The UAE is set to celebrate its 51st National Day on December 2, which is a national holiday for all in the country.
In case you missed the announcements, here’s everything you need to know about UAE’ National Day celebrations:
- UAE National Day 2022: Dubai’s RTA release Metro timetable, bus routes, free parking
- UAE announces rules for National Day 2022 celebrations
- Dubai Reel Cinemas slashes ticket prices by 51% for UAE National Day
- Dubai’s Global Village announces celebrations for UAE National Day of 2022
- Sheikh Mohamed orders release of over 1,500 prisoners
- UAE President Sheikh Mohamed wipes out $136m debt for Emiratis
- 2022 UAE National Day fireworks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- UAE financial markets to remain closed for Commemoration, National Day
- UAE National Day: UAE police forces offering 50% discount on traffic fines
UAE National Day 2022: Dubai’s RTA release Metro timetable, bus routes, free parking
Dubai’s RTA has announced the timings of its services during the holiday marking Commemoration Day and the UAE 51st National Day.
The revised service timing applies to customer happiness centres, paid parking zones, public buses, Dubai Metro, marine transport, and service provider centres.
Check the full Dubai transport plan for UAE National Day below.
Dubai free parking
During the National Day in 2022, Dubai will offer free parking to residents and visitors who travel around the emirate to celebrate the holiday. Users will not need to apply for parking as they will not be charged throughout the holiday, although this ruling does exclude multistorey parking lots.
Dubai Metro
During the holiday, Metro service will be running on both the Red and Green Lines from Wednesday to Saturday (November 30 to December 3) from 05:00 am to 01:00 am (of the following day). Both Lines will operate on Sunday (4th December) from 08:00 am to 12:00 am (midnight).
Dubai Tram
Dubai Tram will be in service from Wednesday to Saturday (November 30 to December 3) from 06:00 am to 01:00 am (of the following day). On Sunday (4th December), the Tram will be operating from 09:00 am to 01:00 (of the following day).
Public buses
During the holiday, public buses will operate from Thursday December 1 to Sunday December 4 from 6am to 1am the following day. The timing of all Metro Link bus services will be synchronised with the metro timetables.
The Intercity Bus service in operation will be Al Sabkha to Hatta (E16), Al Ghubaiba to Abu Dhabi (E100), Ibn Battuta to Abu Dhabi (E101), Ibn Battuta to Al Musaffah (E102), Al Ghubaiba to Al Ain (E201), Union Station to Al Jubail Sharjah (E303), Al Ghubaiba to Al Jubail Sharjah (E306), Deira City Centre to Al Jubail Sharjah (E307), Abu Hail to Al Jubail Sharjah (E307A), Etisalat Station to Muwaileh, Sharjah (E315), Union Station to Ajman (E400), Etisalat Station to Ajman (E411) and Union Station to Fujairah (E700).
Service Provider Centres
Service Provider Centres will be closed from Thursday, December 1 to Sunday, December 4 and will resume business on Monday, December 5.
All Customer Happiness Centres will be closed from Thursday, December 1 to Sunday, December 4 and will resume business on Monday, December 5.
The Smart Customer Happiness Centres at Umm Ramool, Al Manara, Deira, Al Barsha, and RTA Headquarters will continue service 24/7 as usual.
Marine transport
Marine Transport services will operate during the holiday as follows: The Water Bus: Dubai Marina (BM1): Marina Mall-Marina Walk from 11am to 11.40pm, Marina Promenade-Marina Mall from 1:55 pm to 10.40 pm, Marina Terrace-Marina Walk from 2pm to 10.45pm, full tour from 4.50pm to 10.20pm and Marina Mall-Blue Waters (BM3) from 4.15 pm to 11.45pm.
Abras will be operating during the holiday as follows: Dubai Old Souk – Baniyas (CR3) from 10.00 am to 11.35 pm, Al Fahidi – Al Sabkha (CR4) from 10.00 am to 11.55 pm, Al Fahidi-Deira Old Souk (CR5) from 10am to 11.55pm, Baniyas – Al Seef (CR6) from 10am to 12.20am of the following day and Dubai Old Souk – Al Fahidi – Al Seef (CR7) from 3.10pm to 11.05pm.
