Dubai: Car and horse parades, processions, stage shows, folklore and distributions of flowers, sweets and the UAE national flag will mark the UAE's 36th National Day.
The country is decked up in colours of the national flag. Public buildings and other landmarks are dressed in decorative lights and National Day slogans. Emiratis were seen distributing national flags in various areas of the city.
The three-day celebration began on Thursday with a National Day procession at 9am from the Union House in Dubai, where the agreement forming the United Arab Emirates was signed in 1971.
In Dubai more than 900 students, from nine government and private schools, public libraries and some other organisations, participated in the event along Al Dhiyafa Road.
The procession was accompanied by a horse parade by Dubai Police, a human flag formed by people wearing the national colours in order to create the longest UAE national flag, and a show of paintings in coordination with the Dubai Cultural Council. Traditional troupes will perform at Za'abeel Park throughout the day.
Traditional shows
In the Creek Park, activities will be held from 4 to 8pm and will include stage shows and patriotic songs performed by a group of artists.
Performances will start at 9pm and continue until midnight. About 900 families hailing from the Kannur district of the south Indian state of Kerala will hold a march at Safa Park today to mark National Day.
The Qanat Al Qasba in Sharjah is hosting the intricacies of a traditional UAE wedding every evening followed by exciting traditional games of the UAE.
The Al Harbiya traditional band will hold shows starting at 9pm with special performances by the military on December 2 from 5 to 7pm followed by fireworks at 9pm. Passengers at the airports are being greeted with flowers and sweets.
The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority have already transformed the Abu Dhabi corniche into a festival centre. The traditional music programme, Al Ayyala, starts at 4pm on the beach.
Prominent national singers like Al Jasmi, Harbi Al Ameri and Al Wasmi will perform with an orchestra. There will be fireworks from small planes flying over the corniche.
The major events yesterday were organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. The events included the show of remote controlled airplanes, poetry recitations, cultural shows, fireworks and musical shows.
Most of these events were held in Al Jahili Park. Fireworks and musical shows will be held at Al Jahili Park.
Fujairah started the national day celebrations on Friday night with a music concert featuring two of the country's favourite singers.
Abdullah Balkhair and Aryaam entertained the audience at the Fujairah Ahli football stadium. A mass wedding will take place today in Fujairah.
The highlight of the celebrations in RAK is a mass wedding today. The world's biggest flag created by Emiratis from Shaam will be posted atop a mountain.
- With inputs from Aftab Kazmi, Nasouh Nazzal, Binsal Abdul Kader and Fuad Ali, Staff Reporters
