Easter and springtime events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Families are sure to find a brunch to enjoy or a bunny-and-egg-themed activity to entertain the little ones this weekend

Families are spoilt for choice this Easter weekend with a variety of activities and brunches on offer, including an al fresco picnic at Emirates Palace. Courtesy Emirates Palace

Celebrate springtime and Easter with a brunch, an egg hunt, a market or decorating cookies. Here is a round-up of spring-themed, family-friendly events happening in Abu Dhabi and Dubai that will make ringing in the new season even more fun.

ABU DHABI

Springfest at Yas Waterworld

Courtesy Yas Waterworld

Visit Yas Waterworld during Springfest and enjoy a variety of new shows and activities including a mermaids show with underwater performances at 2pm and 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and even a mermaid meet-and-greet at 3pm and 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The Amwaj Pool will have two giant aquatic trampolines from 11am to 6pm, plus there will be live music and games, and try the Yas Super Shake, a refreshing drink topped with whipped cream and sweets. The event ends with an egg hunt on Saturday, April 7 with giveaways and prizes.

Daily until April 7, from 10am to 7pm, from Dh185, Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.yaswaterworld.com

The Ultimate Easter Brunch

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi offers The Ultimate Easter Brunch, which features live-cooking stations and an array of Easter-themed activities for children, including an Easter egg hunt and a bouncy castle. Guests will also have complimentary access to Generation V, a supervised kids’ zone that features wall-climbing, playhouses and a soft-play area.

March 30, 12.30pm to 4pm, from Dh285, Yas Viceroy, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 03 656 0600, [e-mail]

Once Upon a Springtime Festival

Visit the Once Upon a Springtime Festival at Yas Marina and enjoy a weekend of themed activities inspired by fairytale legends and popular children’s stories in a whimsical setting. There will be games and live entertainment for a magical experience the whole family will enjoy, such a Unicorn Land with bouncy castles and pony rides, the Secret Garden with giant outdoor games, a Wonderland maze and Enchanted Forest with face-painting, arts and crafts, and more. There will also be puppet shows, storytelling, an outdoor market, and a Wizard Boat Ride from Captain Tony’s.

March 30-31, 1pm to 6pm daily, from Dh30 per child; from Dh25 per person for the Wizard Boat Ride, free boat ride for children ages 5 and younger, Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.yasmarina.ae

Venetian Village brunches

Venetian Village outlets offer special Easter brunches, including La Brasserie, which runs Friday to Sunday and features a three-courses of French cuisine; on Saturday and Sunday, Todd English’s Olives has a traditional Easter brunch with live music, egg painting and an egg hunt; also on Saturday and Sunday, Kaizen offers a multiple-course Japanese meal plus the traditional Sanbon-jime ceremony to give thanks to life’s blessings.

March 30-April 1, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, from Dh195 at Kaizen, 050 108 9119; from Dh215 at Todd English’s Olives, 050 899 9704; from Dh225 at La Brasserie, Venetian Village, Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, 050 232 6253, www.venetianvillage.ae

Emirates Palace Easter Picnic

Emirates Palace hosts an al fresco Easter picnic featuring a menu of chargrilled meats and vegetables, a dessert hut, waffles and crepes, an ice-cream wagon and more. There will also be a traditional Easter egg hunt, children’s entertainment, games and sports.

March 31, 2pm to 5pm; egg hunt at 3pm, from Dh465 per person; from Dh230 for ages 6-12; free for children younger than 6, West Wing Garden, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, reservations at 02 690 7999, [e-mail]

Easter Family Day

The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa hosts an Easter Family Day celebration complete with live music, a petting zoo, children’s activities including an egg hunt and a bunny chase. There will be a brunch at La Parisienne from 11.30am for Dh233, which includes a pool pass. At 5pm there will be a 5K run hosted by Gulf Multi Sport, for which registration closes on Tuesday, March 27.

