In a spectacular tribute to the UAE’s National Day, Dubai skydivers performed an exhilarating freefall, gracefully carrying the national flag through the sky, captivating spectators with their daring aerial display.
Dubai Skydivers Celebrate National Day with Dramatic Freefall Display Featuring UAE Flag.
Dubai’s celebration of the UAE National Day has once again been extended into a month-long series of festivities, a tradition now marking its second consecutive year. Beginning with Flag Day on November 3 and culminating in Eid Al Etihad on December 2, the emirate has transformed the occasion into a continuous celebration, offering residents and visitors alike a wide array of cultural, recreational, and patriotic events. The extended schedule reflects the city’s commitment to honoring the nation’s heritage and achievements while engaging the public through spectacular and memorable experiences.
Across the city, a vibrant calendar of events has been organized, catering to people of all ages and interests. Highlights have included grand parades at popular destinations such as City Walk, which has seen a dazzling showcase of music, dance, and performances celebrating the UAE’s culture and history. In addition to the parades, streets and public spaces have been prepared for large-scale processions, with residents and visitors joining in to hold flags, wave banners, and participate in displays of national pride. The city’s streets, adorned with the red, green, white, and black of the UAE flag, have provided a visual reminder of the country’s unity and progress, creating an atmosphere of collective celebration that resonates throughout the emirate.
Amid this month-long festival, one of the standout moments occurred in the skies above The Palm, where a team of 10 highly skilled skydivers executed an audacious stunt to honor the occasion. These professional aerial performers leaped from aircraft, executing a carefully coordinated freefall maneuver while carrying a giant UAE flag. The skydivers’ performance required meticulous planning and precise timing, as they navigated the open sky with the iconic backdrop of the Palm Jumeirah, one of Dubai’s most recognizable landmarks. The result was a breathtaking spectacle, capturing the attention of onlookers both on the ground and across social media platforms, and perfectly embodying the spirit of pride, courage, and innovation that the UAE National Day represents.
This extraordinary display was not only a celebration of national identity but also a demonstration of the emirate’s commitment to producing high-impact, visually stunning events that resonate with both residents and tourists. The aerial stunt added a dynamic dimension to the National Day festivities, showing that celebrations in Dubai extend beyond traditional parades and ceremonies, embracing creativity, daring performances, and innovative approaches to public engagement. The skydivers’ descent, synchronized to ensure the UAE flag remained prominently displayed throughout the freefall, symbolized both the nation’s unity and the heights of achievement it has reached in less than five decades since its formation.
Beyond the skydiving spectacle, Dubai’s month-long National Day events have included cultural exhibitions, musical performances, family-friendly activities, and interactive experiences designed to engage participants in celebrating the UAE’s heritage, history, and vision for the future. From large-scale public gatherings to more intimate community events, every activity has emphasized the themes of pride, unity, and progress, allowing residents and visitors to actively partake in the commemoration of the nation’s achievements.
The UAE National Day celebrations in Dubai, capped by the thrilling skydiving performance over The Palm, exemplify the emirate’s unique ability to blend tradition with modernity, offering a rich, multifaceted experience that honors the past while looking toward the future. By combining cultural homage with daring aerial artistry, Dubai continues to set the standard for national celebrations, ensuring that the UAE National Day remains a truly unforgettable occasion each year.
The spectacular aerial display over Dubai saw a team of highly trained skydivers, under the leadership of Emirati athlete Ahmed Al Shehhi, perform an extraordinary freefall stunt while carrying a massive UAE flag. As the team leaped from their aircraft and descended gracefully toward the iconic Palm Jumeirah, they executed a meticulously choreographed formation that demonstrated both precision and skill, captivating spectators below. The immense flag, unfurling in the wind as the skydivers maneuvered through the air, became a striking symbol of national identity, resilience, and collective ambition. Each movement and adjustment during the freefall was carefully timed, reflecting hours of preparation and unwavering dedication from the team. The display not only thrilled audiences but also embodied the spirit of unity, patriotism, and determination that defines the UAE, serving as a powerful reminder of the nation’s achievements and its commitment to celebrating heritage in innovative and visually spectacular ways.
