Whether you want to shop until you drop or catch the fireworks with friends or family, there’s plenty happening this Eid weekend around Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Brunch deals, music concerts and discounted La Perle tickets are just some of the better offers on hand. We put together a round-up of our favourites things to do this Eid.
Shopping
Make your way to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) for the last few days of this shopping event. The Eid Festival features stall holders selling everything from cheese and spices to striped kandura pyjamas. Aside from the shopping, there are other attractions including traditional celebrations and games.
Daily until Sunday at Halls 7-10 at Adnec. For more information, visit www.adnec.ae
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Prepare to save big this weekend as 14 malls in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain will activate their 24-Hour Mega Sales with discounts of up to 90 per cent. Besides bagging the bargains, you might also be on the receiving end of spot prizes, with gift cards and even a Tesla Model X electric car up for grabs. Be entertained while you shop at Yas Mall and The Mall at the World Trade Centre, with appearances by social-media stars MoVlogs and BinBaz meeting and greeting fans, respectively.
The participating malls are Yas Mall, The Mall at the World Trade Centre, Al Wahda Mall, Khalidiya Mall, Mushrif Mall, Marina Mall, Madinat Zayed Shopping Center, Raha Mall, Dalma Mall, Bawadi Mall, Mazyad Mall, Barari Mall, Foah Mall and Al Jimi Mall.
10am on Friday, June 15 to 10am on Saturday, June 16. For more information, visit www.yasmall.ae and www.facebook.com/WTCAD
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Fireworks
Start your Eid Al Fitr weekend with a bang at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina precinct and enjoy the fireworks display that will light up the sky at 9pm each evening. Get there early and let the children enjoy the inflatable zone and carnival games, while the adults browse the night market and indulge in the bespoke food trucks and dessert kiosks. Captain Tony's has an evening fireworks cruise (Dh100 for adults, Dh50 for children) for those interested in seeing the show from the water.
From 7am to 11pm, free entry; Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.yasmarina.ae/events
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Head to A'l Bahar at the Corniche in Abu Dhabi and enjoy the choreographed fireworks display on the first day of Eid. Aside from the colourful sky show, there is a family-friendly outing among the 20 restaurants and cafes in the waterfront precinct.
Open from 10am to midnight daily with the fireworks display scheduled for 9pm on the first official day of Eid. For more go to http://al-bahar.ae
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Dubai Festival City Mall is the place to be if you're keen to catch a fireworks display in the emirate. There will be two shows off Festival Bay on Friday evening set to music, the first at 9pm and the second at 10.30pm.
Mall hours have been extended until 1am, with doors opening at 10am. For more information, visit www.dubaifestivalcitymall.com
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Read more about Eid Al Fitr 2018:
Holiday announced for UAE private sector
Holiday for Dubai schools announced
From Thailand to Jordan: Nine affordable Eid Al Fitr holiday packages
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Family fun
Check out the new five-dimensional attraction at Yas Waterworld and be taken on an interactive adventure that simulates spraying, water explosions, rain and waterfalls. In addition to enjoying the fun of more than 40 rides and slides at the water park, be entertained by the traditional yola dancers or get some henna art.
From 10am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday, prices from Dh250, Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.yaswaterworld.com
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Change gears this weekend and get the adrenalin pumping at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi by joining in the fun of the park's 24-Hour Rollercoaster Rally. There will be non-stop ride action, live shows, gaming, and limbo and hula-hoop contests, along with DJ music from the 1950s to the 1990s. Entry to the park is free after 6pm on Friday, with a pay-as-you-go option for guests to choose from ride packages.
Park opens at 11am, pay as you go from Dh175, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com
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If you're a fan of The Voice Kids, take note: the talented child stars will be performing at Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi this weekend. From 7.30pm each day until Sunday, The Voice Kids Arabia 2018 contestants, including 11-year-old Moroccan talent and Season 2 winner Hamza Lebyed, will entertain audiences this Eid with their most popular hits from the show. Saudi Arabia's Loujay Al Masrahi, who joined Georges on Nancy Ajram's team, will also be performing alongside Egyptian performers, finalist Achrakat Ahmad and GanaSameh Elgendy – who won fifth place at the Alexandria National Talent Show.
Friday and Saturday from 7.30pm, with a meet-and-greet on Sunday. Tickets cost from Dh20 per person. For more information, visit www.marinamall.ae
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Flip Out Dubai will have you jumping for joy with their one-hour special this weekend. For Dh120, four people can enjoy an hour at the trampoline park, which has 200 interconnected trampolines and a number of activities including 3D wall running, bubble soccer and parkour.
For more information or to book, call 600 567 568 or visit www.flipout.ae
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Dubai's Dragon Mart 2 is set to transform into a children's wonderful this weekend, with live performances by the characters of the animated series My Little Pony, visits from Modhesh, a toy market and more. Enjoy My Little Pony performances daily until June 24 and meet your favourite characters after the show. Plus, there will be a My Little Pony parade from Dragon Mart 1 to Dragon Mart 2. The toy market runs from 10am to 10pm until June 23 and Modhesh will visit at 3.30pm from the first day of Eid until June 17.
