On National Day, celebrated on 2 December, anticipation settles over Abu Dhabi in much the same way that the desert holds its breath before the sun crowns the dunes – preceding a series of celebrations and fireworks that cast colour across the evening sky.
The story of The Union, or what is known as “ Etihad” in Arabic, reaches back to the coastal settlements, where communities bound by tribal ties laid the early foundations of a nation. Their steady collective heartbeat had guided the country towards unification in 1971. Since then, locals and long-time residents gather every year, across the capital, in the majlis, along open beaches or in lively squares. People of all ages and walks of life celebrate together, waving flags of the UAE or fastening them to their cars.
From the Corniche to Hudayriyat, Yas Bay, and the wide expanses of Al Dhafra, the city seems to shine all at once – alight with fireworks above the warmth of the celebration. Here is a selection of the finest spots to mark the occasion.
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is among the most spellbinding settings in the capital for this occasion. The hotel’s façade is awashed in a gentle amber hue as soon as the dusk settles above its vast domes and polished lawns. As the pulse of the celebrations strengthens, the palace becomes in every sense a canvas, illuminated with colours and cultural motifs that reflect the UAE’s heritage.
The fireworks, which rise above the gardens in cascading lines, are reflected across the fountains and pools, and their light ripple in harmony with the night sky. Adding to the momentum, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental offers cultural activities and a dedicated programme of celebrations, placing it among the most cherished national day spots for families, travellers, and residents.
Yas Bay Waterfront
Yas Bay Waterfront holds a particular charm, as cafés, galleries, and outdoor promenades trace the water’s edge, forming a setting that feels quite vibrant. The National Day weekend ignites the atmosphere even further, as fireworks illuminate the sky on both 2 and 3 December, starting at 9 pm – two evenings in which the promenade takes on the air of a festival, alive with colour, music, and movement.
Classic cars gleam beneath soft lighting, and visitors stroll along the waterfront, as cultural performances come in graceful succession and families settle along the balustrades in anticipation. Once the fireworks take to the sky, their reflection starts to sweep across the bay, turning it into one of the emirate's most vibrant places to celebrate the occasion.
Al Maryah Island
Al Maryah Island, with its polished urban setting that softens in the calm winter atmosphere settling over the capital in early December, has recently become a pillar and a tradition for the National Day. On the evenings of 2 and 3 December, the waterfront promenade has fireworks rising high above in a dramatic show with light, water, and heritage boats. Terraces fill with diners that linger long after the supper, and The Galleria restaurants – including 99 Sushi Bar and restaurant, LPM Bar, and Flamingo Room by Tasha – make for exceptional viewing points. Meanwhile, Rosewood and Four Seasons feature plush views from above.
Just when the celebrations start, traffic slows, and all bridges leading to the island are closed to vehicles between 8:45-9:45 for a smoother experience.
Abu Dhabi Corniche
Spanning nearly 8 km along the western waterfront, Abu Dhabi Corniche has long been a cult-favourite when it comes to gathering spots. It is an ideal backdrop for the national Day celebrations with its promenade lined with cycle paths, fountains, and broad, manicured gardens. Families arrive early, enjoying the sea breeze as the city collectively shifts into celebration mode.
According to the official programme, the cornich display begins at 9:00 pm on 2 December, synchronised with music, lasers, and a fleet of drones – making it one of the most breathtaking vantage points in the capital
Marsana, Hudayriyat Island
Marsana is one of Abu Dhabi’s most thoughtfully designed beachside destinations. During the National Day weekend, in the afternoon, residents and visitors gather either strolling or sitting at the cafes. This year, the programme runs from 4 pm, featuring market stalls, traditional Ayala dancers and drumming with a selection of interactive entertainment for children, all leading up to the great firework display at 9:00 pm.
The Hudayriyat’s coastal terrain and generous spaces make the spectacle feel even more expansive as the fireworks soar. The food stalls and shaded lounge corners make the evening celebration all the more pleasant.
Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival
Held in Al Wathba, this festival is already a vast commemoration of the Emirati heritage, and with the National Day celebrations, it is regarded as the most immersive venue to celebrate the day. Traditional souqs stretch across the grounds with themed pavilions, folkloric stages, and live craft demonstrations. As one of Abu Dhabi’s longest fireworks displays, the programme includes laser shows and drone formations that sweep across the desert sky. The festival presents the Heritage Village, with a softly lit traditional fountain, laser shows, and nightly cultural performances from more than 20 participating countries, making it a living tapestry of global traditions.
As visitors wander through, they encounter everything from Ayala and Harbiya performances to pottery workshops, falconry displays, and storytelling sessions. Families often pause for the much-loved Union Parade, and by the time the clock reaches 9:00 pm, fireworks illuminate the alleyways and the traditional architecture inspired by the old fortresses and settlements of the Emirates.
Al Qana
Among the capital's most refined waterfronts, Al Qana provides a striking setting for the National Day celebration every year. The promenade, which stretches along 2.4 km, comes into its own as festivities unfold between 1-3 December. Cultural showcases include children’s activities and pop-up markets. Though many choose to watch the fireworks from the water’s edge, the experience reaches its height from a table overlooking the canal or one of the terraces of its fine-dining restaurants – including Tazal, a Michelin-recognised venue known for contemporary Arabic-inspired cuisine, Otoro, awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2024, and Terra, celebrated for its Mediterranean-leaning menu and fine interiors. Al Qana, aside from being elegant and warmly communal, is considered a contemporary vantage point and a place to be immersed in the city’s celebratory spirit.
Madinat Zayed Public Park, Al Dhafra region
As one of the prime National Day venues, Madinat Zayed Public Park has long been known as the community’s heart. On National Day, families arrive early to savour the moments, with small pop-ups and children's zones lining the lawns with fewer crowds than in the city. When the clock strikes 9:00 pm – in step with the wider Dhafra programme – fireworks rise and fall, giving the park a gentle glow that suits the region’s most accessible gathering spot.
A Final Reflection
There are moments during National Day when the nostalgia of the past, the vitality of the present, and the promise of a shared future seem to intertwine, giving these celebrations their particular resonance. Across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Al Dhafra region, each fireworks display becomes a chapter in this larger story, and wherever one chooses to stand on 2 December, there is a gentle sense – as the final sparks fade, familiar to anyone who has watched these skies year after year – that this is not only a nation simply marking a date, these are reaffirmations of the values that first brought it together.
