The UAE’s Golden Jubilee is coming up on Thursday December 2 and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate.
If you’re anything like us, you’ve been wondering: what are the best things to do in Abu Dhabi for National Day 2021? There are UAE 50th National Day events, Golden Jubilee deals and discounts, and incredible ways to celebrate across the capital. Click here for COVID-19 safety rules and guidelines.
With so many fun things to do for UAE National Day 2021, you must be wondering how you’re going to fit everything into your schedule – we have good news.
Those working from Sunday to Thursday get four days off to celebrate National Day and Commemoration Day from Wednesday December 1 to Saturday December 4, giving both private and public sectors a much-needed four-day weekend. Read more about the public holiday here.
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Get out your calendar, this historic holiday is going to take some planning.
Golden Jubilee menus
Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
If you’re looking to celebrate UAE National Day 2021 with food, look no further than the Growth of the UAE menu at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers. The Emirati-inspired dishes have been curated by Hilton’s chefs and focus on farm-to-table menus with the freshest ingredients grown on UAE farms.
Click here to read more about the Conrad growth of the UAE menus.
Until Dec 5, 2021 (Growth of the UAE menu). Open Sun, Sat-Thu noon-11pm; Fri 12.30pm-4pm, 8pm–11pm. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Al Bateen, hilton.com/en/hotels/auhetci-conrad-abu-dhabi-etihad-towers/dining (02 811 5666).
Mister Baker
Hosting a UAE National Day party? You’ll need a cake. Mister Baker has tonnes of National Day cakes to choose from with tall Emirati-style cakes, “I love UAE” cakes, colours of the flag and Spirit of the Union cakes. You can also nab a DIY cupcake-decorating kit, which includes six plain cupcakes plus three bags of red, green and white icing, and chocolate chips for Dhs75. A sweet National Day activity to do at home for kids and big kids alike.
misterbaker.com/uae-national-day
Punjab Grill
There is a special Emirati-Indian fusion menu coming to Punjab Grill Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with three courses of delicious new dishes to try. Start with the savoury luqaimat (a twist on one of our all-time favourite desserts) fresh Dibba Bay oysters topped with gold flakes. Mains are inspired by the heritage of the UAE, such as the Emirati-spiced Gulf shrimps and samak machboos. Dessert lovers will enjoy Chef Sandeep’s creation of the date and camel milk brûlée using Emirati dates and fresh camel milk. The meal is Dhs250 per person and is available at both outlets from Monday November 29 to Saturday December 4.
Click here to read about Punjab Grill’s arrival in Dubai.
Dhs250. Nov 29-Dec 4. Venetian Village, The Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal (02 449 9839).
Sola Restaurant & Café
Looking to celebrate the year of the 50th with a monster patty? Sola is serving up a burger with 50 spices to celebrate 50 years of history of the UAE. Located in the trendy Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Park area, Sola is surrounded by many of the city’s up-and-coming restaurants and cafés. It serves food that is both traditional and modern, with unexpected and beautiful plates. We’re planning to celebrate the UAE’s Golden Jubilee the best way we know how: with food. Sink your teeth into this dish asap – it’s only available from Thursday November 18 to Tuesday November 30.
Heading there for breakfast? Sola’s charcoal eggs benedict is one of our recent hype dishes. Read all about it here.
Until Nov 30. Sheikha Fatima Park Al Khalidiya, solacafe.com (02 546 3558).
Events and activities
Dance performances, falcons and fireworks at Emirates Palace
Emirates Palace is hosting UAE National Day 2021 with loads of fun things to do to celebrate the day. An exciting array of festivities are taking place under the Grand Dome, including a spread of 50 varieties of dates, performances of the traditional Al Ayala Dance on Thursday December 2, and a photo-op with the resident falcon on Thursday December 2 and Friday December 3. Head there to watch the fireworks on Thursday December 2 from a fantastic vantage point. There are loads of things for kids to do at the palace, too, with an upgraded play zone including a giant red slide, bungee trampoline and palace treasure hunt. The family day passes for two adults and two children (below the age of 12) costs Dhs865 per family and include access to these and other Beach Club activities.
Dec 2-4. Emirates Palace, Corniche Road (02 690 9000).
Hekayah at NYU Abu Dhabi
Hekayah The Story at NYU Abu Dhabi brings together a diverse line-up of spoken-word artists, poets and musicians for an exciting celebration of storytelling. The online event starts with a live conversation between NYUAD Vice Chancellor Mariët Westermann and His Excellency Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, the Cultural Adviser to the President of the UAE and the Chancellor of UAE University. The event starts at 6.30pm on Wednesday November 24 and will begin with a presentation by His Excellency Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh on the history of the UAE and his work during the formation of the UAE. Following the conversation, audiences will enjoy a mix of live and video performances by Hekayah artists.
