How to watch UAE's 51st National Day show on Friday as first details revealed

The highly anticipated event will be beamed live at venues across the country and broadcast on local television

The UAE flag lights up the night sky.

Pictured bottom, left to right, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, who was serving as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces at the time, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, attend the official 50th UAE National Day celebrations, at Hatta Dam. All photos: Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

The official National Day show was a dazzling display of lights and fireworks.

Pictured bottom, left to right, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Sharjah, and Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman.

Pictured, right to left, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, and Sheikh Rashid bin Saud Al Mualla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain, stand for the UAE National Anthem.

The light show really came to life.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, right, watches the show.

Lights brighten the night sky.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed captures the mood.

Fireworks illuminate the sky.

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi Executive Council member and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, second right.

Fireworks explode over Hatta.

Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi Executive Council member and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed, chairman of the board of trustees for the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation.

A stunning 3D projection wowed the audience.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, left, speaks with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.

The UAE's past, present and future was celebrated.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, right, Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain, second right, and Saqr bin Ghobash Saeed Ghobash, chairman of the UAE Federal National Council.

The central focal point shone a light on the future.

Pictured, from right, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed, Sheikha Salama bint Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Sheikha Shamma bint Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohamed bin Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed.

Pictured, from right, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohamed, Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.

The central sculpture displayed images of the UAE.

From right, bottom row, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain.

Pictured right, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, right, and Sheikh Issa bin Zayed.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon, chairman of Abu Dhabi Airport, left, and Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa, adviser to the UAE President, second left.

Pictured, from right, Sheikh Hazza bin Tahnoon, Undersecretary to the Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region, Bassam Freiha, Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi Executive Council member and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed and Sheikha Salama bint Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed.

From right, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed, Sheikha Salama bint Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Sheikh Mohamed bin Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Sheikh Suroor bin Mohamed and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, UAE Minister of State for Tolerance.

The UAE's eagerly awaited 51st National Day show on Friday will be broadcast on television and screened at more than 50 venues across the country.

Citizens and residents are being invited to gather together to watch the live stream of the production in grand settings such as Expo City Dubai, Hatta Dam and Qasr Al Hosn.

The stage performance, which starts at 6pm, will be also be shown at locations in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, including Sheikh Zayed Festival, Liwa Festival, The Founder’s Memorial and Majlis Abu Dhabi.

In Sharjah, viewings will be held at Sharjah National Park, Al Dhaid Fort and Khor Fakkan, while in Ajman it will be shown at Flag Park and Marina Ajman.

A host of cinemas across the UAE, including Novo, VOX, Roxy, Reel, Star and Oscar, will also broadcast the event, which organisers said would be held in Abu Dhabi without confirming the specific location.

The event will not be open to the public but people will subsequently be able to attend live National Day show events held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre for nine nights from December 3.

An Emirati success story

Organisers have revealed the first details of the show, which will celebrate Emirati pioneers through the years who have blazed a trail for the country's rapid rise since its formation in 1971.

It will centre on the country's rich culture and look at its ambitious plans for the years ahead.

Plans for the show have been in the works since June and have included contributions from nearly 7,000 people drawn from more than 100 countries, including leading engineers, creative minds and technicians.

More than 1,000 school pupils — representing the multi-cultural make-up of the nation — will take part in a children's parade.

Rawdha Al Qubaisi, creative executive producer for the show, said it would be the most significant celebration in the country following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The stories of key figures in the fields of marine sciences, environment, agriculture, space, transportation, solar energy and education will be told to help inspire future generations to follow in their path.

The production will reflect Emirati values and customs, with visual elements inspired by Al Sadu, the traditional form of weaving.

Poetry's prominent role in Emirati life will also be explored with new poems waxing lyrical about the UAE's achievements and inspiring stories.

The show will also feature a verse from the anthology of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Viewers will be serenaded by a fusion of traditional Emirati song and international music.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Emirati composers will unite to provide a stirring soundtrack.

A military performance will take centre stage, blended with Taghrooda, a Bedouin form of chanted poetry and Al Ayyala, a traditional performance art.

The Emirates Choir will be in full voice throughout, providing songs for scenes and oration for poems.

Audiences across the Emirates can tune in from 5.30pm on the official National Day website.

Keeping the National Day party going

The National Day show will be performed before crowds at Adnec from December 3 to 11.

Organisers have not confirmed if the Friday event will be staged at Adnec.

Tickets for the nine shows ― which start at 6pm each day ― are available for Dh200 via the National Day website. Children under three are free.

Citizens and residents are expected to turn out in force to celebrate the date the Emirates was formed in 1971.

Last year, stunning Golden Jubilee celebrations took centre stage in Hatta before an audience including President Sheikh Mohamed, who was Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at the time, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, both of whom could at times be seen recording the spectacle on their mobile phones.

December's festivities will also be momentous for the country.

Sheikh Mohamed will oversee his first National Day as leader, having been elected in May after the death of Sheikh Khalifa.