UAE National Day 2025 Holiday Dates and Schedule

The UAE’s 54th National Day (Eid Al Etihad) will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. This annual public holiday marks the 1971 unification of the emirates into one nation. Each year the government announces the exact days off to align with Union Day and Commemoration Day (Martyrs’ Day). For 2025, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirmed that Monday–Tuesday, December 1–2, will be paid holidays for federal employees. Shortly after, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) issued a circular extending the same paid holiday to all private-sector workers on those dates. In effect, public and private sector employees will enjoy a long weekend—closed Saturday–Sunday, Nov 29–30 (the regular weekend), then Monday–Tuesday, Dec 1–2—before resuming work on Wednesday, Dec 3.

• Public (Federal) Sector: Official holidays on Mon–Tue, Dec 1–2, 2025. The FAHR announcement noted that these dates apply to “all ministries and federal entities,” with regular work resuming on Wednesday, Dec 3.

• Private Sector: MOHRE announced identical paid holidays for all private companies on Mon–Tue, Dec 1–2. This alignment is part of the UAE’s unified holiday policy, ensuring equal breaks across sectors.

• Schools: The Ministry of Education confirmed that both public and private schools will be closed on Dec 1–2 and reopen on Dec 3. (Note: In 2025, Commemoration Day—officially Nov 30—falls on a Sunday, so it is observed on Monday, Dec .)

• Combined Break: Including the prior weekend, most workers and students get a four-day holiday (Nov 29–Dec 2). This is due to the weekend and the two-day Eid Al Etihad holiday falling consecutively.

These dates were announced in mid-November 2025 (on Nov 17), giving residents notice of the exact UAE National Day 2025 holiday dates in the official calendar. Under recent Cabinet resolutions, the government has flexibility to shift public holidays for longer weekends; in 2025 the break was moved from mid-week to the start of the week to align with Commemoration Day. In any event, both federal and private announcements confirm that Dec 1–2 are off.

Observance in Public and Private Sectors

With the holiday declared, government offices, banks, and many businesses will close on Dec 1–2. Both announcements emphasized a paid leave—for example, MOHRE’s circular explicitly calls it “an official paid holiday for all employees in the private sector.” In practice, that means ministries, schools, and most workplaces will be off those two days. Airlines, transportation, and healthcare remain open (often with limited service), and essential services operate with adjusted staffing. Schools also follow the same schedule, so families and educators alike prepare for a multi-day break.

Because Monday, Dec 1, is also the Commemoration (Martyrs’) Day holiday (the observance of Nov 30), the two-day weekend honors both national occasions. (Martyrs’ Day is marked every Dec 1 in the UAE as the fallen-soldiers’ remembrance; it gives context to the extended break. In short, UAE workers and residents can plan for a four-day Eid Al Etihad break—taking Saturday–Sunday off, then Monday (Martyrs’ Day) and Tuesday (National Day) off—with a return to normal hours on Wednesday, December 3. This four-day weekend was explicitly noted by authorities, who congratulated the nation.

Significance of Eid Al Etihad (National Day)

UAE National Day—officially Eid Al Etihad – is the country’s biggest patriotic occasion. The name means “Festival of the Union, celebrating the historic union of the seven emirates. It specifically commemorates December 2, 1971, when Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ajman formed the UAE (Ras Al Khaimah joined in early 1972). This year’s observance is the 54th anniversary of that unification, a fact noted by officials. In announcements the government underscored that National Day is a time to honor the founding leaders and reflect on the nation’s achievements.

The spirit of Eid Al Etihad is one of national pride and unity. Official messaging often invokes themes of shared heritage and progress – for example, Gulf News explains that Eid Al Etihad symbolizes the UAE’s values of “heritage, strength, and pride.” Leaders stress that the day brings together families and communities in celebration of the UAE’s founding purpose. In practical terms, this means citizens and residents decorate in the national colors (red, green, white and black), raise flags, and recall the country’s history. It is common to hear the national anthem played and see government institutions paying tribute to martyrs and founders on these days. As one report notes, Eid Al Etihad “marks the historic moment on December 2, 1971 when the seven emirates united to form the UAE,” underlining why National Day celebrations are so meaningful.

