UAE National Day 2026 falls on Wednesday 2 December, when the country marks its 55th Eid Al Etihad under the official theme “Belonging in Unity”. The official ceremony takes place that day, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah have already published programmes running from late November into early December, and Abu Dhabi has announced events including the Mother of the Nation (MOTN) Festival. Sharjah has confirmed celebrations from 19 November to 3 December, with venues still to be announced.
The official UAE government holiday list gives UAE National Day 2026 as 2 and 3 December for both the public and private sectors. Federal employees have been given an extra day, Friday 4 December; our article on the Eid Al Etihad 2026 federal government holiday explains who gets which days off.
This UAE National Day 2026 guide lists only events that organisers have officially announced for 2026. More details, including police rules, transport hours and the ceremony venue, are still to come, and we will add them here as they are published.
UAE National Day 2026 at a glance: 2 and 3 December
| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1 December, 7pm | Sing for the Nation, UAE National Orchestra (ticketed) | Ras Al Khaimah Cultural Centre |
| 1 December | Free Balqees concert | Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall |
| 2 December | Official 55th Eid Al Etihad ceremony | Venue not yet announced |
| 2 December, 4pm to 11pm | Main celebration, with the official ceremony screened at 6pm | Al Qawasim Corniche, Ras Al Khaimah |
| 2 December | Free Mohammed Al Shehhi concert | Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall |
| 2 December | Free Yara concert at the Eid Al Etihad Village | City Walk, Dubai |
| 2 December | Free candlelight concert | DSF x Hatta Wadi Hub |
| 2 and 3 December, 8pm and 10pm | Eid Al Etihad Light Show with aerial displays | Bluewaters Island and The Beach, JBR |
| 2 and 3 December | Eid Al Etihad drone show | Global Village, Dubai |
Registration details for the Festival Bay concerts have not been released yet. Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) said booking links would be announced soon.
Nationwide: the official ceremony and online celebration
The official Eid Al Etihad website confirms the ceremony on 2 December, but the 2026 venue, start time and broadcast channels had not been published when this guide went live. The 55th celebration falls during the UAE’s Year of Family.
Anyone can already take part in “Our Celebration, Made Together”, a free online experience where you build a virtual home and share stories, memories and messages. It was launched on 10 November, WAM reported, and is open at build.eidaletihad.ae.
An official commemorative stamp for Eid Al Etihad 55 is also planned by Emirates Post and Design Commission Abu Dhabi. The winning design has not been officially announced.
Dubai events for UAE National Day 2026
Dubai has the longest list. Brand Dubai’s National Month runs from 3 November to 2 December, according to the Government of Dubai Media Office, and DFRE has announced 11 days of celebrations across the city from 26 November to 6 December.
| Event | Venue | Dates and times | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| City decorations and projections | Citywide | 25 November to 6 December | Free |
| Flag Garden, 13th edition, with nearly 10,000 flags | Jumeirah Beach, Umm Suqeim 2 | Open now until 10 January 2027 | No ticket listed |
| Eid Al Etihad Light Show | Bluewaters Island and The Beach, JBR | 2 and 3 December, 8pm and 10pm | Free to watch |
| Balqees and Mohammed Al Shehhi concerts | Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall | 1 and 2 December | Free, registration to be announced |
| Eid Al Etihad Village and Yara concert | City Walk | Concert on 2 December | Free |
| Family celebrations | Al Khawaneej Walk and Last Exit | 1 to 3 December | Free |
| Eid Al Etihad at Hatta, with a candlelight concert on 2 December | Hatta Wadi Hub | 2 and 3 December | Concert free |
| Decorations, cultural shows and drone show | Global Village | Decorations 27 November to 4 December, shows 1 to 3 December, drones 2 and 3 December | Park admission |
| 55th Eid Al Etihad activities | LEGOLAND Dubai | 27 November to 6 December | Standard park tickets |
| UAE Parade | Not yet announced | Date and route not yet announced | Not yet announced |
Visit Dubai describes the waterfront light show as “aerial displays and Emirati traditions”, and it is listed on the official Dubai events calendar. No 2026 fireworks times have been officially announced for Dubai.
