UAE National Day holiday 2026: dates, days off and the rules
UAE National Day is a two-day public holiday for the public and private sector on 2 and 3 December. In 2026 that is Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December; no extra day has been announced.
UAE National Day is a two-day public holiday on 2 and 3 December, for the public and the private sector alike. In 2026 those days fall on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December. The dates are fixed in the official list of UAE public holidays on the government portal u.ae, which was last updated on 29 October 2026.
The dates
National Day 2026: Wednesday 2 December and Thursday 3 December.
National Day 2027: Thursday 2 December and Friday 3 December.
Unlike the Islamic holidays, National Day does not depend on the moon, so its dates are the same every year. The official list gives it two days, both of them public holidays that apply to government and private sector staff.
Is the holiday longer this year?
Not on the official record so far. When this guide was checked, u.ae listed National Day as two days, 2 and 3 December, with no extra day and no move announced. The portal also quotes the rule that governs moves: under Article 3 of Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 on public holidays, a public holiday cannot be moved to another day when it falls on a weekend or on another public holiday. If the government announces anything more for 2026, it will be published officially; until then, plan on Wednesday and Thursday.
Why 2 December
National Day marks 2 December 1971, the day the UAE was formally declared and the federal union of the emirates began. That makes 2026 the country's 55th National Day. The official theme of the celebrations is "Spirit of the Union", drawn from the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founder President. Its logo carries the silhouette of the famous photograph of the Founding Fathers gathered on 2 December 1971, and the government uses it for official celebrations in every emirate.
The full list of UAE public holidays
The same official list sets every public holiday in the year, for both sectors:
Gregorian New Year
1 January (one day). In 2027 it falls on a Friday. 2. Eid Al Fitr: from 1 to 3 Shawwal, counted as four days on the official list. If Ramadan lasts 30 days, the 30th day of Ramadan is also an official Eid Al Fitr holiday. 3. Arafah Day: 9 Dhu Al Hijjah. 4. Eid Al Adha: from 10 to 12 Dhu Al Hijjah (three days). 5. Hijri New Year: 1 Muharram. 6. The Prophet Mohammed's birthday: 12 Rabi Al Awwal. 7. National Day: 2 and 3 December (two days).
The Islamic holidays follow the moon sighting, so their dates in the Gregorian calendar are only fixed close to the time. The official list does not give Gregorian dates for them in advance.
What it means for planning
For most residents, National Day 2026 is a midweek break of two days, Wednesday and Thursday. If you are booking travel, a hotel or a staycation, those two dates are safe to plan around now. Anything beyond them depends on an official announcement, on your employer's own notice or on your annual leave.
Dates and places for this year's National Day events in Dubai had not been published by their organisers when this guide was checked. We add them on DXB Edit as each one is confirmed.
Common questions
Is National Day a holiday in the private sector? Yes. The official list applies to both the public and the private sector.
How many days is the National Day holiday? Two: 2 and 3 December.
What day of the week is National Day 2026? Wednesday 2 December, with Thursday 3 December the second day.
Will the holiday move to make a long weekend? No move has been announced. The rule quoted on u.ae says a holiday is not moved when it falls on a weekend or on another holiday.
Where is the official list? On u.ae, the UAE government portal, under Public holidays.