With just a couple of months left of 2023 heading to a close, a marker for many in the emirates that another year is coming to a close is UAE National Day.
A celebration of the history and heritage of the UAE and the seven emirates coming together, it falls on the first weekend of December and marks the final public holiday of the year.
What is UAE National Day?
UAE National Day celebrates the unification of the seven emirates on December 2, 1971. Falling one the first weekend in December, it pass respects to the UAE’s ‘Father of the Nation’, the late Sheikh Zayed and the development of the country over the last five decades. Dazzling fireworks and elaborate parades aside, Commemoration Day lands a day before it. Set to honour the fallen soldiers who served this nation in military and humanitarian missions, the first day of December is one of seldom pride.
The Dates
The official National Day holiday will fall on the weekend this year, but given that Commemoration Day will fall on Friday, December 1, it’s expected to be a three-day long weekend. However, as always, this awaits an official announcement from the UAE authorities.
Book mark the long weekend dates below:
- Commemoration Day: Friday December 1, 2023
- National Day: December 2, 2023
- National Day: December 3, 2023
UAE public holidays in 2024
In the spirit of planning ahead, the GRAZIA team has put together a guide to all of the UAE public holidays in 2024.
New Year’s Day
The first day of the Gregorian calendar, New Year’s Day, observed on January 1, 2024, will be a public holiday for those in the UAE. Falling on a Monday next year, employees in the public and private sectors will return to work on January 2, 2024.
Eid Al Fitr
Eid Al Fitr, also known as the ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast’, marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and is a time for families to come together to exchange heartfelt greetings, gifts and marks a festive period in Islam. Depending on the sighting of the moon, Eid Al Fitr is anticipated in April 2024.
According to Time Out Dubai, some astronomers have estimated that Ramadan will begin on March 11, 2024, which is a Monday. In the Islamic calendar, Eid Al Fitr falls on Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3 and if the predicted Ramadan dates occur, Eid Al Fitr is likely to fall on April 10, a Wednesday. If so, private and public sector employees in the UAE could be looking at a nine-day break as Ramadan 29 will fall on Monday, April 8 and Shawwal 3 will fall on April 12 in accordance with the Gregorian calendar.
Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha
Arafat Day is marked on Dhu Hijah 9 in the Islamic calendar and is celebrated as part of the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. It is followed by Eid Al Adha, or the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’, another important Islamic holiday that takes place from Dhu Hijah 10 to 12. In the Gregorian calendar it will fall in June 2024.
Subject to the sighting of the moon, Arafat Day is likely to fall on Saturday, June 15, 2024, with the following day, June 16, to mark the beginning of Eid Al Adha. It’s likely to be a four-day break for those in the UAE, returning to work on June 19, 2024. subject to the lunar calendar). Commemorating the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son, this occasion involves prayers, reflection, and the sacrifice of livestock. The meat from the sacrificed animals is shared with family, friends, and the less fortunate, emphasizing the values of compassion and sharing.
Islamic (Hijri New) Year
The Hijri New Year, also known as Islamic New Year or Arabic New Year, marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar year. It falls on Muharram 1 in the Islamic calendar, which is predicted to fall on Sunday July 7, 2024.
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday
Prophet Muhammad’s birthday is celebrated on the 12th day of the Islamic lunar month of Rabi’ al-awwal. In accordance with the sighting of the moon, it’s expected to fall on Sunday, September 15.
Commemoration Day & UAE National Day
Commemoration Day, which was previously known as Martyr’s Day, recognises the Emirati soldiers who have given their lives in service of their country. National Day marks the day when the seven emirates united together to become the United Arab Emirates under the leadership of the Father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed.
In 2024, Commemoration Day will fall on Sunday, December 1 and the National Day holiday will be December 2 and December 3, meaning the UAE private sector and public sector will enjoy a four-day break.
As always, all public holidays are subject to official confirmation by the UAE authorities.
