• Paragliders perform during the UAE 45th National Day celebration held at the corniche in Fujairah. Pawan Singh / The National
    Paragliders perform during the UAE 45th National Day celebration held at the corniche in Fujairah. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Armed Forces Honour Guard stand to attention for the national anthem during a flag raising ceremony in celebration of National Day, at the Breakwater in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed Al Suwaidi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    Armed Forces Honour Guard stand to attention for the national anthem during a flag raising ceremony in celebration of National Day, at the Breakwater in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed Al Suwaidi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Sharjah, right, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Crown Prince of Fujairah, second right, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, third right, Sheikh Rashid bin Saud, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain, fourth right, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid, Crown Prince of Ajman, left, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, second left, and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, third left, Crown Princes and dignitaries attend a flag raising ceremony in celebration of the UAE’s 45th National Day, at the Breakwater in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed Al Suwaidi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Sharjah, right, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Crown Prince of Fujairah, second right, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, third right, Sheikh Rashid bin Saud, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain, fourth right, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid, Crown Prince of Ajman, left, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, second left, and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, third left, Crown Princes and dignitaries attend a flag raising ceremony in celebration of the UAE’s 45th National Day, at the Breakwater in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed Al Suwaidi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • Abdul Rahman, 10, celebrates National Day at City Walk. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Abdul Rahman, 10, celebrates National Day at City Walk. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Khawla, 8, Mariam, 11, and Abdul Rahman, 10, at City Walk Dubai during UAE National Day. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Khawla, 8, Mariam, 11, and Abdul Rahman, 10, at City Walk Dubai during UAE National Day. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • City Walk Dubai during UAE National Day. Reem Mohammed / The National
    City Walk Dubai during UAE National Day. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Bikers take a break during the midway point on their Abu Dhabi to RAK ride to celebrate National Day. Duncan Chard for the National
    Bikers take a break during the midway point on their Abu Dhabi to RAK ride to celebrate National Day. Duncan Chard for the National
  • Bikers take a break during the midway point on their Abu Dhabi to RAK ride to celebrate National Day. Duncan Chard for the National
    Bikers take a break during the midway point on their Abu Dhabi to RAK ride to celebrate National Day. Duncan Chard for the National
  • Bikers take a break during the midway point on their Abu Dhabi to RAK ride to celebrate National Day. Duncan Chard for the National
    Bikers take a break during the midway point on their Abu Dhabi to RAK ride to celebrate National Day. Duncan Chard for the National
  • Artists from Vietnam perform during the UAE 45th National Day celebration held at Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development Centre in Fujairah. Pawan Singh / The National
    Artists from Vietnam perform during the UAE 45th National Day celebration held at Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development Centre in Fujairah. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Artists from Vietnam perform during the UAE 45th National Day celebration held at Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development Centre in Fujairah. Pawan Singh / The National
    Artists from Vietnam perform during the UAE 45th National Day celebration held at Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development Centre in Fujairah. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A resident helps construct a mosaic at the 45th National Day event on Yas Island Marina. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
    A resident helps construct a mosaic at the 45th National Day event on Yas Island Marina. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
  • The Nya & Groovebusters band performs at the National Day event on Yas Island. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
    The Nya & Groovebusters band performs at the National Day event on Yas Island. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
  • Families gathered to celebrate 45 years of the UAE at a National Day event at Yas Marina Circuit. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
    Families gathered to celebrate 45 years of the UAE at a National Day event at Yas Marina Circuit. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
  • The UAE celebrates 45 years on Friday, December 2. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
    The UAE celebrates 45 years on Friday, December 2. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
  • National Day celebrations in Abu Dhabi. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
    National Day celebrations in Abu Dhabi. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
  • People watching the drift show in Abu Dhabi as part of National Day celebrations. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
    People watching the drift show in Abu Dhabi as part of National Day celebrations. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
  • At the Corniche family park in Abu Dhabi, families, friends and youngsters gathered during 45th National Day celebrations. Vidhyaa for The National
    At the Corniche family park in Abu Dhabi, families, friends and youngsters gathered during 45th National Day celebrations. Vidhyaa for The National
  • Yola Dance at The Promenade on Al Maryah Island as part of National Day celebrations. Vidhyaa for The National
    Yola Dance at The Promenade on Al Maryah Island as part of National Day celebrations. Vidhyaa for The National
  • Celebrations on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Vidhyaa for The National
    Celebrations on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Vidhyaa for The National

National Day holiday announced for private sector


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The UAE's private sector workers will be granted three days of public holiday to mark Commemoration Day and the country's landmark 50th National Day.

Employees will enjoy a break from Wednesday, December 1, to Friday, December 3.

The December 1 public holiday is in recognition of Commemoration Day, which remembers those who lost their lives serving their country.

Two further days of leave will be granted to allow citizens and residents to share in the UAE's grand 50th birthday celebrations.

The public holiday was confirmed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

Earlier, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirmed public sector workers would also be given the same three-day public holiday.

It will mean a long weekend for many as the Emirates unites for a spectacular line-up of Golden Jubilee celebrations.

The UAE's official 50th National Day event will take place in Hatta on December 2.

A spectacular theatrical show will be broadcast live on December 2 at 5.30pm from a striking, natural location near the town.

People will be able to watch it on the country’s National Day website and all local TV channels.

Afterwards, an event recognising the UAE's rich history will be open to the public from December 4 to 12.

Updated: November 25, 2021, 7:24 AM