UAE National Day is the biggest celebration in the country, and in Dubai it fills four days with fireworks, parades, heritage shows and flag colours on every street. This guide covers the 2026 dates, the public holiday, the free fireworks spots with their times, and what is actually open.
Checked: 13 November 2026
UAE National Day 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| National Day | Wednesday 2 December 2026 |
| Anniversary | 55th Eid Al Etihad |
| Public holiday | Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December, paid, public and private sector |
| Dubai celebrations | 30 November to 3 December 2026 |
| Official site | eidaletihad.ae |
What Is UAE National Day?
On 2 December 1971, seven emirates came together to form the United Arab Emirates. That day is now UAE National Day, officially called Eid Al Etihad, which means the Union Celebration. In 2026 the country marks 55 years since the union began.
The day is about unity and heritage. Across Dubai you will see the four flag colours, red, green, white and black, on buildings, malls, cars and clothes. The official home for the celebrations is eidaletihad.ae, where the programme and the 55th anniversary identity are published.
Is 2-3 December a Public Holiday?
Yes. Wednesday 2 December and Thursday 3 December 2026 are paid public holidays for the public and private sectors. The dates come from Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, which sets the official holiday list for the whole country.
One thing to know before you book anything you cannot change. The Cabinet can move non-Eid holidays to the start or end of the week, and it did move National Day last year. No move has been announced for 2026, and the final MoHRE notice for the private sector comes in mid-November. The dates in this guide are the standing dates. Check the MoHRE announcement before the holiday if your plans depend on them.
1 December is Commemoration Day, a day to honour fallen soldiers. It is observed across the country, but it is not a paid public holiday, so most people work as normal on 1 December.
Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December are public holidays, and the weekend follows on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December. Take Friday 4 December as annual leave and you get five days off in a row.
Where to Watch the Free Fireworks in Dubai
Fireworks are the main event of UAE National Day, and Dubai has several free spots. The 2026 fireworks times are not announced yet. These are the 2025 venues and times, which usually repeat, so check the venue page or eidaletihad.ae before you go.
| Place | Date | 2025 time |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Festival City Mall | 2 December | 8:00 PM |
| Hatta | 2 December | 8:00 PM |
| Souk Al Seef | 2 December | 9:00 PM |
| Bluewaters Island | 2 December | 9:00 PM |
| The Beach, JBR | 2 December | 9:00 PM |
| Global Village | 1 to 3 December | 9:00 PM |
Other Free Events to Look For
In 2025 Dubai also held a free Al Etihad Parade along Jumeirah Road from Union House to Burj Al Arab, starting at 4 PM on 2 December, and free public screenings of the official ceremony at Al Khawaneej, Global Village and Dubai Festival City Mall. Dubai Parks and Resorts held ticketed Riverland fireworks and lasers at 7 PM and 9:30 PM. Check eidaletihad.ae for the 2026 programme.
Dubai Festival City Mall is the easiest free show to reach. The fireworks go off over Festival Bay. Arrive early, because the mall fills up fast.
Souk Al Seef, Bluewaters Island and The Beach at JBR all start at 9:00 PM on 2 December and are free to watch from the public areas. JBR and Bluewaters give you the sea and the beach, while Souk Al Seef gives you the Creek and the old town.
Global Village has fireworks at 9:00 PM on 1, 2 and 3 December, plus drone shows on 1 and 2 December. The park is ticketed, so you need a park ticket to enter.
Hatta is the quiet choice. The fireworks go off over the Hatta sign at 8:00 PM on 2 December. It is around an hour and a half by car from central Dubai, so go early and make a trip of it.
Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain on National Day
Downtown is the heart of the celebrations. In past years the Burj Khalifa has lit up in the flag colours. Dubai Fountain evening shows run about every 30 minutes from 6 PM.
The best free viewing spots are around Dubai Mall, Souk Al Bahar and Burj Park. Go early and plan to arrive hours before the show, not minutes, because the area fills up fast and some roads around Downtown may close in the evening.
No fireworks time is set for the Burj Khalifa itself. The tower show is a light show, not a fireworks show, and the Fountain is the main event below it. For a full evening plan in the area, see our Dubai At Night guide.
Global Village on National Day
Global Village is the best family choice for UAE National Day. The park ran fireworks at 9 PM from 1 to 3 December and drone shows on 1 and 2 December in 2025. Check the 2026 programme before you go. There are heritage shows, traditional food and activities for children.
