Eid Al Etihad 2026 marks 55 years since the UAE was formed, and Dubai has turned the build-up into a full month. Brand Dubai’s National Month started on Flag Day, 3 November, and runs until National Day itself on Wednesday 2 December. Many guides only appear in the final week of November. This one puts what is already confirmed in one place, and is clear about what is still to come.
Quick answer: Dubai’s National Month runs from 3 November to 2 December 2026. The UAE Flag Garden is open now at Umm Suqeim Beach, entry is free, and Global Village has fireworks every Friday and Saturday at 9pm. The official National Day holiday falls on 2 and 3 December under UAE law, but the government has not yet said whether it will move it to create a longer weekend.
Eid Al Etihad 2026 at a glance
| Date | What is happening | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Nov | Flag Day, start of Dubai’s National Month | Confirmed |
| From 3 Nov | UAE Flag Garden, Umm Suqeim Beach | Confirmed, free |
| Every Fri and Sat | Global Village fireworks, 9pm | Confirmed |
| 29 Nov | Zayed Charity Run, Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| 30 Nov | Commemoration Day | Marked nationally |
| 2 Dec | 55th Eid Al Etihad (National Day) | Confirmed |
| 2 and 3 Dec | National Day public holiday | Fixed in law, could be moved |
| From 4 Dec | Dubai Shopping Festival begins | Confirmed |
Dubai National Month 2026: what is confirmed
Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Dubai Government Media Office, announced the National Month programme on 2 November. Brand Dubai is releasing event dates and locations in stages. Even so, a few parts are already fixed:
- Flag Day flag raising took place at 11am across the city on 3 November.
- The UAE Flag Garden is back for its 13th year.
- A UAE parade is on the programme, though organisers have not yet shared the date or route.
- “Stories of Our Determination”, a short film competition, is part of the programme.
- Eid Al Etihad festivities will take place at some of Dubai’s main landmarks.
Details are from Time Out Dubai’s report on the announcement. We will add dates here as Brand Dubai releases them.
UAE Flag Garden 2026: free and open now
The Flag Garden is the easiest National Month activity to do this week. Thousands of UAE flags cover the sand at Umm Suqeim Beach, with Burj Al Arab behind them. According to Gulf News, entry is free with no tickets or booking needed, and the garden stays up until January. Last year’s edition closed on 10 January.
For the classic photo, line up the flags with Burj Al Arab behind them. On weekend evenings, leave extra time for parking and the walk along the beach.
Read More: UAE National Day 2026 Car Decoration Rules: Emirate-by-Emirate Guide
Eid Al Etihad fireworks 2026: where to watch
So far, organisers have not released an official 2026 fireworks schedule for the National Day weekend itself. For now, here is what you can plan around now:
- Global Village runs its regular fireworks show every Friday and Saturday at 9pm, so there are fireworks every weekend of National Month.
- Venues that have hosted National Day fireworks before include Dubai Festival City, Bluewaters, JBR and The Beach, and Expo City Dubai in Dubai, plus the Corniche and Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah. Treat these as likely spots, not confirmed 2026 shows.
Meanwhile, the official Eid Al Etihad ceremony on 2 December usually runs as an invitation-only event, and TV and official digital channels show it live.
Free events outside Dubai
In Abu Dhabi, the Zayed Charity Run takes place on Sunday 29 November, starting at 7am from Wahat Al Karama and finishing at ERTH Abu Dhabi. There are 3km, 5km and 10km routes, and the organisers say it is open to all ages and fitness levels.
Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba is another option for the long weekend. Our Sheikh Zayed Festival 2026/2027 guide has dates and tickets, and it is worth checking the festival’s channels for any National Day shows.
UAE National Day 2026 holiday: dates and the long weekend question
Under UAE law, the National Day holiday falls on 2 and 3 December. In 2026, that is Wednesday and Thursday. With the Saturday and Sunday weekend, that leaves Friday 4 December as a single working day in between.
However, the law lets the government move holidays to the start or end of the week. That is why there is talk of a four-day or even five-day break, but the government has not confirmed anything yet. Similarly, the country marks Commemoration Day on 30 November, but it has not been a separate day off in recent years.
| Scenario | Days off | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday stays on Wed 2 and Thu 3 Dec | Two days, then work on Friday | Default under the law |
| Holiday moved to join the weekend | Four days | Possible, not confirmed |
| Friday 4 Dec added | Five days | Possible, not confirmed |
How to plan your trip around National Day
- Taking Friday 4 December as leave gives you Wednesday to Sunday off, even if nothing changes.
- For a nine-day break, the leave plan in our holiday guide below still works.
- Book flexible. Flights out of the UAE on 1 and 2 December fill fast once the official announcement lands, usually in the last week of November.
- Staying in the city? The Dubai Shopping Festival starts on 4 December and runs until 17 January 2027, right after the holiday.
Read More: UAE National Day Holidays 2026: How to Plan 9 Days Off With 3 Leave Days
Driving to the celebrations? Our guide to National Day free parking across all seven emirates covers what to expect.
Pro Tip: Visit the Flag Garden on a weekday morning in November. It is quieter, the light is better for photos, and you avoid the National Day weekend crowds.
Our Take
The 55th Eid Al Etihad is a milestone year, and Dubai is clearly treating it as more than one day. The smart move is to enjoy the confirmed, free parts now, like the Flag Garden and Global Village fireworks, and keep your National Day plans flexible until the holiday announcement. If it becomes a four or five-day weekend, you will be ready. If it does not, you have still had a month of celebrations.
FAQs
When is Eid Al Etihad 2026?
Eid Al Etihad, UAE National Day, falls on Wednesday 2 December 2026. It is the country’s 55th.
Is the UAE National Day holiday 2026 confirmed?
The law sets the holiday on 2 and 3 December. The government has not yet said whether it will move it to create a longer weekend.
Where is the UAE Flag Garden in 2026?
At Umm Suqeim Beach in Dubai, next to Burj Al Arab. Entry is free and no booking is needed.
Where can I watch fireworks for National Day 2026?
Global Village has fireworks every Friday and Saturday at 9pm. Organisers have not yet named the official National Day fireworks venues for 2026.
When does Dubai Shopping Festival 2026 start?
The 32nd Dubai Shopping Festival runs from 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027.
