- Yachting
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by Arabian Yacht Company
Every year on 2 December, the UAE celebrates National Day, now also known as Eid Al Etihad (the Union Day). 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of the founding of the UAE in 1971. Offices fill with red, green, white and black, and companies across Dubai look for a meaningful way to celebrate with their teams.
A National Day corporate cruise on a private yacht gives your team something special: the Dubai skyline decorated in national colours, an evening on the Arabian Gulf, and a celebration that feels as proud as the occasion.
This guide covers the best dates for your National Day yacht event, décor, Emirati food and activities, which yacht suits your team, real costs, and how to book before the December rush.
Planning other company events? See our full corporate yacht charter Dubai options.
National Day 2026: Key Dates for Planning
UAE National Day falls on Wednesday 2 December 2026. The official public holiday dates are announced closer to the time, and the holiday usually covers 2 and 3 December. [Update once announced.]
| Date | Notes |
|---|---|
| Sat 28 – Sun 29 Nov | The weekend before. Great for celebrations that include families. |
| Mon 30 Nov | Commemoration Day, a day of remembrance honouring the UAE’s martyrs. Avoid scheduling celebrations on this day. |
| Tue 1 Dec | The most popular day for office National Day events, the last working day before the holiday |
| Wed 2 – Thu 3 Dec | The National Day holiday. Ideal for a festive evening cruise. |
Book by early November. December is Dubai’s busiest month for yacht charters, with National Day, GITEX Global (7–11 December), year-end parties and New Year’s Eve all within a few weeks.
Why Celebrate National Day on a Yacht?
See Dubai at its proudest
During National Day week, landmarks across Dubai light up in the national colours. From the water, your team sees the skyline, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis and Burj Al Arab in a way that’s hard to match on land.
A celebration that feels like a reward
A private yacht cruise is a memorable thank-you to your team at the end of the year, and for many employees it’s their first time on a private yacht.
Fireworks from the best seat in the city
Dubai usually hosts National Day fireworks at several waterfront locations. A yacht can position for a view from the water, away from the crowds. [Confirm the 2026 locations and timings, and plan the route around them.]
Privacy and flexibility
The whole yacht is yours: your music, your menu, your speeches. There are no crowds, no fixed hotel timings and no shared venue.
National Day Yacht Décor Ideas
The national colours
Use red, green, white and black throughout: table runners, napkins, cushions, balloons tied down (never loose), and flowers in the national colours.
The UAE flag, displayed with respect
The UAE flag is a symbol of national pride. On board:
- Display flags securely on rails and masts, never on the floor or deck
- Use clean, undamaged flags only
- Don’t use the flag as a tablecloth, a costume or a wrapping
Lighting
After sunset, use red, green and white LED uplighting and fairy-light canopies across the deck. Real candles and sparklers aren’t allowed on board, so use LED alternatives.
Traditional touches
Majlis-style floor cushions on the flybridge, brass dallah coffee pots as table centrepieces, and a photo backdrop with “Happy 55th National Day” or “Eid Al Etihad”.
Welcome moment
Greet guests at the gangway with Arabic coffee (gahwa) and dates, and a small flag or national-colours scarf as a keepsake.
Emirati Food & Drinks
Serve the flavours of the UAE:
- Welcome: Arabic coffee (gahwa) and dates, the traditional Emirati welcome
- Mains: chicken or lamb machboos (spiced rice), harees, grilled hammour, mixed grills
- Mezze: hummus, moutabal, tabbouleh, fattoush and fresh Arabic bread
- Desserts: luqaimat (sweet dumplings with date syrup), umm ali and kunafa
- Drinks: karak chai, fresh juices, lemon mint and other mocktails
You can use our partner caterers or bring your own food. More menu ideas: food for a Dubai yacht party.
National Day Activities Your Team Will Love
| Activity | How it works on a yacht |
|---|---|
| Live oud player | Traditional music during boarding and dinner |
| National Day quiz | Teams answer questions about UAE history, the seven emirates and landmarks, with prizes for the winners |
| Best-dressed award | Prizes for the best national-colours outfit or traditional dress |
| Leadership message | A short thank-you speech at sunset, with the skyline behind |
| Group photo with the flag | A team photo on the flybridge at golden hour |
| Fireworks viewing | Watch the city’s National Day fireworks from the water [confirm locations and times] |
| Henna artist | A popular addition for guests who’d like it |
| Photographer | Captures the outfits, the décor and the skyline for your internal and social channels |
Which Yacht for Your National Day Cruise?
