Holi, the festival of colours, is just around the corner, and there will be plenty of places in the UAE to celebrate. Whether you live in Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah, there will be day-time festivities at a venue near you. This year, Holi falls on Monday and Tuesday, March 9 and 10.
Colour Splash Abu Dhabi
Kicking off the Holi festivities early is Abu Dhabi's Colour Splash event on Friday, February 28. Expect a rain dance, live dhol music, DJs and food counters as splashes of colourful powder are thrown.
Friday, February 28, 9am-4pm; Dh50; Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Shakhbout Bin Sultan Street, Abu Dhabi; 055 751 6898, www.facebook.com
Colours of Friendship party, Abu Dhabi
A Colours of Friendship bash is taking place at Abu Dhabi's Khalifa Park this Holi. From 10am until 3pm, party the day away in colourful style. There will be live DJs, dhol music, colour blasts, a children's play area, food and beverage options and a rain dance, with an expected crowd of 4,000. Tickets cost Dh25, and every paying visitor will receive a Dh50 voucher to spend at Lulu Hypermarket.
Friday, March 6, 10am-3pm; Dh25; Gate F, Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi; www.facebook.com
Holi Colour Bash at Al Mamzar Park, Dubai
Gather friends and family at Nouras Beach, Al Mamzar Park in Dubai, for a day of all-out colour. There will be food stalls, a children's play area and dancing to the likes of DJs Sunny, Kips, AJ and Nodde all day long. Tickets cost just Dh20.
Friday, March 6, 11am until late; Dh20; Nouras Beach, Al Mamzar Park, Dubai; 055 846 59 59, dubai.platinumlist.net
AKS Colour Carnival, Dubai
Expect crowds to flock to the AKS Color Carnival at Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City, on Friday, March 6. Last year saw a gathering of 10,000, and for the third year, they are expecting even more people to head down for the festivities. There will be food and beverages available at food trucks on site at the family-friendly event. Music will be coming from DJs Beatz, Gautam, Manoj, Nitesh and Notorious. There will also be dhol players, carnival acts and a kids' play area.
Friday, March 6, 11am-10pm; Dh40; AKS Color Carnival at Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City; dubai.platinumlist.net
Water and Colour Party, Ras Al Khaimah
A Water and Colour Beach Party is set to take place at BM Beach Resort, Ras Al Khaimah. Expect vibrant colours, live DJ and dhol performances, rain dances, food stalls and more from 3pm on Friday, March 6.
Friday, March 6, 3pm until late; Dh50; BM Beach Resort, Al Jazeera Road, Ras Al Khaimah; dubai.platinumlist.net
Holi Hai at Zabeel Park, Dubai
Head to Holi Hai on Friday, March 13 at Zabeel Park. The family-friendly event will run from 10am until late, with a variety of food stalls, a live band, DJs and a children's play area. Buy your colours on site, and expect to be celebrating into the night.
Friday, March 13, 10am until late; Dh30; Gate 3, Zabeel Park, Dubai; 050 654 9100, dubai.platinumlist.net
JA Beach Hotel's beach party, Dubai
To celebrate the festival of colours, JA Beach Hotel is set to host a major Holi beach party next month. A host of Bollywood DJs will be providing a soundtrack to the day, including Hani, Sib, Varun Sharma, ACE, MadMax and Atul.
Friday, March 13, 10am until 10pm; advanced tickets cost Dh100 for four people, on the door it will cost Dh120 for individuals, Dh175 for couples or Dh200 for four, entry for children aged below 5 is free; JA Beach Hotel, Dubai; www.allevents.in