Eid Al Etihad · 55th UAE National Day
UAE National Day 2026 on a Yacht in Abu Dhabi
Eid Al Etihad on 2 December opens a big week in Abu Dhabi: the 55th UAE National Day, then the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race weekend on 4–6 December. Celebrate on the water with a private evening yacht on 1, 2 or 3 December, then join us trackside.
- National Day evenings: 1–3 Dec
- 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
- Race weekend: 4–6 Dec
Eid Al Etihad – the day the Emirates became one
UAE National Day, known as Eid Al Etihad, is celebrated on 2 December. On that day in 1971 the Emirates came together as one federation, the United Arab Emirates. 2 December 2026 marks the 55th National Day.
Abu Dhabi celebrates with flags in green, white, black and red, lit-up buildings and fireworks in the evening. Two days later the city hosts the season finale of the race calendar on Yas Island, which makes early December one of the liveliest times of the year on the water.
- Date
- 2 December – a Wednesday in 2026
- Since
- 2 December 1971, the union of the Emirates
- 2026
- The 55th National Day
- Next
- Race weekend on 4–6 December 2026
Your National Day evening on a private yacht
On 1, 2 and 3 December our team arranges private National Day evenings on request. Our race-week yachts are priced per race weekend, so tell us your date and group size on WhatsApp and we reply with the yacht that fits and its National Day price.
- Dates1, 2 or 3 December 2026
- Time6:30 PM to 10:30 PM, a fixed 4 hours (2 December: board from 6 PM, sail 8–10 PM for the fireworks)
- PrivateThe whole yacht for your group, one group per evening
- PriceNational Day rate: 8 × the yacht’s regular hourly price, quoted on WhatsApp
- IncludedCaptain & crew and soft drinks
Fireworks night – 2 December
On 2 December the National Day fireworks in Abu Dhabi are fired from the sea at around 9 PM, and the Corniche roads are packed that evening. So the plan on 2 December is different: be at the marina by 6 PM and relax on board, the yacht sails at 8 PM, you watch the fireworks from the water and we are back at the marina at 10 PM. Same National Day price. Want to sail from 6 PM? That is possible at an extra cost – ask us on WhatsApp. We make sure you are on board early, and the yachts available for this evening are limited – please book now. On 1 and 3 December the evening is the usual 4-hour cruise, 6:30 to 10:30 PM.
Then race weekend: 4–6 December
Stay for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 at Yas Marina Circuit. Trackside yacht passes and the yacht after-party are booked online by card; prices are per person.
National Day questions
When is UAE National Day 2026?
Eid Al Etihad falls on Wednesday 2 December 2026, the 55th National Day. National Day yacht evenings run on 1, 2 and 3 December 2026, from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM.
Can we book a private yacht for National Day?
Yes, on request. Send us your date (1, 2 or 3 December) and your group size on WhatsApp, and we reply with the yacht that fits. Each yacht takes one group per evening for a fixed 4 hours, 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM.
How much does a National Day yacht evening cost?
The National Day rate is 8 times the yacht’s regular hourly price for the 4-hour evening, for the whole yacht, not per person. We quote the exact price for the yacht that fits your group on WhatsApp.
Can we combine National Day with the Grand Prix?
Yes. National Day evenings are on 1–3 December and the race weekend is on 4–6 December 2026. Book your passes online and your National Day yacht on WhatsApp.
When are the National Day fireworks in Abu Dhabi?
On 2 December at around 9 PM, fired from the sea. That evening you board at the marina from 6 PM (the Corniche gets very busy, so come early), the yacht sails at 8 PM and is back at the marina at 10 PM. Sailing from 6 PM is possible at an extra cost – ask us on WhatsApp.
What is included on the National Day evening?
A private yacht for your group with captain and crew, and soft drinks. Drinks on board are soft drinks. Anything else is confirmed with our team on WhatsApp.
Celebrate Eid Al Etihad on the water
Each yacht takes one group per evening, so send us your date early.