Here’s what we know so far…

The UAE has announced a public holiday for UAE National Day. As confirmed by officials, Saturday December 2 and Sunday December 3 will both be paid holidays for the private sector. However, for those that typically have a Saturday-Sunday weekend, this means that we won’t be getting a long weekend.

However, there’s still a chance it could be a three-day weekend. Along with UAE National Day, the UAE celebrates Commemoration Day (previously known as Martyrs’ Day) at the end of the month. It officially falls on November 30 but, in previous years is marked the following day on December 1.

This year, December 1 falls on a Friday. But we may have to wait a little longer for updates from the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation to see if Commemoration Day will be a paid public holiday.

Stay tuned to whatson.ae for the news and updates.

What is Commemoration Day?

UAE NATIONAL DAY

Commemoration Day is a day dedicated to remembering those who sacrificed their lives both at home and abroad in military and humanitarian fields. It came into effect in 2015, when HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the then-president of the UAE, stated that the day would become an annual public holiday to honour the UAE’s martyrs.

UAE National Day

In 2023, the UAE is celebrating 52 years since its formation in 1971. Apart from the UAE decked up in colours of the UAE flag (red, green, white and black) across the country, there will be several activities taking place to help mark the big day. The major plans for the UAE National Day are yet to be announced, but we can expect staycation deals, dining deals, discounts to family-friendly attractions and more. Stay tuned as we will be sharing some of the top things to do in UAE.

*Jaw-dropping then and now throwback pictures of Dubai*

When is the next public holiday?

After Commemoration Day and UAE National Day, that’s it for 2023. However, we don’t have to wait long for the first public holiday in 2024 as it falls on January 1, aka New Year’s Day. Lucky for us, January 1 is falling on a Monday which means it will be a three-day long weekend for most of us.

The UAE has also announced a list of public holidays in 2024. Get out your 2024 diary and slot in the dates now.

Images: Supplied