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UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) 2026 Events: Fireworks and Celebrations in Every Emirate

Last updated: Sep 25, 2026
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  1. UAE National Day events in every emirate
  2. Questions
  3. Sources

UAE National Day events in every emirate

Recent programmes, mostly from 2025, from official and UAE news listings, checked 25 September 2026. Holiday expected 2 and 3 December, not yet confirmed.
Where you are celebrating

What you want to see

Dubai's Eid Al Etihad celebrationsCitywide, venues to be announcedConfirmed for 2026FireworksCitywideDates: 30 November to 3 December, with fireworks, cultural shows and family events. Times and venues not announced yet.Hala MohanlalDubai, venue to be announcedConfirmed for 2026Stage showTicket details not announcedDates: National Day itself, Wednesday 2 December.Eid Al Etihad at Global VillageGlobal Village, DubailandVenue open over the 2026 breakFireworksDronesTicketedIn 2025: Fireworks at 9pm on 1 to 3 Dec, drone shows on 1 and 2 Dec.Waterfront fireworksThe Beach JBR, Bluewaters and Souk Al SeefFireworksFreeIn 2025: Three shows at the same time, 9pm on 2 Dec.Dubai Festival City fireworksFestival Bay, Dubai Festival City MallFireworksFree to watchIn 2025: Fireworks at 8pm on 2 Dec, with a ticketed concert alongside.Hatta fireworksHatta, by the Hatta signFireworksFreeIn 2025: Fireworks at 8pm on 2 Dec. Hatta Heritage Village held shows on 2 and 3 Dec.Riverland fireworks and lasersRiverland, Dubai Parks and ResortsFireworksTicketedIn 2025: Fireworks at 7pm and 9:30pm on 1 and 2 Dec.Al Etihad ParadeJumeirah Road, Union House to Burj Al ArabParadeFreeIn 2025: Procession from 4pm on 2 Dec. City Walk held its own parade on 1 Dec.Eid Al Etihad at Expo City DubaiExpo City DubaiFamilyTicketedIn 2025: Workshops, an orchestra and film screenings over the holiday.Watch the official ceremonyAl Khawaneej, Global Village and Dubai Festival City MallScreeningFreeIn 2025: Shown live on public screens on 2 Dec.
Dubai's Eid Al Etihad celebrationsCitywide, venues to be announcedConfirmed for 2026FireworksCitywideDates: 30 November to 3 December, with fireworks, cultural shows and family events. Times and venues not announced yet.Eid Al Etihad at Global VillageGlobal Village, DubailandVenue open over the 2026 breakFireworksDronesTicketedIn 2025: Fireworks at 9pm on 1 to 3 Dec, drone shows on 1 and 2 Dec.Waterfront fireworksThe Beach JBR, Bluewaters and Souk Al SeefFireworksFreeIn 2025: Three shows at the same time, 9pm on 2 Dec.Dubai Festival City fireworksFestival Bay, Dubai Festival City MallFireworksFree to watchIn 2025: Fireworks at 8pm on 2 Dec, with a ticketed concert alongside.Hatta fireworksHatta, by the Hatta signFireworksFreeIn 2025: Fireworks at 8pm on 2 Dec. Hatta Heritage Village held shows on 2 and 3 Dec.Riverland fireworks and lasersRiverland, Dubai Parks and ResortsFireworksTicketedIn 2025: Fireworks at 7pm and 9:30pm on 1 and 2 Dec.
Sheikh Zayed FestivalAl Wathba, Abu DhabiVenue open over the 2026 breakFireworksDronesTicketedIn 2025: Fireworks at 10pm on 1 to 3 Dec, drones at 9:30pm, then a parade on 4 Dec.Abu Dhabi Grand PrixYas Marina Circuit, Yas IslandConfirmed for 2026MotorsportTicketedDates: Runs 3 to 6 December, race on Sunday 6 December.Grand Prix after-race concertsYas Marina Circuit, Yas IslandConfirmed for 2026ConcertRace ticket holders onlyDates: Lewis Capaldi on 3 Dec, Alex Warren on 4 Dec, Imagine Dragons on 5 Dec, The Chainsmokers and The Script on 6 Dec. Zara Larsson, billed for 3 Dec, has said she will not perform.Andrea BocelliEtihad Arena, Yas IslandConfirmed for 2026ConcertTicketedDates: National Day itself, Wednesday 2 December.Anyma, Grand Prix after-partyYas Gateway Park, Yas IslandConfirmed for 2026DJ setCheck entryDates: Friday 4 December.Yas Bay fireworksYas Bay Waterfront, Yas IslandFireworksFreeIn 2025: Shows and falconry from 3pm, fireworks at 9pm.Corniche fireworksAbu Dhabi CornicheFireworksFreeIn 2025: Fireworks at 9pm on 2 Dec.Emirates Palace fireworksEmirates Palace Mandarin OrientalFireworksCheck entryIn 2025: Fireworks at 9:15pm on 2 Dec, children's workshops in the days before.Bawabat Al Sharq