UAE National Day at Global Village 2026

UAE National Day at Global Village turns the Dubai park into an Eid Al Etihad celebration between 27 November and 4 December 2026, marking the nation’s 55th National Day with illuminated landmarks, a theatrical operetta, traditional Emirati performances and two nights of drone shows. Everything in the programme is part of a regular visit to Global Village, so the celebrations come with your entry ticket.

Eight days in red, green, white and black

For all eight days of the celebration, Global Village dresses itself in the national colours. Its landmarks and gates are lit up in red, green, white and black, and festive decorations run through the park. If you only have one evening, this is the backdrop for all of it: the pavilions, walkways and gates of the season take on a National Day look for the full eight days, so even a regular visit during this window feels like part of the celebration.

The heritage programme, 1 to 3 December

The heart of the celebration is a three-day programme of Emirati culture and heritage running 1 to 3 December. Two parts stand out.

The UAE Glory and Pride operetta

The headline performance is “UAE Glory and Pride”, a theatrical operetta created for Eid Al Etihad. It is the centrepiece of the National Day line-up and only runs on the three heritage days, so it is the one to plan your visit around if you want the full celebration rather than just the decorations.

Traditional Emirati performances

Alongside the operetta, the heritage programme brings four traditional Emirati performances to the park over the same three days:

• Rawah
• Harbiya
• Nadbah
• Nuaishat

Having all four in the programme at once, alongside the operetta, is what makes these three days different from the rest of the Global Village season.

Global Village has not published exact show times or stages for these performances, so check the Global Village app or website on the day before you head over.

Eid Al Etihad drone shows on 2 and 3 December

On 2 and 3 December, a special Eid Al Etihad drone show lights up the sky over the park. Both drone nights fall inside the 1 to 3 December heritage programme, so on either evening you can combine the operetta, the traditional performances and the drone show in a single visit. If the drones are your main reason to go, these are the only two dates to choose.

Emirati food and crafts

National Day is also a good excuse to seek out the Emirati side of the park’s food and shopping. Look for locally made Emirati products and handicrafts, and traditional treats such as ragag bread, the thin crispy flatbread, and luqaimat, the sweet dumplings drizzled with date syrup.

Opening hours and entry

Global Village Season 31 runs between 14 October 2026 and May 2027. The park is open 4pm to midnight Sunday to Wednesday, and 4pm to 1am Thursday to Saturday. Tuesdays are usually reserved for ladies and families, but that rule does not apply on official public holidays.

The celebrations are included with standard entry. Keep in mind that the Weekday ticket is not valid on public holidays, so for the National Day holiday itself you will need the Any Day ticket. Children under 3, adults aged 65 and over, and People of Determination with one companion enter free.

Plan your National Day

For parking, buses and everything else about the park, see our full Global Village guide. For fireworks, parades and events across the country, see our UAE National Day 2026 round-up, browse more art and culture in Dubai, and plan the rest of the city with things to do in Dubai and things to do in December.