December 2026 opens with the UAE National Day holiday on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December, the Dubai Shopping Festival from 4 December to 17 January, and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in early December, with the race on Sunday 6 December. Christmas follows, and Dubai has not yet announced its New Year's Eve plans. This guide gives the dates, the crowds to expect, and how a night on the water, from $99, fits around them. Dates are as of 29 October 2026.
By SB Excursions · Published 28 October 2026 · Updated 28 October 2026
Tour on this route: Dubai Marina Yacht Party — $99 per person, 4 hours (9 pm-1 am).
When is UAE National Day 2026?
The UAE Government's holiday list gives Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026 as the National Day public holiday. The Cabinet may move some holidays to the start or end of a week, and no change had been announced as of 28 October. Check official announcements nearer the date.
This guide also answers:
- When is the Dubai Shopping Festival 2026-27?
- When is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026?
- Is Christmas a public holiday in Dubai?
Six things to plan around in December 2026
#1
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad)
The UAE Government's holiday list gives Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December. The Cabinet may move some holidays to the start or end of the week, as it did for National Day last year; no change for 2026 had been announced as of 28 October. Expect busier attractions, malls and roads, plus celebrations, and check official announcements.
#2
Dubai Shopping Festival, 32nd edition
TradeArabia reported on 14 October that the festival runs for 45 days, organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, with promotions, live entertainment, concerts and citywide experiences. It includes the etisalat Beach Canteen at Sunset Beach for the first time at the festival. Some travel sites still show other estimated dates, so confirm on Visit Dubai.
#3
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Most sources give 3-6 December, with practice on 3 December; the official confirmation says 4-6 December and Visit Abu Dhabi lists 4-7 December. Tickets go through the official portal: one report says from about AED 395, others put general admission under AED 1,000 and grandstands around AED 2,400, with limited availability. Confirm on the official site.
#4
Christmas in Dubai
Christmas Day is not on the UAE's official public-holiday list, so it is a working day for most residents, but hotels, malls and restaurants decorate and many offer festive brunches and dinners. We have no announced Christmas events to report as of 29 October. If a festive meal matters to you, book it early.
#5
New Year's Eve
Dubai usually announces its fireworks locations in late December. Last year the Events Security Committee announced 48 displays at 40 locations on 26 December, with Burj Khalifa among them. Nothing had been announced for this New Year's Eve as of 28 October. Our guide to New Year's Eve explains what is known and when to check.
#6
A December night on the water
Our Marina yacht party is a 4-hour cruise for guests aged 21 and over, with a live DJ, a live BBQ and 25-45 guests, boarding at 8:30 PM for a 9 PM departure. It is $99 per person with full prepayment. Original ID or passport is mandatory. Tell us your December date on WhatsApp and we confirm availability.
What's on in Dubai in December 2026: the short answer
The first week of December is the busiest: the UAE National Day holiday on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December, the Dubai Shopping Festival from Friday 4 December, and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit, with the race on Sunday 6 December. Dates for the National Day holiday come from the UAE Government's list. The festival dates were reported by TradeArabia on 14 October 2026. The Grand Prix dates differ by source, from 3 to 7 December.
After that come Christmas and New Year's Eve. Dubai has not announced its New Year's Eve plans as of 29 October 2026, and usually does so in late December. Everything below is as of that date. Expect a busy city, mild weather, a sunset at about 5:30 PM, and a peak-season market where popular slots sell out early.
The December 2026 calendar
Dates come from the sources named in the notes. Where sources disagree, we say so and the official site has the final word.
| Date | Event | Where | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 30 November | Commemoration Day | UAE | Sources disagree on whether it is a day off |
| Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December | UAE National Day holiday | UAE | Cabinet may move some holidays; no change announced as of 28 October |
| 3-6 December | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Yas Marina Circuit | Official confirmation says 4-6; Visit Abu Dhabi says 4-7; race on Sunday 6 December |
| 4 December to 17 January | Dubai Shopping Festival, 32nd edition | Citywide | 45 days of promotions, entertainment and concerts |
| Friday 25 December | Christmas | Hotels, malls, restaurants | Not on the official public-holiday list |
| Thursday 31 December | New Year's Eve | Citywide | No announcement as of 28 October; usually announced in late December |
| All month | Global Village; Dubai Miracle Garden; Dubai Safari Park | Various | Open through the winter season; check each site's dates |
As of 29 October 2026. Confirm dates on the official channel before you book.
UAE National Day: Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December
The UAE Government's holiday list gives Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026 as the official public holiday for National Day. The Cabinet may move some holidays, though not Eid, to the start or end of a week, and it did so for National Day last year. As of 28 October no change for 2026 had been announced. Commemoration Day on 30 November is a further question, because sources disagree whether it is a day off.
What it means for a visitor: expect busier attractions, malls and roads, and celebrations. Book popular things early, leave extra time for taxis and Metro rides, and check official announcements in the days before. If your trip includes those dates, tell us on WhatsApp and we confirm the pickup and availability for your day. More in our National Day guide and what closes on public holidays.
Dubai Shopping Festival: 4 December to 17 January
The 32nd Dubai Shopping Festival runs from 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, 45 days in all, organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, TradeArabia reported on 14 October. The previous edition ran from 5 December to 11 January, so this one is a week longer. The festival brings promotions, live entertainment, concerts and citywide experiences. Some travel sites still show other estimated dates, so confirm on Visit Dubai.
