Major festivities are planned throughout the seven emirates, with flagship events slated for Global Village in Dubai. From November 27 to December 3 the park will present a curated slate of cultural showcases, culinary fairs and family experiences. Transformative decorations inspired by the UAE flag will line gates and landmarks, while ten cultural installations will spotlight Emirati traditions and heritage crafts, offering visitors immersive encounters with the nation’s history.
Evenings at Global Village will bring spectacular fireworks displays and drone shows. The skies over Dubai are set to erupt in colour on December 1 and 2 at 9:00 PM, merging patriotic symbolism with high-tech spectacle. Stage performances include a theatrical operetta titled “From the Desert to the Stars,” set to run twice daily from December 1 to 3, exploring the UAE’s journey from its founding to the modern era. Traditional dance performances such as Yola and Harbiya will complement the operetta, threading age-old Emirati rhythms into the celebrations.
Live music and entertainment figure prominently in the city’s broader National Day weekend. Concerts will take place at venues including Dubai Festival City Mall and City Walk, featuring artists from across the Gulf. At the same time, a grand parade coordinated with Dubai Police will march through City Walk on December 1 at 4:00 PM, involving over 1,000 participants drawn from government entities and student bodies, in a public display of unity and national pride.
Shopping promotions, staycation packages and entertainment deals across malls and resorts are adding a commercial dimension to the festivities. These offers are set to boost domestic tourism and leisure activity, reinvigorating sectors slowed by summer heat and slower demand.
At the heart of the celebrations lies the shared story of union. Eid Al Etihad commemorates December 2, 1971, when the seven emirates first came together to form the UAE. The 2025 observance marks 54 years since that historic moment, and this year’s elevated scale reflects the nation’s emphasis on unity, identity and a collective future.
The coordinated holiday declaration by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation ensures that private-sector workers can join in the festivities without conflict over work commitments. The government’s synchronised holiday policy underscores a drive toward social inclusion and shared national experience.
Families and communities across the UAE, including expatriates and long-term residents, are encouraged to take part in commemorative events or watch live broadcasts of the central celebrations. Official communication channels have published comprehensive guidance on venues, timings and community-level activities to encourage broad participation across the nation.
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