Festival City-Dubai Creek Harbour (CR9) 4pm – 11.35pm, Al Marfa Market-Deira Old Souk (CR12) 4.20pm – 10.50pm, Al Marfa Market-Deira Old Souk (CR13) 4.05pm – 10.35pm, Al Jadaf-Dubai Festival City (BM2).
08:00 am-11:50 pm, and tourist trips from Sheikh Zayed Road Station 04:00 pm-11:00 pm (TR6).
The Water Taxi will be operating on-demand service from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and clients need to make a prior booking.
Dubai Ferry: Al Ghubaiba-Marina Mall (and vice versa) (FR1) at 01:00 pm and 06:00 pm, Dubai Water Canal-Al Ghubaiba at 02:20 pm and 07:20 pm, Dubai Water Canal-Marina Mall at 01:50 pm and 06:50 pm, Blue Waters-Al Ghubaiba at 01:20 pm and 06:20 pm, Blue Waters-Marina Mall at 02:50 pm and 07:50 pm, a single tourist journey from Al Ghubaiba (FR3) at 04:30 pm, two tourist journeys from Marina Mall (FR4) at 11:30 am and 04:30 pm and Souk Al Marfa – Al Ghubaiba (CR10) from 06:15 pm to 09:45 pm.
Except for the multi-level parking terminals, public parking in the emirate will be free from Thursday 1st December to Saturday 3rd December 2022.
UAE announces rules for National Day 2022 celebrations
The UAE Cabinet officially announced the UAE National Day and Commemoration Day holiday for 2022. The break will be from Thursday, December 1, to Saturday, December 3.
Multiple events and celebrations will take place across the country during this period to celebrate UAE’s 51st National day.
The Ministry of Interior announced on Friday, the rules to be followed during celebrations of the UAE National Day:
- Marches and random gatherings are prohibited.
- Those celebrating National Day must abide by traffic rules and instructions of police personnel.
- Using spray of all types by motorists, passengers or pedestrians is prohibited.
- Front to back number plate must not be effaced, and vehicle colour may not be changed, and no blackout or windshield tinting is allowed.
- Writing phrases or putting inappropriate stickers on vehicles is prohibited.
- Vehicles may not carry passengers more than the authorised number of and no passenger is allowed to get out of the windows or open the sunroof of the vehicle at all times.
- Vehicles may not be provided with noise materials or have unlicensed additions to the engine structure or extensions that restrict visibility.
- Motorists are not allowed to disrupt traffic or block others’ roads.
- Showy reckless driving is not permitted on internal and external roads.
- It is illegal to cover the side window, front or real windshields of the vehicle with stickers or place a front sunshade.
UAE National Day events
Live events will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from December 3 to 11.
Tickets for the nine shows are available for AED200 on the official website. The shows will start at 6 PM every day during the celebrations.
“The show will be open for everyone who calls the UAE home to experience the 51st National Day official public shows for nine consecutive days … in Abu Dhabi at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre,” the UAE National Day website said, adding “you can also watch the show live on December 2 on the UAE National Day official website and all local TV channels.”
Dubai Reel Cinemas slashes ticket prices by 51% for UAE National Day
Dubai-based Reel Cinemas will allow movie-goers to buy tickets with a 51 percent discount on all movies, during the 51st UAE National Day.
The offer is valid from December 1 until December 3, the cinema company said in an emailed statement.
Customers can avail the limited time offer at all locations, which include Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall, Jebel Ali Recreation Club, Rove Downtown, The Springs Souq, and The Pointe.
The UAE Cabinet officially announced that the UAE National Day and Commemoration Day holiday for 2022 will be from Thursday, December 1, to Saturday, December 3.
Since Sunday is a holiday in the UAE, work will resume on Monday, December 5.
The UAE is set to celebrate its 51st National Day, with 10 days of celebrations due next month.
Live events will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from December 3 to 11.
Tickets for the nine shows are available for AED200 on the official National Day website. The shows will start at 6PM every day during the celebrations.
“The show will be open for everyone who calls the UAE home to experience the 51st National Day official public shows for nine consecutive days … in Abu Dhabi at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre,” the UAE National Day website said, adding “you can also watch the show live on December 2 on the UAE National Day official website and all local TV channels.”
