UAE National Day holiday announced for public sector

Federal government workers will enjoy a long weekend for next week’s National Day celebrations.

The Federal Authority For Government Human Resources on Thursday said employees would be granted leave from Saturday, December 2 to Monday, December 4.

Work will resume on Tuesday, December 5. The authority said public sector employees would be able to work from home on Friday, December 1.

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

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced December 2 and 3 will be paid public holidays for private sector workers.

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 the following year.

Citizens and residents will come together to celebrate the birth of the nation at events across the UAE.

The annual National Day show will this year take place at Expo City Dubai, the host venue for the key Cop28 climate conference.

The official ceremony for 52nd National Day will showcase the country’s sustainable vision.

It will also feature “innovative technologies and breathtaking projections” in a show that will display the UAE’s rich heritage through various elements of Sadu weaving, which is being used to symbolise the “threads of unity and sustainability across history”, news agency Wam reported.

The show will begin at the roots of Emirati culture and heritage and highlight the legacy of the ancestors and the relationship between tradition and technology.

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

UAE National Day celebrations 2022 – in pictures

The University of Dubai marks National Day with a distinguished celebration. Photo: Wam

Global Village provides musical performances and entertainment activities for guests as part of its National Day celebrations. Photo: Wam

Sheikh Omar bin Saqr witnessed the celebrations held under the flagpole on Al Qawasim Corniche for National Day. Photo: Wam

Parasailing with the flag colours on the UAE’s 51st National Day, off the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Emirati women make traditional handicrafts at the Heritage Village, in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Picnic time at Abu Dhabi’s Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Dhows and other boats decked out in UAE flags, by the Heritage Village. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A background projection of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, at a National Day celebration organised by the Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, under the patronage and presence of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence. Wam

The event, featuring Arab dance troupe Ornina, began with the national anthem and included expressive paintings evoking the life and achievements of Sheikh Zayed. Wam

The Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation celebration of National Day was held at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation. WAM

Dancers at the spectacular celebration of National Day staged by the Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation. Wam

National Day celebration set to start in the historic Al Shindagha area of Bur Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

National Day celebration set to start in the historic Al Shindagha area of Bur Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

Residents enjoy a relaxing National Day holiday at Zabeel Park in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Marking the 51st National Day with a picnic at Zabeel Park. Pawan Singh / The National

Taking some transport to get around Zabeel Park on National Day. Pawan Singh / The National

Residents take a picnic beneath decorations in the colours of the UAE flag at Zabeel Park. Pawan Singh / The National

Young residents enjoy some fun in a play area at Zabeel Park on National Day. Pawan Singh / The National

Residents relax with family and friends beneath the shade of trees at Zabeel Park, as the UAE celebrates its 51st National Day. Pawan Singh / The National

On the eve of the 51st National Day by Abu Dhabi Marina. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The Ministry of Interior celebrated the 51st Federation Day of the UAE. Wam

A child waves the UAE flag during the long weekend at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development organised a celebration for the 51st National Day, in the presence of Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Fund. WAM

Sunset over Qasr Al Watan during the long weekend holiday at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A plane flies over the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi, celebrating the 51st National Day. Wam

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, at an event organised by the Ministry to celebrate the country’s 51st National Day. Wam

Police participate in National Day celebrations in Ras Al Khaimah. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Head of the General Services Department in Ras Al Khaimah, attended the event. Wam

Sheikh Abdullah attends an event to celebrate 51 years since the founding of the UAE. Wam

Dhows during the National Day long weekend holidays at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Airah Nazrin, 3, from Kerala, India dressed in colours of the UAE flag during National Day holidays at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Tourists taking photographs during the National Day long weekend at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Dhows off Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Parasailing with the UAE colours during the 51st National Day long weekend at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A car decorated with a UAE flag at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Dhows moored at the Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A young girl poses with a falcon at the Heritage Village during the 51st National Day long weekend in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Families feed pigeons during the 51st National Day long weekend in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Tourists take photos by a UAE flag at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Dhows moored at the Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

UAE flags fly along Sheikh Zayed Road between Business Bay and Al Safa in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

A busy Kite Beach in Dubai for the National Day holiday. Pawan Singh / The National

Al Bahr Towers illuminated for National Day, while Mubadala tower, right, marks Commemoration Day, in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Lights on a roundabout in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Tiara revolving restaurant and the new Rixos Marina in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Lights on a roundabout in Remraam, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

More lights in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank head office. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Dubai Silicon Oasis. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Abu Dhabi Municipality building. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Dubai Silicon Oasis. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The entrance to Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank’s head office. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Street lights in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Abu Dhabi Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

UAE flags on display in Ras Al Khaimah. Antonie Robertson / The National

More flags in Ras Al Khaimah. Antonie Robertson / The National

National Day will be celebrated across the Emirates. Antonie Robertson/The National