The UAE is preparing for one of its biggest annual events as the nation gears up for Eid Al Fitr, also known as Eid Al Etihad. This year, the celebrations will carry the theme “United”, capturing the shared identity, pride, and vision that bind the seven emirates together.
With events planned from late November through the beginning of December, residents and visitors can expect a range of nationwide activities, including cultural showcases, musical evenings, fireworks, drone shows, and large community gatherings.
The theme reflects a simple yet powerful message: the UAE has always moved forward as one, and this spirit is essential to its past and future.
A National Celebration Rooted in Belonging
Eid Al Etihad has always marked more than just the formation of the Union. It is a reminder of how the UAE grew from a shared dream into a country known for ambition, progress, and openness.
This year, the celebration goes a step further. Instead of focusing only on formal ceremonies, the programme emphasises participation. Communities across the country will take part in neighbourhood initiatives, public gatherings, and events designed to strengthen the feeling of togetherness.
Families, schools, cultural centres, and public venues are encouraging people to come out, reconnect, and experience the celebrations in person. For many long-time UAE residents, the shift towards community-led participation reflects how the country’s identity continues to evolve while staying connected to its roots.
Dubai Takes the Lead with Week-Long Festivities
Dubai has planned a full week of activities, most notably at Global Village, where celebrations will run from 27 November to 3 December.
Visitors can expect the park to be transformed into an immersive tribute to the nation. The venue will feature installations inspired by Emirati heritage, storytelling through visual art, and decorative features in the national colours.
Nightly fireworks will take place over three consecutive evenings, along with a drone show that reflects major milestones in the UAE’s story. For many residents, Global Village has become a familiar part of the Eid Al Etihad season, delivering a multicultural experience while staying grounded in local tradition.
One of the expected highlights is a theatrical performance titled “From the Desert to the Stars”, staged in the main arena. The show will explore the UAE’s story through dance, movement, and visual direction, offering a more artistic interpretation of how the country rose from early beginnings to a modern nation.
Traditional Emirati performances like Harbiya and Yola will also take place throughout the week, giving younger audiences a chance to experience cultural forms that have shaped UAE identity for generations.
Local stalls and dedicated shopping zones will highlight Emirati products, souvenirs, and creative work. Food stands will offer familiar flavours like luqaimat and ragag—touchstones of home for many families celebrating the holiday.
Celebrations Across the Emirates
While Dubai is hosting its own line-up, every emirate has prepared large community viewing events for the official national ceremony on 2 December. Public screenings will be held in parks, waterfronts, open-air playgrounds, majlis areas, and cultural venues.
In Abu Dhabi, neighbourhoods such as Khalifa City, Al Falah, and Al Shamkhah will welcome families for the broadcast. Al Ain and Al Dhafra will also have multiple public viewing points.
Dubai residents will be able to watch the ceremony at community destinations including Al Khawaneej, Dubai Festival City, and Global Village.
Sharjah has planned an extensive programme lasting two weeks, with activities in the National Park, Al Siyouh, Kshisha Park, and other destinations. The emirate is also hosting performances by local and regional artists, alongside a variety of cultural workshops, food pop-ups, and open-air celebrations.
Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain will follow suit with public gatherings at amphitheatres, beaches, central parks, and waterfronts.
Screenings will also appear in cinemas across the country so that residents can choose the viewing experience that suits them best.
Sharjah’s Cultural Line-Up Adds Artistic Depth
Sharjah’s events this year will span from 19 November to 2 December, allowing families to participate at their own pace. From local theatre shows and folk performances to interactive art experiences, the emirate is focusing on accessibility and creativity.
One of the festival highlights includes musical performances at Khorfakkan Amphitheatre, bringing well-known regional artists to a scenic stage overlooking the coastline. Meanwhile, areas like Al Layyah Canal and Sharjah National Park will host family evenings, heritage displays, poetry recitals, and small marketplaces showcasing products by talented Emirati craftspeople.
Sharjah’s programme reflects its position as a cultural hub, giving residents the opportunity to take part in activities that combine art, learning, and tradition.
Encouraging Community Creativity
This year, the organising committee has also launched an open call for designers, makers, and artists. The goal is to create official merchandise that reflects the theme and speaks to the next generation of creative talent in the UAE.
This addition is important because it shifts the holiday from something people only attend to something people can help build. It gives residents the chance to contribute to the visual identity of the celebrations, whether through design, artwork, or handcrafted items. For many creative professionals in the UAE, this initiative is a welcome sign of how national events are expanding to include more voices.
A Celebration That Looks Back and Moves Forward
The term “Eid Al Etihad” has a long history. It is deeply rooted in the language originally used by the country’s founders, making it a reminder of how the union first began.
At the same time, the celebrations show how much the country has grown. The UAE today is global, diverse, and constantly evolving. Yet, the theme “United” reflects that the foundation remains unchanged: one nation, seven emirates, shared purpose.
This message comes at a time when many communities are looking not only to celebrate but to reconnect, reflect, and renew.
With events unfolding across public parks, amphitheatres, malls, markets, and cultural venues, the UAE’s 54th Eid Al Etihad promises a celebration that blends heritage with modern expression. It invites residents and citizens alike to step out, participate, and celebrate the country’s journey together.
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