“This year’s ceremony will continue the legacy of bringing the nation and people together in a moment of unity and celebration of the UAE’s modern-day pioneers and the creators of the country’s collective future,” Emirates News Agency (WAM) said.
The UAE National Day is celebrated to mark the spirit of the union of the Emirates in 1971. The 51st UAE National Day celebrations will be the first for the nation’s president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as leader, after he was elected in May.
Dubai’s Global Village announces celebrations for UAE National Day of 2022
Global Village has announced celebrations to mark the 51st UAE National Day, the four-day celebrations from December 1-4 will take place under the theme ‘Brighter Together’.
Colours of the UAE flag will light up the area with a firework display every evening at 9 PM.
The main stage will host a special guest orchestra with 33 talented musicians who will perform a traditional selection of traditional songs including the national anthem.
A harpist and violinist will also be performing alongside cultural performances from the 27 pavilions and different cultures.
UAE, Al Sana’a and Khalifa pavilions will have National Day memorabilia and souvenirs available during the time.
Under the theme ‘Brighter Together’ Global Village will be adorned in colours of the UAE flag, Celebration Walk’s arches will be decorated with verses of the national anthem and the main entrance lit up with a national light display.
“As UAE’s home-grown entertainment brand, we are excited to be hosting a great line-up of activities on National Day and to provide a venue for families and friends to come together and celebrate our great nation. Global Village is a place where people of diverse cultural backgrounds from all over the world come together which is a key part of what makes up the Emirates unique global identity,” said Muhannad Ishaq, Senior Manager, Guest Relations at Global Village.
We are proud to live in this country and highlight its heritage and traditions. Our National Day line-up is designed to celebrate our country and all that it has to offer. From the musical extravaganzas and firework spectaculars, we are looking forward to delivering great experiences as we collectively aspire to a more wonderful world,” he added.
Sheikh Mohamed orders release of over 1,500 prisoners
UAE president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the release of 1,530 prisoners.
The move comes ahead of the nation’s 51st National Day and is part of Sheikh Mohamed’s interest to grant pardoned prisoners a fresh start.
The President’s pardon gives the released prisoners an opportunity to rethink their future and positively contribute to the service of their families and communities in order to lead successful social and professional lives, state news agency WAM reported.
It will help to reduce the suffering of the families of the prisoners.
UAE leaders pardon hundreds of inmates every year on occasions such as National Day, Ramadan and Eid to help reduce the suffering of prisoners’ families.
By doing so, the country’s humanitarian efforts aim to rehabilitate prisoners.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed wipes out $136m debt for Emiratis
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed ordered AED536.2m ($136.1m) of debt owed by people in the UAE to be waived ahead of the country’s 51st National Day.
Debt for 1,214 UAE Nationals will be paid off as part of the directives announced by the President.
17 banks and institutions, thought to include First Abu Dhabi Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Al Hilal Bank, Mashreq Bank, Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, RAK Bank, HSBC and Dubai Islamic Bank, will clear the debts.
A Non-performing Debt Relief Fund will settle the money owed for Emiratis.
Jabr Mohammed Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Minister of State and Chairman of the Supreme Committee of the Non-performing Debt Relief Fund, said that the waiver is part of the UAE leadership’s keenness to ensure a decent life for all UAE Nationals.
On Monday it was announced that the Sharjah Debt Settlement Committee (SDSC) approved more than AED76m to pay off the debts of 134 of the cases presented, this was done in implementation of the directives of Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
The head of Emiri court and Head of SDSC, Rashid Ahmed bin Al Sheikh confirmed that the committee approved an amount of AED76,755,000, to pay the debts of 134 cases within the 23rd batch.
2022 UAE National Day fireworks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
UAE firework displays are famous the world over for their spectacular extravagance and creativity.
As the UAE celebrates its National Day there will be fireworks in Dubai and Abu Dhabis happening around the nation. Every year, UAE National Day is celebrated on December 2 to mark the official formation of the nation and the start of the federal unification of The Emirates in 1971.
From Yas Island in Abu Dhabi to Palm Jumeirah fireworks in Dubai the skies above the UAE will be lit up on December 2.
