UAE National Day 2026 is a two-day public holiday on Wednesday 2 December and Thursday 3 December (Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024). How those days sit next to your weekend depends on whether your office is Friday-Saturday or Saturday-Sunday, and whether the Cabinet later transfers the holiday. Confirm on u.ae before you buy non-refundable tickets. Source: u.ae public holidays.
All five trips in one place: UAE National Day holiday packages from Dubai.
When are the UAE National Day holidays in 2026?
The UAE celebrates National Day on 2 and 3 December every year. In 2026, 2 December falls on a Wednesday and 3 December on a Thursday, so residents can expect a mid-week break that stretches into the weekend , Wednesday through Sunday off for most office workers, once the official announcement confirms it.
That makes the 2026 National Day window one of the longest natural breaks of the year: a single stretch of up to five days without spending annual leave. It is the reason flights and hotels across the region sell out early every November.
How many days off can you get?
- Wednesday 2 December , National Day public holiday (expected).
- Thursday 3 December , National Day public holiday (expected).
- Friday to Sunday , the regular UAE weekend.
Take no leave and you still get five continuous days. Add Monday and Tuesday on leave and it becomes a full week. Our advice every year is the same: book refundable options early, then firm up plans once the official holiday circular is published.
Where to go for UAE National Day: short getaways that work in 4 to 5 days
A five-day window suits destinations within five flying hours of Dubai. These are the trips our UAE travellers book most for the National Day break.
Georgia: visa-free mountains and old towns
Georgia remains the easiest win , visa-free entry for UAE residents, about three and a half hours from Dubai, and December brings snow to Gudauri while Tbilisi stays walkable. A four-night plan covers Tbilisi old town, Kazbegi day trip and one ski day. See our holiday packages for December departures.
Azerbaijan: Baku in four days
Baku pairs a compact old city with modern waterfront, direct flights under three hours, and e-visa or visa-free access for most UAE residents depending on nationality. Always check the current rule for your passport before booking.
Thailand: beach reset before peak season
Early December sits just before Thailand's absolute peak. Phuket and Krabi give you beach days plus island trips inside a five-day frame, with plenty of flight options from Dubai and Sharjah.
Maldives: do nothing, properly
Four nights in the Maldives is the classic National Day escape , seaplane on day one, pure resort time after. December seas are calm and visibility is excellent for snorkelling.
Staycation in the UAE
Hotels across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah run National Day staycation rates with fireworks views. If you are travelling with grandparents or infants, this is the lowest-logistics option and it books out first.
Visas: what to sort before November
- Schengen visas need 15 to 20 working days from Dubai in peak season , start in October if Europe is the plan. See our visa services.
- Thailand, Maldives, Georgia, Azerbaijan are visa-free, visa-on-arrival or e-visa for most UAE resident nationalities, but rules differ by passport , verify yours, don't assume.
- Keep six months passport validity beyond your return date; December travel with a passport expiring in early 2027 gets denied boarding every year.
Budget guide: what do National Day trips cost?
December is peak season, so expect 15 to 25 percent above October fares on popular routes. As a rough frame from Dubai: Almaty or Azerbaijan four-night packages with flights typically land in the budget-to-mid range, Thailand mid-range, and Maldives premium. Booking flights before mid-October is the single biggest saver.
Frequently asked questions
National Day is observed on 2 and 3 December each year. In 2026 these fall on Wednesday and Thursday, so a mid-week public holiday is expected, subject to the official announcement.
Most office workers can expect Wednesday 2 December through Sunday 6 December off , five continuous days combining the two public holidays with the weekend.
Almaty, Azerbaijan, Kenya, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam top the list for 4 to 5 day trips: short flights, simple visas for UAE residents, and December-friendly weather.
Before mid-October. Fares on Dubai to Tbilisi, Baku, Male and Phuket routes climb steeply through November as the break approaches.
Georgia is visa-free for UAE residents; Thailand offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to most nationalities. Rules depend on your passport, so verify before you pay for anything non-refundable.