The United Arab Emirates National Day is celebrated every year on 2 December to commemorate the establishment of the UAE federation in 1971. The occasion marks the union of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah, which formally established the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971. Ras Al Khaimah joined the federation on 10 February 1972, completing the union of the seven emirates.
The day is also officially observed as Eid Al Etihad or “Union Day” today. It is one of the UAE’s most significant national events, featuring its Emirati heritage, national identity, remembrance of its Founding Fathers, and celebrations of the country’s development and future aspirations.
Quick Facts About United Arab Emirates National Day
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| National occasion | United Arab Emirates National Day |
| Official celebration name | Eid Al Etihad |
| Main date | 2 December |
| Federation established | 2 December 1971 |
| Public holiday | 2 and 3 December |
| Founding President | Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan |
| Initial federation | Six emirates |
| Seventh emirate | Ras Al Khaimah, joined on 10 February 1972 |
| Country | United Arab Emirates |
| Number of emirates today | Seven |
The UAE Government has 2 and 3 December as public holidays for both public and private sectors.
What Is United Arab Emirates National Day?
United Arab Emirates National Day is the annual national celebration of the UAE’s federation. It commemorates the historic formation of the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971, when six emirates came together to establish an independent sovereign federation.
The celebration is called Eid Al Etihad; Etihad means union. The official Eid Al Etihad platform refers to the historic event when the emirates joined under one banner, and the celebration of the nation’s past, present, and future.
It is more than just a day that’s put on the calendar. The event is an expression of the concept of unity of the seven emirates and of the unity of the nation’s founders and the growth of a national identity.
The UAE Government also refers to 2 December as the date on which the UAE was officially founded, and federal unification began in 1971.
When Is UAE National Day?
On 2nd December every year, UAE National Day is celebrated. The UAE National holiday schedule also includes two and three December as National Day holidays, including both the public and private sectors.
The official calendar of activities for the National Media Office for 2026 includes a date of 2 December 2026 for Eid Al Etihad.
The key difference between the celebration date and the holiday period is that:
- 2 December is the National Day itself and commemorates the federation’s establishment.
- 2 and 3 December are the two official National Day public-holiday dates under the current federal holiday framework.
The types of entertainment programmes, ceremonies and local events may differ each year and should not be taken for granted based on previous programmes and events; check annually with official announcements.
Why Is 2 December Important to the UAE?
2 December 1971 is an important date because the UAE was established as a Federal State.
The process of federation dates even further back than that. In February 1968, then Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, agreed on federation. This came to fruition in wider talks between the rulers of the emirates.
Political events in the region were also undergoing a great deal of change as Britain declared its plans to leave the Gulf by the end of 1971. The rulers began to stir up controversy over the establishment of a federation to offer a common political setting for the emirates.
The rulers of six emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah – decided to create the UAE on 18 July 1971.
It was formally established on 2 December 1971.
That’s important, as the UAE is not the result of just one day’s work. The federation had been a product of years of negotiations, agreements and efforts towards political union.
How Was the United Arab Emirates Formed?
The coming together of the UAE could be seen as a sequence of significant events.
The 1968 Abu Dhabi-Dubai Agreement
On 18 February 1968, Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid signed an agreement that marked a step towards federation between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The meeting was a significant first step towards the eventual UAE.
Later in the month, the rulers of the Trucial States convened in Dubai and agreed upon a draft of a plan that provided a basis for the subsequent federation talks.
The 1971 Union Decision
The six emirates agreed to unite as the United Arab Emirates in 1971, on 18th July. At that time, Ras Al Khaimah was not part of the first federation.
2 December 1971: The UAE Is Established
On 2 December, the six participating emirates officially declared the United Arab Emirates as a sovereign state. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was chosen as the first President of the federation by the rulers.
10 February 1972: The Federation Reaches Seven Emirates
On 10 February 1972, Ras Al Khaimah became a member of the federation, thus completing the unification of the seven emirates of what is now the UAE.
To say that all seven emirates joined the federation on 2 December 1971 is not accurate, as that date should instead be called the date of the establishment of the federation. That’s the day the federation was formed, and Ras Al Khaimah joined a few months later.
Who Were the Founding Fathers of the UAE?
The “Founding Fathers” are those rulers who played a pivotal role in the formation of the UAE federation.
