From a spectacular fireworks show in Abu Dhabi to a dazzling ceremony in Hatta attended by UAE leaders – plus numerous festivities across Dubai – the UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebrations have been forever etched into hearts and minds.
On December 2, the Emirates marked its National Day, celebrating 50 years of the country’s formation.
Action-packed events took place across the UAE that saw thousands of people enjoying firework shows, traditional Emirati dancing and music, and children wearing outfits in national flag colours.
World leaders congratulated the UAE on this special day, including the UK’s Queen Elizabeth II, who paid tribute to the relationship between the two nations and recalled memories of her trips to the UAE.
Glittering show in Hatta
The official National Day celebrations took place in Hatta, which was attended by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
An enormous circular, rotating, structure that rested on a platform surrounded by water was the main stage.
Images projected onto the object, along with narration, told the story of the Emirates.
Firework shows around the structure lit up the area, with the stunning Hatta mountains providing a stunning backdrop.
About 140 performers from all over the world were recruited for the show, which had taken around 1.5 million man hours and more than 1,400 people to organise.
Three young girls read letters they wrote, including one to Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Arab female astronaut.
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The UAE flag lights up the night sky. -
Pictured bottom, left to right, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, who was serving as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces at the time, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, attend the official 50th UAE National Day celebrations, at Hatta Dam. All photos: Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
The official National Day show was a dazzling display of lights and fireworks. -
Pictured bottom, left to right, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Sharjah, and Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman. -
Pictured, right to left, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, and Sheikh Rashid bin Saud Al Mualla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain, stand for the UAE National Anthem. -
The light show really came to life. -
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, right, watches the show. -
Lights brighten the night sky. -
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed captures the mood. -
Fireworks illuminate the sky. -
Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi Executive Council member and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, second right. -
Fireworks explode over Hatta. -
Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi Executive Council member and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed, chairman of the board of trustees for the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation. -
A stunning 3D projection wowed the audience. -
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, left, speaks with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. -
The UAE's past, present and future was celebrated. -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, right, Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain, second right, and Saqr bin Ghobash Saeed Ghobash, chairman of the UAE Federal National Council. -
The central focal point shone a light on the future. -
Pictured, from right, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed, Sheikha Salama bint Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Sheikha Shamma bint Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohamed bin Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed. -
Pictured, from right, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohamed, Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region. -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. -
The central sculpture displayed images of the UAE. -
From right, bottom row, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain. -
Pictured right, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation. -
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, right, and Sheikh Issa bin Zayed. -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon, chairman of Abu Dhabi Airport, left, and Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa, adviser to the UAE President, second left. -
Pictured, from right, Sheikh Hazza bin Tahnoon, Undersecretary to the Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region, Bassam Freiha, Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi Executive Council member and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed and Sheikha Salama bint Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed. -
From right, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed, Sheikha Salama bint Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Sheikh Mohamed bin Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Sheikh Suroor bin Mohamed and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, UAE Minister of State for Tolerance.
Crowds flocked to Expo 2020 Dubai
In honour of the National Day, there was free entry to the Expo 2020 Dubai for everyone.
It may have been one of the busiest days at the world’s fair in terms of the number of visitors, with scores of people turning up as early as 10am.
The Dubai Police band and traditional Emirati dancing wowed the crowds.
A gravity-defying stunt by Dubai Police saw an officer fly around the Al Wasl Plaza dome with a jetpack.
The flagship event was the Golden Jubilee show at the dome, where an immersive theatre experience took place.
There were celebrations in other parts of Dubai, too. Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, lit up with the UAE flag.
Thousands of people also turned up at the Dubai Festival City promenade, where fireworks, a laser and water show, and National Day parade thrilled the crowds.
Fireworks in Abu Dhabi
In the capital, there was a spectacular fireworks display on the Corniche.
The festivities started early in the day, as people had picnics and barbecues to mark the UAE’s special milestone.
Sheikha Fatima Park also officially opened to the public on National Day.
