The UAE National Day holiday in 2026 falls on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December, for both the public and the private sector. It marks the 55th Eid Al Etihad. Because it lands mid-week, Friday 4 December is a normal working day unless the government moves the break. Taking that Friday as leave gives a five-day weekend, and three leave days give you nine days off.
On this page
- National Day holiday 2026 dates
- Is Commemoration Day (1 December) a holiday?
- Could the National Day holiday move?
- Does the private sector get the National Day holiday?
- How to turn National Day into a long break
- What is open over the National Day holiday
- How the country celebrates
- Where to go over the break
- Why the UAE celebrates on 2 December
- What comes next
- Change log
- National Day holiday FAQs
National Day holiday 2026 dates
| Day | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 30 November | Working day (Commemoration Day is observed, but it is not a day off) |
| Tuesday | 1 December | Working day |
| Wednesday | 2 December | Public holiday (National Day) |
| Thursday | 3 December | Public holiday (National Day) |
| Friday | 4 December | Working day, unless the holiday is moved |
| Saturday and Sunday | 5 and 6 December | Weekend |
These are the dates set by the UAE’s holiday rules in Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, which gives 2 and 3 December to everyone, as listed on the UAE Government portal. As of 12 October 2026 the government had not yet issued its 2026 National Day circular, so the dates could still change, as explained below.
Is Commemoration Day (1 December) a holiday?
No, despite what several holiday calendars say. Some sites list Tuesday 1 December 2026 as a Commemoration Day holiday, which would make a three-day midweek break. The official list of public holidays, set by Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 and published on the UAE Government portal, has only two National Day days: 2 and 3 December. Commemoration Day itself falls on 30 November and honours the UAE’s martyrs; flags fly at half mast in the morning and the country observes a minute’s silence, but it is not a day off.
The 2025 calendar shows how it works in practice: the government moved the two National Day days to Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December, and no separate Commemoration Day holiday was added.
Could the National Day holiday move?
Yes, it could. The holiday rules allow the government to move some public holidays to the start or end of the week. It did exactly that last year: in 2025, the National Day break was moved to Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation confirmed it for the private sector on 17 November 2025.
For 2026, a move to the end of the week would turn the break into a four-day weekend from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 December. Nothing has been announced. Based on last year’s timing, expect the official decision around mid-November. We will update this page the same day.
Do not book non-refundable travel around a moved holiday until the official circular is out. Plan around Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December for now.
Does the private sector get the National Day holiday?
Yes. Since Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, private sector employees get the same public holidays as government staff, so National Day on 2 and 3 December applies to both. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources announces the dates for federal staff and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) for the private sector, usually on the same day. Sharjah government staff, who already have Fridays off, get a five-day break from Wednesday 2 to Sunday 6 December without taking leave. Individual emirates can give their own government departments extra days, but that does not automatically extend to private companies. Some employers, such as hospitals, hotels and retailers, keep staff working through the break, so check your own rota.
How to turn National Day into a long break
| Leave you take | Leave days | Days off in a row |
|---|---|---|
| None | 0 | 2 (Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December) |
| Friday 4 December | 1 | 5 (Wednesday 2 to Sunday 6 December) |
| Tuesday 1 and Friday 4 December | 2 | 6 (Tuesday 1 to Sunday 6 December) |
| Monday 30 November, Tuesday 1 and Friday 4 December | 3 | 9 (Saturday 28 November to Sunday 6 December) |
The single best-value day is Friday 4 December: one day of leave for a five-day break. If you can spare three days, the nine-day option covers the whole National Day week and still leaves you before the school winter break, which starts on 14 December.
What is open over the National Day holiday
- Malls, beaches and parks: open as normal, and busy from late morning.
- Seasonal attractions: Global Village keeps its public holiday hours, 4pm to 1am, and Dubai Miracle Garden runs its Eid Al Etihad celebration week.
- Government offices: closed on 2 and 3 December. Most services stay available online.
- Banks: branches follow the public holiday, while apps and ATMs keep working.