March 31, 11.30am to 6pm, The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, www.facebook.com/westinabudhabigolfresort

DUBAI

Legoland Dubai egg hunt

Courtesy Legoland Dubai

The Egg Hunt Legoland Dubai Legoland Dubai celebrates spring with The Egg Hunt, an event that lets families use a treasure map, riddles and clues to find six hidden Lego eggs. When they are finished, they will be entered to win a prize for Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park tickets as well as Lego box sets. All guests are invited to help build a spring garden in Miniland, complete with colourful eggs, bunnies and flowers. There is also a virtual egg hunt game online at www.legoland.ae, where visitors can collect as many eggs as possible for the chance to be entered into a draw to win park tickets.

March 29-April 2, 10am to 7pm, from Dh235, Legoland Dubai, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai, www.legoland.ae

Baker & Spice cookie decorating

Courtesy Baker & Spice Dubai

Children ages 3-8 can take part in the Easter egg cookie decorating workshop at The Farmer’s Market on the Terrace. Led by pastry chef Aaliya Randeree from Baker & Spice, the event lets kids colour treats using icing made from natural ingredients, such as pomegranate for pinks, saffron for yellows and blue pea for purple. There are also traditional Easter treats including hot cross buns, cookies and cupcakes available from Baker & Spice.

March 30, 9am, from Dh15.75 for cookies, Farmer’s Market on the Terrace, Business Bay, Dubai, www.facebook.com/bakerandspicedubai

Mezzerie family brunch

Courtesy Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah

Celebrate Easter with a family brunch at Mezzerie at Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, where you can find special Easter treats, decorations and brunch classics including lamb rotisserie and a raclette station. A line-up of activities includes an Easter-egg hunt, petting farm and bouncy castle.

March 30, 1pm to 4pm, from Dh290, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, reservations at 04 818 2222, [e-mail]

Italian Pasqua

Enjoy an Italian Pasqua celebration at Roberto’s Dubai with a brunch featuring Easter favourites and activities for children. Families will enjoy egg hunts, face-painting, egg-painting and colouring stations.

March 30, noon to 4pm, from Dh350, Roberto’s Dubai, Gate Village, Building 1, DIFC, Dubai, 04 386 0066, [e-mail]

Fairmont The Palm Easter brunch

Courtesy Fairmont The Palm

Book your spot at the family-focused Easter brunch at Fairmont The Palm, with plentiful food and drink from restaurants including Flow Kitchen, Little Miss India, Frevo and Seagrill, plus musical entertainment, a petting zoo, face-painting, a magician, and an Easter-egg hunt with prizes. Children from 18 months to 16 years can access the Fairmont Falcon Kids Club for indoor activities.

March 30, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, from Dh295, Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 04 457 3388, www.fairmont.com/palm-dubai

Easter cookie decorating

Fairmont Dubai hosts an Easter event for children ages 3-10, featuring a cookie-art workshop with a large baked cookie, colourful icing and edible decorative items to create their masterpieces. Plus, there will be a visit from the Easter Bunny, treats, games and prizes.

March 31, 1pm to 4pm, from Dh65, Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 04 311 8316, [e-mail]

Bab Al Shams Easter brunch

Courtesy Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa

Celebrate Easter at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa, where children will enjoy the traditional egg hunt and an appearance by the Easter Bunny as well as arts and crafts, games and a live entertainment programme. A gourmet buffet features Easter delicacies from around the world including Easter lamb from France, hot-cross buns from the UK, braided cardamom bread from Finland and more, as well as Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines, vegetarian selections and live-cooking stations, plus a dessert buffet with an Easter-themed chocolate station.

April 1, 12.30pm to 4pm, from Dh395, Al Forsan restaurant, Bab Al Shams, Dubai, 04 809 6194, [e-mail]

Motiongate Dubai egg hunt

Visit Motiongate Dubai and take part in The Dragon Egg Hunt, a scavenger hunt hosted at the Village of Berk within the How to Train Your Dragon Land. The event includes the egg hunt, face-painting, egg-themed goodies and a kids’ buffet at King Julien’s Sideshow Café. Visitors will also get the chance to meet some of the characters from the film, including Hiccup, Toothless and Astrid.

April 1, 1pm to 5pm, from Dh235 for residents; from Dh305 for non-residents, Motiongate Dubai, Dubai Parks & Resorts, Dubai, www.motiongatedubai.com