UAE celebrates workers as 300,000 join New Year events across more than 30 locations

More than 300,000 workers took part in nationwide celebratory events held across the UAE to mark the 2026 New Year, reflecting a continued focus on worker well-being, inclusion and community engagement.

Organised under the slogan “With You and Through You, We Step into the New Year”, the events were staged in more than 30 locations across the country and featured entertainment, cultural activities and prize draws designed to recognise the contribution of workers to national development.

The celebrations were organised by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in partnership with a wide range of federal and local government entities. These included the Ministry of Interior, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security, the General Headquarters of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah Police, municipalities across the country, Abu Dhabi Ports Group, and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai.

UAE New Year celebrations

Additional partners included the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, the General Directorate of Civil Defence in Dubai, the Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs in Dubai, the Dubai Event Security Committee, the Roads and Transport Authority, the Labour Standards Development Authority – Sharjah, National Ambulance, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, and Al Ihsan Charity Association.

The programme featured competitive activities, entertainment shows, folk dances and the distribution of gifts, alongside prize draws offering items such as a car and travel tickets.

Several companies also organised parallel events alongside the ministry-led programme, highlighting a culture of corporate social responsibility and care for workers’ social engagement.

Participating firms included:

• Sobha Constructions
• Granada Europe Construction LLC
• Millionaire Building Contracting
• Advanced Metal Works
• Luxury Homes Real Estate
• Al Mehwar Engineering Consultancy
• DULSCO Group
• Innovo Build

The New Year celebrations were supported by 10 major sponsors. These included DAMAC and Aldar Properties as Diamond Sponsors; The Insurance Pool and Sobha Realty as Platinum Sponsors; du, Emarat, Electronic Document Centre, National Marine Dredging Company, and Al Ansari Exchange as Gold Sponsors; and AW Rostamani Group as Silver Sponsor.

MoHRE said it adopts a sustainable approach to celebrating and honouring workers during public occasions in cooperation with public and private sector partners.

Such initiatives aim to foster happiness, enhance quality of life, strengthen psychological and social stability, and reinforce a sense of community belonging while motivating the workforce and recognising its role in the country’s development.