- Schools: the Ministry of Education calendar gives students Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 December off, one day more than the public holiday, so parents may want Friday as leave anyway. The winter break follows on 14 December; see our UAE school holidays 2026-27 guide.
- Restaurants and hotels: open, with many National Day menus and staycation offers; book brunches and lakeside tables early.
How the country celebrates
Expect fireworks across the emirates, with Abu Dhabi Corniche, Dubai Festival City and Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah among the usual spots; the Burj Khalifa lights up in the flag’s colours; and the Al Fursan aerobatic team often flies displays. Heritage villages, flag-themed decorations on homes and cars, and car parades are part of the day. The official Eid Al Etihad show is broadcast on the evening of 2 December. Our National Day events guide lists what is on in each emirate.
Travelling over the break? Flights out of the UAE for the National Day week are among the most expensive of the year, and the school winter break follows soon after. If you plan to fly, book as early as possible and allow extra time at the airport; if you stay, it is one of the best-weather weeks for outdoor trips.
Crowd cue: early December is one of the best weather weeks of the year, so Hatta, the beaches and the desert camping spots fill up fast over National Day. Book campsites and attraction tickets early and arrive at opening time.
Where to go over the break
- National Day events and fireworks: where to celebrate in each emirate.
- Things to do in Hatta: the classic National Day road trip, best before 10am.
- Camping in the UAE: the season is in full swing, with permits needed in some areas.
- Day trips from Dubai: east coast beaches and mountain drives by drive time.
Why the UAE celebrates on 2 December
Before 1971, the emirates were the Trucial States, linked to Britain by a series of treaties dating from 1820. After Britain announced in 1968 that it would withdraw from the Gulf, the rulers negotiated a federation. On 2 December 1971, six emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah) declared the United Arab Emirates at Union House in Dubai, now part of the Etihad Museum. Ras Al Khaimah joined on 10 February 1972. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan became the first President and is remembered as the founding father.
2 December 2026 marks the 55th anniversary. The day is officially known as Eid Al Etihad, Arabic for “Union Day”, a name adopted for the celebrations in recent years in place of “National Day”.
What comes next
After National Day, the next public holiday is New Year’s Day on Friday 1 January 2027, which gives a three-day weekend. See the full list in our UAE public holidays 2027 guide, and the school calendar in UAE school holidays 2026-27.
Change log
- 12 October 2026: added the Commemoration Day clarification, who announces the dates, the Sharjah Friday rule, what else closes and the history of 2 December.
- 9 October 2026: page created. Holiday set at Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026 under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. Official 2026 circular not yet issued.
National Day holiday FAQs
When is the UAE National Day holiday in 2026?
The UAE National Day holiday falls on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026. The official circular is expected around mid-November and could move the dates.
Is the National Day holiday the same for the private sector?
Yes. Under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, private sector employees get the same National Day holiday as government staff.
Is Friday 4 December 2026 a holiday in the UAE?
Not at the moment. Friday 4 December is a working day unless the government moves the National Day break. Taking it as leave gives a five-day weekend.
How can I get 9 days off for National Day 2026?
Take leave on Monday 30 November, Tuesday 1 December and Friday 4 December. With the holiday and two weekends, that gives nine days off from 28 November to 6 December.
Which National Day is it in 2026?
2 December 2026 marks the 55th UAE National Day, also called Eid Al Etihad. The UAE was formed on 2 December 1971.
Is 1 December 2026 a holiday in the UAE?
No. Some calendars list 1 December as a Commemoration Day holiday, but the official public holiday list has only two National Day days, 2 and 3 December. Commemoration Day on 30 November is observed but is not a day off.
Why is UAE National Day on 2 December?
On 2 December 1971 six emirates formed the United Arab Emirates at Union House in Dubai. Ras Al Khaimah joined on 10 February 1972.
Was the National Day holiday moved in 2025?
Yes. In 2025 the break was moved to Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December, and the private sector holiday was confirmed on 17 November 2025.