025. No change to the 2026 dates had been announced at the time of writing, so plan with 2 and 3 December and watch for an official announcement.

What is confirmed and what is not

Item	Status for 2026
Public holiday	2 and 3 December (Wednesday and Thursday), as published. No official change announced.
Dubai celebrations	Dubai's official events calendar lists 30 November to 3 December, with fireworks, cultural shows and family events. Venues and times were still to be announced.
Global Village	Open over the break. Last year it ran fireworks at 9pm from 1 to 3 December and drone shows on 1 and 2 December. Check the 2026 schedule.
Sheikh Zayed Festival, Abu Dhabi	Open over the break. Ticketed. Last year it had fireworks and drone shows.
Sharjah programme	Not found for 2026 yet. Last year Sharjah ran a programme from 19 November to 2 December.
Fireworks times and venues	Mostly not announced. Treat last year's list below as a guide only.

Free things to do by emirate

The venues below were free or open to the public in 2025. Organisers often repeat popular sites, but times and locations change, so confirm each one close to the date.

Sharjah

Official ceremony screening. In 2025 the public could watch the official ceremony at Al Suyoh Park and Kshisha Park.
Al Layyah Canal and museum venues. In 2025, celebrations were listed at Al Layyah Canal, Kalba Kayak and Adventure Cafe, and venues under Sharjah Museums Authority in Sharjah, Kalba and Khor Fakkan.

Dubai

Official ceremony screening. In 2025 you could watch it at Al Khawaneej, Global Village and Dubai Festival City Mall.
Waterfront fireworks. In 2025, fireworks were reported at places such as Dubai Festival City Mall, Souk Al Seef, Bluewaters, The Beach JBR and Hatta, and a parade at City Walk on 1 December.

Abu Dhabi and Al Ain

Al Qana. Free heritage activities in 2025, including Ayala dance, henna and pottery.
Hudayriyat Island (Marsana). Free family performances in 2025.
Al Ain. A free fireworks show was listed for 2 December in 2025.
Official ceremony screening. In 2025 it was shown at community sites and majlis venues in Abu Dhabi, including Khalifa City, Al Falah and Al Shamkha.

Northern emirates

Ajman. Ajman Marina, Al Jurf Family Park and Al Warqa Public Park hosted events in 2025.
Umm Al Quwain. Creek Waterfront in 2025.
Ras Al Khaimah. Al Qawasim Corniche and Flagpole Plaza in 2025.
Fujairah. Umbrella Beach and the Corniche in recent years. Fujairah ran a long programme across many sites.

Ticketed options worth knowing

Global Village (Dubai). Entry is paid, but fireworks, drone shows and many shows inside are included. The weekday ticket price listed for the season was Dh25 (Sunday to Thursday, excluding public holidays), so holiday pricing may differ. Buy online from the official site to avoid queues.
Expo City Dubai. Workshops, an orchestra and film screenings over the holiday in 2025. Entry varies by event.
Sheikh Zayed Festival (Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi). Ticketed, with fireworks and drones last year.

Practical tips

Check the official site first. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah publish their programmes close to the date, usually in the final two weeks of November.
Arrive early. Fireworks sites fill up and nearby roads get busy. Use public transport or taxis where you can.
Check road rules. In 2025, trucks and heavy vehicles were barred from the main cities of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Zayed City on 2 and 3 December. Look for a similar notice this year.
Plan a quieter day too. Spread the holiday across two or three places instead of chasing fireworks every night.

Mistakes to avoid

Assuming last year's times repeat. Fireworks times and venues change. Use the 2025 details as a guide, then confirm.
Booking leave before the holiday is final. Dates are published but can be moved by a Cabinet decision. Check before you pay for non-refundable travel.
Leaving ticket purchases to the day. Buy paid entry online where possible.
Relying on unofficial social media posts. Use government or venue announcements for dates, rules and tickets.

Frequently asked questions

When is UAE National Day 2026?

2 December 2026. The public holiday is published as Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December.

Is UAE National Day the same as Eid Al Etihad?

Yes. The occasion has been called Eid Al Etihad, meaning "celebration of the union", since 2024. It marks the 1971 unification of the emirates.

Can I get a five-day break?

If you work Monday to Friday, taking Friday 4 December as leave gives you Wednesday to Sunday off. Your employer must approve the leave.

Are there free fireworks?

Yes, in several emirates. Many waterfront and community sites have free viewing, while Global Village and some festivals need a ticket. Confirm times and venues once they are announced.

Will the holiday dates change?

They could, if the UAE government decides to move the holiday. Nothing had been announced for 2026 at the time of writing.

Over to you

Which emirate are you celebrating in, and which event are you planning to visit? Leave a comment and I will add the best tips.

Details can change. Check the official website of the UAE Government or the event organiser before you act. This is a personal blog and not an official source.