The long weekend is here—Dec 1-2 are public holidays, which means Saturday through Tuesday is all yours. Schools are closed. Offices are closed. The entire UAE is celebrating 54 years of unity, and Dubai is pulling out all the stops: fireworks at every major venue, drone shows, concerts, cultural performances, and enough National Day energy to power the grid.

Whether you're into flag-waving patriotism or just need to tire out the kids for four straight days, here's your week.

1. EMIRATES DUBAI 7S (Nov 28-30)
What: Rugby, but make it a festival. World-class sevens matches + live music from Shaggy and Sean Paul + family zones with inflatables.
Where: The Sevens Stadium
Cost: From AED 75 (Friday), kids under 15 free
Why go: It's the biggest sports-and-music weekend of the year. Even if you don't care about rugby, the atmosphere alone is worth it.
Pro tip: Friday is the most family-friendly day. Get there early for parking.

2. GLOBAL VILLAGE – NATIONAL DAY EDITION (Nov 27 – Dec 3)
What: The usual chaos, now with fireworks in UAE flag colors, drone shows, and a theatrical dance operetta.
When: Fireworks at 9pm on Dec 1, 2, 3. Drone shows Dec 1-2.
Where: Global Village
Cost: AED 25-30
Why go: Because fireworks + international pavilions + carnival rides = exhausted kids who sleep through the night.

3. EXPO CITY NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS (Nov 28 – Dec 2)
What: Live performances under Al Wasl Dome, cultural shows, family entertainment. Plus Festival of Cake (yes, really) is happening simultaneously.
Where: Expo City Dubai
Cost: Free entry to public areas
Why go: Al Wasl Dome is one of Dubai's most spectacular venues, and they're programming it wall-to-wall with content all weekend.
Bonus: Winter City preview happening—see what's coming in December.

4. AL SEEF NATIONAL DAY FIREWORKS (Dec 2, 9pm)
What: Fireworks over Dubai Creek with cultural activities, local food stalls, and waterfront vibes.
Where: Al Seef
Cost: Free
Why go: Creek reflections make these fireworks extra pretty. Less crowded than Downtown.
Pro tip: Get there by 7:30pm for a good spot and dinner first.

5. MOHAMMED BIN RASHID LIBRARY WINTER FESTIVAL (Nov 27, 28, 4-11pm)
What: Outdoor festival with creative workshops, live shows, local talent. It's cozy, it's cultured, it's free.
Where: MBR Library outdoor square
Cost: Free
Why go: If you want National Day vibes without the massive crowds. Great for younger kids who get overwhelmed easily.

6. AL SHINDAGHA MUSEUM CELEBRATIONS (Nov 29 – Dec 3)
What: UAE's largest open-air heritage museum + light projections on National Day itself + live performances.
Where: Dubai Creek area
Cost: Varies by exhibits
Why go: Hands-on heritage for kids who need to learn where all those flags came from. Educational and actually interesting.
Open: 10am-8pm daily

7. THE BEACH JBR FIREWORKS (Dec 2, 9pm)
What: Fireworks over the sea, restaurants lining the walk, classic Dubai beach energy.
Where: The Beach at JBR
Cost: Free (but dinner will cost you lol)
Why go: You can do fireworks + dinner + beach vibes in one location. Extremely efficient.
Fair warning: Parking is a nightmare. Uber it.

8. DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY – BALQEES CONCERT (Dec 2, 8pm)
What: Festival Bay hosts roaming entertainment, carnival games, plus a live concert by Arab music star Balqees. Fireworks too.
Where: Dubai Festival City
Cost: Concert from AED 75, area is free
Why go: If you want the full Arab pop star + National Day package deal.

9. CALVIN HARRIS AT USHUAÏA DUBAI HARBOUR (Nov 29)
What: One of the world's biggest DJs doing what he does best.
Where: Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience
Cost: Check platinumlist.net for tickets
Why go: Parents' night out while someone babysits. You earned it.
Note: 21+ only. Obviously.

10. RIPE MARKET (Every weekend)
What: Local produce, artisan goods, food trucks, live music, kids' activities.
Where: Academy Park, Umm Suqeim
Cost: AED 5 entry
Why go: Saturday morning routine that never gets old. Stock up on organic stuff, let kids run around, grab brunch.
Hours: 9am-3pm

11. KITE BEACH (Daily)
What: Beach. Always beach (takes a while to load). Free fitness zone is still active with classes and activities.
Where: Kite Beach
Cost: Free
Why go: When in doubt, beach. The answer is always beach.

Mark these down now before they sell out:

WINTER CITY AT EXPO CITY (Dec 6-31)
52-foot Christmas tree, Santa's Grotto, festive markets, workshops, Carols by Candlelight (Dec 20-24). The full holiday wonderland treatment. AED 50, under 3s free. Opens 4pm daily.

MADINAT JUMEIRAH CHRISTMAS MARKET (Dec 5-31)
36-foot tree, snow fight zone, live band, Venetian carousel at Fort Island. Free entry.

DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL (Dec 5 – Jan 11, 2026)
30th anniversary. Mega discounts across 800+ brands, fireworks, concerts, raffles, prizes. The whole month is basically a retail carnival.

ZAYED NATIONAL MUSEUM OPENS (Dec 3)
Abu Dhabi's massive new museum celebrates UAE history. 6 galleries, 3,000+ artifacts including a 300,000-year-old stone tool. Designed like a falcon's wing. AED 70.

SCHOOL WINTER BREAK (Dec 8 – Jan 4, 2026)
Plan accordingly. The entire month of December is peak staycation/vacation season.

🎮 Play
Geotastic – Like GeoGuessr but free. Drop anywhere on Earth, guess where you are. Geography nerd training disguised as a game.
🔗 geotastic.net

🎨 Create
Quick, Draw! – Google's AI guessing game where kids draw objects and the AI tries to identify them. Surprisingly addictive.
🔗 quickdraw.withgoogle.com

Did you know? The UAE flag colors have specific meanings: Red = unity and strength. Green = growth and prosperity. White = peace. Black = strength of mind. Your kids are about to see a LOT of flags this week—now they can sound smart about it.

Cool

If you want to go away from Dubai, Hatta is an excellent option.

The National Day Photo Spot Strategy: With every venue hosting celebrations, you'll take 400 photos this weekend. Here's the move: Pick ONE signature location (Al Seef Creek, Global Village flag display, Expo City Al Wasl Dome), get your family photo there early before crowds hit, then relax for the rest of the weekend knowing you got THE shot. Don't try to document everything—you'll just stress yourself out.

What's the UAE's favorite type of music?
Dubai-step.

(not sorry.)

Nov 27, 2013 – Dubai wins bid to host World Expo 2020
The moment that changed the city's trajectory. 192 countries voted, Dubai beat Brazil and Russia. The ripple effects are still transforming the city today (hello, Expo City).

Nov 29, 2024 – UAE announces Zayed National Museum opening date
After years of anticipation, the announcement came exactly one year before opening. The falcon-wing building on Saadiyat Island becomes a reality on Dec 3, 2025.

Dec 2, 1971 – UAE National Day
Six emirates unite under one flag: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain. Ras Al Khaimah joined Feb 10, 1972. This year marks 54 years of federation.

Dec 3, 1992 – First SMS ever sent
"Merry Christmas" sent by British engineer Neil Papworth. Now we send 23 billion texts per day globally. Your kids will never believe you lived before group chats.

Four days off. Fireworks everywhere. The whole country in celebration mode. Get out there, wave some flags, tire out the kids, and enjoy the long weekend you've been counting down to since... last weekend.

See you next week (when we're all recovering),
Parves

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