Al Seef Dubai’s waterfront promenade and heritage district will have fireworks lighting up the sky in the UAE colours as well as market stalls and eateries.
Bluewaters and The Beach: Two lifestyle destinations will both be ideal locations to view free fireworks in Dubai from 8pm on December 2. Bluewaters will have traditional Emirati music and artist displays, while outdoor shopping area The Beach is a prime spot for firework watchers.
Dubai Festival City Mall: Retail and lifestyle destination by the Dubai Creek will host a firework display at 9pm as well as live entertainment. Dubai Bling star DJ Bliss will perform after the fireworks. Emirati singer Fayez Al Saeed will perform at 8pm.
The Pointe: The waterfront retail destination on Palm Jumeirah will host National Day fireworks and fountain show at 9PM on December 2.
Global Village: The popular multicultural Dubai tourist attraction is known for weekly firework displays and a carnival atmosphere. That will be even more pronounced on National Day with live entertainment as well as a stunning firework display from 9pm.
Al Maryah Island: The waterfront lifestyle destination will have fireworks styled by the colours of the UAE flag from 9pm.
Al Wathba: The Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba has a full itinerary of events including a firework display, laser shows and a live drone performance. The show runs from 4pm to 1am.
Yas Island: The Abu Dhabi tourism hotspot host a series of live entertainments and events every day from December 1 to December 3. The celebrations will include an Ayallah performance across all Yas Island destinations including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi as well as CLYMB Abu Dhabi to mark the country’s 51st anniversary. In addition, visitors can look forward to firework display 9pm on December 2.
UAE financial markets to remain closed for Commemoration, National Day
The UAE financial markets will remain closed from December 1 till 4 on account of the Commemoration Day and the 51st National Day holidays, the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) said.
Trading in the markets will resume on Monday, December 5.
SCA said the decision was taken after consultation and coordination with both the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange and Dubai Financial Market.
The Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange, however, will takes its own decision on the start and end date of the holiday, according to work requirements and the public interest.
Earlier, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources issued a circular – No. (16) – regarding the two holidays.
UAE National Day: UAE police forces offering 50% discount on traffic fines
Motorists in parts of the UAE have been offered the chance to get a discount on traffic fines.
Police in Umm Al Quwain have joined Ajman and Abu Dhabi in offering discounts of up to 50 per cent of the cost of traffic fines if they are paid promptly
Abu Dhabi Police were the first force to start the recent trend for offering discounts.
Fines can be paid on police websites or via the Ministry of Interior app.
Serious offences are not covered by the discounts and the precise reduction and rules vary from emirate to emirate.
Police in Abu Dhabi encourage the early payment of fines. Rather than let fines build up, and run the risk of financial hardship, a 35 per cent discount is now offered on fines paid within 60 days of issue. Paying anywhere between 60 days and a calendar year will result in a 25 per cent discount.
Abu Dhabi allows offending motorists can pay fines in interest-free instalments to spread the cost. Deferred payments can be made via Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Mashreq Bank and Emirates Islamic Bank.
Fines can be paid via the Abu Dhabi police website.
Motorists caught offending in Ajman in the UAE can get a 50 per cent reduction on selected offences if they pay before January 6, 2023.
The discount does not cover traffic offences such as endangering life, jumping red lights and speeding at more than 80kmph above the limit. The discount is applicable to offences committed before November 11.
Fines can be paid on the Ajman Transport Authority website.
Motorists caught offending in Umm Al Quwain can get a 50 per cent reduction on selected offences if they pay between December 1, 2022 and January 6, 2023.
The discount does not cover traffic offences and the discount is applicable to offences committed before October 31.
Fines can be paid on the Ministry of Interior website.
To mark the UAE’s 51st National Day Sharjah Police General Command has announced a 50 per cent discount on traffic fines given in the emirate.
The reduction will last for 51 days, from December 1 to January 20, 2023. The reduction will apply to all fines given before December 1.
The discount will not apply to aggravated motoring violations.
Sharjah Police has called on motorists and vehicle owners to take advantage of the offer and pay through the Sharjah Police App or the MOI UAE app and in police stations in the emirate.
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