Asan Tata— November 10, 2026The UAE will mark its 55th National Day on Wednesday, 2 December 2026. The day, officially called Eid Al Etihad, is the last public holiday of the year, and it comes with a two-day break for workers in both the public and private sectors.
It falls mid-week, which means a four-day break without using any annual leave, and a nine-day break for those who plan three leave days around it. This guide sets out the confirmed holiday dates, what the 55th anniversary marks, and how the country celebrates.
Quick Answer
UAE National Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, 2 December, and the public holiday runs for two days, 2 and 3 December 2026, for public and private sector workers. The dates are set by Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. The 2026 occasion marks 55 years since the United Arab Emirates was formed on 2 December 1971. With the weekend that follows, workers get a four-day break from Wednesday to Saturday, and three annual leave days can stretch it to nine days, from Saturday 28 November to Sunday 6 December.
When Is UAE National Day 2026?
National Day is a fixed date in the UAE calendar. Unlike the Islamic holidays, which move with the moon sighting, it falls on the same Gregorian dates every year. In 2026, the occasion lands on Wednesday, 2 December, with the second holiday day on Thursday, 3 December.
The table below shows the key dates at a glance.
| Date | Day | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| 30 November 2026 | Monday | Commemoration Day, observed, not a paid holiday |
| 2 December 2026 | Wednesday | Eid Al Etihad, National Day, public holiday |
| 3 December 2026 | Thursday | Second day of the National Day public holiday |
| 4 December 2026 | Friday | Working day, unless taken as annual leave |
| 5-6 December 2026 | Saturday-Sunday | Weekend |
National Day is one of seven public holidays set out in Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, in force since 1 January 2025. The resolution applies the same list to the public and private sectors. The other holidays are New Year’s Day, Eid Al Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid Al Adha, the Islamic New Year and the Prophet’s Birthday. Of these, only New Year’s Day and National Day have fixed Gregorian dates. The rest follow the Hijri calendar and are confirmed by moon sighting.
By the time December arrives, National Day will be the only public holiday left in 2026.
The 55th Eid Al Etihad: What the Day Marks
Eid Al Etihad means “Festival of the Union”. It marks the day in 1971 when six emirates came together to form the United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. Ras Al Khaimah joined the federation on 10 February 1972.
The 2026 occasion is the 55th anniversary of that union. Each year’s National Day has its own theme and logo, usually announced in the autumn, and the official ceremony is the centrepiece of the day.
For residents, the day is about more than a holiday. Schools hold their own celebrations in the days before, buildings light up in the colours of the flag, and flags appear on balconies, cars and shopfronts across the country.
Public Holiday Dates and the Long Weekend
The two official holiday days give most workers a four-day break without touching their annual leave. The holiday runs from Wednesday, 2 December, through Saturday, 5 December, because the Saturday and Sunday weekend follows straight after the two holiday days. Workers who want a longer break can plan around the dates. Three days of annual leave turn the holiday into a nine-day break. The leave days to take are Monday, 30 November, Tuesday, 1 December, and Friday, 4 December. That gives a continuous break from Saturday, 28 November, to Sunday, 6 December, with a return to work on Monday, 7 December.
| Plan | Days off | Break length |
|---|---|---|
| No annual leave | 2-3 December plus the weekend | 4 days, 2-5 December |
| One leave day, Friday 4 December | 2-6 December | 5 days, 2-6 December |
| Three leave days, 30 November, 1 and 4 December | 28 November-6 December | 9 days, 28 November-6 December |
Leave around National Day is popular, so workers who want the longer break should request their days early. Families planning travel should also book early. Flights and hotels for the first week of December are in high demand, and prices rise as the dates get closer. The same week also brings the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, from 3 to 6 December at Yas Marina Circuit, so flights into Abu Dhabi and hotels on Yas Island are likely to be busy.
Could the Holiday Dates Move?
The dates of 2 and 3 December are set in the Cabinet Resolution, but the resolution also gives the Cabinet room to move a non-Eid holiday to the start or end of the working week. This happened in 2025, when the National Day break was moved so that it fell on 1 and 2 December instead of the calendar dates. As of 10 November 2026, no such move has been announced for 2026. The dates in the official calendar remain Wednesday, 2 December, and Thursday, 3 December. Workers should still check the final announcement before they confirm non-refundable travel or hotel bookings.
The confirmation usually comes in two steps. The Cabinet confirms the holiday dates, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, known as MOHRE, then issues a circular for the private sector. Both announcements normally come a few weeks before the holiday.
Private sector workers should check with their employer as well. The law gives the same public holidays to both sectors, but the way the days are applied can differ from one company to another, especially for staff who work shifts or weekends.
Commemoration Day: 30 November
The day before the National Day break carries its own meaning. Commemoration Day, observed on 30 November, is a day of remembrance for UAE soldiers who lost their lives in service to the country. It is marked with ceremonies and flag-raising events across the emirates.
