Four day weekend, fireworks and more announced for Eid Al Etihad festivities
The public holiday formally known as National Day…
This year the UAE will celebrate its 53rd Union Day (formally known as National Day) or to give it’s new rebranded title, Eid Al Etihad (festival of the union).
AL Fursan
Flag Garden
Global Village
EXPO CITY
National Day performances
Flag day
Festival City Mall
Global Village
Etihad Museum Dubai
Etihad Museum Dubai
Etisalat Beach Canteen
WInter Wonderland
National Day Fireworks
UAE Union Day
For this, more than half-century milestone, the #ZayedAndRashid campaign, announced by Brand Dubai will include a month of events taking place between UAE Flag Day and the 53rd Eid Al Etihad from November 3 to December 2.
The events calendar has been curated to dazzle, excite and wave the banner of UAE heritage high and proud. It pays homage to UAE founding fathers – Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, their world-changing vision and cooperation in forming the union.
Eid Al Etihad holidays
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.
Eid Al Etihad Celebrations
For the big weekend, a recent announcement by the Union Day committee has said that there will be Eid Al Etihad Zones across the seven emirates for December 2. More details on locations and inclusions will follow shortly.
Fireworks
If you want to see the Union Day fireworks in Dubai, you’ll be able to catch them on both Monday December 2 and Tuesday December 3, taking place in four locations: JBR Beach, Al Seef, Hatta and Dubai Festival City Mall. The timings have not yet been confirmed. The fireworks at Dubai Festival City Mall will be coupled with the daily IMAGINE light and laser show, a colourful display that illuminates the waters at Festival City each evening.
You’ll also be able to see fireworks in Dubai at Global Village at 9pm every night between Friday November 29 and Tuesday December 3. Each week, Global Village illuminates the skies with a fireworks display on Friday and Saturday, and the National Day weekend will be no different.
Markets and food festivals
And you can’t have a proper celebration without party food right. But this is Dubai, so don’t expect jelly and ice cream. Maybe caviar ice cream, and gold flecked jelly – but you’ll be able to see and sample for yourself at a special edition of the Beach Canteen, Ripe Market, and Winter Wonderland.
Concerts
There are a pair of completely free Union Symphony concerts headed for EXPO City, with instrumental support from the Firdaus Orchestra. The playlist will include a selection of Emirati national songs, and the audience will be able to enjoy the varied local delights of the Al Wasl Plaza-based Emirati Harvest Market.
We can also look forward to other Union Day Concerts, with a focus on Arab artists and regional performances.
Visitors to Dubai Airports could find themselves getting a welcome to the UAE serenade – with special spaces set aside for the Union celebrations.
Union Day Parade
An event celebrating pride on the UAE. The Union Parade will be kaleidoscopically forward, cultural exercise in pomp and fanfare will be conducted in partnership with Watani Al Emarat, at City Walk on December 2.
Making the city even more pretty
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) are getting ready to paint the town red. But also green, white, black. Yes the city’s favourite transport heroes will be gilding bridges and glossing up the main roads in UAE national livery and festive lights. The Infinity Bridge, Museum of the Future and Business Bay Crossing have been singled out for special signature treatment.
Cultural events
Dubai Culture has put together a series of engaging experiences at Hatta Heritage Village, Al Shindagha Museum, the Etihad Museum and the always beguiling Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. And Dubai Frame, Dubai Safari Park, and the Clock Tower roundabout will all feature special illuminations.
Hatta
Dubai’s mountain quarter, Hatta is getting some festive-themed aesthetic enhancements too. Expect illuminations and alfresco performances.
Malls
City Centre Mirdif and Mall of the Emirates will recive a Union Day makeover from November 15 to December 7. They’ll also be hosting some big entertainment events and interactive workshops.
Global Village
Of course Globey V is getting in on the act. They don’t need any excuse to celebrate, but really go to town when they do have one. Expect an avalanche of flags, patriotic pyrotechnics and special themed shows.
2025 Holidays
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: What’s On Archive
