The UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) holiday is Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026, according to the UAE Government's official holiday list. For visitors, malls, attractions and public transport keep running but are busier, roads and taxis are tight in the evening, and hotels and tours fill up. The Cabinet may still move the holiday: no change had been announced as of 28 October. This guide covers the dates, what changes, the celebrations and how to book a desert, boat or Abu Dhabi day without the crowds.
By SB Excursions · Published 28 October 2026 · Updated 28 October 2026
Tour on this route: Full-Day Desert Safari in Dubai — From $45 per person, 7 hours.
When is UAE National Day 2026?
The official public holiday is Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026, according to the UAE Government's holiday list. The Cabinet may move some holidays, though not Eid, and no change had been announced for 2026 as of 28 October.
This guide also answers:
- Is Commemoration Day on 30 November a day off?
- Are there fireworks on National Day in Dubai?
- Can I book a desert safari on National Day?
Where National Day crowds go, and calmer options
#1
Global Village
Global Village opened on 14 October and runs until May 2027, with tickets reported at AED 25 on weekdays and AED 30 on weekends. A holiday evening will be one of its busiest, and hours differ between reports, so check the official site and arrive early. We found no published National Day programme as of 28 October.
#2
Downtown Dubai and the Fountain
The busiest part of the city on any holiday evening. At its last reopening, Emaar ran the evening Fountain shows every 30 minutes from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, but check Emaar's channels for current times. Go in daylight, book a Burj Khalifa slot early, and use the Metro, because the roads and taxi queues around the mall fill fast.
#3
Etihad Museum
The museum tells the story of the union of the emirates in 1971, which is what National Day marks. It is a calm way to understand the holiday, but opening hours can change on public holidays and we have no confirmed times, so check before you go. Our Etihad Museum guide has the details.
#4
A desert evening away from the city
The dunes are the calmest option on a busy holiday: no roads to queue on, because the 4x4 collects you from your hotel in Dubai, Sharjah or Ajman. Our full-day safari is from $45 per person, with dune bashing, camel ride, BBQ dinner and shows, and no prepayment. Send the date on WhatsApp early, as holiday dates fill.
#5
Dubai Marina from the water
The Marina waterfront is busy on holiday evenings, but the water is not. Our shared 1-hour yacht tour is from $32 per person, departs hourly, and stops for a photo in front of Ain Dubai. Full prepayment secures the slot and the yacht leaves strictly on time, so book ahead and arrive 20 minutes before departure.
UAE National Day 2026 in Dubai: the short answer
The official National Day holiday is Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026, according to the UAE Government's holiday list. Eid Al Etihad marks the union of the emirates in 1971. For a visitor it means busier malls, attractions and roads, celebrations in the evenings, and higher demand for hotels, boats and tours in the middle of December's peak season.
One caution: the Cabinet may move some holidays, though not Eid, to the start or end of the week, and it did so for National Day last year. No change for 2026 had been announced as of 28 October, so check the official announcements before you lock in dates. Most of this guide works whichever days the holiday finally falls on.
The dates around the holiday
The holiday sits in a crowded week. Other events overlap it, so the busy stretch is longer than two days.
| Date | What | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 30 Nov | Commemoration Day | Sources disagree on whether it is a day off |
| Wed 2 Dec | National Day holiday, day one | UAE Government holiday list |
| Thu 3 Dec | National Day holiday, day two | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix practice in most listings |
| Fri 4 Dec | Dubai Shopping Festival starts | Runs to 17 January 2027; some residents may take Friday as leave |
| Sat 5 and Sun 6 Dec | Weekend | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race on Sunday 6 December in most sources |
As of 29 October 2026. Holiday dates can be moved by the Cabinet; check official announcements.
Together these make it likely that the whole stretch from 2 to 6 December is busy, with locals travelling or going out and visitors arriving for the festival and the race. For the two events that overlap, see our Dubai Shopping Festival 2026-27 and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 guides.
