Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for December 26, 2016, including Christmas attractions, food markets, art exhibitions, fitness events, performances, film screenings and family fun.
Abu Dhabi
Film screening
Catch a screening of The Patience Stone. The film is about a young woman in a country torn apart by war, who watches over her comatose husband and begins to tell him the truth about her life and suffering - things she never could have said if he were conscious. The film is in Dari with English subtitles.
Today, 9pm, free with registration, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, register at cinemaspace-abudhabi.splashthat.com
Dubai
Concert
Buy tickets now to see Jamie Cullum in concert as part of White Nights in Dubai, a series of concerts that bring some of the world's top international musicians. Cullum, an English jazz-pop singer-songwriter is known for hits such as Don't Stop the Music, All at Sea, and Pure Imagination.
April 8, 8pm, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, tickets cost from Dh550 from www.ticketmasteruae.ae
Abu Dhabi
Heritage event
Visit the Al Dhafra Festival, the celebration of Bedouin heritage that includes a camel beauty pageant featuring more than 20,000 camels. Experience a traditional souq market with product and handicrafts, dates packaging competitions, a camel milk contest, an Arabian horse race, a falcon beauty show, a classic cars competition and a special children's area.
Until Thursday, various timings, Al Dhafra Muzayanh, Madinat Zayed, Al Gharbia (Western Region), Abu Dhabi, www.aldhafrafestival.ae
Abu Dhabi
Performance
Buy tickets now for the Abu Dhabi Festival, which runs from March 14 to 31 and features a mix of artists across a variety of genres and nationalities, opening with Saudi singer Mohamed Abdo. There are also performances by American jazz icon Wynton Marsalis (pictured), Portuguese singer Mariza, and The Silk Road Ensemble with Chinese-American cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
March 14 to 31, various timings, from Dh125, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, www.800tickets.com/abudhabifestival
Abu Dhabi
New Year's Eve event
Get tickets now to attend Desert Beats on New Year's Eve. See performances by Mohombi (pictured), who will perform for the first time in the capital, Yung from Cali Swag District and Nina Sky.
December 31, 9pm onwards, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi, tickets cost from Dh245 from www.ticketmaster.ae
Dubai
Shopping offers
Head to City Centre Mirdif for Monday Sobhiya, which includes discounts, offers and experiences, exclusively for women. Female shoppers can avail of deals on a range of products - from fashion and beauty to jewellery and electronics.
Today and December 31, 10am to 3pm, City Centre Mirdif, Dubai, www.citycentremirdif.com
Dubai
Swimming lessons
Sign up for swimming classes at the Dubai Ladies Club. The 11-week term starts from January 20 and runs until April 5. The classes are open to both adults and children.
Classes cost Dh935 for members, and Dh1200 for non-members, www.dubailadiesclub.com
Dubai
Festive market
Visit the Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market at Fort Island, featuring seasonal music performed by a live band, rides and games, a North Pole train for little ones, a bungee jump for teenagers and a snow-ball fight zone for the whole family. Take an abra tour with Santa and decorate a gingerbread house and cookie garden.
Daily until tomorrow, 3pm to 1am, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, www.facebook.com/Madinat.Jumeirah
Dubai
Art exhibition
Check out the exhibition The Land Needs Ironing by Syrian artist Majd Kurdieh. His works combine art and literature and features cartoonish characters that speak for the artist, who is part of the Syrian diaspora.
Daily until January 5, 10am to 6pm, Sundays to Thursdays (closed on Fridays and Saturdays), The Workshop, Villa 45, Street 23B, off Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2, Dubai, 04 341 2595, www.theworkshopdubai.com
Dubai
Art exhibition
See the exhibition by Frank Stella featuring six large-scale, high-relief artworks by the artist known for his pioneering minimalism and post-painterly abstraction. Pictured: La Scienza della Fiacca.
Daily until January 4, 10am to 7pm, Saturdays to Thursdays (closed on Fridays), Leila Heller Gallery, I-87, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 056 831 3520, www.leilahellergallery.com
10 things to do today: Catch a screening of The Patience Stone, visit the Al Dhafra Festival, and more
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