UAE National Day Holiday: December Dates and What Visitors Should Know
The UAE National Day holiday, known as Eid Al Etihad, is scheduled for Wednesday, December 2, and Thursday, December 3, 2026, across the country, including Dubai. It is the final public holiday of the year, but a longer weekend has yet to be confirmed, according to What's On Dubai.
Key facts
What: Eid Al Etihad, also called UAE National Day
When: December 2 and 3, 2026, a Wednesday and Thursday
Where: Across the UAE
Occasion: The seven emirates’ unification in 1971
Longer break: Dependent on an official decision to transfer the days off
Will the December holiday create a long weekend?
The scheduled Wednesday and Thursday holiday does not, by itself, form a long weekend. The source reports that National Day qualifies for a possible transfer of the days off to the start or end of a week through a UAE Cabinet decision.
That possibility is separate from a confirmed change. Until an announcement establishes otherwise, December 2 and 3 remain the dates to use when checking whether a Dubai trip overlaps with the holiday.
For visitors coordinating plans with UAE residents, the distinction matters: the celebration dates are known, while the final arrangement of time off remains subject to an official announcement.
What celebrations are mentioned?
Eid Al Etihad is marked nationwide through cultural activities, entertainment, fireworks and other celebrations. The occasion commemorates the unification of all seven emirates in 1971.
The report does not identify individual Dubai events, fireworks locations, performance times or admission charges. It also provides no venue-specific transport instructions, so it cannot yet support a detailed celebration itinerary.
For background on the occasion’s cultural context, explore Guide of Dubai’s coverage of Emirati heritage and traditional crafts.
Which 2027 dates could help with future planning?
New Year’s Day falls on Friday, January 1, 2027, while Eid Al Etihad falls on December 2 and 3, a Thursday and Friday. The source says the latter could produce a four-day break when combined with the weekend.
Other dates remain provisional. Eid Al Fitr is predicted for March 10 to 12, with a possible additional holiday depending on Ramadan’s length. Arafat Day is expected on May 15, followed by Eid Al Adha from May 16 to 18.
These Islamic holiday dates require official confirmation and depend on moon sightings. Treat them as planning references until the final dates are announced.
What does this mean for visitors?
Use the published December dates to assess your travel plans, and check the official announcement before relying on a longer break. For any celebration you intend to attend, confirm its location, timing, entry arrangements and transport details once those are published.
For sightseeing alongside your holiday plans, consult the Dubai iconic places tour page and the guide to a half-day Dubai city tour. Check your chosen tour’s availability for your travel dates separately.
Details can change; check the official announcement before you travel.
Prepared by Yasin Toktaş with AI assistance for drafting, corrections and proofreading.