The UAE has added a brand-new date to its national calendar. President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced on October 28, 2026 that January 7 will be observed every year as Zayed the Founder Day, dedicated to the memory and legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the country's Founding Father.
Announcing the decision on his official X account, the President described the new annual occasion as a way of celebrating Sheikh Zayed's enduring legacy — 'transforming wisdom into action' — and keeping his values alive as the nation looks to the future. For anyone planning a trip to the Emirates in early January, it's worth knowing this date now carries real national weight.
Sheikh Zayed was born in 1918 into the Bani Yas tribe in Abu Dhabi. He is credited with uniting the emirates to form the UAE, which was established on December 2, 1971, and he served as the country's president from that founding year until his death in 2004. Known widely as the Father of the Nation, he oversaw a transformation built on investment in education, healthcare and infrastructure, while championing unity, generosity and tolerance as defining national values.
For travellers, the announcement lands at an interesting moment. Abu Dhabi's Zayed National Museum — the source article's imagery hints at the connection — is the flagship institution dedicated to his life and the story of the nation, and January is peak season for visiting the UAE thanks to mild winter weather. Combining a trip around January 7 with the tail end of the December 2 Union Day celebrations gives visitors two meaningful national occasions in little over a month.
Beyond the new public occasion, Sheikh Zayed's legacy is woven into the places visitors actually see: the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, one of the world's largest and most striking mosques, was his vision and houses his tomb; broad boulevards, green spaces and cultural landmarks across all seven emirates trace back to the development drive he began. Expect the new January date to be marked with ceremonies, cultural programming and museum events in the years ahead — a good reason to time a city break in Dubai or Abu Dhabi around it.
Who is this for? Anyone heading to the UAE in winter, culture-focused travellers building an itinerary around the country's new museums and heritage sites, and repeat visitors who want a fresh angle on Dubai and Abu Dhabi beyond the malls and beaches. As a national occasion only just declared, details of how January 7 will be celebrated — and whether it comes with public holidays — will likely emerge closer to the date, so keep an eye on local listings if you're booking flights.
