UAE National Day: The Long Weekend Everyone’s Been Waiting For (Time to Travel!)

Here’s something nobody expected: what was meant to be a simple mid-week National Day break quietly transformed into a long weekend for most of the UAE and an even longer one for Sharjah. Thanks to the country’s new holiday-transfer rule, a 2-day break suddenly became a 4- or 5-day mini vacation. And honestly? The timing couldn’t be better.

This shift means one thing for residents: more time to escape and take that spontaneous trip to Georgia, a quick Maldives getaway, or a road trip across the UAE.

What Changed This Year?

Under the new system (Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024), certain public holidays can be moved to the start or end of the week to avoid mid-week disruptions. And UAE National Day was the first one to officially use this rule.

Here’s how the long weekend shaped up -

Public + Private Sector

✔️ Off from Nov 29 (Saturday) to Dec 2 (Tuesday)

✔️ Back to work on Dec 3

Sharjah Residents

✔️ Off from Nov 28 (Friday) to Dec 2 (Tuesday): a full 5-day break

Schools

✔️ 4 days off in most emirates

✔️ 5 days off in Sharjah

A quiet policy change, but a very real upgrade for travel lovers.

Celebrations Across the Emirates

National Day isn’t just about fireworks and flags, although you’ll still find plenty of those lighting up the skyline. Rather, it’s a time when the entire country turns festive -

Heritage shows and parades
Live concerts (Balqees fans, you know this!)
Outdoor markets and cultural pop-ups
Fireworks across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and the Northern Emirates
Restaurants offering National Day menus and family activities

The whole UAE becomes one giant celebration, which makes it the perfect “excuse” to explore somewhere new.

Planning to Invite Family? A Quick Note on UAE Tourist Visas

For loved ones flying in during National Day, here are the estimated visa costs -

30-day visa → AED 200
60-day visa → AED 300

No security deposit, simple documents, and approvals often within 24–72 hours. Perfect for anyone joining the celebrations, exploring the emirates, or planning a winter holiday visit.