Quick answer: UAE National Day falls on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026. Because it is midweek, it is not an automatic long weekend: a 4 or 5 day break needs annual leave on Friday 4 December (or an official holiday transfer, which had not been announced at the time of writing). The easiest trips are 3 to 4 hours away: Baku, Tbilisi, Yerevan, Almaty, Istanbul, Muscat, and within the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Packages start from about AED 3,499 per person. Visa rules depend on your passport, not your UAE residency. Last verified: 17 October 2026.
December is peak season, and National Day weekends sell out early. The right choice depends on your passport, your budget and how many days you can actually take off.
The Dates: What Is and Is Not Confirmed
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| 2 and 3 December 2026 (Wed and Thu) | Public holiday, confirmed |
| Friday 4 December | Needs annual leave, unless a transfer is announced |
| Weekend 5 and 6 December | Weekend |
| Full break | 2 to 6 December (5 days) with one day of leave |
12 Trips by Passport and Budget
| # | Trip | Approx. Flight | Package From | Visa Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baku, Azerbaijan | About 3 hrs | AED 3,499 | Check e-visa or exemption for your passport |
| 2 | Tbilisi, Georgia | About 3.5 hrs | AED 3,499 | Many passports visa-free or e-visa, verify |
| 3 | Yerevan, Armenia | About 3.5 hrs | AED 3,499 to 3,999 | Verify for your passport |
| 4 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | About 4 hrs | AED 3,699 | Verify for your passport |
| 5 | Istanbul, Turkey | About 4.5 hrs | AED 3,999 | Varies by passport |
| 6 | Muscat, Oman | About 1.5 hrs | Budget friendly | Check entry rules |
| 7 | Salalah or Musandam, Oman | Flight or drive | Budget friendly | Check entry rules and border |
| 8 | Sri Lanka | About 4 hrs | AED 3,799 | Check ETA rules |
| 9 | Ras Al Khaimah | Drive, 1 hr | Budget friendly | None |
| 10 | Fujairah | Drive, 2 hrs | Budget friendly | None |
| 11 | Abu Dhabi | Drive, 1.5 hrs | Budget friendly | None |
| 12 | Bali or Thailand (5 days) | 6 to 8 hrs | AED 3,799 to 5,899 | Check current rules |
Flight times and prices are approximate. Visa rules vary by passport, so confirm before paying for anything.
How to Pick by Budget
- Under AED 1,000: local trips (RAK, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi, Hatta).
- AED 3,500 to 4,500: Caucasus, Central Asia, Turkey.
- AED 5,000+: Southeast Asia or Europe (needs more days).
Visa Planning for December
Apply early, since December is busy for embassies and e-visa systems. Check your visa.
Book Your National Day Break
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