UAE residents and visitors are gearing up for a long weekend from December 1 to 4 as the country celebrates its 51st National Day on December 2.
Scroll through the gallery above to see National Day deals across the UAE
For those looking to dine out, there are a number of meal deals and special menus being offered, from discounts to all-you-can-eat offers. Here are some of them.
Cafe Society
The quirky spot in Dubai Marina, known for its artistic approach to food, is celebrating National Day with a 50 per cent discount across its menu — from breakfast to dinner. Must-try dishes include Mediterranean seafood paella, chicken piccata, French onion soup and pomegranate garden salad.
December 2; 9am-11pm; prices vary; Dubai Marina; 04 318 3755; cafesociety.ae
Majlis Al Sultan
The Middle Eastern restaurant is launching a traditional Emirati dish for its National Day celebrations at its Al Wasl Road and City Centre Me'aisem branches. Only available to order for four days, the oven-roasted lamb shoulder will be served over a plate of spiced rice or freekeh with nuts.
November 30 to December 3; noon-5pm; Dh90 per person; Al Wasl Road; 04 334 1888; City Centre Me'aisem; 04 770 1451
Bombay Borough
Dessert lovers can head to the Indian restaurant, which is celebrating National Day with a promotion on a limited-time menu. This takes in berry tres leches, Philadelphia gujiya and an Anglo-Indian bread pudding, all of which are priced at Dh51. Desserts aside, the Dubai International Financial Centre spot features pan-Indian cuisine, with dishes such as steamed sweet and sour chutney fish wrapped in a banana leaf.
December 1 to 4; noon-midnight; the DIFC; 054 995 8296; bombayborough.com
Wingstop
The famed wings shack is offering a 51 per cent discount on all online orders above Dh40 across the UAE through the Wingstop mobile app and website. The restaurant is known for its enticing flavours, which include hickory-smoked barbecue, mango habanero and lemon pepper. It has more than 1,500 outlets across the world, 18 of which are in the UAE.
December 1 to 4; times and prices vary; 800 27283; wingstop.ae
The Blacksmith
This Dubai smokehouse has a buy-one, get-one-free deal on its house drinks and delectable main courses, which include the classic slow-cooked brisket, a range of steaks, and beef short ribs. On top of the mouth-watering parade of meat, the venue features a laid-back terrace, which will host live performers on National Day at its Dubai Marina and Business Bay branches.
December 1 to 3; 5pm-11pm; prices vary; theblacksmithdubai.com
Golden Dragon
The long-standing Chinese restaurant, which opened in Oud Metha in 1976, knows a thing or two about celebrating National Day. This year, it is offering diners a Dh51 all-you-can-eat meal, featuring a selection of sushi and dim sum. On offer are classics such as salmon California rolls, dragon rolls and prawn dumplings.
December 3 to 28; noon-11pm; Dh51; Oud Metha; 04 357 7022; goldendragonme.com
Talea by Antonio Guida
As part of National Day celebrationsguests at this Emirates Palace restaurant can order a five-course set menu prepared by guest chef Alessandro Miocchi, the co-owner and head chef of the famed Retrobottega in Rome. The menu, which puts a spotlight on Miocchi's strong Italian roots, features dishes such as a risotto with smoked butter and cured lemon, and a hamachi with eggplant and miso.
December 2; 6pm-10:30pm; Dh750 per person; West Corniche Road; 02 690 7999; mandarinoriental.com
Sante Ria
For a Latino-inspired celebration of National Day, this spot in Jumeirah Village Circle is the place to be. On offer is a buy-one, get-one-free deal on main courses and house drinks. The restaurant offers an authentic South American and Caribbean experience, featuring everything from Jamaican jerk chicken and hearty Peruvian mains to Brazilian street-food delicacies.
December 1 to 3; 6pm-11pm; prices vary; The First Collection, Jumeirah Village Circle; 04 275 6630; santeriadubai.ae
Mondoux
Pastry chefs at this Dubai restaurant's two branches — at Dubai Creek Harbour and The Beach, JBR — are creating a flag mosaic for their cream and berry cakes. The best part? The dessert is free for diners eating at either outpost. The menu features a hearty breakfast and mains such as salmon Benedict and tuna steak.
December 1 to 4; 8am-midnight; mondoux.ae
Monno
The Emirati-owned artisanal Italian ristorante is celebrating National Day with a limited-time patriotic pizza donning the colours of the UAE flag. The hand-made pizza comprises freshly made dough slathered with Italian tomato sauce, with toppings including creamy mozzarella fior di latte from Naples, fresh rocket and black olives.
December 2; noon-midnight; Dh50 per pizza; Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1, Dubai; monno.ae
Deliveroo and Couqley
This deal is one for those embarking on a dessert camping getaway on the National Day weekend. Deliveroo and French bistro Couqley are offering a discounted rate on a BBQ Anywhere Kit, which includes two burger patties, two potato buns, aged cheddar cheese, lettuce, sliced tomatoes and onions, and a variety of condiments and sides.
November 23 to December 4; Dh69 per kit; deliveroo.ae
Rove City Centre and Frying Pan Adventures
A rather unique way to celebrate National Day, this walking tour of Old Dubai focuses on one of the city's cultural delights — karak tea. Participants will be able to "rediscover the city's roots" through tastings, from mainstream brand Project Chaiwala to more unknown spots peppered throughout the area. The three-hour tour starts at Rove City Centre in Deira, and there are two National Day-themed tours available.
December 3; Dh125; 8:45am and 11:45am; Deira; www.fryingpanadventures.com
Day 2, stumps
Pakistan 482
Australia 30/0 (13 ov)
Australia trail by 452 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the innings
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
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UAE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Adel Al Hosani
Defenders: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Mohammed Barghash, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Hassan Al Mahrami, Yousef Jaber, Mohammed Al Attas
Midfielders: Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Majed Hassan, Abdullah Hamad, Khalfan Mubarak, Khalil Al Hammadi, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Harib Abdallah, Mohammed Jumah
Forwards: Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Ali Saleh, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue
Brighton 1
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Kane (48)
The Al Barzakh Festival takes place on Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30pm in the Red Theatre, NYUAD, Saadiyat Island. Tickets cost Dh105 for adults from platinumlist.net
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
The five pillars of Islam
Background: Chemical Weapons
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m. Winner: Majd Al Megirat, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Shehhi (trainer)
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