Nov 24, 6.30pm. The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi (virtual). www.nyuad-artscenter.org/
Entertainment at Yas Mall
Abu Dhabi’s biggest mall is hosting a variety of in-mall entertainment on Friday November 26 from 3.30pm to 9pm with a line-up of live spectacles and performances. Check out a live music performance by Pasha Zazan on the electric violin at Town Square at 3pm while a Charlie Chaplin impersonator wanders through the mall. By 3.45pm, a modern-day carnival will come through as Uni Krew, a unicycle group, performs. Town Square will witness the Strawhatz dance crew break beats to K-Pop music.
Nov 26, 3.30pm. Yas Mall, Yas Island. www.yasmall.ae.
Installation at Louvre Abu Dhabi
Looking for something artsy to do this National Day? In celebration of the UAE’s 50th National Day, Louvre Abu Dhabi will display artworks from across the seven emirates. The museum’s dome will also be transformed into an audio-visual installation reflecting 50 years of the UAE. There will be a roller-skating rink for an event in collaboration with madrollers, open to children in the afternoon and adults in the evening. Additionally, there’ll be digital wall-mapping showcasing videos and images of the UAE over 50 years with a DJ playing nostalgic Emirati music. Tickets are Dhs150.
Read more about the UAE National Day Celebration at the Louvre Abu Dhabi here.
Dhs150. Dec 2. Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island (600 565566).
Official celebrations at Hatta
The official National Day celebrations will take place in Hatta: the official ceremony will take place on December 2 at 5.30pm. There will be an incredible theatrical show broadcast on all local TV channels and the UAE National Day official website so everyone can enjoy it. The show will take viewers on a fascinating journey through the land’s history, present and future through creative storytelling. We can’t wait to watch.
Read more about the celebrations in Hatta here.
Dec 2, 5.30pm. Hatta Dam, Dubai, uaenationalday.ae/#home
Fireworks at Yas Island
It wouldn’t be UAE National Day without an incredible fireworks display. Head to Yas Bay Waterfront for the Golden Jubilee celebrations and you’ll find spectacular firework displays at 9pm, live entertainment and more. The festivities go from December 2 to 4 between 5pm and 10pm. The celebrations will mark the first in-person display since the start of the pandemic, with precautionary measures in place to ensure the health and safety of those in attendance.
Dec 2-4, 5pm-10pm. Yas Bay Waterfront, www.yasisland.ae/
Deals and discounts
ADCOOPS 50 days of deals
Looking to snag a serious deal? ADCOOPS is doing 50 days of celebration for the UAE year of the 50th. There are loads of prizes to be won, including vouchers, electronics, smartphones and more. There will be 50 winners on each day of the draw, to reach 200 winners. The shop and win campaign was launched on November 10 at the ADCOOPS and SPAR branches in Abu Dhabi. The grand prize? Nissan Patrol cars. There will also be 50 days of deals with up to 50 percent off on groceries, gadgets, home appliances, clothes, and electronics. Let’s go.
abudhabicoop.com/
Carrefour
Looking to celebrate UAE National Day 2021 with a massive discount? Carrefour has massive deals and discounts with 500 products on sale, with up to 50 percent discount on major categories. There are prizes to be won, too. Every day 500 customers will win Dhs500, while five lucky customers will be randomly selected to win Dhs50,000 on Thursday December 2. Carrefour’s branded ice cream trucks will also be visiting neighbourhoods across the UAE from Thursday December 2 to Saturday December 4 with flavours that represent the colours of the UAE flag.
www.carrefouruae.com/
Makerspace al Zeina
Get up to 50 percent off on class packages at Makerspace Al Zeina, which are available to purchase from Sunday November 28 to Friday December 10. Get the annual membership and five class bundle, a six-month membership and three class bundle, or three-month membership and two class bundle, and receive up to 50 percent off the normal retail price. There are a huge range of classes available including ceramics, woodshop and electronics. You can buy your membership online or in person at the store.
Nov 28 to Dec 10. Al Zeina, Al Raha Beach (025588624).
Staycations
Yas Island Abu Dhabi
Yas Island is offering visitors free tickets to Qasr Al Watan plus access to a Yas Theme Park per day with the stay and play package. You can also look forward to firework displays, live entertainment, and more. The stay and play package starts at Dhs402 per person in one of Yas Island’s leading hotels plus access to one of the three award-winning parks for every day booked – Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. You’ll also get free tickets to Qasr Al Watan. Sounds like the ultimate way to celebrate.
Dec 2-4. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.yasisland.ae/en/promotions/stay-and-play-2021
