Good Day, Abu Dhabi!

National Day week has officially arrived and the capital is stepping into a long weekend filled with fireworks, cultural shows, desert experiences, family festivals, exclusive dining, and the early hum of F1 Weekend building on Yas Island.

With December 1 & 2 confirmed as public holidays, expect four full days of celebration, and this guide has every major event from December 1 onward, confirmed and curated into one clean, high-signal briefing.

Let’s get into it.

Yas Bay is hosting one of the biggest celebrations in the city -a two-night National Day festival filled with cultural showcases, performances, interactive family zones, artisan crafts, food stalls, falconry displays, henna artists, a Flag Garden with 54 flags, and waterfront fireworks.

📅 December 1 & 2
⏰ Festivities from 3 PM | Fireworks at 9 PM
📍 Yas Bay Waterfront
👉 Event details here

Why it matters: This is the largest open-air National Day celebration on Yas Island. Families, groups, tourists, everyone gathers along the boardwalk for the big show.

Pro tip: If you want the best view of the fireworks reflecting over the water, stand near Etihad Arena or the boardwalk opposite the marina.

A National Day celebration in pure Abu Dhabi style - Emirati heritage performances, Al Ayala dances, children’s arts & crafts, cultural installations, Arabic music, and one of the most breathtaking fireworks displays in the UAE.

📅 December 2
⏰ Fireworks at 9:15 PM
📍 Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
👉 Event details here

Why it matters: The palace lights up in UAE colours, the fountains glow, and the fireworks burst above the domes. It’s the classic National Day postcard moment.

Pro tip: Arrive early, the palace’s beachfront area gets full long before showtime.

The Corniche remains one of the city’s biggest National Day hubs, with thousands gathering for the panoramic fireworks that stretch across the skyline.

📅 December 2
⏰ Fireworks at 9 PM
📍 Corniche Beachfront
👉 See more here

Why it matters: This is the most expansive fireworks view in the city -and a National Day tradition for many families.

If the Corniche feels too crowded for your vibe, Al Maryah Island is a polished, upscale alternative with waterfront dining, music, lights, and skyline reflections.

📅 December 2
⏰ Fireworks at 9 PM
📍 Al Maryah Island

Why it matters: Perfect for couples and families who want a quieter yet beautiful spot.

Al Hudayriyat offers open skies, space to breathe, fewer crowds, and a relaxed, picnic-friendly environment.

📅 December 2
⏰ Fireworks at 9 PM
📍 Hudayriyat Island

Why it matters: This is the easiest, most laid-back fireworks experience in the city.

📅 Dec 1–2
⏰ 9 AM–7 PM
📍 Al Ain Zoo
👉 Event details

Al Ain Zoo transforms into a National Day playground:

Why go: The perfect family day trip - hands-on, cultural, and beautifully executed.

📅 Dec 1–7
⏰ Fireworks on Dec 2 at 8 PM
📍 Bawabat Al Sharq Mall
👉 Event details

Expect:

Why go: Fully indoor, great for kids, with its own fireworks display.

📅 Nov 30–Dec 2
⏰ 11 AM–12 AM
📍 Ilios Beach Club, Hudayriyat Island
👉 Surf Abu Dhabi

A three-day wave of:

Why go: A refined-but-fun beachside option for adults.

📅 Dec 2
⏰ 6 PM–12 AM
📍 Emirates Palace
👉 Event details (Emirates Palace Dining)

Turn fireworks night into a slow, elegant evening:

Why go: One of the city’s most elevated dining spots for National Day night.

📅 Dec 2
⏰ 6:30 PM–10:30 PM
📍 Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi
💵 Dhs299

Includes:

Why go: A generous, flavour-packed buffet ideal for family gatherings.

📅 Available until Dec 3
📍 The Galleria Abu Dhabi
💵 Dhs99

Featuring:

Why go: A compact, creative fusion of Indian + Emirati flavours.

📅 Dec 2
⏰ 8 PM–12 AM
📍 Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi
💵 Dhs199

A cozy National Day dinner with:

Why go: Perfect pre-fireworks or post-fireworks dining.

📅 Dec 1-3
📍 Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi

What you get:

Why go: A super easy, all-in-one family staycay.

📅 Dec 3
📍 Saadiyat Cultural District
👉 See more

The long-awaited national museum opens right after National Day weekend - a landmark addition to Abu Dhabi’s cultural district.

Explore:

Why go: A historic cultural moment aligned with the National Day holiday.

(5–7 December, Yas Marina Circuit)
Right after National Day fireworks fade from the skyline, the capital accelerates straight into one of the biggest sporting weekends of the year - the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the finale of the global racing season and one of Abu Dhabi’s signature annual events.

This year’s race weekend is expected to draw record crowds, packed fan zones, and three days of non-stop energy across Yas Island -from sunrise track sessions to after-race concerts, celebrity sightings, marina parties, and circuit-side hospitality.

F1 weekend is divided across three major days, and each has a different vibe:

The day fans warm up, teams test setups, and drivers start pushing limits.

👉 Full Friday schedule -see more

Why go: It’s the easiest day for photos, closest fan-driver interactions, and relaxed seating.

Saturday is always electric. Every seat fills. The track heats up. Championship-defining moments happen here.

👉 Saturday programme -event details

Why go: Qualifying is pure adrenaline -the moment the entire grid fights for pole under golden-hour lights.

The grand finale of the season. The show. The reason people fly in from around the world.

👉 Race day info -see more

Why go: Nothing compares to the roar of 20 cars launching into the twilight, with the Marina glowing behind them.

Yasalam’s after-race lineup + Yas Bay nightlife = the city’s biggest party weekend.

Expect:

👉 See after-party options -book here

Note: These sell out much faster than race tickets. If you want access, book now.

👉 Explore tickets -see categories

Best picks according to crowd vibe:

Yas Island hotels will reach capacity -check:

If those are full:

That’s a wrap on Abu Dhabi’s National Day Special Edition.

If you found this helpful, share it with your friends, group chats, or anyone still asking:
“Where should we go this week?”

See you next edition, with more F1 updates, weekend picks, and late additions across the capital.

— Matthias