UAE National Day holiday announced for private sector

Private-sector workers will be able to enjoy a long weekend for National Day.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced an update that December 2, 3 and 4 will be a paid holiday for private-sector workers.

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

The UAE Cabinet previously confirmed a two-day break for National Day, on December 2 and 3.

Commemoration Day, which has in previous years been a public holiday, officially falls on November 30. It has been marked with a public holiday on December 1 in recent years.

Commemoration Day is an annual event to remember those who lost their lives in the line of service.

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 emirate the following year.

UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, led efforts to unite the emirates and became the first President.

The UAE will mark its 52nd National Day with official celebrations at Expo City Dubai, where the country will be hosting Cop28.