The mall is open 10am to 1am until Sunday, June 24; My Little Pony shows at 5pm, 7.30pm and 9pm; parades at 4.30pm, 6.30pm and 8.30pm, subject to prayer times, Dragon Mart 2, Dubai, www.facebook.com/DragonMartComplex
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Join the circus at Dubai's Boxpark to be entertained by parkour and roller-skating talent, alongside buskers, break-dancers and jugglers. Parkour demonstrations will take place hourly from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. There will be a saxophone performance every hour from 6pm until 9pm.
10am to midnight, Boxpark, Al Wasl Road, Dubai. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/boxparkdubai
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La Perle at the W Hotel in Dubai has a special promotion for those looking to take in the artistic show, produced by Franco Dragone, this weekend. If you book tickets for shows between now and Sunday, you will receive a 40 per cent discount.
Discounts apply June 15 to 17. For more information, visit www.laperle.com
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Children young and old will enjoy the toy festival at City Walk in Dubai in the coming days. Giant teddy bears, life-size board games and oversized toy props will provide for quirky photo opportunities. The toy-themed arts station offers crafts workshops from 2pm to 7pm daily. There will also be roaming acts of inflatable bears, toy drummers on parade and toy soldier march every half-hour from 5pm to 9.30pm.
10am to midnight, City Walk, Dubai, www.facebook.com/CityWalkDubai
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Modhesh World is back at the Dubai World Trade Centre, with a programme of fun and entertainment for the whole family, as part of Dubai Summer Surprises. The mascot of Dubai's summer season welcomes families to its indoor venue that features halls full of games, amusements, live shows, a bazaar and more.
Daily until August 25, 10am to midnight during Eid, from Dh25, Modhesh World, Halls 1-8, Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 600 555 559, www.visitdubai.com
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Take the family to Yas Marina Circuit and go head-to-head around the 800-metre Yas KartZone track, which has just had an overhaul. Drivers must be 8 years or older and at least 1.3 metres tall. Drivers 17 years and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Dh120 for adults and Dh60 for children. Call 800 YAS (927) or 02 659 9800 to check availability or to book
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Head to The Dubai Mall to try out the country's only IceBykes. Dubai Ice Rink is the place to get on your bike, and at a cost of Dh80, it's a very "cool" way to spend the holiday weekend.
Dubai Ice Rink is open from 10am to 11.45pm; a 30-minute IceByke ride costs Dh80. For more information, visit www.visitdubai.ae
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Food
Set sail on a food journey aboard the QE2. The floating hotel's newest restaurant, The Lido, is hosting a Family Funfair Feast on the Quarter Deck. The meal will be accompanied by a live band, and there's also a kids' fair packed with interactive games and shows, pluse a buffet brunch with a focus on QE2's British roots including fairground treats such as hot dogs, fish and chips, and toffee apples.
The brunch package costs from Dh250 for adults, Dh99 for children under 12; Friday, June 15 and Saturday, June 16, at The Lido on QE2 from 1pm to 4pm, Dubai, 04 526 8888, www.qe2.com
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Roberto's Abu Dhabi has all the ingredients for an enjoyable Eid feast, with a selection of dining options. Indulge in the Eid sharing menu created especially for the weekend, or join the Andiamo brunch on Friday or the Pranzo brunch on Saturday.
Prices vary. For more information, visit www.robertos.ae
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Seven Sands restaurant in Dubai is hosting a special Eid buffet that will showcase the blend of ethnic flavours and inspirations that are synonymous with Emirati cuisine. The traditional feast includes popular Emirati dishes, such as harees, fish majboos, lamb thareed and baby chicken mashawi, with a selection of delicious desserts including aseeda bobar, umm ali, khabeesa, luqaimat and the signature Seven Sands date pudding.
From 12pm to 4pm on the first official day of Eid at a cost of Dh155 per person, children below the age of 6 dine free. For more go to www.sevensandsrestaurant.com
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Head to the oldest hotel in the capital, Hilton Abu Dhabi, for a traditional Middle Eastern spread at La Terrazza restaurant. All weekend, the menu will change daily and include a range of salads and starters, a soup of the day, hot mezze and a selection of traditional Arabic and popular continental mains. Executive chef Walter Miculan has opted for home-cooked-style recipes for the Arabic mains to bring the flavours closer to home.
From 12.30pm to 3.30pm, with prices from Dh185 per person. For bookings and more information, call 02 692 4247.
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Music
Tune into a one-off performance by renowned Bollywood singer Atif Aslam at the Sheikh Rashid Hall at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Sunday evening. Aslam's hits include Kuch Iss Tarah, Pehli Nazar Mein, Hona Tha Pyaar, Woh Lamhe, Doorie and Tere Bin.
Sunday, June 17. Tickets available on Platinum List UAE, from Dh110.
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Filipino band 3 Stars 1 Heart are performing at Dubai World Trade Centre on Saturday evening from 7pm. If you're a fan, you won't want to miss Regine Velasquez, Christian Bautista and Julie Anne San Jose in action.
Tickets cost from Dh150, with children under 6 free
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Syrian singer Assala Nasri will take to the stage at Dubai Opera to entertain fans on Saturday evening. The popular Arab singer will take to the stage from 8.30pm.
Tickets cost from Dh450 to Dh2,000. For more information, visit www.visitdubai.com
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Iraqi singer Mohamed Al Salim will entertain the masses at Dragon Mart 2 on Sunday night. The free concert is scheduled to start at 7.30pm.