For visitors it is mainly a reason to shop and a reason to book early, because it covers the Christmas and New Year weeks. You do not need a ticket to benefit from the promotions; you need time, and a plan for the cool evenings. Pair a mall day with a Burj Khalifa slot about an hour before sunset, which in December means about 4:30 PM, and finish at the Dubai Fountain. Our Shopping Festival guide has more.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend
The Formula 1 race is at Yas Marina Circuit in early December. Most sources say 3-6 December, with practice on 3 December and the race on Sunday 6 December; the official confirmation says 4-6 December, and Visit Abu Dhabi lists 4-7 December. That is a real disagreement, so check the official event site before you book anything non-refundable.
Tickets are sold through the official Yas Marina Circuit portal. One report says from about AED 395, others put general admission under AED 1,000 and grandstands around AED 2,400, and availability is reported to be limited. From Dubai it is a long day: our Grand Prix guide covers it, and the Etihad Rail note explains why the train still needs a taxi at each end. If you are not going to the race, our Abu Dhabi city tour from $45 is a calmer way to see the capital; ask us on WhatsApp how race weekend affects your date.
Christmas and New Year's Eve
Christmas Day, Friday 25 December, is not on the UAE's official public-holiday list, so it is a working day for most residents. Hotels, malls and restaurants decorate, and many offer festive brunches and dinners, so book those early. Our December guide covers the weather and the traditions.
New Year's Eve is the one date not yet announced. Dubai usually announces its fireworks locations in late December. Last year the Events Security Committee announced 48 displays at 40 locations on 26 December, and Burj Khalifa was among them. Our New Year's Eve guide explains what to book now and what to wait for.
A night on the water in December
A Marina yacht party is the evening plan that works around all of these dates. It is a floating nightclub for guests aged 21 and over: 4 hours from 9 PM to 1 AM, a live DJ, a live BBQ and 25-45 guests, with the Palm and the Burj Al Arab in the background. It costs $99 per person, requires full prepayment, and boarding is at 8:30 PM at the pier behind Al Majara Tower. An original ID or passport is mandatory and swimwear is not allowed in the evening. Our yacht party guide and dress code and rules have the details.
For a shorter, quieter outing, the 1-hour shared yacht tour is from $32 per person. Whichever you choose, send us the date on WhatsApp early; December is peak season and we confirm availability for the day before you pay.
December weather, crowds and how to book
December is comfortable: sunset is about 5:30-5:40 PM, so outdoor plans start early and the evening is long. It is also peak season, so hotels, viewpoints and balloon baskets fill earlier than in the shoulder months. Balloon baskets already sell out one to two weeks ahead. In the desert, bring a light jacket for the evening from December to February.
A simple rule for the weeks ahead: book the one thing that cannot move, whether that is the Grand Prix ticket, a balloon morning or a yacht night, and leave the rest flexible. If you are not sure which month suits you, our month-by-month guide compares them.
FAQ
When is UAE National Day 2026?
The UAE Government's holiday list gives Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026 as the National Day public holiday. The Cabinet may move some holidays to the start or end of a week, and no change had been announced as of 28 October. Check official announcements nearer the date.
When is the Dubai Shopping Festival 2026-27?
4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, 45 days, according to TradeArabia on 14 October 2026. Some travel sites still show other estimated dates, so confirm on Visit Dubai.
When is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026?
Early December at Yas Marina Circuit, with the race on Sunday 6 December. Most sources say 3-6 December, the official confirmation says 4-6 December and Visit Abu Dhabi lists 4-7 December. One report puts tickets from about AED 395, so check the official site.
Is Christmas a public holiday in Dubai?
No. Christmas Day, Friday 25 December in 2026, is not on the UAE's official public-holiday list. Hotels, malls and restaurants still decorate and many offer festive meals, which are worth booking early.
Has Dubai announced New Year's Eve fireworks for 2026?
Not as of 28 October 2026. Dubai usually announces fireworks locations in late December: last year the Events Security Committee announced 48 displays at 40 locations on 26 December, with Burj Khalifa among them.
Is December a good time to visit Dubai?
Yes. The weather is mild, with sunset at about 5:30 PM, but it is peak season. Popular slots such as the balloon (from $275, with baskets selling out one to two weeks ahead) and Burj Khalifa fill early, so book what matters first.
Can I go to a yacht party in Dubai in December?
Yes, our Marina yacht party is $99 per person for guests aged 21 and over, from 9 PM to 1 AM with boarding at 8:30 PM, and full prepayment confirms it. Send us your date on WhatsApp and we confirm availability. An original ID or passport is mandatory.
Recommended Dubai tours for this guide
Dubai Marina Yacht Party
It is a floating nightclub rather than a boat trip: an international crowd of 25-45 guests, a live DJ playing house, R&B and chart hits, a live BBQ from the grill and the city lights of the Palm and Burj Al Arab in the background. No assigned seats — you move between the decks — and the whole night is included in one ticket.
- Duration
- 4 hours (9 PM-1 AM)
- Area
- Dubai Marina
- Format
- Shared 21+ party cruise
- Best for
- solo travellers, couples and groups aged 21+ who want a night out on the water
$99 per person Full prepayment
View tour
Burj Khalifa Observation Deck
It is a ticket, not a guided tour: you pick the date and time slot, we book it and send the e-tickets on WhatsApp, and you make your own way to The Dubai Mall. Levels 124 and 125 suit most visitors; SKY adds Level 148 at 555 m with priority access, a multilingual host and refreshments. On request we also book Sky Views Observatory, The View at The Palm and Dubai Frame.
- Duration
- 1.5-2 hours
- Area
- Downtown Dubai
- Format
- Timed-entry ticket
- Best for
- first-time visitors, couples and families who want Dubai from the observation decks of the 828-metre Burj Khalifa
From $55 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: UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) — Lxs, CC BY 4.0, Dubai Shopping Festival, 32nd edition — Dakstor, CC BY-SA 4.0, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — JiteshJagadish, CC BY 2.0, Christmas in Dubai — Lyn972, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).