The UAE National Day weekend will soon be here and it’s time to start thinking about how you want to make the most of the celebrations.
Commemoration Day is observed on Saturday November 30, but National Day will fall on Tuesday December 2, followed by another day of celebration on Wednesday December 3.
However, the official public holiday will fall on Monday December 1 and Tuesday December 2, to give public and private sector workers a four-day weekend.
Wondering what’s going on in Dubai for UAE National Day weekend in the UAE? In short, there’s lots. It’s time to schedule some fun.
Things to do for UAE National Day
Bike along Al Qudra cycle track
A proper cycle track for pedal-pumpers looking to put up professional distances. Two tracks, one 50km and the other 18km, are flat, well-maintained and have many rest spots along the dune-dissecting routes. Just don’t expect to see the many club members taking a breather as the peloton goes flying by.
Free. Open 24/7. Al Qudra.
Catch the fireworks
This year’s holiday will be the 54th UAE National Day and several of Dubai’s biggest landmarks are celebrating the occasion in style.
If you want to soak up the celebrations and catch a firework display or two, you can catch displays everywhere from Bluewaters to Dubai Festival City.
Check out all of the dates and timings here.
Celebrate at Jumeirah Golf Estate
On Tuesday December 2, take all the family to the golf estate to watch traditional Yowla dance performances, get involved at the Emirati craft stations and even enjoy a camel ride.
There will be al la carte dining, food and beverage stands and a bouncy castle for the little ones to run around on.
Mon Dec 2, from noon. Jumeirah Golf Estate, dubaigolf.com (04 587 7777).
Check out the flag garden
Now in its 12th year, the flag garden at Umm Suqeim Beach sits in the shadow of Burj Al Arab, always makes for a colourful addition to the city.
This season, the UAE Flag Garden can be seen from Friday October 31 and is set to close on Saturday January 10, so you won’t have long to grab a colourful snap with the Burj Al Arab and the recently opened Jumeirah Al Marsa in the background.
For the 12th edition of the garden, 11,000 flags have been arranged to form aerial portraits of the two leaders, which can be seen from above.
Free. Fri Oct 31-Sat Jan 10. Umm Suqeim Beach.
Dig into a special Eid Al Etihad burger
To mark the public holiday, a selection of the city’s favourite burger joints will be serving up limited-edition burgers inspired by Emirati ingredients.
Including High Joint, Izu Burger and Hoe Lee Kow, the menu’s are still to be revealed, but keep your eyes peeled come National Day weekend.
Eat a complimentary tartlet at Novikov
On Tuesday December 2, swing by Novikov at Dubai Mall for a coffee and you’ll be treated to a complimentary National Day tartlet.
Not only is it a sweet deal (see what we did there), but the dessert also comes decorated in the colours of the UAE flag, so it’s cute for the gram too.
Tue Dec 2. Open daily 9am-1am. Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, novikov-cafe.com (04 320 0209).
Explore City Centre Mirdif
The mall is taking its celebrations to the next level from Friday November 28 to Wednesday December 3.
You can get involved with fashion showcases, customise tote bags, try your hand at some live pottery workshops or watch a live performance or two while you shop.
Fri Nov 28 to Wed Dec 3. Open Mon-Thu 10am-10pm: Fri-Sun 10am-midnight. City Centre Mirdif, citycentremirdif.com (800 226255).
Get stuck into the long weekend at Time Out Market
By the time the weekend kicks off, it’s a safe bet that you’ll have worked up quite an appetite. What better way to get stuck into the long weekend than with the good plates at Time Out Market Dubai?
From burgers to mountains of nachos, you’re in for a treat.
Mon-Thu noon-midnight, Fri noon-1am, Sat 10am-1am, Sun 10am-midnight. Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai timeoutmarket.com/dubai (054 375 2421).
Get a complimentary tiramisu
During the public holiday, Peoples Honesty Eatery is offering any table dining in a complimentary slab of tiramisu.
Shaped like the UAE flag, this dessert looks good (and tastes good).
Open Mon-Thu 7am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-10pm. Dubai Design District, honestpeoples.ae (04 876 2525).
Hike through Hatta
December weather is a great time to visit the Hajar mountains for a hike. Don’t miss out on the Hatta sign, which was awarded a Guinness World Record in September 2023.