The breathtaking skydiving exhibition over Dubai was organized through a collaborative effort between the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) and the renowned aerial sports company, Skydive Dubai. This partnership brought together the expertise of event organizers and professional skydivers to create a visually stunning tribute to the UAE, showcasing precision, skill, and patriotic pride in a way that captivated audiences throughout the city. As part of DFRE’s broader initiative, the display formed a key highlight within the citywide programme of Eid Al Etihad celebrations, a series of activities and events designed to honor the nation, its heritage, and its achievements while engaging residents and visitors in festive experiences across Dubai.
The Eid Al Etihad programme, which continues to unfold across various locations until December 3, includes an array of cultural, recreational, and entertainment offerings, ranging from parades and public performances to interactive displays and family-friendly activities. The skydiving display, in particular, stood out for its dramatic visual impact, combining the thrill of extreme sports with the symbolic power of the UAE flag soaring against the backdrop of Dubai’s iconic skyline. DFRE’s coordination ensured that the event was executed seamlessly, with careful planning of flight paths, safety protocols, and timing to maximize both public enjoyment and operational efficiency.
Through this collaboration with Skydive Dubai, DFRE successfully elevated the Eid Al Etihad celebrations, demonstrating the emirate’s commitment to delivering high-quality, engaging, and innovative public events. The skydivers’ performance not only highlighted the UAE’s spirit of ambition and unity but also reinforced Dubai’s reputation as a global hub for creative, large-scale, and visually spectacular experiences, providing spectators with a memorable moment that celebrated the nation’s pride and achievements in a truly extraordinary manner.
Dubai is once again in the midst of celebrating Eid Al Etihad, a hallmark occasion that commemorates the unity, heritage, and achievements of the United Arab Emirates. This year, as in the previous year, the festivities have extended into a month-long celebration, reflecting the emirate’s commitment to honoring its national history in grand, public, and engaging ways. At the forefront of organizing these celebrations is Brand Dubai, the creative and cultural arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, which has been instrumental in curating and coordinating the wide array of events. By collaborating closely with various government entities, semi-government organizations, and private sector partners, Brand Dubai ensures that the festivities are not only visually impressive but also culturally meaningful, engaging residents, visitors, and the wider community in a collective expression of national pride.
One of the key features of this year’s National Month celebrations has been the continuation of the “Zayed and Rashid” campaign, which has been carried forward for the second consecutive year. The campaign provides a unique and meaningful opportunity for Dubai to pay homage to the two pivotal leaders whose vision, wisdom, and generosity laid the foundations for the UAE’s rapid growth and remarkable development. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late Founding Father and ruler of Abu Dhabi, along with Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the late ruler of Dubai, are celebrated for their foresight, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the prosperity and unity of the young nation. The campaign seeks not only to honor their contributions but also to educate and inspire the public, particularly younger generations, by highlighting the values, principles, and vision that guided the formation of the United Arab Emirates.
In keeping with the spirit of the campaign, authorities unveiled a large-scale ground installation last month that has captured public attention and admiration. The installation features a joint portrait of Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid, symbolizing their enduring partnership and the unity of the emirates. Strategically located at the roundabout opposite the Dubai Frame, near the intersection of Sheikh Zayed Road and Zabeel Park, the artwork has been designed to be visible from aerial vantage points, offering a striking perspective for visitors, residents, and even drone and satellite photography. The installation spans an impressive diameter of 82 metres, making it one of the largest public artworks of its kind in the city, and ensuring that its symbolic significance is matched by its sheer visual impact.
