UAE and Gulf awareness days and key dates

Friday 1 December 2023

• 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

  Awareness25 November to 10 December 2023

  An international campaign running from 25 November to 10 December calling for an end to violence against women and girls.

• Bahraini Women's Day

  Awareness

  Bahraini Women's Day, held every year on 1 December, recognises the part women play in Bahrain's national development; it was launched in 2008.

• World AIDS Day

  Awareness

  Held every 1 December since 1988, World AIDS Day raises awareness of HIV, supports people living with it and remembers those who have died.

Saturday 2 December 2023

• Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day)

  Public holidays

  Eid Al Etihad on 2 December marks the union of the United Arab Emirates in 1971 and is the biggest national celebration of the UAE year.

• International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

  Awareness

  The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery on 2 December focuses on ending modern slavery, including trafficking and forced labour.

Sunday 3 December 2023

• International Day of Persons with Disabilities

  Awareness

  A United Nations day on 3 December promoting the rights and wellbeing of disabled people.

Monday 4 December 2023

• International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures

  Awareness

  On 4 December the UN raises awareness of the harm caused by unilateral coercive measures that do not comply with international law.

• International Day of Banks

  Awareness

  The International Day of Banks on 4 December recognises the role of development banks and banking systems in financing sustainable development.

Tuesday 5 December 2023

• International Volunteer Day

  Awareness

  International Volunteer Day on 5 December thanks volunteers and promotes volunteering for peace and sustainable development.

• World Soil Day

  Awareness

  World Soil Day on 5 December raises awareness of healthy soil and its role in food security and nature.

Thursday 7 December 2023

• International Civil Aviation Day

  Awareness

  International Civil Aviation Day on 7 December highlights the importance of air travel to economic and social development.

Friday 8 December 2023

• Bodhi Day

  Religious and cultural

  Bodhi Day on 8 December marks the Buddha's enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, kept mainly in Japanese and Zen Buddhist traditions as Rohatsu.

Saturday 9 December 2023

• International Anti-Corruption Day

  Awareness

  International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December raises awareness of corruption and the UN convention that fights it.

• International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime

  Awareness

  On 9 December the UN honours the victims of genocide and raises awareness of the Genocide Convention and its role in prevention.

Sunday 10 December 2023

• Human Rights Day

  Awareness

  Human Rights Day on 10 December marks the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948.

Monday 11 December 2023

• International Mountain Day

  Awareness

  A United Nations day on 11 December highlighting the importance of mountains and the people, wildlife and water that depend on them.

Tuesday 12 December 2023

• International Day of Neutrality

  Awareness

  The International Day of Neutrality on 12 December promotes neutral policies as a tool for preventive diplomacy.

• International Universal Health Coverage Day

  Awareness

  Universal Health Coverage Day on 12 December calls for strong health systems that give everyone access to care without financial hardship.

Thursday 14 December 2023

• International Day against Colonialism in All its Forms and Manifestations

  Awareness

  On 14 December the UN calls for an end to colonialism in all its forms and supports the right of peoples to self-determination.

Friday 15 December 2023

• World Turkic Language Family Day

  Awareness

  World Turkic Language Family Day on 15 December celebrates the shared languages and cultural roots of Turkic-speaking peoples.

Saturday 16 December 2023

• Bahrain National Day and Accession Day

  Public holidays16 to 17 December 2023

  Bahrain marks its National Day and the anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne on 16 and 17 December, a two-day official holiday.

Monday 18 December 2023

• Arabic Language Day

  Awareness

  Arabic Language Day at the UN on 18 December celebrates Arabic, one of the UN's six official languages.

• International Migrants Day

  Awareness

  International Migrants Day on 18 December raises awareness of the challenges of migration and calls for safer and fairer systems.

• Qatar National Day

  Public holidays

  Qatar National Day on 18 December marks the unification of Qatar in 1878 under its founder, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani.

Tuesday 19 December 2023

• International Day of Recognition for Women Searchers of Missing Persons

  Awareness

  On 19 December the UN recognises the women who search for missing persons.

Wednesday 20 December 2023

• International Human Solidarity Day

  Awareness

  International Human Solidarity Day on 20 December celebrates unity in diversity and the importance of solidarity.

Thursday 21 December 2023

• World Basketball Day

  Awareness

  World Basketball Day on 21 December celebrates basketball and its power to bring people together.

• World Meditation Day

  Awareness

  World Meditation Day on 21 December raises awareness of meditation and its benefits for physical and mental health.

Sunday 24 December 2023

• Christmas Eve

  Religious and cultural

  Christmas Eve on 24 December is the evening before Christmas Day, when many churches hold carol, Christingle and Midnight Mass services.

• International Anti-Cybercrime Day

  Awareness

  International Anti-Cybercrime Day on 24 December raises awareness of cybercrime and the UN convention to combat it.

Monday 25 December 2023

• Christmas Day

  Religious and cultural

  The Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus, held on 25 December and one of the biggest dates of the year for families and retailers.

Wednesday 27 December 2023

• International Day of Epidemic Preparedness

  Awareness

  The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness on 27 December promotes education and planning to prevent and respond to epidemics.

Sunday 31 December 2023

• New Year's Eve

  Religious and cultural

  New Year's Eve on 31 December is the last day of the year, marked with parties and midnight fireworks such as the London display.