Entry is ticketed, so buy online before you go. The park gets very busy on 2 December, so arrive before sunset and plan around the 9 PM fireworks. Our Global Village guide has the ticket prices, timings and the best way to get there.
Heritage Instead of Crowds: Al Fahidi and Souk Al Seef
Not everyone wants fireworks and crowds. If you want the quiet side of the holiday, start at the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood in old Dubai. The wind tower houses, narrow lanes and small museums show how Dubai looked before the towers. During UAE National Day the area hosts heritage shows and traditional crafts.
From there, walk to Souk Al Seef on the Creek. The souk has Emirati restaurants and cafes, so eat first and watch the fireworks at 9 PM on 2 December from the waterfront. Our Al Seef guide covers the walk, the abra ride and the best places to eat.
What Is Open and What Is Closed
Malls, restaurants, cafes and attractions stay open through the holiday, and many run National Day offers and longer hours. Government offices and banks usually close on 2 and 3 December.
The RTA usually announces special holiday timings for the metro and buses, so check before you travel, and the metro often stays busy late into the evening on 2 December. If you need a government service, do it before 2 December or wait until Sunday 6 December.
Restaurants are the one thing to book ahead. Popular places fill up on 2 December, and the special National Day menus have limited seating. Book days ahead, not on the day.
Getting Around on the Holiday
Use the metro if you can. Roads around Downtown, JBR and Festival City get very busy on 2 December, and parking fills up early. Keep your Nol card topped up, and check the last train time before you leave.
Taxis are easy to find in the daytime but hard to get right after the fireworks, when thousands of people leave at the same time. If you can, wait 30 minutes after the show and let the crowds thin out. Ride-hailing apps work the same way, with longer waits after the fireworks.
A Simple Plan for 2 December
Morning: Start slow. Have breakfast, then visit Al Fahidi or a mall while the crowds are still small.
Afternoon: Eat an Emirati lunch. Try machboos, harees or luqaimat, and finish with Arabic coffee and dates. Book the table ahead.
Evening: Pick one fireworks spot and go early. Festival City at 8 PM is the easiest free show to reach, while JBR and Bluewaters at 9 PM are better if you want the sea and the beach.
Night: Stay for the Fountain show at Downtown if you still have energy, then take the metro home before the last train.
5 Tips for UAE National Day in Dubai
- Check the dates and the fireworks times again before you book. The 2-3 December dates are the standing dates, and the final MoHRE notice comes in mid-November.
- Pick one fireworks spot and arrive early. Trying to see two shows in one night means spending the evening in traffic.
- Use the metro, not a car, for Downtown and JBR. Parking fills up and roads close in the evening.
- Book restaurants and tickets in advance. Global Village tickets and popular tables go fast on 2 December.
- Wear the flag colours and dress for the weather. December days are warm and evenings are cooler, so bring a light layer for the fireworks.
UAE National Day FAQs
Is UAE National Day a public holiday in 2026?
Yes. Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026 are paid public holidays for the public and private sectors under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. The Cabinet can move non-Eid holidays, so the final MoHRE notice in mid-November is the last word.
What time are the fireworks on UAE National Day?
The 2026 times are not announced yet. In 2025 the free shows were at 8 PM on 2 December at Dubai Festival City Mall and Hatta, and at 9 PM on 2 December at Souk Al Seef, Bluewaters Island and The Beach at JBR. Global Village had fireworks at 9 PM from 1 to 3 December. Check before you go.
Where can I watch the fireworks for free?
Dubai Festival City Mall, Souk Al Seef, Bluewaters Island and The Beach at JBR are all free to watch from the public areas. Global Village needs a park ticket to enter.
Is Global Village open on National Day?
Yes. Global Village ran fireworks at 9 PM from 1 to 3 December and drone shows on 1 and 2 December in 2025. Check the 2026 programme before you go. Buy tickets online in advance.
Is 1 December a public holiday?
No. 1 December is Commemoration Day, a day to honour fallen soldiers. It is observed across the country, but it is not a paid public holiday. Most people work as normal on 1 December.
What should I wear for UAE National Day?
Wear the flag colours if you like: red, green, white and black. December days are warm and evenings are cooler, so bring a light layer for the fireworks.
The Dubai Tours and Safari editorial team researches and updates our Dubai and UAE travel guides, checking prices, timings and facts against official sources.
