UAE National Day holiday announced for private sector

Private sector to enjoy three-day weekend for National Day

Parasailing with the flag colours UAE's 51st National Day along Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Private-sector workers will be able to enjoy a long weekend for National Day.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced an update that December 2, 3 and 4 will be a paid holiday for private-sector workers.

"We extend our sincere congratulations to our wise leadership, citizens and residents of the UAE on this occasion," the social media post read on Thursday.

National Day falls on December 2 each year, so will be observed on Saturday this year.

The UAE Cabinet previously confirmed a two-day break for National Day, on December 2 and 3.

Commemoration Day, which has in previous years been a public holiday, officially falls on November 30. It has been marked with a public holiday on December 1 in recent years.

Commemoration Day is an annual event to remember those who lost their lives in the line of service.

National Day celebrates the formation of the country in 1971.

It marks the day that six emirates bound together to form the UAE. Ras Al Khaimah joined as the seventh emirate the following year.

UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, led efforts to unite the emirates and became the first President.

The UAE will mark its 52nd National Day with official celebrations at Expo City Dubai, where the country will be hosting Cop28.

The organising committee announced plans to stage an official ceremony that will feature "innovative technologies and breathtaking projections" in a show that will display the UAE's rich heritage.

Through performances and storytelling, the national day show will tell the UAE’s vision of a sustainable future where the world collaborates to overcome climate challenges through innovation and collective action.

The official ceremony will be broadcast live on December 2 on all local TV channels, as well as on the official website www.UnionDay.ae.