There's a four-day UAE national holiday starting this month
This is the celebration formally known as National Day…
AL Fursan
National Day performances
Al Fursan displays
Fireworks over Yas Bay
The 51st UAE National Day celebrations
Union Day in Expo City
Fursan Al Emarat
Fireworks over JBR
Al Fursan – the knights of the sky
Globey Vs
Global Village. The long running theme park / fairground / market / street eat dine around. Beloved by residents for its nostalgic feels, weekly fireworks and huge theatrical stage shows. It’s also home to the largest community of honey salespeople Ive ever seen.
Flag Garden
Museum of The Future
Global Village
Al Fursan trooping the national colours
We may be three-quarters of the way through the year now but – it’s a comforting thought that there are still a few public holidays left for us to look forward to at the back end of 2024.
We’re speaking specifically here about the celebration formally known as National Day, now referred to as Union Day. The UAE Cabinet resolution which sets the calendar for public and private holidays in the country, made provision for two days of holiday to mark the occasion, falling on December 2 and 3, which is a Monday and Tuesday. Meaning, for those that have weekends off (sorry service industry), there will be a four-day weekend.
Union Day Dubai 2024
One of the days within the break can likely be attributed to Commemoration Day (previously known as Martyrs’ Day). It’s observed every year in the UAE on November 30, with a minute’s silence at 11.30am, honouring those who have sacrificed their lives for the country. In recent years, a holiday has traditionally been given on the following day, December 1. Although 2023, was a notable exception, despite falling on a Friday.
Looking for some travel inspiration? Check out these 10 world wonders, within a five-hour flight of the UAE. Or for something a little closer to home, we’re keeping a running commentary on all the awesome events scheduled for the public and private holiday.
And if you want to get a head start on booking up those 2025 holidays, the UAE Cabinet has recently dropped the full list for next year. Some of the Gregorian Calendar dates are of course dependent on moon sighting for their equivalence to the Islamic Calendar, but they’re all there.
The resolution laying out the holiday dates, also included an authorisation for local governments to approve official holidays not currently mentioned, for government departments and institutions.
Images: Getty
