The National Day holiday kicked off in the UAE on Thursday — and there has been no shortage of activities to celebrate the occasion, with the typical cultural spectacles and musical performances taking place.
Celebrations shifted gears at Dubai's Souk Al Marfa, which hosted the third Emirates Motor Show.
The waterfront destination in Deira transformed into a hotspot for car enthusiasts on Thursday, with more than 250 vehicles from prestigious car clubs on display.
Scroll through the gallery above to see the models displayed at the Emirates Motor Show
Vehicles with powerful engines and those with quirky designs, were exhibited for eight hours, not only attracting avid petrolheads, but also families with children.
The mostly customised cars and motorbikes were peppered across the scenic venue. Some of the models included the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger Hellcat, Toyota Supra, Nissan GT-R R35 Nissan Z, Camaro, Jeep and FJ Cruiser, among many others.
Some cars were truly National Day-inspired, specifically featuring a sleek painting of the UAE flag or a stylised portrait of the country's founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
It's no surprise that an event such as this crops up on National Day, as the UAE has a thriving motoring culture.
A few other motoring events were held in the UAE in the past weeks, including the Gulf Historic Dubai Grand Prix Revival, which featured classic pieces such as the Hesketh 308B raced by 1976 Formula One world champion James Hunt and a Le Mans-winning 1987 Rothmans Porsche 962.
Before that, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Yas Island was a massive hit, with the high-octane event graced by thousands of Formula One fans, as well as celebrities and dignitaries who flew in for the occasion.
The one-day motor show at Souk Al Marfa marked the venue's series of activities over the National Day weekend. On the same day, it also played host to the famed Dubai Flea Market.
For those who missed the two events on Thursday, the waterfront venue is still hosting a cultural showcase until Monday, where activities highlighting Emirati culture and Khaleeji cuisine are being held. Traditional treats such as luqaimat and regag are also being served.
The market is open from 3pm to 10pm.
More information is available at soukalmarfa.ae
Scroll through the gallery below to see how the UAE is marking National Day
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The University of Dubai marks National Day with a distinguished celebration. Photo: Wam -
Global Village provides musical performances and entertainment activities for guests as part of its National Day celebrations. Photo: Wam -
Sheikh Omar bin Saqr witnessed the celebrations held under the flagpole on Al Qawasim Corniche for National Day. Photo: Wam -
Parasailing with the flag colours on the UAE's 51st National Day, off the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Emirati women make traditional handicrafts at the Heritage Village, in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Picnic time at Abu Dhabi's Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Dhows and other boats decked out in UAE flags, by the Heritage Village. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
A background projection of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, at a National Day celebration organised by the Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, under the patronage and presence of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence. Wam -
The event, featuring Arab dance troupe Ornina, began with the national anthem and included expressive paintings evoking the life and achievements of Sheikh Zayed. Wam -
The Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation celebration of National Day was held at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation. WAM -
Dancers at the spectacular celebration of National Day staged by the Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation. Wam -
National Day celebration set to start in the historic Al Shindagha area of Bur Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
National Day celebration set to start in the historic Al Shindagha area of Bur Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Residents enjoy a relaxing National Day holiday at Zabeel Park in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Marking the 51st National Day with a picnic at Zabeel Park. Pawan Singh / The National -
Taking some transport to get around Zabeel Park on National Day. Pawan Singh / The National -
Residents take a picnic beneath decorations in the colours of the UAE flag at Zabeel Park. Pawan Singh / The National -
Young residents enjoy some fun in a play area at Zabeel Park on National Day. Pawan Singh / The National -
Residents relax with family and friends beneath the shade of trees at Zabeel Park, as the UAE celebrates its 51st National Day. Pawan Singh / The National -
On the eve of the 51st National Day by Abu Dhabi Marina. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
The Ministry of Interior celebrated the 51st Federation Day of the UAE. Wam -
A child waves the UAE flag during the long weekend at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development organised a celebration for the 51st National Day, in the presence of Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Fund. WAM -
Sunset over Qasr Al Watan during the long weekend holiday at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
A plane flies over the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi, celebrating the 51st National Day. Wam -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, at an event organised by the Ministry to celebrate the country's 51st National Day. Wam -
Police participate in National Day celebrations in Ras Al Khaimah. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Head of the General Services Department in Ras Al Khaimah, attended the event. Wam -
Sheikh Abdullah attends an event to celebrate 51 years since the founding of the UAE. Wam -
Dhows during the National Day long weekend holidays at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Airah Nazrin, 3, from Kerala, India dressed in colours of the UAE flag during National Day holidays at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Tourists taking photographs during the National Day long weekend at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Dhows off Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Parasailing with the UAE colours during the 51st National Day long weekend at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
A car decorated with a UAE flag at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Dhows moored at the Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
A young girl poses with a falcon at the Heritage Village during the 51st National Day long weekend in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Families feed pigeons during the 51st National Day long weekend in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Tourists take photos by a UAE flag at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Dhows moored at the Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
UAE flags fly along Sheikh Zayed Road between Business Bay and Al Safa in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National -
A busy Kite Beach in Dubai for the National Day holiday. Pawan Singh / The National -
Al Bahr Towers illuminated for National Day, while Mubadala tower, right, marks Commemoration Day, in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Lights on a roundabout in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Tiara revolving restaurant and the new Rixos Marina in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Lights on a roundabout in Remraam, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
More lights in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank head office. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Dubai Silicon Oasis. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Abu Dhabi Municipality building. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Dubai Silicon Oasis. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The entrance to Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank's head office. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Street lights in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Abu Dhabi Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
UAE flags on display in Ras Al Khaimah. Antonie Robertson / The National -
More flags in Ras Al Khaimah. Antonie Robertson / The National -
National Day will be celebrated across the Emirates. Antonie Robertson/The National
