TL;DR

UAE National Day 2026 falls on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December, a two-day paid holiday for both the public and private sectors. The official 2026 circulars have not been published yet (as of 7 November 2026), so the government could still move the days to create a long weekend, as it did in 2025. If the dates stay as they are, taking Friday 4 December as annual leave gives you five days off, from Wednesday 2 to Sunday 6 December. Read on for the full breakdown and leave strategy.

December in Dubai is one of the best times of year to be in this city.

The temperature is perfect. The events calendar is packed. And the UAE National Day break — marking the anniversary of the UAE’s formation in 1971 — is one of the most celebrated holidays in the country.

In 2026, National Day falls in a position that gives residents a genuinely useful window of time off. Here is exactly how the break works, how to extend it, and what to do with it.

When Is UAE National Day 2026?

UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) is always celebrated on 2 and 3 December — the anniversary of the UAE’s formation as a federation in 1971. Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 sets the holiday on 2 and 3 December, but the observed days can be shifted: in 2025 they were moved to Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December. As of 7 November 2026, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) have not yet issued the 2026 circulars; in 2025 they were announced around 17 November. The UAE government portal lists National Day as 2 and 3 December (2 days) for both the public and private sectors. We will update this page as soon as the official dates are confirmed.

In 2026, the dates fall as follows:

Wednesday 2 December — UAE National Day, Day 1 (public holiday)

Thursday 3 December — UAE National Day, Day 2 (public holiday)

Two consecutive days of public holiday: Wednesday and Thursday.

What Is Commemoration Day?

Commemoration Day is observed on 30 November each year as a national day of remembrance for UAE martyrs. Commemoration Day is a day of remembrance and is not currently an official paid public holiday; in 2026, 30 November falls on a Monday, which is a normal working day.

Commemoration Day is not on the official public holiday list on the UAE government portal, so plan your leave around the two National Day holidays on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December.

How Many Days Off Can You Get?

Let’s map this out clearly.

The automatic break (no leave required):

Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December give two paid public holidays.

The working week from Monday 30 November to Friday 4 December has three regular working days for most residents: Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

Could the holiday be moved to create a long weekend?

Possibly. Under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, some public holidays that fall mid-week can be moved to the start or end of the week. In 2025 the government used this rule for National Day, moving the holiday to Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December and creating a four-day weekend. No such move has been announced for 2026 yet, so treat Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December as the holiday until FAHR and MoHRE confirm otherwise.

The maximum break with one leave day:

Take Friday 4 December as annual leave (if not already declared a public holiday) and you bridge from the two official holiday days straight into the weekend. That gives you five days off (Wednesday 2 to Sunday 6 December) with just one day of annual leave used.

Take Monday 30 November, Tuesday 1 December and Friday 4 December as annual leave and you get nine consecutive days off, from Saturday 28 November to Sunday 6 December, using three annual leave days.

Leave Planning Guide for December 2026

Scenario	Annual Leave Days Used	Total Days Off
No extra leave taken	0	2 official days (Wed–Thu)
Take Friday 4 Dec	1	5 days (Wed–Sun)
Take Mon 30 Nov and Tue 1 Dec	2	6 days (Sat 28 Nov to Thu 3 Dec)
Take Mon 30 Nov, Tue 1 Dec and Fri 4 Dec	3	9 days (Sat 28 Nov to Sun 6 Dec)

Can National Day Dates Be Moved?

The date of National Day itself is fixed: 2 December, the anniversary of the federation in 1971, with 3 December as the second holiday. The days off can be moved, though. In 2025 the observed holiday was moved to Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December.

Official announcements come from FAHR for federal government employees and from MoHRE for the private sector, usually two to three weeks before the holiday. Your employer’s leave policy decides whether you can bridge the break with annual leave.

What Is Happening in Dubai Over National Day 2026?

National Day is one of the most energetic times of year in the UAE. Across Dubai, you can expect:

Fireworks at several waterfront and landmark locations (event line-ups are usually announced in late November), parades, cultural performances and community events, National Day dining offers and themed experiences at hotels and restaurants, and flag-decorated cars, buildings and public spaces across the city. For more ideas, see our guide to things to do in Dubai at the weekend.

For residents of communities like Barsha Heights, JVC and Business Bay, National Day is one of the best times to experience the warmth and pride of this city in its most celebratory mood.

Thinking about making Dubai your permanent home?

National Day is a great reminder of why so many people choose to build their lives here. If you are looking to rent or buy property in Dubai, the team at Pin Homes Real Estate LLC can help you find the right community.

📞 +971 58 529 3432

Thinking About the Rest of the 2026 Holiday Calendar?

The National Day break is the final major holiday of 2026. But looking into 2027, the first break of the year lands immediately — New Year’s Day on Friday 1 January 2027 creates an automatic three-day start to the new year.

For a full breakdown of every expected holiday in 2027, read our UAE Public Holidays 2027 complete guide.

Is This a Good Time to View Properties in Dubai?

Interestingly, the December holiday period is one of the better windows for serious property enquiries in Dubai.

The city is full of energy. The weather is ideal for property viewings. And motivated sellers and developers looking to close the year strong are often more flexible on pricing and terms during this period.

At Pin Homes Real Estate LLC, our team is fully operational through the National Day break and available for consultations, viewings and investment discussions throughout December.

Whether you are buying, renting, exploring off-plan options or considering the Golden Visa pathway, December is a smart time to have that conversation.

📞 Call or WhatsApp: +971 58 529 3432

🌐 Explore properties at pinhomes.ae

📍 Al Ameri Tower, Office 2208, Barsha Heights, Dubai

Frequently Asked Questions

What date is UAE National Day 2026?

UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) is celebrated on 2 and 3 December every year. In 2026 these fall on Wednesday and Thursday.

Has the 2026 National Day holiday been officially announced?

Not yet (as of 7 November 2026). In 2025, the federal government and private-sector holidays were announced around 17 November. We will update this page with the official dates once they are published.

Is Friday 4 December 2026 a public holiday?

No. As things stand, Friday 4 December 2026 is a normal working day. The official holiday is Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December unless FAHR and MoHRE move it, as they did in 2025. You can take Friday as annual leave to get a five-day break.

What is Commemoration Day?

Commemoration Day honours UAE martyrs and is marked on 30 November; it is not currently an official paid public holiday, so 30 November 2026 (Monday) is a normal working day.

How many days leave do I need for a long National Day break?

Taking just one day of annual leave (Friday 4 December) extends the official two-day holiday into a five-day break. Taking three days (Monday 30 November, Tuesday 1 December and Friday 4 December) creates a nine-day break combined with adjacent weekends.

Are UAE National Day dates fixed?

The dates are fixed at 2 and 3 December by Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, but the days off can be moved to create a long weekend, as happened in 2025. Check the official FAHR/MoHRE announcement each year.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Public holiday dates, Cabinet decisions on additional holidays and official government announcements are subject to change. Always verify confirmed holiday dates through official UAE government channels. Pin Homes Real Estate LLC is a RERA-licensed real estate agency in Dubai, UAE.