National Day Celebrations in the UAE

Across the Emirates, National Day is marked by festive public events. In every city and town one can expect cultural shows and fireworks displays, patriotic decorations, and special entertainment. For 2025, Sharjah’s government, for example, has programmed events from mid-November through Dec 2, while major cities plan concerts and parades to highlight the 54-year union. In general:

• Fireworks and Parades: Grand fireworks light up the skies on the National Day eve and on Dec 2 itself, often synchronized with drone shows over famous landmarks. (In past years, landmarks like the Dubai Frame, Burj Khalifa and Abu Dhabi’s skyline have been ablaze with lights and fireworks.)

• Cultural Events: Across all seven emirates people enjoy concerts, dance performances and traditional heritage festivals. Events focus on Emirati history and unity—for example, folk music and dance troupes may perform at malls and public squares. Schools and community centers often put on plays or art exhibitions about the UAE’s founding.

• Community Activities: Many families take part in local flag-raising ceremonies or volunteer events. It is common for the flag to be hoisted over government buildings at sunrise. In the evenings, residents visit National Day-themed attractions (some cities set up “Eid Al Etihad zones” with food, games, and shows) and watch televised National Day programs.

In short, the National Day celebrations in the UAE are widespread and colorful. Streets, shops, and even homes are decorated in the national flag’s colors. After the holiday dates were announced, cultural organizations highlighted that the nation will reflect on its heritage through art and festivities over the Eid Al Etihad period. The nationwide mood is one of unity—as one official note put it, “Our strength lies in the bonds we build hand in hand and in the individuals and communities… who, united, carry our story forward.” (The 2025 Eid Al Etihad theme, “United,” echoes this sentiment.)

Observance in Public vs. Private Workplaces

The 2025 holiday break is fully synchronized between the government and the private sector. With both FAHR and MOHRE declaring Dec 1–2 holidays, all employees—whether in ministries, federal agencies, or private companies—will have the same days off. This “unified holiday policy” ensures equal long weekends for everyone. The Cabinet even took steps to shift the dates: earlier plans had put National Day on Tue–Wed, Dec 2–3, but by moving the break to Mon–Tue (Dec 1–2), the UAE created a more convenient long weekend.

In practice, this means work closures on those dates. Public offices and banks will be shut, and most private businesses (from shops to factories) will follow suit. Some essential sectors (hospitals, police, transport) remain staffed, but with reduced rosters. Schools, colleges, and universities are all closed for the break. Managers and workers use the announcement to plan staffing and personal travel: for example, ministries will adjust projects knowing employees return on Dec 3. In urban centers like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, malls often stay open longer hours during the holiday to accommodate shoppers and tourists, but the spirit is still celebratory (with malls playing patriotic music and displaying national decorations).

Official statements made much of the unity aspect: FAHR’s announcement emphasized “honoring the nation’s founders and reflect on the country’s achievements” during Union Day. Likewise, the private sector circular extended congratulations to “the wise leadership and people of the UAE” on the occasion. In short, government and business calendars are aligned for National Day 2025. Both sectors enjoy the paid holiday together, reinforcing the idea that Eid Al Etihad is a shared celebration for all residents and workers.

Conclusion

As December approaches, residents can look forward to celebrating the UAE’s 54th Eid Al Etihad with family and community. The UAE public holiday schedule for 2025 now clearly sets Dec 1 and 2 as official days off. Workers and students will get a continuous break (Nov 29–Dec 2) to join the National Day celebrations. With cultural events, fireworks, and official ceremonies planned nationwide, these holidays are both a time of rest and a moment of patriotic pride. Thanks to the latest government announcements, everyone can plan ahead and fully participate in honoring the country’s union.