The 19.28-metre-tall structure is the world’s tallest landmark sign (the Hollywood sign is 13.71 metres tall). With it being free to visit too, that’s pretty awesome.
Hatta, Dubai, visithatta.com/en
Join an Eid Al Etihad food tour
Spend your long-weekend eating? Sounds good to us. Rove Hotels and Frying Pan adventures have teamed up for an Emirati food tour, where you’ll head out for four hours of grazing around Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah.
Expect a traditional breakfast, karak and dates and plenty of seafood from an array of kitchens in the area and even a storytelling session or two.,
Dhs472.50 (non-refundable ticket), Dhs519 (flexible ticket). Mon Dec 1, Rove City Walk, fryingpanadventures.com (04 561 9999).
Nibble an Emirati pastry selection
Spend your day off at the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab for an Emirati-themed pastry selection.
Blending in some local flavours to French pastries, you can dig into batheeth mousse and ferni choux before ending with some crispy luqaimat and Arabic coffee at the Sahn Eddar Lounge.
Dhs250 per person. Nov 25 to Dec 31. Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, Umm Suqeim, jumeirah.com (800 323232).
Pick up a special coffee cup
If you’re planning an Eid Al Etihad picnic, you can pick up a specially branded Arabic ceramic cup and banoffee cake jar.
Created by Flowwow and UAE-born artist Batool Al Tameeni, the set is inspired by the UAE’s incredible hospitality.
Schedule in a stay-cay
Pack your case and trundle off to Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel and Towers for a quick staycation.
Offering 15 percent off half board rates, you can treat yourself to a well-earned break while looking out over the Creek.
Fri Nov 28 and Sat Dec 6. Dubai Creek, marriott.com (04 228 1111).
Score a try at Dubai Rugby 7s
Kick off the good times over the long weekend at one of Dubai’s most beloved sporting spectacles. Not just for rugby fans, you can watch netball teams battle it out as well as cricket teams. Tickets for this year’s Emirates Rugby 7s 2024 are already on sale.
Stormzy will take to the stage on Sunday December 1 and Sugababes will play the day before.
A general admission three-day pass will start from Dhs595 per person and a general admission three-day family pass will be priced at Dhs1,136 for two adults and two children.
A day pass for either Saturday or Sunday will cost Dhs455, or you can head along on the Friday for a reduced price of Dhs75.
Dhs75 (Fri), Dhs455 (Sat, Sun), Dhs595 (Fri-Sun). Fri Nov 28 – Sun Nov 30. The Sevens Stadium. emiratesdubai7s.com.
Sing-along to Clean Bandit
Clean Bandit, known for chart-topping hits like Rather Be, Rockabye and Symphony, will take to the stage at Barasti Beach on Saturday November 29. The English trio fuse classical strings with infectious electronic beats and have racked up billions of streams across platforms.Tickets for the Barasti Beach concert are on sale now via the PlatinumList, with prices starting from Dhs149.
From Dhs149. Sat Nov 29 (doors open, 6pm). Barasti Beach, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Waterpark, Dubai Marina, platinumlist.net.
Take a trip to Global Village
Fireworks will light up the night sky in the colours of the UAE flag at 9pm on Monday December 1, Tuesday December 2 and Wednesday December 3 at Global Village.
A UAE-themed drone show will be held on December 1 and December 2. Tickets to the fireworks show will be included in the price of a general admission ticket.
From Dhs25. Dec 1-Dec 3, 9pm. Global Village, Dubailand. globalvillage.ae
Visit Ripe Market
During the national holiday, Ripe Market will be joining in on the festivities, showcasing local food and vendors.
You’ll even be able to pick up some local trinkets and produce, before visiting the usual Ripe Market favourites. Stop by the petting zoo, grab a scoop of gelato and browse the organic fruit and vegetables before heading home on this adorable day out.
Dhs5. Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am-7pm. Academy Park. Ripeevents.com (04 315 7000).
Watch the City Walk parade
The official Eid Al Etihad Parade will partner up from Dubai Police, so you can watch over 1,000 participants marching through City Walk.
Mon Dec 1, from 4pm. City Walk.
