The UAE turns 44 this week, and celebrations have already begun, with people turning out in droves to watch the UAE National Day Parade march through the streets of Downtown Dubai, while also celebrating at Kite Beach and in the skies.

Here are the best of your social media snaps from throughout the weekend:

1. Horses traipse through the streets as part of the parade.

2. Different nationalities were represented.

3. An Indian float drives through the streets.

4. LED lights celebrate the UAE’s 44th birthday.

5. Stunt planes recreate the UAE flag through the use of smoke trails.

6. A great National Day moment – a young lad among the flags at Kite Beach.

7. Stunt planes coursing through the sky.

8. UAE landmarks lit up in the colours of the flag.

9. Stunt planes snapped mid-air blazing colourful trails.

10. Supercars stalk the streets of Downtown in national colours.

11. A military march through town holds the UAE flag high.

12. A snap of the parade at Downtown Dubai.

13. Another video of the supercars slinking through the city.

14. They probably come from a land down under.

15. A rare flock of flags spotted nesting at Kite Beach.

#uaenationalday celebrations! #flags photo credit @rpgazder

A photo posted by Shaista Vaishnav (@shaifyi) on

16. Fun fact: UAE flags growing in the wild will intentionally face their broadest side to the sun. 

17. Pretty ponies trot happily down the road.

Most beautiful horses on earth #uaenationalday44 #uaenationalday #mydubai #dubai #mydowntowndubai A photo posted by Wafita (@wawa.wafita) on

18. Man forgets how to ride quad bike in the heat of the festivities. 

19. The biker at the back didn’t receive the memo telling them to repaint their motorbikes.

#uaenationalday #uaeflag #bike #downtowndubai #downtownparade #dubai #instacool #instagram

A photo posted by Dana Huraimi (@muchadoaboutkids) on

20. A shepherd tends to his flock as the sun sets over the city.

21. The Burj Khalifa received a makeover as part of the patriotic day.

Feeling festive yet? We’ll bring you more on National Day throughout the week.

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