55th Eid Al Etihad · Wednesday 2 December 2026
UAE National Day 2026 in Dubai: holiday dates, fireworks and where to stay
Dubai celebrates Eid Al Etihad with fireworks, concerts, parades and heritage events across the city. Dubai’s official calendar sets the celebrations for 30 November – 3 December 2026; the statutory holiday is 2–3 December, with final dates usually confirmed in mid-November. Here is what we know, what happened last year, and where to stay for the long weekend.
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National Day 2026: what’s confirmed
- Date: Wednesday 2 December 2026 (55th Eid Al Etihad).
- Holiday: Not yet announced (statutory 2-3 Dec; Cabinet may move).
- Dubai celebrations: 30 November – 3 December 2026, per Dubai’s official retail and festivals calendar. Venues and times are not announced yet.
- Fireworks: 2026 locations not announced yet — last year’s are below.
Where the fireworks were last year (2025)
| Venue | Dates | Time | Stay nearby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Village | 1-3 Dec 2025 | 9pm nightly, plus drone shows 1-2 Dec | Stays → |
| The Beach, JBR | 2 Dec 2025 | 9pm | Stays → |
| Bluewaters Island | 2 Dec 2025 | 9pm | Stays → |
| Souk Al Seef | 2 Dec 2025 | 9pm | Stays → |
| Dubai Festival City Mall (Festival Bay) | 2 Dec 2025 | 8pm | Stays → |
| Hatta | 2 Dec 2025 (Hatta programme 1-3 Dec) | 8pm | Stays → |
| Riverland, Dubai Parks and Resorts | 1-2 Dec 2025 | 7pm and 9:30pm (laser shows 7:30, 8:30, 9:45pm) | — |
Other National Day events last year
- Eid Al Etihad parade (Dubai Police, 1,000+ participants) — City Walk, 1 Dec 2025, 4pm
- Free concerts: Diana Haddad (1 Dec), Shamma Hamdan (2 Dec) — City Walk, 8pm
- Balqees concert + fireworks — Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall, 2 Dec 2025
- Operetta 'From The Desert To The Stars', Khalid Mohammed concert (1 Dec) — Global Village main stage, 1-3 Dec 2025
- National Day programme: workshops, Firdaus Orchestra, Cinema Akil screenings; Terra Nature & Wonder Festival (1-2 Dec) — Expo City Dubai (House of Arts, Terra), 1-2 Dec 2025
- Heritage activities and folk performances — Al Shindagha Museum (29 Nov-3 Dec), Al Fahidi & Hatta Heritage Village (2-3 Dec), Etihad Museum (1-3 Dec), Souk Madinat Jumeirah (2-3 Dec, noon-8pm)
- Military bands and horse shows — Mushrif Park, 2-3 Dec 2025
- Cultural performances — Dubai Frame, 2-3 Dec 2025
Last year’s programme is shown for planning; we update this page as the 2026 line-up is announced.
Where to stay for the National Day weekend
Beachfront fireworks: Dubai Marina and JBR put you near The Beach and Bluewaters. City celebrations: Downtown Dubai. A relaxed long weekend: a Palm Jumeirah resort staycation. Global Village nights: see our Global Village guide.
UAE National Day FAQ
When is UAE National Day 2026?
Eid Al Etihad is on Wednesday 2 December 2026, the 55th National Day. The statutory public holiday is 2–3 December; the government usually confirms the final dates in mid-November and can move them to make a long weekend (in 2025 the holiday was moved to Monday 1 – Tuesday 2 December).
Where are the National Day fireworks in Dubai?
The 2026 venues have not been announced yet. Last year Dubai had National Day fireworks at Global Village (1–3 December, 9pm), The Beach JBR, Bluewaters and Souk Al Seef (2 December, 9pm), Dubai Festival City and Hatta (2 December, 8pm) and Riverland at Dubai Parks and Resorts.
What is Eid Al Etihad?
Eid Al Etihad (“Union Day”) is the official name for UAE National Day, marking the union of the emirates on 2 December 1971.
Where should I stay for National Day in Dubai?
JBR and Dubai Marina put you close to the beachfront fireworks at The Beach and Bluewaters; Downtown and Al Seef suit city celebrations; a Palm Jumeirah resort is the pick for a relaxed long weekend. Book early — the long weekend is one of the busiest of the year.