Everything You Need to Know about UAE National Day

As a nation, the UAE has redefined luxury and development in unprecedented ways. Its journey to become a powerhouse is filled with stories of resilience and diligence. From its diverse population to its rich food culture, from its booming economy to its real estate dominance, from its infrastructural excellence to its scenic landscapes, the country is truly a wonderland. And the UAE National Day celebrates everything that has made the country a force to be reckoned with.

Celebrated every year on December 2nd, the UAE National Day is the epitome of the unification of the different emirates of the nation. The coming together of powerful and distinct regions to unify as one is what has led to the UAE being a bona fide nation today.

This is the day when the citizens of the nation and expats gather together and partake in dazzling ceremonies, glittering firework displays, and elaborate parades along with exquisite foods and beverages. If you are a tourist, then you will be privy to one of the most magnificent celebrations that you can witness in this joyous land.

In this space, we are going to take a deeper look into this heavily celebrated day. We will take a look back at its origin and the significance it holds in terms of history. Furthermore, we will also learn the beautiful ways in which it is celebrated.

Significance of the UAE National Day

If we trace back history, the date December 2nd holds a special place for every citizen of this nation. The foundational bricks of the constitutional federation of the UAE were laid on this very date. On December 2nd, 1971, the UAE was declared a sovereign, independent, and federal state.

This date signifies the formal union of the different emirates of the nation. The same day, the UAE also joined as the 18th member of the Arab League. To give you further context, the rulers of six of the seven emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al-Quwain) decided to form a union on July 18th, 1971, which ultimately was seen to fruition on December 2nd of the same year.

The seventh emirate- Ras Al Khaimah – joined the federation a few months later on February 10th, 1972. Regardless, the UAE National Day of December 2nd is seen as the thriving symbolism of coming together of varied regions into one and thus holds a special place in people’s hearts.

The Waving and Hoisting of the UAE National Flag

The date December 2nd also holds another important relevance since this is the date the UAE flag was raised for the first time in the year 1971. Although November 3rd is celebrated as the UAE Flag Day, December 2nd is when you will also notice the flags proudly hoisted throughout the nation.

Just the image of the red, green, white, and black flying and soaring high throughout the country can showcase the patriotism and pride that the citizens of this nation feel. Witnessing the flags flutter on top of architectural and public landmarks hits differently on this day.

People marching the streets and waving proudly the flags with a smile and glee spirit is a common sight to behold. The spirit of the union of the UAE National Day is also reflected through the colors of the flag. Each of them merges with the other but holds their distinct identities intact.

While the red represents the virtue of strength, bravery, courage, and hardiness, the color green symbolizes optimism, hope, love, prosperity, and joy. On the other hand, white stands for peace, honesty, purity, and cleanliness, and finally black showcases the strength of mind and defeat of enemies. Additionally, the vertical stand of red can also be seen as the binding of all the virtues together.

On the UAE National Day, not only the houses, offices, shopping malls, hotels, beaches, parks, and public sites are decorated with the flag, but even the palm trees are adorned with the lights from the colors of the UAE flag. The iconic Burj Khalifa also has a spectacular LED-themed display inspired by the flag colors.

The Celebratory Festivities

Only those can describe the emotions of sheer magnanimity of this day who have seen it being celebrated first-hand. Whether you have witnessed it as a resident or a tourist, it won’t be an overstatement to say that the celebrations of this day are too grand to forget.

The long road that the nation has walked to reach where it has reached today is no meager feat. It has taken decades of relentless hard work and dedication to excel that never ceased to exist.

As this is an official public holiday, it gives people the perfect opportunity to unite and rekindle with their friends, families, and relatives to celebrate together. Paying respects to the history of the nation, the nation wraps itself in a carnival mood like no other.

Some of the most popular stadiums across the nation often become the platform for celebratory events. With firework displays lightening up the night sky, it is a treat for your eyes. The Dubai Fountain organizes a show inspired by the national anthem of the country that draws significant attention from the crowd and is always a hit on social media.

Popular landmarks and locations of the UAE such as Burj Al Arab, Zayed Sports City Stadium, and Yas Marina Circuit often become the backdrop of celebratory displays. Cultural functions showcasing music, dance, broadways, and recitation, among others, are held to commemorate the history of the nation.

Children participate in painting exhibitions to showcase their talent as well as their love for the nation. The entire country lights up and comes alive in a way, unlike any other day of the year.

Food for Thought

No holiday and festivity is complete without food, and the UAE National Day is no exception. Given the fact that the UAE is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, it is no surprise that a wide array of cuisines is part of the holiday celebrations.

Being a nation that has always opened its arms to people around the world and given them a chance at a better life, people bring their distinct cultures and merge them with the rich history of the UAE to give a unique blend of multiculturalism. This multiculturalism is reflected in no other aspect more than food. With a global influence yet the preservation of own roots, foods in the UAE are some of the most cherished in the world.

Since most people find this holiday to reunite with their loved ones, food is a major part of the celebration of this special day. Treating your loved ones with food and bringing a smile to their faces with a food gift hamper is one of the best ways to bond with the people you care about. Keeping this in mind, our pure vegetarian restaurant provides UAE National Day gift hampers.

Comprising some of the most delectable sweets and desserts, our gift hampers will never fail to bring out the essence of any festival. Be it the UAE National Day or pious festivals such as Diwali or Raksha Bandhan, we are here to serve you and sweeten your festival all the time.

This holiday is the apt opportunity to relish quality food with a fine dining ambiance. Whether you are visiting one of our branches or getting our food delivered to the comfort of your home through our online order option, don’t miss out on a culinary delightful experience on this day.

We serve you meals throughout the day. So, whether you want to enjoy a breakfast in Deira or a lunch in JLT, enjoy snacks in Silicon Oasis or get an experience of fine dining in Al Arjan, we take care of all your culinary needs.

To Conclude

The UAE National Day is one of the most vital public holidays of the nation that celebrates the union of the emirates of the UAE. With festivities of light and music being celebrated across the nation, the entire day is a commemoration of the unity and development that the country has witnessed in the past several decades.

This is the day when people get to spend time with their loved ones because it is an official public holiday. This results in bonding over the festive spirit and quality food. With our veg restaurant in Karama and all over Dubai, you can rest assured that you will get the best of global cuisines in the best ambiance with our service. Celebrating this special day needs a delicious platter and we serve exactly that.