fireworksBawabat Al Sharq Mall, BaniyasFireworksFreeIn 2025: Traditional Ayala dance, then fireworks at 8pm on 2 Dec.Mother of the Nation FestivalAl Ain Square, Al AinFestivalFireworksTicketedIn 2025: Ran 28 Nov to 2 Dec, 4pm to midnight, ending in fireworks.Al Ain fireworksRuler's Representative Court, Al AinFireworksFreeIn 2025: Fireworks at 9pm on 2 Dec.Eid Al Etihad at Al QanaAl Qana, Abu DhabiHeritageFreeIn 2025: Ayala dance, henna and pottery, 5pm to 11pm up to 3 Dec.Eid Al Etihad at MarsanaHudayriyat IslandFamilyFreeIn 2025: Performances and children's activities, 3pm to 8pm on 2 Dec.Watch the official ceremonyKhalifa City, Al Falah City, Al Shamkha and Al AinScreeningFreeIn 2025: Shown live on public screens on 2 Dec.
Sheikh Zayed FestivalAl Wathba, Abu DhabiVenue open over the 2026 breakFireworksDronesTicketedIn 2025: Fireworks at 10pm on 1 to 3 Dec, drones at 9:30pm, then a parade on 4 Dec.Yas Bay fireworksYas Bay Waterfront, Yas IslandFireworksFreeIn 2025: Shows and falconry from 3pm, fireworks at 9pm.Corniche fireworksAbu Dhabi CornicheFireworksFreeIn 2025: Fireworks at 9pm on 2 Dec.Emirates Palace fireworksEmirates Palace Mandarin OrientalFireworksCheck entryIn 2025: Fireworks at 9:15pm on 2 Dec, children's workshops in the days before.Bawabat Al Sharq fireworksBawabat Al Sharq Mall, BaniyasFireworksFreeIn 2025: Traditional Ayala dance, then fireworks at 8pm on 2 Dec.Mother of the Nation FestivalAl Ain Square, Al AinFestivalFireworksTicketedIn 2025: Ran 28 Nov to 2 Dec, 4pm to midnight, ending in fireworks.Al Ain fireworksRuler's Representative Court, Al AinFireworksFreeIn 2025: Fireworks at 9pm on 2 Dec.
East coast parades and fireworksKalba and Dibba Al HisnFireworksParadeFreeIn 2025: Parades and fireworks on 22 Nov, a week before the holiday.Park celebrationsAl Siyouh, Kshisha and Sharjah National ParkFamilyCheck entryIn 2025: Two weeks of folk and laser shows up to 2 Dec, 4pm to 10pm.Eid Al Etihad at Al Layyah CanalAl Layyah Canal, SharjahHeritageFreeIn 2025: Folk shows and light displays, evenings from 28 Nov to 2 Dec.Free museum entrySharjah Museums, including Kalba and Khor FakkanHeritageFreeIn 2025: Free entry on 2 and 3 Dec.Khor Fakkan concertKhorfakkan AmphitheatreConcertCheck entryIn 2025: An evening of Emirati music on 29 Nov.Central region paradesAl Dhaid and Al BatayehParadeHeritageCheck entryIn 2025: Parades and heritage markets from 26 to 30 Nov.Watch the official ceremonyAl Siyouh Park and Kshisha ParkScreeningFreeIn 2025: Shown live on public screens on 2 Dec.
East coast parades and fireworksKalba and Dibba Al HisnFireworksParadeFreeIn 2025: Parades and fireworks on 22 Nov, a week before the holiday.
Al Khor Waterfront festivalAl Khor Waterfront, Umm Al QuwainFestivalFireworksCheck entryIn 2024: Five days from 29 Nov, 4pm to 10pm, fireworks at 7pm on 2 Dec.Ajman Police paradeAjman CornicheParadeFreeIn 2025: Military parade at 4pm on Friday 28 Nov.Watch the official ceremonyMarsa Ajman, Al Jurf and Al Warqa parks, and Al Khor WaterfrontScreeningFreeIn 2025: Shown live on public screens on 2 Dec.
Al Khor Waterfront festivalAl Khor Waterfront, Umm Al QuwainFestivalFireworksCheck entryIn 2024: Five days from 29 Nov, 4pm to 10pm, fireworks at 7pm on 2 Dec.
RAK Maritime ParadeRAK Creek, then Corniche Al QawasimParadeFreeIn 2025: Boats parade the creek at 3pm on 1 Dec, then shows on the Corniche until 11pm.Watch the official ceremonyCorniche Al Qawasim and the RAK FlagpoleScreeningFreeIn 2025: Shown live on public screens on 2 Dec.
No National Day fireworks were listed in Ras Al Khaimah last year.Al Marjan Island's record-breaking show is on New Year's Eve. The nearest National Day show was at Umm Al Quwain's Al Khor Waterfront.
Fujairah National Day programme18 sites, including Masafi, Fujairah City and DibbaHeritageParadeCheck entryIn 2025: 26 events from 27 Nov to 2 Dec, opening at Masafi at 4pm.Corniche celebrationsFujairah CornicheFamilyFreeIn 2024: Evenings from 5pm to 11pm on 2 and 3 Dec.Watch the official ceremonyUmbrella Beach, FujairahScreeningFreeIn 2025: Shown live on public screens on 2 Dec.
No National Day fireworks were confirmed in Fujairah last year.The nearest listed show was just down the coast in Kalba, held a week before the holiday.

