What Eid Al Etihad Means

Eid Al Etihad is the official title of UAE National Day, the annual celebration of the founding of the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971. The name means "celebration of the union," and it replaced the earlier term Union Day. The occasion is central to national identity, symbolising heritage, unity, strength and national pride, and reflecting Arabic heritage. Organisers describe it as a shared celebration of the UAE's multicultural society, bringing together citizens and residents from all seven emirates.

Origins

On 2 December 1971, six emirates — Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah — proclaimed the federation of the United Arab Emirates. Ras Al Khaimah joined as the seventh emirate in February 1972, completing the union. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's Founding Father, led the unification efforts and became the country's first president.

The national flag, designed by Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah at the age of 19, was first raised on 2 December 1971. Its red, green, white and black colours remain the visual signature of the holiday.

Flags and Decorations

The most visible custom is the display of the national colours. Buildings, homes, malls, hotels, bridges and public spaces are covered in the red, green, white and black of the UAE flag, and skylines are lit in national colours at night. Residents hang flags at home and at work, wear national colours and decorate their cars.

Car decoration is regulated: only approved stickers and flags are permitted. Spray paint, covering windows or licence plates, and loud unapproved music are banned, and non-compliant vehicles may be fined or impounded.

Traditions and Performances

Al Ayyala is the best-known traditional performance of the celebrations. Two facing rows of men and boys carry thin bamboo canes and move to drums in a staged mock battle, chanting Nabati poetry verses on courage and honour. Al Ayyala was inscribed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list in 2014 and is performed at weddings, national holidays and welcome ceremonies. Folk music, poetry and demonstrations of old customs are also common.

Heritage villages and cultural centres run programmes on traditional crafts, household items, trading customs and desert life, while children's craft activities and interactive cultural exhibits appear at many venues. Local markets sell traditional products.

Food and Drink

Celebrations centre on traditional Emirati dishes. Machboos is rice cooked in spiced broth with meat or fish and flavoured with loomi (dried lime). Harees is wheat and meat slow-cooked to a smooth, thick consistency and usually topped with ghee. Luqaimat — small fried dough dumplings, crisp outside and soft inside, drizzled with date syrup — are a favourite sweet. Families cook at home or visit relatives, while hotels and restaurants offer holiday menus mixing local and international dishes.

Civic Observances and Public Festivities

A grand ceremony, typically attended by UAE rulers, is staged each year as the centrepiece of nationwide festivities; the previous year's showpiece was held at Abu Dhabi's Zayed National Museum ahead of its public opening. For the 55th National Day in 2026, organisers held community workshops between 10 and 24 September inviting citizens and residents to contribute stories, memories, crafts and creative ideas for the festivities.

Malls, theme parks and other venues host family events, cultural programmes, live shows and contests, and shops run special offers. Dubai's 2026 retail calendar lists Eid Al Etihad celebrations from 30 November to 3 December, including fireworks, cultural showcases and promotions.

Regional Variations

Dubai: the skyline, waterfront and large public festivities are the focus.
Abu Dhabi: modern entertainment alongside museums and cultural and historical sites.
Sharjah: museums, cultural centres and traditional heritage, with special activities run by the museums authority; Khorfakkan held a maritime parade.
Ras Al Khaimah: a mountain walk on Jebel Jais and a Union Day march on Al Qawasim Corniche.
Ajman: a police celebration with a military parade.
Al Ain: Al Jahili Fort hosted a group wedding and an air display.

Visiting and Taking Part

Visitors should check official notices for fireworks venues, show times, road closures and public transport changes, and confirm mall opening hours, which can differ over the holiday. Hotels and popular activities are best booked early, and extra travel time is wise near busy areas. Spectators should park and watch only in designated areas, bring water, dress appropriately, keep children close in crowds and respect local customs.

Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day) in United Arab Emirates