What changes for tourists, and what does not
This is the usual pattern on UAE public holidays, not an official timetable. Check each venue for its own hours.
| Area | What to expect | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Malls, restaurants, attractions | Usually open and busier than normal | Book dinner and tickets ahead; go in the morning |
| Government offices and banks | Closed on public holidays | Do not plan paperwork or bank visits for 2-3 December |
| Metro, tram, buses | Running, but evening demand is high | Check RTA for timetable changes; leave earlier than you think |
| Taxis and roads | Tight near malls, beaches and event venues | Use the Metro for Downtown and the Marina |
| Hotels | December is already peak season | Book early; rates are higher around the holiday |
| Beaches and parks | Busy, mild weather | Go early and bring water |
General pattern for UAE public holidays; check each venue.
Our public holidays guide covers what closes. Weather helps: December in Dubai is mild, with daytime highs of about 25-27°C and cool evenings, so queues outside are far more comfortable than in summer. Our December in Dubai guide covers the whole month.
Celebrations: what to expect and what is not announced
National Day is normally marked with flags, decorated buildings and streets, shows and fireworks at major venues. We found no published 2026 programme as of 28 October, so check Visit Dubai, the Dubai Media Office and the venues' own channels as the date approaches.
Global Village is open for Season 31 and is the obvious holiday evening for families; our Global Village guide has hours and tickets. For the Dubai Fountain, Emaar scheduled a second renovation phase for the second quarter of 2026 and we found no 2026 announcement of changed show times, so check Emaar's channels.
Treat the flag and national symbols with respect, follow police and event staff instructions, and do not fly a drone to film displays: drones are tightly regulated, and the GCAA and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority give the final word. See the drone rules guide.
Crowds, roads and taxis: how to plan
A few habits make a holiday visit easier:
- Book fixed-time tickets early. Prime-time Burj Khalifa slots fill, and our Burj Khalifa tickets, from $55, are issued for a fixed date and time and cannot be refunded or changed once issued.
- Use the Metro for Downtown and the Marina. Our Metro guide covers stations and Nol cards.
- Go to malls and beaches in the morning, when it is quiet and cool.
- Leave the evening exit early. Demand for taxis peaks right after shows, so walk to a quieter street or wait out the first rush.
- Carry your passport or Emirates ID for boats, security checks and some attractions.
A sample plan for 2 to 6 December
If you are in Dubai for the whole stretch, spread the busy things out and put the quiet ones on the busiest days. This is one way to do it, assuming the holiday stays on 2 and 3 December:
- Wednesday 2 December, holiday day one: an early Burj Khalifa slot, then leave Downtown before the evening crowds arrive. The best time to visit Burj Khalifa guide explains which slot to ask for.
- Thursday 3 December, holiday day two: the desert. The dunes are the calmest place on a holiday, and the safari runs from hotel pickup to drop-off.
- Friday 4 December: the Dubai Shopping Festival begins and the malls are busy, so spend the morning at the beach or on the water instead.
- Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December: Grand Prix weekend in Abu Dhabi. Skip the road to Abu Dhabi unless you hold a ticket, and spend the weekend in Old Dubai or on the Marina.
If the Cabinet moves the holiday, keep the logic and shift the days: do the fixed-time ticket first, put the desert on the holiday itself, and keep a free half day in case a venue is full. Our Dubai in 3 days itinerary shows how these pieces fit together.
Beat the crowds: desert, water and Abu Dhabi
Our full-day desert safari is from $45 per person, or $65 with a 30-minute quad bike ride. It lasts 7 hours, with hotel pickup in Dubai, Sharjah or Ajman, dune bashing on the Red Dunes, sandboarding, a camel ride, a BBQ dinner and shows. There is no prepayment: you agree the date on WhatsApp and pay on the day. In December, bring a light jacket for the evening.
