Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) has unveiled plans to mark this year's December 2nd  National Day celebrations with a spectacular range of events across the emirate.

The 44th National Day celebrations will run from November 19th to December 5th, as the nation comes together to celebrate the theme of 'Spirit of the Union' and national identity, with events staged in key locations in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and in the Western Region.

On this, the country's 44th National Day, we are proud to work together with our partners across the emirate to deliver this impressive and diverse programme of events, said Faisal Al Sheikh, Director Events Bureau, TCA Abu Dhabi. It will be as entertaining as it is inclusive and we are confident we will engage everyone within Abu Dhabi with celebratory events for locals, citizens and visitors alike.

Included in the 14 days extravaganza, organised by TCA Abu Dhabi and a host of public, private and community stakeholders, will be a plethora of activities and shows including fantastic fireworks displays, decorated car parades, athletic and interactive cultural events, traditional folklore shows, fantastic musical concerts, art and history exhibitions as well as awe-inspiring Armed Forces displays.

We are looking to support and strengthen partnerships across the public and private sectors and all communities,added Faisal Al Sheikh. These partnerships will include shopping malls, tourist and recreational facilities, hotels and resorts.

A succession of National Day concerts featuring some of the most prominent Emirati, Arab and Arabian Gulf singers will run for three nights from December 1st and will take place at the Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, and on December 2nd and 3rd at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, on Dec 2nd at Hili Fun City in Al Ain and on Dec 2nd and 3rd in the Western Region at Dalma Island, Al Silaa and Madinat Zayed, with all concerts starting at 9pm until midnight.

To complement the shows, a series of fireworks displays will light up the skies from December 1st to 3rd taking place at the Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba Abu Dhabi, at the Corniche Abu Dhabi, and from Dec  2nd until 3rd at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Khor Al Maqtaa – Abu Dhabi and in thhe Western Region at Dalma Island, Al Silaa and Madinat Zayed.

The firework shows will be held at these locations from 9pm to 9:20pm.

Also for fans of spectacles in the sky, the UAE's Armed Forces will perform stunning aerial displays – in conjunction with naval and ground displays  at Abu Dhabi Corniche on December 1st. On show from 3pm to 6pm, the displays by the Al Fursan Aerobatics team will exhibit the prowess of the nation's military, underscoring its ability to defend the country.

On December 2nd, Yas Marina Circuit, the venue for the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, will host National Day celebrations from 2pm to 6pm, with the official Car Parade -  with the general public invited to participate with their own decorated vehicles -  taking place the next day on Abu Dhabiâ's entertainment hub of Yas Island between 4pm and 11pm. This public celebration invites local citizens and visitors alike to join in the cavalcade of fun and celebration across the iconic island.

The celebrations will culminate with the Official Ceremony, the main focus of the 44th Anniversary events programme, which will take place at Zayed Sports City on December 2nd from 4pm to 8pm. The event will feature cultural, musical, artistic and poetic shows to honour the UAE's leaders and the Union. Attendance is limited to UAE residents and citizens with Emiraytes ID, who need to register for the free event before November 21. Registration can be achieved in Abu Dhabi at Marina and Yas Malls, in Al Ain at Al Bawadi Mall, in the Western Region at City Mall and in Dubai at Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates. Registration can also be completed at Mega Mall in Sharjah, City Centre Ajman, Carrefour Centre in Umm Al Quwain, Al Manar Mall in Ras Al Khaimah and at City Centre Al Fujairah.

In addition to the celebration on National Day, other events have also been organised, with a UAE National Sports Day set for November 25th at venues across the emirate, and two fantastic boat races scheduled, both taking place off Heritage Village and Corniche Breakwater.

On December 1st, an Al Bawanish Dhow Race will take place from 12pm to 5pm, and on the following day, traditional 40ft Dhows will take part in a National Day Races from 8am to 5pm.

The UAE capital will also have a large flower exhibition and parade, which will be on show at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) as well as on Abu Dhabi Corniche and public gardens in the city. Forty-four artistic floats will represent this 44th National Day, and will involve both government and private sector contributions.

The colours of the UAE national flag will also be used to illuminate the city’s landmarks in red, green, white and black as the celebrations spill out across the city as the sun goes down, with falconry shows, camel and handicrafts exhibitions and Al Ayala shows also set to be held across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region from 10am to 7pm every day.

Free leisure activities for all the family have also been organised at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Mubazzarah and Hili Fun City in Al Ain, and at Madinat  Zayed Main Park in the Western Region as well as on the Corniche and Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi city, with social games and competitions involving heritage, athletic and cultural challenges taking place from 5pm to midnight. Malls and tourist facilities across the emirate will also join in the celebrations from November 30th to December 5th, with TCA Abu Dhabi's partners hosting promotional, national and leisure activites including global and local folklore shows, heritage events and also raffle draws.

And celebrations will also take place at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival, which is currently taking place in Al Wathba until December 12th. The Festival will host 44th National Day events daily from 5pm to 11pm including horse and camel shows, national operas, exhibitions and live folklore performances. 

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