UAE National Day Leave Announced 2025(9 Days)

As the end of the year approaches, residents and workers across the United Arab Emirates prepare for one of the most celebrated holidays of the calendar: UAE National Day, also known as Eid al‑Etihad (“Festival of Union”). Marking the founding of the UAE on 2 December 1971, the occasion takes on special significance in 2025 as the country observes its 54th anniversary.

In this blog we look at what the holiday means, how people celebrate, and – importantly for many workers – how you can turn the public-holiday announcement into a longer break using smart leave planning.

What is UAE National Day and why does it matter?

The date & background

1. UAE National Day (Eid al-Etihad) is officially celebrated on 2 December each year, the anniversary of the union of six of the emirates in 1971.
2. In practice, the day after (3 December) is also observed as a holiday, making the public holiday period effectively two days for many.
3. The holiday honours national identity, unity, progress, and the achievements of the UAE over more than five decades.

Why it matters

1. It brings together citizens, residents of all nationalities, and the public- and private-sectors in a national celebration of history and future vision.
2. Thousands of events, parades, fireworks, cultural shows and community programmes take place across the seven emirates.
3. For many people living and working in UAE, it’s a chance to relax, reflect, travel, and connect with friends/family.
4. The 2025 holiday dates: What has been announced

Official dates for 2025

1. According to the federal announcement by Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR), the public holidays for federal employees are Monday 1 December and Tuesday 2 December 2025.
2. Work is scheduled to resume on Wednesday, 3 December 2025 for those federal entities.
3. For many private-sector employees the same dates are expected (or similar), but the official private-sector notice may come separately.

What this means in practice

1. Because the weekend in UAE is Saturday–Sunday, having the holiday on Monday and Tuesday gives many people a four-day break: Saturday & Sunday (weekend) + Monday + Tuesday.
2. If you are able to secure or plan for taking additional leave days, you can stretch this break into five days or more. see next section.

3. How to turn the National Day holiday into a LONG weekend (or longer!)

If you’re keen to maximise your time off, here are the leave-hacking strategies many residents are using for National Day 2025.

3.1 Basic long weekend

With the holiday declared for Monday 1 Dec & Tuesday 2 Dec (plus weekend):

• Saturday 29 November
• Sunday 30 November
• Monday 1 December (holiday)
• Tuesday 2 December (holiday)
  Work resumes Wednesday 3 December.
  => 4 consecutive days off.

3.2 Upgrade to a 5-day break

• If you take annual leave/casual leave or your employer grants Monday off as holiday, you could get:
  • Saturday & Sunday (29–30 Nov)
  • Monday (1 Dec)
  • Tuesday (2 Dec)
  • Plus Wednesday or Thursday if you take them out.
    => Possibly 5 days off.

3.3 Stretch it further – the 9-day holiday hack

According to a Gulf News article, you can turn the Day off into 9 calendar days by layering leave days around the public holiday and weekend.

Example:

• Saturday 29 Nov – Sunday 30 Nov → weekend
• Monday 1 Dec → public holiday
• Tuesday 2 Dec → public holiday
• Take leave on: Wednesday 3 Dec , Thursday 4 Dec and Friday 5 December
• Then Saturday 6 Dec – Sunday 7 Dec → weekend
  That gives you Saturday (pre-holiday) to Sunday (post-holiday) = 9 days off using only 2 extra leave days.

3.4 Things to check and plan

1. Confirm your company’s leave policy: whether annual leave counts calendar days or working days.
2. Book your leave early – high demand will mean many people trying to get the same days.
3. Ensure you have enough leave balance (casual/annual) available.
4. Note your employer may reject leave requests if business needs are high.
5. Public holidays may technically differ for private vs public sector, though historically they align.
6. Celebrations, culture & what to expect on the ground

Festivities across the UAE

1. Expect spectacular fireworks, drone shows, and national-themed light displays in major cities (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah etc).
2. Cultural programmes and heritage-themed events will run in many locations from late November through early December.
3. Flags, national colours, car caravans, family activities, and even themed shopping promotions are common.

Tips to enjoy the holiday

1. Book travel early if you plan to go away: short-haul trips tend to book quickly.
2. Use the long break to either stay local and explore UAE’s winter events, or take a short getaway.
3. Dress in national colours, join community gatherings, visit public events – it’s a great way to feel part of the moment.
4. Check event listings for your emirate (many free, many pay) and plan accordingly.

5. What it means for workers & employers

For employees

1. The days off provide a great chance to recharge, travel, spend time with family, or simply unwind.
2. With smart leave usage you can significantly expand your time off.
3. Be aware: if you plan leave, submit early and coordinate with your team so you’re not the one stuck working.

For employers / HR departments

1. The four-day (or longer) holiday period means many businesses will need to plan ahead: staffing, customer service coverage, supply chain, etc.
2. Communicating clearly with staff about holiday schedule, leave policy, coverage arrangements is critical.
3. Businesses can also align marketing/promotion around the National Day: themed events, retail promotions, digital campaigns.

Why 2025 is special

1. The 54th anniversary of the union gives the celebrations extra resonance.
2. With the holiday likely covering 1 – 2 December and the weekend, the chance of an extended break is higher than usual.
3. The “long-weekend hack” is widely discussed and shared, meaning many residents are already planning.
4. Travel deals, event bookings and hospitality offers have already started trending around this period.

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