The founders are recognized by the rulers of the seven emirates as per the official UAE Government. In particular, her name is linked to the creation of the federation, and he was the first President of the federation.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
The UAE’s first President, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. As president of the federation from its inception on 2 December 1971 until he died in 2004.
The federation he promoted was a major component of a history that is recalled on the day of Eid Al Etihad. The UAE Government officially outlines his leadership, consensus-building, and work with the other rulers as being vital to the creation of the UAE Union.
Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Sheikh Zayed was closely associated with Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who was formerly Ruler of Dubai, in the initial discussions during the talks on federation. The agreement they had reached in February 1968 was one of the key steps to eventually forming the UAE.
The larger set of founding rulers is a group of seven emirates, and they are recognized in the national celebrations and official depictions of the Union.
What Does Eid Al Etihad Mean?
The celebration of the Union is literally Eid Al Etihad. It has become the official name of the UAE’s national festival on 2 December.
The name of Etihad is derived from the word “union” and thus is closely associated with the heart of the historical event that is at the center of National Day.
The official platform for Eid Al Adha reminds the people of this nation of their history and heritage, and celebrates their present and hopes for their future.
If the searcher finds both of these terms, UAE National Day and Eid Al Etihad, then they mean the same thing, but the latter is the official name of the celebration today, and the former was the name of the occasion when they were first introduced.
How Does the UAE Celebrate National Day?
Celebrated all over the UAE, National Day includes national symbolism, Emirati heritage, cultural activities, public events, and community engagement.
Changes in the program will vary from year to year. However, there have been large-scale celebrations of the occasion, heritage presentations, artistic displays, music, and opportunities for communities to celebrate the national occasion.
The example of the modern approach is the 54th Eid Al Etihad in 2025. The ceremony was inaugurated at Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi and featured historical relics, traditional attire inspired by Emiratis, orchestral music, folk music, and visual presentations related to Emirati history.
Celebrations may also take place outside of a formal event. The official Eid Al Etihad program in 2025 allowed residents of all seven emirates to enjoy community activities and be able to see the official ceremony via designated areas and media.
Individual events have been published for specific years, so people should look at the information about the events before making plans with regard to a particular performance, fireworks display, or public programme.
UAE National Day Traditions and Symbols
National Day is closely associated with the UAE flag and the UAE national colours.
The UAE flag contains four colours—red, green, white and black. The UAE Government’s official fact sheet states that the colours have been given symbolic meanings relating to virtues such as courage, peace, hope, prosperity and strength.
The national colours are frequently used during the celebration of the National Day in both public and private areas. The use of flags, decorations and national imagery contributes to the visibility of the occasion as a symbol of unity.
Ishy Bilady is the UAE national anthem, another important UAE national symbol. It was initially designed as an instrumental in 1971, and then lyrics were added by Dr Aref Al Sheikh and were approved in 1986.
National celebrations thus gather more than just symbols of UAE identity – they are celebrations of UAE identity.
United Arab Emirates National Day and Emirati Heritage
Eid Al Etihad is a significant part of the festival because it links the contemporary federation to the history of the communities that existed before 1971.
The UAE’s official history tells of a maritime and pearling economy before federation, desert communities, and relations between the emirates. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, as in times past, the pearling industry was a significant source of employment and income, but faced the brunt of economic change.
This tradition is also reflected in the modern Eid Al Etihad ceremonies, where it is incorporated into the contemporary productions. Historical artefacts encompassed in the 2025 official ceremony included maritime and archaeological artifacts that represented various eras of the region’s history.
Such a mix is responsible for the fact that National Day isn’t just a celebration of a political event. It is also a chance to link UAE history, Emirati culture, national identity, and the UAE today.
Is United Arab Emirates National Day a Public Holiday?
Yes. The current federal public-holiday regime in the UAE includes 2 and 3 December as National Day public holidays (public and private).
The two-day provision is provided for in Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 on the Public Holidays in the State, which provides for two days on National Day (2nd to 3rd December).
Not all businesses, attractions, or services will necessarily be open during the same hours during the holiday. Each organization has its own schedule; please check opening hours directly with the organization that you are traveling to or scheduling.
