Massive Street Celebrations Light Up UAE’s 54th Eid Al Etihad

“We love you, UAE!” The joyful chants echo through a colorful parade as the United Arab Emirates gets ready to mark its 54th anniversary. Flags and lights now adorn buildings, streets, and public spaces throughout the country, creating a festive atmosphere ahead of this national celebration. The UAE will celebrate its 54th year of unity on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025. People will enjoy public holidays on both Monday, December 1st, and Tuesday, December 2nd.

Dubai’s citywide events will showcase national pride and community spirit in spectacular ways. More than 1,000 participants from Dubai Police, KHDA students, and government entities will march in the annual Eid Al Etihad Parade at City Walk on December 1st. The parade will bring together residents from Russia, the Philippines, India, Pakistan, China, Turkey and beyond. They’ll wave flags and show their love for the country they now call home. The celebrations will peak with stunning fireworks lighting up the UAE’s skyline on December 2nd. The displays at Dubai Festival City Mall and Hatta will start at 8pm, paying tribute to the nation’s achievements and humanitarian values.

Dubai launches citywide celebrations for 54th Eid Al Etihad

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Dubai will light up with stunning citywide celebrations during the 54th Eid Al Etihad. The festivities will showcase national pride, unity, and community spirit from December 1 to 3, 2025.

DFRE reveals refreshed program of events

The Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) has created an exciting program that blends culture, heritage, hospitality, gastronomy, and family entertainment. Visitors and residents can look forward to stunning fireworks, live concerts, picture-perfect parades, exclusive staycation deals, retail promotions, and diverse dining options. The celebration also introduces brand-new experiences for the first time.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said: “The 54th Eid Al Etihad is a powerful reflection of the unity, pride, and progress that define our extraordinary nation, guided by the steadfast vision of our great leaders”. He emphasized that this year’s program combines experiences in culture, gastronomy, hospitality, and family entertainment that welcome innovation rooted in tradition.

Theme of ‘United’ expresses national pride and progress

The festivities will bring communities together from all seven emirates under the theme “United.” Cultural events, screenings, and shared experiences will celebrate the nation’s heritage and collective spirit. The celebrations want to reach out to over 200 nationalities living in the country to promote a sense of belonging, connection, and national pride.

People nationwide can celebrate together through the official Eid Al Etihad ceremony broadcast. The event will stream through cinema screenings, local TV channels, the Eid Al Etihad YouTube channel, and the official website.

Key dates and public holiday schedule for 2025

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has declared Monday and Tuesday, December 1 and 2, 2025, as official paid holidays for private sector employees across the UAE. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirmed identical dates for public sector employees.

Public and private sector workers will enjoy a long weekend. The regular weekend days (Saturday–Sunday, November 29–30) plus the two-day Eid Al Etihad holiday will give everyone a extended break before work resumes on Wednesday, December 3.

Government and institutions organize large-scale events

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Government institutions in the UAE are coming together to create memorable national celebrations for the 54th Eid Al Etihad. Public sector organizations across the nation will take part in these festivities.

Dubai Police and KHDA lead City Walk parade

A grand Eid Al Etihad Parade will return to City Walk on December 1 at 4pm through collaboration with Dubai Police. This display of national pride will run for an hour, from 4 PM to 5 PM. More than 1,000 participants from Dubai Police, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) students, and other government entities will showcase their unity in this remarkable procession. Magnificent horses will march through City Walk as part of this spectacular annual tradition. Security forces and educational institutions demonstrate their commitment to celebrating national identity through this joint effort.

Ministries and municipalities host cultural showcases

The emirate will come alive with cultural performances and parades at more than 20 locations, giving residents and visitors a taste of authentic Emirati traditions. The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development has previously hosted extensive National Day celebrations with over 100 events that blend arts, culture, and heritage. These cultural showcases feature folklore and fashion shows, traditional performances like Al Ayala, Al Harbia, Yola, and Liwa, along with live folk crafts and storytelling sessions. Past City Walk celebrations drew more than 18,000 visitors, with participants from 27 countries including Costa Rica, Colombia, Russia, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Romania, and Turkey.

Zayed Authority and educational bodies join celebrations

Educational bodies play an active role in the national festivities among major government institutions. The municipality will host various events under the #ZayedAndRashid campaign, including educational workshops and activities. Cultural centers throughout the UAE have served as celebration hubs, featuring heritage villages, free-style drawing studios, play areas, cartoon characters, and cultural competitions. These centers welcome thousands of visitors and provide experiences that connect young generations to the nation’s heritage through interactive learning and cultural exhibitions.