The portrait itself has been created using multi-coloured gravel, carefully arranged to depict the two leaders in vivid detail. The use of contrasting colours, textures, and materials ensures that the images of Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid are not only recognizable but also visually compelling, evoking a sense of awe and reverence. From above, the artwork comes alive, offering a panoramic display of the emirate’s dedication to its founding fathers and the nation’s historical narrative. The scale and craftsmanship involved in producing this installation demonstrate the level of thought, creativity, and precision that Brand Dubai and its collaborators have invested in the project, highlighting the emirate’s commitment to combining art, technology, and culture in public celebrations.
Beyond its aesthetic and symbolic significance, the installation serves as a focal point for public engagement and reflection. Residents and visitors can witness the artwork up close or from aerial viewpoints, allowing them to experience the magnitude of the tribute while contemplating the achievements and vision of the UAE’s founders. The location near Dubai Frame—a landmark that itself symbolizes connectivity between the emirate’s past and present—further enhances the narrative, reinforcing the theme of progress, unity, and national pride. The artwork functions not only as a piece of public art but also as a visual storytelling medium, conveying the message of collaboration, foresight, and leadership that guided the creation of the UAE.
The ground installation is just one aspect of the citywide programme of Eid Al Etihad festivities, which have been carefully designed to blend tradition with modernity, providing a wide range of experiences for audiences of all ages. Cultural exhibitions, interactive displays, public performances, and recreational activities form part of the celebrations, ensuring that every segment of society can engage with the national story in meaningful and memorable ways. By integrating artistic displays, large-scale installations, and community-focused activities, the programme reflects the UAE’s holistic approach to commemorating its heritage while encouraging civic participation, education, and national pride.
Brand Dubai, in partnership with government and private sector entities, has placed significant emphasis on visual storytelling throughout the Eid Al Etihad programme. From public art installations to digitally enhanced experiences, the city’s approach combines creativity, technology, and cultural resonance. This strategy not only reinforces Dubai’s reputation as a global hub for innovation and design but also ensures that the celebration of National Month reaches audiences across multiple platforms, including social media, public spaces, and cultural venues. Residents and tourists alike are encouraged to participate, interact, and immerse themselves in experiences that honor the nation’s history while highlighting the contemporary achievements of the UAE.
The choice to feature Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid together in the installation is particularly symbolic, as it reflects the collaborative vision that underpinned the formation of the United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid worked hand in hand, navigating the complexities of uniting seven distinct emirates into a single nation. Their shared commitment to development, education, infrastructure, and social progress set the stage for the UAE’s rapid transformation into a modern, prosperous country. By immortalizing their likenesses in such a grand public display, the emirate underscores the enduring relevance of their values and provides a tangible reminder of the historical roots of the nation’s success.
The ground installation, with its meticulous design and sheer scale, also highlights Dubai’s broader efforts to merge artistic expression with civic education. Visitors observing the artwork are reminded not only of the UAE’s founding history but also of the principles of leadership, vision, and unity that continue to guide the country today. The multi-coloured gravel, arranged with precision to depict the faces of the two leaders, is symbolic of the diverse yet unified nature of the UAE itself, reflecting how different emirates, cultures, and communities have come together to form a single, cohesive nation.
Ultimately, the Eid Al Etihad celebrations in Dubai, spearheaded by Brand Dubai and supported by an array of government, semi-government, and private sector partners, exemplify the emirate’s dedication to honoring history while fostering public engagement, creativity, and national pride. Through the “Zayed and Rashid” campaign, the large-scale portrait installation, and an extensive calendar of cultural and recreational activities, residents and visitors are offered a unique opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the UAE’s Founding Fathers while participating in a shared expression of unity and celebration.
In a city known for pushing the boundaries of public art, innovation, and event design, the Dubai installations and festivities for Eid Al Etihad stand out as both visually spectacular and deeply meaningful. They serve not only as a tribute to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum but also as a broader affirmation of the values of collaboration, leadership, and foresight that continue to define the UAE’s journey. For those who witness the artwork—whether on the ground or from above—it offers a lasting impression of the nation’s dedication to celebrating its heritage, honoring its visionaries, and fostering a sense of unity and pride among all who call the UAE home.
