In an atmosphere reflecting the spirit of unity and fostering a sense of belonging and loyalty to the homeland, the new edition of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in the Al-Wathba area of Abu Dhabi is preparing to host the 54th Union Day celebrations. The festival's program features a comprehensive lineup of national, cultural, heritage, and artistic events, making it a destination for citizens, residents, and visitors to celebrate the occasion. The Union Day celebrations at the Sheikh Zayed Festival aim to strengthen national identity and pride in the UAE's cultural heritage and authentic values through activities held in the participating countries' pavilions, the heritage village, government departments' booths, and partners' and sponsors' areas, enabling all segments of society to join the celebration and express the solidarity that unites everyone living in the UAE.
The festival will host a special program for Union Day on the upcoming Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 2:00 PM to 1:00 AM, with several related events continuing on other specific days. During this period, the festival's grounds will witness hundreds of events organized by government entities, pavilions, and various sections.
The Union Day Parade, one of the most prominent public events in the program, will be held on December 4th, serving as a grand national expression where citizens renew their oath of allegiance to the wise leadership. The festival will also feature special performances of the Union Day caravan on December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, with two shows daily at 4:30 PM and 7:40 PM.
The festival's grounds will host major fireworks displays over four days: on November 29th, and on December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd at 10:00 PM, plus an additional show on December 5th at 8:00 PM. The light paintings in the sky will be a key highlight of the celebration program. Additionally, drone shows will take place on the festival grounds on December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd at 9:30 PM, with the aircraft forming light symbols of the union and its meaning in a visual spectacle that blends modern technology with national identity.
These performances are accompanied by special segments featuring the UAE Fountain and the Parade of Civilizations, showcasing the diversity of cultures participating in the festival. The festival dedicates a vast space to Emirati folk arts through performances by major folk troupes presenting the Al Ayala and Al Razha dances with approximately 300 performers in each show, lasting 20 to 30 minutes, across the festival grounds and the heritage village.
Military bands will march throughout the festival, performing national pieces that embody the spirit of unity and belonging, while the festival's theaters host a variety of song, performance, and cultural acts suitable for all age groups, blending fun and knowledge in a celebratory atmosphere. The area around the UAE Fountain will see special events for releasing 10,000 balloons in the colors of the UAE flag on December 2nd and 3rd. The Union Day celebrations at the Sheikh Zayed Festival 2025-2026, through its diverse program, solidify the festival's image as a unifying national platform that expresses the values of union, tolerance, and coexistence, and presents the world with a civilizational model that combines authenticity with openness to other cultures' at a time when pride in national achievements and the union's journey, which began 54 years ago, is renewed.
Live Performances The Sheikh Zayed Festival offers a range of activities for families and children. Cartoon characters will also roam the festival grounds, interacting with children and their families through photos and light entertainment segments. Additionally, roaming events feature live performances by groups of musicians and clowns, as well as performance troupes that move between the squares, adding constant vitality to the overall scene.