The shared 1-hour yacht tour is from $32 per person and leaves hourly, so it fits between a morning mall visit and an evening plan. It needs full prepayment, check-in 20 minutes before departure, and the yacht leaves on time.
The Abu Dhabi city tour is from $45 per person shared, with 8:00 AM hotel pickup and about 9 hours door to door. Be honest with yourself about the dates: 2-3 December is a holiday and the Grand Prix is the same week, so the Grand Mosque and the roads to Abu Dhabi may be busier than usual. Ask us on WhatsApp which day is quieter.
FAQ
When is UAE National Day 2026?
The official public holiday is Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026, according to the UAE Government's holiday list. The Cabinet may move some holidays, though not Eid, and no change had been announced for 2026 as of 28 October.
Is Commemoration Day on 30 November a day off?
Sources disagree on whether it is a day off. Commemoration Day falls on Monday 30 November 2026. Check the official announcements before planning around it.
Are shops and attractions open on UAE National Day?
Malls, restaurants and most attractions are usually open and busier than normal, while government offices and banks close. This is a general pattern, so check each venue for its own hours.
Does the Metro run on National Day?
Public transport normally runs on public holidays, sometimes with changed hours. Check RTA before you travel, and expect crowded trains and taxi queues in the evening.
Are there fireworks on National Day in Dubai?
National Day is normally marked with fireworks and shows at major venues, but we found no published 2026 programme as of 28 October. Check Visit Dubai and the Dubai Media Office, and do not fly a drone to film them.
Can I book a desert safari on National Day?
Send us the date on WhatsApp and we will confirm availability for that day. The full-day safari is from $45 per person, with hotel pickup and no prepayment; holiday dates fill early.
Do hotels cost more around National Day?
Usually yes. December is already peak season, and a holiday, the Shopping Festival from 4 December and the Grand Prix weekend all land in the same week. Book early and compare dates either side of 2-3 December.
Is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix the same week?
Yes. Most sources give 3 to 6 December, with the race on Sunday 6 December; the official confirmation says 4 to 6 December. Expect busy roads and hotels between Dubai and Abu Dhabi that week.
Recommended Dubai tours for this guide
Full-Day Desert Safari in Dubai
It is the slow-travel version of the classic safari: more time on the dunes, sunset without the crowds and a full evening programme at a premium camp with air-conditioned tents, unlimited drinks and a large BBQ buffet with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Everything is arranged from the hotel door — a licensed English-speaking driver, the 4x4, the camp and the shows.
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Area
- Lahbab Desert, Dubai
- Format
- Full-day desert safari
- Best for
- families, couples and first-time desert visitors who want the full evening programme
From $45 per person No prepayment
View tour
Dubai Marina Shared Yacht Tour
It is the most stylish way to see the skyline without paying for a private charter: a premium yacht with spacious decks and 5-star hospitality, a red carpet at the pier and the crew helping with photos against JBR and Ain Dubai. Full pre-payment secures your slot — the hourly departures sell out — and the yacht leaves strictly on time.
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Area
- Dubai Marina
- Format
- Shared 1-hour sightseeing cruise
- Best for
- families, couples and anyone who wants the Marina skyline from the water without a private charter
From $32 per person Full prepayment
View tour
Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai
It is the classic capital day in one organised loop: the mosque before the midday heat and crowds, the newly opened BAPS Mandir, the skyline from the Corniche, Bedouin history at Heritage Village and a photo op at Ferrari World. Transport, a licensed guide, mosque registration assistance and bottled water are included; the $45 shared tour covers all free-entry sites, and a private VIP car for up to 7 people is $245.
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Area
- Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Format
- Full-day guided city tour (shared or private)
- Best for
- families, seniors and first-time visitors who want the capital's landmarks in one day
From $45 per person No prepayment
View tour📚 Keep reading
Photos: Global Village — Slayym, CC BY-SA 4.0, Etihad Museum — Lxs, CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).