The National Day of the United Arab Emirates (in Arabic: Al Yawm Al Watani) commemorates the birth of the Nation in 1971, and it is a very heartfelt celebration, for locals and expats.
It is celebrated every year on December 2, in all the Emirates with a series of spectacular shows and events.
The UAE National Day in Abu Dhabi includes, in addition to the fireworks on the Corniche and other strategic points of the city, the breathtaking air show by Al Fursan acrobatic team and the parade of the sport cars competing for the decoration record.
Homes, offices, hotels, shopping centers, cars, streets, palms… everything is decorated with motifs that recall the colors of the Emirati flag, photos or drawings representing the founder of the nation (Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan) and sometimes, extemporaneous creations.
For the occasion, shopping centers offer discounts of up to 70% on some products, restaurants compete to create special dishes with ingredients that recall the colors of the UAE flag, and even the make-up for that day takes inspirations from the colours of the Emirati flag.
Thanks to the lovely temperatures of the period, the UAE National Day has always been enjoyed outdoors, with many people, locals and residents, celebrating on the streets.
UAE National Day in 2021: the Golden Jubilee
On 2 December 2021, the United Arab Emirates celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Country’s foundation.
The President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, inaugurated the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee which, coinciding with the Expo, began on April 6, 2021 and extended until March 31, 2022.
Although among the precautions and security measures required by the pandemic, numerous events have been organized in all the emirates, listed on the dedicated website, including certainly the official celebration, a sumptuous theatrical representation on the floating theatre set up on Hatta Dam, surrounded by the Hajar mountains, to showcase the present, the past and the future of the Nation, through an original storytelling and a complex and highly organized direction, which tells the link between different peoples, nature and technology.
The performance, accessible in person and live via the Internet, is also available on the official YouTube channel.
In the emirate of Abu Dhabi, traditional record-breaking fireworks took place on the Corniche, Al Maryah Island, Yas Island, Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, in the city of Al Ain and in the Al Dhafra region.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Emirates, the Abu Dhabi Department of Tourism has launched the Jubilee Cultural Pass, to promote visits to museums, cultural centers, natural attractions throughout the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
UAE National Day in 2020
In 2020, the National Day was also celebrated in a different way. The pandemic containment measures impacted many aspects, from street celebrations to car decoration.
“الداخلية” تحدد اشتراطات تزيين المركبات في “اليوم الوطني”
MOI calls on motorists to observe precautionary measures and sets National Day car decoration rules#اليوم_الوطني_49#UAENationalDay49 pic.twitter.com/EGVGgBy3MU
— MOIUAE (@moiuae) November 24, 2020
The 49th anniversary of Emirati union was marked by a long five-day weekend, including the Commemoration of the Martyrs of the Nation, shifted this year to December 1st .
In Abu Dhabi, the Department of Tourism has announced “spectator free” events to follow from home:
• Abu Dhabi: the traditional fireworks on the Corniche, Reem Island and Al Wathba, on the evening of 2 December, broadcast live on local television channels and on the official UAE_BARQ Instagram account
• Al Ain: fireworks are scheduled (from 1 to 3 December) and two outdoor concerts at Jahili Fort (2 and 3 December), can be watched in live streaming on Abu Dhabi Culture’s social channels.
The official very special event in Abu Dhabi of this year is The Seeds of the Union Show, in the Mangrove Park: a mobile sculpture, surrounded by water, with digital video representations inspired by the symbols and history of the United Arab Emirates.
Scene number 5 pays tribute to the Frontline Heroes, citizens and residents, who stood out for their community service during the pandemic.
The live show on local TV (Abu Dhabi TV, Dubai TV, Dubai One and Mathrubhumi) is also in streaming on the official National Day channel on You Tube, on the official website and on the official social profiles Facebook and Instagram @OfficialUAEND.
The Official 49th UAE National Day Celebration https://t.co/63WihLOFG0
— Official UAE National Day Celebration (@OfficialUAEND) December 2, 2020