The Seven Emirates of the United Arab Emirates
The UAE is a constitutional federation of seven emirates. They are:
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai
- Sharjah
- Ajman
- Umm Al Quwain
- Fujairah
- Ras Al Khaimah
These seven emirates are officially confirmed in the UAE political system information, and Ras Al Khaimah joined the federation in February 1972.
Each emirate has its own local government, in addition to Abu Dhabi, the federal capital.
At the heart of the National Day’s theme is the seven-emirate system, which is symbolised by the celebration; it signifies the establishment of a federation, uniting these emirates under a national system.
How National Day Has Evolved
As the country developed, the meaning of UAE National Day has grown.
The first event was dedicated to the founding of the federation. The celebration of National Day has evolved to commemorate the country’s founding fathers, enhance awareness of Emirati identity, strengthen national identity, and celebrate the nation’s growth.
This is illustrated in the official programme for Eid Al Etihad. In recent ceremonies, historical artifacts and traditional performances have been interwoven with large-scale artistic and technical presentations. For instance, in 2025, the UAE National Orchestra performed for the first time at the Zayed National Museum during the official ceremony.
This results in a unique balance: the history of the Union is at the centre, and the presentation of the Union is the culture and aspirations of the UAE at the time.
Why Is UAE National Day Important?
Three ideas are interrelated and help to understand the meaning of UAE National Day: unity, identity and continuity.
First, it is a tribute to the political will to form a federation, instead of individual emirates.
Secondly, it strengthens the sense of national identity. The seven emirates had formed a union, and they had acquired a sense of nationality but had retained their heritage and local characteristics.
Third, it links people from one generation to the next with the story of the nation’s creation. Official Eid Al Etihad content consistently talks about the linkage between the legacy of the Founding Fathers, current successes, and future aspirations.
Therefore, historical and contemporary significance.
Final Thoughts
United Arab Emirates National Day celebrates one of the most significant events in the modern history of the United Arab Emirates, when the UAE federation was formed on 2 December 1971. Seven emirates make up the UAE after Ras Al Khaimah joined in February 1972.
Now, Eid Al Etihad is celebrated as a new national festival. It is a celebration that honors the memory of the UAE founding fathers, celebrates Emirati heritage, showcases the UAE’s national symbols, encourages community involvement, and offers a vision for the UAE’s future.
In the UAE, National Day is not just a public holiday; it’s also a part of understanding the UAE. It involves the comprehension of the historical process leading to the Union, and the seven emirate federation, and the national identity that emerged from it.
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FAQs
When is United Arab Emirates National Day?
2 December is the date of the United Arab Emirates National Day annually. It marks the official formation of the UAE federation in 1971. The official public holiday is on 2 and 3 December.
What happened on 2 December 1971?
The UAE gained independence as a sovereign federation on 2 December 1971. Ras Al Khaimah became a member of the federation on 10 February 1972.
What is the difference between UAE National Day and Eid Al Etihad?
They are used for the same national event. The UAE’s National Day celebrations on 2 December are commonly known as Eid Al Etihad, or Union Day.
Is 2 December a public holiday in the UAE?
Yes. Following the current public-holiday structure in the UAE, 2 December and 3 December are both National Day public and private sector holidays.
How many emirates formed the UAE on National Day?
The federation was formed on 2 December 1971, with the six emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. On 10 February 1972, Ras Al Khaimah joined the federation to make a total of seven emirates.
Who was the first President of the UAE?
The UAE’s founding President, Sultan Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, reigned from 1971 until he died in 2004.
Why is UAE National Day celebrated?
It is celebrated to mark the establishment of the UAE federation in 1971, and to remember the Union, founding Fathers, heritage, and national identity of the UAE.
What is the official name of UAE National Day?
The national festival is called Eid Al Etihad. The UAE Government also celebrates 2 December as a National Day.
What are common UAE National Day celebrations?
Programs for National Day may feature officially organized ceremonies, cultural and heritage spectacles, community events, music, national decorations, and other public events. Specifics of the program change annually and by location.
What are the colours of the UAE flag?
Red, green, white, and black are the colors of the UAE flag. The UAE Government gives official interpretations to the colours, which represent qualities like courage, peace, hope, prosperity, and strength.
When did Ras Al Khaimah join the UAE?
The UAE was formed on 10 February 1972 by the unification of Ras Al Khaimah, the sixth emirate, with the other five, which had formed the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971.