All private charters include captain, crew, fuel, soft drinks, water and ice.
| Team size | Yacht | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 11 guests | Symphony (45 ft) | AED 350 / hour (2-hour minimum) | Leadership team or small office |
| [XX]–[XX] guests | Melody (50 ft) / Rhythm (58 ft) | AED [XXX] / hour | Department celebrations |
| Up to [XX] guests | Celebrations (81 ft) | AED 800 / hour (3-hour minimum) | Whole-office National Day party |
| 30+ guests on a budget | Celebrations Sharing | AED 250 / person | Large teams |
Not sure which option fits? See private vs shared charters for corporate events.
How Much Does a National Day Yacht Cruise Cost?
Two typical examples for 2026. The figures are yacht hire only.
| Small team | Whole office | |
|---|---|---|
| Guests | 10 | 35 |
| Yacht | Symphony (45 ft) | Celebrations (81 ft) |
| Duration | 3 hours | 4 hours |
| Yacht hire | AED 1,050 | AED 3,200 |
| Emirati catering (from) | AED [XXX] per person | AED [XXX] per person |
| National Day décor package | AED [X,XXX] | AED [X,XXX] |
For a full breakdown, read how much a corporate yacht event costs in Dubai.
Ways to keep the budget down:
- Celebrate on Tuesday 1 December, or the weekend before, rather than on the holiday itself
- Choose Celebrations Sharing for large teams
- Let the LED lighting and flags do the decorating
Sample National Day Cruise Timeline (Tuesday 1 December)
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 4:30 pm | Team boards at Dubai Marina, with Arabic coffee, dates and oud music |
| 5:00 pm | Yacht sails toward Palm Jumeirah |
| 5:25 pm | Sunset and a National Day message from leadership |
| 5:45 pm | Group photo with the flag on the flybridge |
| 6:00 pm | Emirati dinner buffet |
| 7:00 pm | National Day quiz and best-dressed awards |
| 7:30 pm | Music and the skyline cruise past Atlantis and Burj Al Arab |
| 8:30 pm | Return to Dubai Marina |
Practical Tips for HR & Event Managers
- Dress code: national colours or smart casual. Ask guests to wear flat or soft-soled shoes and bring a light jacket for the evening breeze. More tips: what to wear on a yacht.
- Respect the occasion: avoid scheduling celebrations on 30 November (Commemoration Day), and brief your team on flag etiquette.
- Make it inclusive: Dubai teams are multicultural, so a short introduction to the UAE’s history and the meaning of Eid Al Etihad helps everyone take part.
- Guest list and IDs: send the guest list at least 24 hours in advance, and remind guests to bring their original passport or Emirates ID.
- Safety and paperwork: choose a licensed operator, stay within capacity and get your VAT invoice. See our corporate yacht charter safety checklist.
December Is Peak Season: Plan All Your Events Together
National Day is the start of Dubai’s busiest corporate season. If you’re planning more than one event, book them together:
- GITEX 2026 client entertainment on a private yacht (7–11 December)
- Business meetings on a yacht in Dubai
- Best venue for your annual corporate Christmas party
Frequently Asked Questions
When is UAE National Day 2026?
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) is on Wednesday 2 December 2026, the UAE’s 55th anniversary. The official public holiday dates are announced by the government closer to the time.
What is the best day for a National Day office party?
Tuesday 1 December, the last working day before the holiday, is the most popular choice. Avoid 30 November, which is Commemoration Day, a day of remembrance.
Can we watch National Day fireworks from a yacht?
Dubai usually holds National Day fireworks at several waterfront locations, and a yacht can be positioned for a view from the water. Contact us to plan your route around the 2026 fireworks times.
Can we decorate the yacht with UAE flags?
Yes. Flags should be displayed securely and respectfully, on rails or masts and never on the floor. We use LED lighting in the national colours because real candles aren’t allowed on board.
How many employees can join a National Day yacht cruise?
From small teams of up to 11 on Symphony to [XX] guests on our 81 ft Celebrations. Larger companies can book two yachts cruising together.
Do you provide a VAT invoice for company bookings?
Yes. Every corporate booking receives a VAT tax invoice, and we accept LPOs and bank transfers.
Book Your National Day 2026 Yacht Cruise
National Day evenings book out early. Send us your preferred date and team size, and we’ll reply within the hour with yacht options and a quote on company letterhead.
WhatsApp for a National Day Quote · +971 55 650 5184
Explore all our corporate yacht events in Dubai.
Happy 55th Eid Al Etihad from the Arabian Yacht Dubai team. 🇦🇪
