Your Ultimate UAE National Day Long Weekend Guide

Planning Tool Kit

Plan your travel most appropriately. Find out how you can make your travel time memorable.

Staycations & Tours

The long weekend is the perfect excuse for a getaway. Staycation in the UAE or a tour abroad? Your choice.

Cultural & National Events

The UAE National Day brings all kinds of festive shows—from national events to local traditional ones.

Shopping & Dining

Get mind-blowing offers and deals on shopping, dining, and even hotel bookings. After all, it’s National Day!

Who doesn’t wait for long weekends? Like you, we have also been waiting. And finally, the wait is over because the UAE National Day has arrived! We all just need an excuse to take a break and a reason to celebrate. Well, now you can do both. The 54th National Day of the UAE falls on December 2nd and will be celebrated from December 1st to December 3rd, and it can even become a stretch of four or five-day weekend.

It’s not even November yet, so why are we discussing this already? If this is what you’re thinking, you must know—there are a lot of options out there. You can do several things to spend this long weekend. The question is, what would you choose? It will take time to decide and even more so to finally execute a plan. This ultimate guide will give you all the tips and details about planning your long weekend. And if you wish to travel, you can book a holiday package from the leading travel agency, Next Holidays. Now, let’s get to the important part.

Things to Do During the Long Weekend

The UAE National Day weekend is an opportunity to celebrate and enjoy. Whether you want to take part in activities in your city or you wish to travel to another city or country, there are so many choices you can pick from. As a matter of fact, you can even go for a staycation within the UAE also.

In addition, you can attend the events that take place across the UAE in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other places. You should also go for a cultural experience and make the most of the offers out there. From dining to shopping, you can find discounts on almost every outlet on account of the UAE National Day 2025. Want to dive deeper? Let’s understand all of these options in detail, shall we?

Recommended: Check out the top Weekend Getaways From Dubai now!

Staycations Across the UAE

If you want to enjoy the UAE National Day celebration as well as travel, the best option for you is to choose a staycation in the UAE, away from your home. Depending on how many days you wish to stay and how far from your home, you can pick a staycation option. Some of the most popular stays are listed below.

Dubai: Jumeirah Beach Hotel, FIVE Jumeirah Village, InterContinental Dubai Marina, JA Lake View Hotel, and 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central
Abu Dhabi: The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, and Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort
Ras Al Khaimah: Al Wadi Desert, The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa, and Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah Marjan Island
Fujairah: Le Meridian Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort, Palace Beach Resort Fujairah, and InterContinental Fujairah Resort

If you want, you can also check out the top desert retreats, resort locations, and mountain lodges based on how you wish to spend your holidays. While there is no information currently as to what offers will be available, you can always check with the hotel or resort while making a booking. Each of these places is unique and provides a wide variety of amenities and facilities that will make your National Day weekend memorable.

In case you are searching for things to do in Dubai National Day weekend, check out the Best Things to do on National Day in Dubai here.

Attend National Day Events

What could be better than attending the UAE National Day events? After all, it’s all about celebrations, having fun, and staying connected to the roots. The events will not only make you feel joyous but will also bring out the patriot in you. Some of the most popular events you can attend are:

Fireworks Shows: Watch glimmering fireworks shows in one of the most famous spots of the UAE, including Hatta Wadi, Al Seef, Bluewaters Island, Sharjah's Al Majaz Waterfront, Dubai Festival City, and Abu Dhabi Corniche. This is something every child and every adult looks forward to. Here are the Top Spots to Watch UAE National Day Fireworks in Dubai 2025.
Air Shows: The UAE Armed Forces hosts spectacular air shows that feature the Al Fursan aerobatics team.
Other Events: Apart from watching air displays, you can also enjoy vehicle processions and military parades that are held in public areas. These events are also broadcast live on television.

Still looking for a more detailed explanation? Learn more about Celebrating UAE National Day 2025 here!

Cultural Experiences, Shopping & Dining Offers

We are talking about the top things to do this weekend, and we do not mention offers and cultural experiences? Impossible.

Al Seef: For an over-the-top cultural experience, visit Al Seef where you can enjoy a traditional Emirati meal, watch dance and music performances that, my friend, are also traditional, and watch historical showcases.

Traditions: National music will be played on the radio, people will come together to have an Emirati meal, and masses will go out for parades with their cars decorated. You will find UAE flags everywhere around you. It’s not just about enjoying—it’s also about preserving and following traditions.

Shopping: Head to the local market or a shopping mall around the time of the event—you will find the UAE National Day discounts almost everywhere. We all just need a reason to shop, do we not?

Dining: From a budget restaurant to a high-end eatery, you can get deals on dining in several outlets across the UAE. Don’t forget to book a table in advance!

Travel Tips for the Long Weekend

Here are some travel tips for the UAE National Day long weekend that you will find helpful. We have shared tips separately for different things.

Packing Tips

Desert Stay: Carry breathable clothing, a warm layer of clothes, comfortable footwear, a first aid kit, insect repellent, a flashlight, a hat, a pair of sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Mountain Lodge: Pack breathable and warm layers, hiking boots, insect repellent, a first aid kit, a headlamp, sunglasses, and a portable charger.
Beach Retreat: Make sure you carry sunscreen, a hat, swimsuits, beach towels, bottoms, cover-ups, flip-flops or sandals, a hat, toiletries, a waterproof phone cover, and sunglasses.
Whichever place you pick for your staycation, don’t forget to pack toiletries and a first aid kit.
To make enough space, wear bulky clothes and shoes, and pack the rest. Roll your clothes for extra storage space. You can also use packing cubes or organizers to ensure organized and hassle-free packing.

Planning and Booking Tips

Plan a budget, city, and the kind of stay you want.
Search for the top stays based on your preferences.
Look for UAE National Day weekend deals, discounts, and promotions beforehand.
To avoid high fares due to high demand, book your stay and travel in advance.
Finally, plan an itinerary for your holidays.

During the Trip Tips

Be mindful of your vehicle, whether you are driving your car or renting a vehicle. Remember that parking spaces and public places can be crowded.
Be open to any changes in plans. You may not be able to attend a certain event or go sightseeing. Traveling is all about the art of adaptation.
Do not forget to attend the UAE National Day celebration events or indulge in traditional and cultural activities. It’s all about enjoying the event and having fun.

Suggested: Book UAE National Day Holiday Packages

UAE National Day Getaways

Package Name	Days/Nights	Price
Sri Lanka - UAE National Day Holiday Package	4 Nights and 5 Days	AED 3499
Armenia - UAE National Holiday Day Package	4 Nights and 5 Days	AED 3450
Georgia - UAE National Holiday Day Package	4 Nights and 5 Days	AED 3499
Kazakhstan - UAE National Day Holiday Package	4 Nights and 5 Days	AED 3899
Istanbul - UAE National Day Holiday Package	4 Nights and 5 Days	AED 4199
Baku - UAE National Day Holiday Package	4 Nights and 5 Days	AED 3200
Kyrgyzstan - UAE National Day Holiday Package	4 Nights and 5 Days	AED 3550
Kenya - UAE National Day Holiday Package	3 Nights and 4 Days	AED 4649

Wish to stay for a longer or shorter duration? Contact the Next Holidays customer support team, and they will customize a tour to your liking. So, which country is it going to be? Book Your UAE National Day Holiday Package now!

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