No emirate has published its 55th National Day (Eid Al Etihad) programme yet, so most rows show what ran in 2025; the Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah Corniche entries use 2024 listings where no 2025 detail was found. Rows tagged for 2026 are confirmed, including the first shows and concerts announced for the break. Last year’s line-ups were announced in the second half of November. Allow extra travel time and check venue parking or public transport guidance before you leave.

Make a long weekend of it

Our two National Day guides cover both ways to spend the break.

UAE staycation dealsNational Day flight deals

Questions

When is the UAE National Day holiday in 2026?

The standing dates are Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December, under the national holiday calendar. The 2026 decision has not been announced yet. Last year the break was moved to Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December, and that was announced on 17 November, so expect this year's confirmation around mid-November.

Where can I watch the official Eid Al Etihad ceremony?

The ceremony on 2 December is invitation-only, so the public watches it live. Last year it was shown on local TV, on the Eid Al Etihad YouTube channel and website, in cinemas, and on free public screens in every emirate. The 2026 venue has not been announced. It was held at Zayed National Museum in 2025 and in Al Ain in 2024.

Where are the best places to watch National Day fireworks?

Dubai's official events calendar puts this year's celebrations, fireworks included, on 30 November to 3 December, with venues still to come. Last year The Beach JBR, Bluewaters and Souk Al Seef all fired at 9pm on 2 December, and Global Village ran fireworks on three nights. In Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Festival at Al Wathba ran fireworks on several nights, with Yas Bay and the Corniche on the day itself. Most of these are free to watch.

Are there any concerts over the National Day break?

Yes. In Dubai, the Malayalam film star Mohanlal headlines the Hala Mohanlal show on 2 December, with the venue and tickets still to be announced. In Abu Dhabi, Andrea Bocelli plays Etihad Arena on 2 December, and the Grand Prix after-race concerts run from 3 to 6 December for race ticket holders only. Zara Larsson, billed for 3 December, has said she will not perform, though the organisers have not updated the line-up. No emirate has announced its own National Day concerts yet.

Does the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix clash with National Day?

Partly. The Grand Prix runs 3 to 6 December 2026 at Yas Marina Circuit, with the race on Sunday 6 December. If you are heading to Yas Bay or anywhere on Yas Island over the break, expect heavy traffic and busy hotels.

What are the rules for decorating my car for National Day?

Last year's rules allowed the UAE flag, official Eid Al Etihad stickers and approved National Day songs. They banned covering windows or number plates, changing the car's colour, spray paint, passengers leaning out of windows and unauthorised parades. The police announce the 2026 rules and dates nearer the holiday, and breaking them can mean a fine and the car being impounded.

Sources

How this list was put together
  • No emirate had published a 2026 National Day programme when this was checked on 25 September 2026. Every row is last year's edition unless it is tagged for 2026, and Umm Al Quwain and the Fujairah Corniche rest on 2024 listings because no 2025 detail could be found.
  • Where two published sources disagreed, the disputed detail was left out rather than picked: the Yas Bay dates, whether Emirates Palace was free, and the Expo City dates. The Abu Dhabi Corniche show is listed by one outlet only.
  • Left out because they could not be verified on an opened page: a National Day show at Burj Khalifa and fireworks on the Ajman Corniche. Al Marjan Island's fireworks were excluded because they are a New Year's Eve event.
  • Shows and concerts confirmed for 2026 are listed because they fall over the break. Only Hala Mohanlal is billed as tied to National Day, and it is a private promoter's event, not an official celebration. The Bocelli start time is left out because two listings give different times, and a second Friday act is still to be named. Zara Larsson is shown as withdrawn on her own public statement; the organiser still listed her on 25 September 2026.
  • The page will be refreshed once the 2026 programmes are announced. Last year they were published between 10 and 28 November.

Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.

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