It is important to be clear about one point. Commemoration Day is not a separate paid public holiday under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. The paid days off in December are the two National Day days, 2 and 3 December.
Flag Day, on 3 November, is in the same position. It is a day of national pride, marked by flag-raising ceremonies, but it is not a public holiday either.
How the UAE Celebrates Eid Al Etihad
Celebrations take place in all seven emirates. The official National Day ceremony is broadcast live across the country, and public events run from the afternoon into the evening on 2 December.
Fireworks are the highlight for most families. Large displays are held at well-known spots in Dubai, on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, and in the northern emirates. Exact venues and timings for 2026 are announced closer to the date, so check the official event pages in late November before you plan an evening out.
Ras Al Khaimah has already published its programme. The emirate marks the day at four locations, with the main celebration on Al Qawasim Corniche from 4pm to 11pm on 2 December. The programme includes the Ras Al Khaimah Police Band, national operettas, folk arts and competitions. The official ceremony from Abu Dhabi is shown live on the Corniche at 6pm. A food festival, RAK EATS, runs at Manar Mall Promenade through the whole of December, from 4pm to midnight each day.
In Abu Dhabi, the capital hosts the official ceremony and a programme of events around the city, including the Saadiyat Cultural District and the Mother of the Nation Festival. The annual Sheikh Zayed Festival also runs through the winter season and draws large crowds during the National Day week.
Dubai’s celebrations spread across the city. Global Village, Burj Park, Al Seef and the city’s beaches and parks all host events, and the Dubai retail calendar lists Eid Al Etihad celebrations from 30 November to 3 December.
Planning Your Break: Travel, Traffic and Costs
A mid-week holiday that creates a four-day break is one of the busiest travel periods of the year. A few simple steps can keep the break smooth and affordable.
Book flights and hotels early. The nine-day window from 28 November to 6 December is popular with residents who travel home or take a short holiday, and fares climb as seats fill. Travellers who can be flexible often find better prices by flying on 30 November or 1 December rather than on the first day of the break.
Expect busy roads. The run-up to National Day brings heavy traffic on the main routes between emirates, especially the Dubai to Abu Dhabi highway. Drivers should allow extra time, and check traffic updates before they set out.
Check opening hours before you go out. Government offices and many private businesses close on the two holiday days, and some attractions change their hours. Banks, clinics and malls usually stay open, but with holiday hours.
What Workers and Employers Should Know
Public holidays in the UAE apply to both the public and private sectors, and the days are paid. The rules sit in Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 and in the Labour Law, Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Workers who are asked to work on a public holiday are entitled to extra pay or a day off in lieu, under the Labour Law. The exact arrangement depends on the employment contract, so workers should check their contract and the company’s policy before the holiday.
Employers usually announce the holiday schedule a few days before the break, once MOHRE has issued its circular. Workers who have booked leave for 30 November, 1 December or 4 December should tell their manager early, so the team can plan cover for the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is UAE National Day 2026?
UAE National Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, 2 December 2026. The public holiday covers two days, 2 and 3 December, for workers in the public and private sectors.
How many days off do workers get for National Day 2026?
Workers get two paid public holiday days. With the Saturday and Sunday weekend that follows, the break is four days, from Wednesday 2 December to Saturday 5 December, without using annual leave.
Can the National Day break be nine days long?
Yes. Three days of annual leave, on Monday 30 November, Tuesday 1 December and Friday 4 December, turn the break into nine days, from Saturday 28 November to Sunday 6 December.
Is Commemoration Day a public holiday?
No. Commemoration Day, observed on 30 November, is a day of remembrance for fallen soldiers. It is not a separate paid public holiday under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. The paid days off in December are 2 and 3 December.
Is 2026 the 55th National Day?
Yes. The UAE was formed on 2 December 1971, so 2 December 2026 marks 55 years of the Union. The official name of the occasion is Eid Al Etihad, which means Festival of the Union.
Will the holiday dates change?
The dates in the official calendar are 2 and 3 December 2026. The Cabinet can move a non-Eid holiday to the start or end of the week, as it did in 2025, but no move has been announced for 2026. Check the MOHRE circular and the official announcement closer to December before confirming non-refundable bookings.
Disclaimer
Holiday dates in this article follow Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 and the UAE Government’s public holidays list. The Cabinet can move a non-Eid public holiday, and the private sector dates are confirmed by MOHRE closer to the time. Event venues and timings for the 2026 celebrations are announced by the organisers nearer December. Check the official announcements before you book travel or make firm plans.
Sources: UAE Government public holidays list (u.ae); Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024; Gulf Business; Arabian Business; Visit Ras Al Khaimah; Visit Abu Dhabi.
Last Updated: 10 November 2026
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