Fireworks and concerts light up the UAE skyline

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Amazing displays will light up the UAE skies with fireworks and live performances taking center stage at the 54th Eid Al Etihad celebrations.

National Day fireworks schedule across Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Dubai’s skyline will burst into color on December 2. Synchronized displays will start at Dubai Festival City Mall and Hatta at 8pm. Souk Al Seef, Bluewaters, and The Beach, JBR will follow at 9pm. Abu Dhabi’s citywide displays will light up multiple locations. The shows at Abu Dhabi Corniche and Yas Bay Waterfront run December 1-2 at 9pm, while Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental hosts displays on December 2. Global Village presents impressive fireworks at 9pm from December 1-3.

Live performances by Balqees, Diana Haddad, and Shamma Hamdan

Emirati superstar Balqees leads the celebrations with a spectacular concert at Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall on December 2 after the 8pm fireworks. Lebanese icon Diana Haddad takes the stage at City Walk on December 1 at 8pm. Acclaimed Emirati talent Shamma Hamdan performs the next day. Music fans can catch Hussain Al Jassmi and Fouad Abdelwahad at Khorfakkan Amphitheater on November 29.

Drone shows and musical evenings at Global Village

Hundreds of drones will paint the sky with symbols of unity, pride and progress on December 1-2 after the Global Village fireworks. The celebrations feature Khalid Mohammed’s live performance on December 1. The theatrical operetta “From the Desert to the Stars” runs from December 1-3.

Cultural heritage and family entertainment take center stage

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The 54th Eid Al Etihad celebrations showcase the UAE’s rich cultural heritage and give residents and visitors a chance to experience authentic traditions through family activities.

Traditional dances like Al Ayala and Yola featured

UNESCO recognizes Al Ayala as Intangible Cultural Heritage, making it a centerpiece of Emirates-wide festivities. The traditional performance brings together two rows of men who face each other with thin bamboo sticks. They move in sync to drum beats while chanting poetic lyrics. People from different backgrounds and ages take part, which makes the dance welcoming to all social classes. This dance represents victory, pride, and unity, and people perform it at weddings and festive occasions.

Heritage villages and museums host interactive events

Young participants between 7-12 years can join a special children’s camp at Hatta Heritage Village that runs over four weekends. The camp lets them explore local traditions and natural surroundings. The celebrations at Al Fahidi Historical Village highlight the nation’s culture and history from November 15 to December 3. Sharjah Museums Authority welcomes visitors with free entry to all museums on December 2-3. Visitors can enjoy heritage performances, educational workshops, and interactive stations.

Retail promotions and themed hotel packages boost festivities

Hotels around the country offer special National Day deals that include family activities celebrating Emirati traditions. Novotel Dubai World Trade Center has created family packages where kids under 12 stay free. They also provide free shuttle service to UAE Flag Garden at Kite Beach. A first-ever UAE National Day Local Market displays Emirati products including traditional clothing, oud, perfumes, and local delicacies.

The UAE’s 54th Eid Al Etihad showcases the nation’s impressive progress and unity. Citizens and residents will celebrate with an array of festivities that honor both tradition and state-of-the-art achievements. The Emirates will transform into a spectacular display of national pride from December 1-3, 2025. Impressive fireworks will light up the skies from Dubai Festival City to Abu Dhabi Corniche.

The iconic Eid Al Etihad Parade at City Walk will bring together more than 1,000 participants from various backgrounds. They will march in unity to display their community spirit. Musical performances by Balqees, Diana Haddad, and Shamma Hamdan will add artistic brilliance to the celebrations.

These celebrations preserve cultural heritage at their core. UNESCO-recognized Al Ayala dance performances help younger generations connect with their roots. Heritage villages and museums provide interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. Special retail promotions and hotel packages enable everyone to participate in the national festivities.

“United” captures this milestone celebration’s essence perfectly. Residents from over 200 nationalities in the UAE will celebrate the nation’s achievements together. The country’s visionary leadership has guided its development remarkably. The 54th Eid Al Etihad symbolizes more than a historical anniversary – it celebrates UAE’s inclusive spirit and promising future that welcomes people from around the world.