At Global Village, the cultural programme includes the UAE Glory and Pride operetta plus Rawah, Harbiya, Nadbah and Nuaishat performances. The park opens at 4pm. Tuesday 1 December is still a ladies and families day, because it is not a public holiday. Our Global Village Season 31 guide has tickets and transport.
Abu Dhabi events for Eid Al Etihad
| Event | Venue | Dates and times | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOTN Festival, 10th edition | Al Jahili Park, Al Ain, and Al Mugheirah Bay, Al Dhafra | 28 November to 2 December | Ticketed |
| Sheikh Zayed Festival (season) | Al Wathba | Sunday to Thursday 4pm to midnight, Friday and Saturday 4pm to 1am | AED 10 |
| Yasalam Classics: Andrea Bocelli | Etihad Arena, Yas Island | 2 December | From AED 295 |
| Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (not a National Day event) | Yas Marina Circuit | 3 to 6 December | Ticketed |
The Abu Dhabi Media Office says MOTN moves to the Abu Dhabi Corniche from 9 December to 3 January 2027, after the holiday. Entry to Sheikh Zayed Festival is free for children under three, people aged 60 and over, and People of Determination. The festival has not announced its UAE National Day 2026 fireworks, laser or drone times.
Etihad Arena does not allow flags of any kind at the Bocelli concert, so leave yours at home for that one. With the Grand Prix starting on 3 December, expect heavier traffic around Yas Island. Visit Abu Dhabi also suggests the Saadiyat Cultural District, Al Ain Oasis, Al Jahili Fort and Al Dhafra Fort for the holiday.
Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah
The Sharjah Executive Council has approved celebrations from 19 November to 3 December, with community and heritage activities, musical evenings and entertainment shows. Venues and times have not been published yet.
Ras Al Khaimah has a full programme on the Visit Ras Al Khaimah UAE55 page, with free parking at its event locations:
| Event | Venue | Dates and times | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main celebration and 6pm ceremony screening | Al Qawasim Corniche | 2 December, 4pm to 11pm | Free |
| National operettas, folk arts and exhibitions | Ras Al Khaimah Cultural Development Centre | 2 December, from 4pm | No ticket listed |
| Heritage celebration | Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Village, Al Rams | 2 December, from 4pm | No ticket listed |
| Sing for the Nation, UAE National Orchestra | Ras Al Khaimah Cultural Centre | 1 December, 7pm | Ticketed |
| RAK EATS Festival | Manar Mall Promenade | 1 to 31 December, 4pm to midnight | No ticket listed |
| Weekend celebrations | Entrance of Al Marjan Island | Weekends, 27 November to 20 December, 4pm to 7pm | Free |
Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain
None of the three emirates had published a public schedule for UAE National Day 2026 when this guide went live. We will add their programmes once they are announced. Meanwhile, nationwide updates appear on the official Eid Al Etihad website.
Car decorations, parking and transport
Not yet announced for 2026: the Ministry of Interior and police rules on decorating cars, RTA parking and Salik arrangements, and Dubai Metro, tram and bus hours over the holiday. Last year’s rules do not automatically carry over to UAE National Day 2026, so wait for this year’s official police advice before decorating your car, and do not assume parking is free. We will add the 2026 rules here when they are issued.
UAE National Day 2026 details still to be confirmed
- The venue, start time and TV channels for the official ceremony
- Any 2026 fireworks times, apart from Dubai’s official light show
- Sheikh Zayed Festival National Day shows
- The UAE Parade date and route
- Sharjah venues and showtimes
- Registration links for the Festival Bay concerts
- The winning design of the Eid Al Etihad 55 stamp
If you are working over the holiday, our guide on what your employer owes you for working on UAE public holidays explains your rights.
Read more: Eid Al Etihad 2026: Federal Government Holiday From 2 to 4 December
Once the UAE National Day 2026 celebrations wind down, the Dubai Shopping Festival 2026-27 opens on Friday 4 December and runs until 17 January 2027.