• Ramadan decorations up at the Waterfront Market, Deira, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ramadan decorations up at the Waterfront Market, Deira, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ramadan decorations up at the Waterfront Market, Deira, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ramadan decorations up at the Waterfront Market, Deira, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ramadan decorations up at the Waterfront Market, Deira, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ramadan decorations up at the Waterfront Market, Deira, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Times Square Centre in Dubai has a mini majlis set-up. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Times Square Centre in Dubai has a mini majlis set-up. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Crescent moon decorations adorn City Walk, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Crescent moon decorations adorn City Walk, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Elegant decorations at City Walk. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Elegant decorations at City Walk. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Festive decorations at the Galleria Mall Extension, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Festive decorations at the Galleria Mall Extension, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Crescent moons and stars feature prominently in Galleria Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Crescent moons and stars feature prominently in Galleria Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Visitors admire the decorations at Galleria Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Visitors admire the decorations at Galleria Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • A sign at Dubai World Trade Centre wishes everyone Ramadan Kareem, which in Arabic means 'generous Ramadan'. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A sign at Dubai World Trade Centre wishes everyone Ramadan Kareem, which in Arabic means 'generous Ramadan'. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Children enjoy the festive Ramadan decor at Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Children enjoy the festive Ramadan decor at Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Visitors stop for photos at Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
    Visitors stop for photos at Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
  • Ramadan decorations are spread throughout Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
    Ramadan decorations are spread throughout Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
  • A dainty ornament at Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
    A dainty ornament at Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
  • Window displays at Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
    Window displays at Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
  • Ramadan lanterns at Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
    Ramadan lanterns at Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
  • Shoppers walk under ceiling decorations at Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
    Shoppers walk under ceiling decorations at Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
  • A large installation at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    A large installation at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Lights set the festive mood at Mall of the Emirates. Pawan Singh / The National
    Lights set the festive mood at Mall of the Emirates. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Crescent moons hang from the ceilings at Mall of the Emirates. Pawan Singh / The National
    Crescent moons hang from the ceilings at Mall of the Emirates. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A seasonal banner at Times Square Centre in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A seasonal banner at Times Square Centre in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Times Square Centre has been decked out for the holy month. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Times Square Centre has been decked out for the holy month. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lifestyle

Things to do

Striking Ramadan decorations spruce up Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Every year, the UAE's shopping centres and residential areas go all out with seasonal decor

Katy Gillett
Katy Gillett

April 05, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

From Dubai's Mall of the Emirates to Abu Dhabi's Galleria Al Maryah Island, the UAE's shopping centres are sporting dazzling decor for Ramadan, as shoppers enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Unsurprisingly, crescent moons feature throughout, with intricately designed ornaments hanging from ceilings or adorning signboards across the Emirates.

Scroll through the gallery above to see some of the UAE's most striking Ramadan decorations.

In Dubai, Times Square Centre has a mini majlis set-up that's perfect for photo opportunities. Festive design elements and window displays galore throughout Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi. There's also an area set up in the centre of the mall where visitors can pose under orange and white arches.

Elegant decorations hang from the ceilings in both Mall of the Emirates and Galleria Al Maryah, where stars and moons are the main focus, alongside dangling fairy lights.

Ramadan Kareem messages can be seen throughout the UAE; on a giant signboard on the exterior of Dubai World Trade Centre or emblazoned on windows of malls, for example.

The decorations will remain in place through the holy month, leading into Eid Al Fitr, or the festival that marks the end of the holy month.

Thirty iftars to try in Dubai and Abu Dhabi during Ramadan 2022 — in pictures:

  • Yemenite soup at Baba, The Westin Mina Seyahi.
    Yemenite soup at Baba, The Westin Mina Seyahi.
  • Sea bass with feta at Fi'lia.
    Sea bass with feta at Fi'lia.
  • Iftar spread at Allo Beirut.
    Iftar spread at Allo Beirut.
  • Assorted dim sum at Shanghai Me.
    Assorted dim sum at Shanghai Me.
  • XO prawns at Hakkasan Abu Dhabi.
    XO prawns at Hakkasan Abu Dhabi.
  • Lamb at The Bay, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira.
    Lamb at The Bay, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira.
  • Unlimited sushi at Ikigai.
    Unlimited sushi at Ikigai.
  • Assorted kebabs at India Palace.
    Assorted kebabs at India Palace.
  • Lamb at Al Nafoorah, Jumeirah Al Qasr.
    Lamb at Al Nafoorah, Jumeirah Al Qasr.
  • Sharing-style plates at Garage, W Abu Dhabi.
    Sharing-style plates at Garage, W Abu Dhabi.
  • Emirati dates at 11 Woodfire.
    Emirati dates at 11 Woodfire.
  • The iftar spread at Shamiana, Taj JLT.
    The iftar spread at Shamiana, Taj JLT.
  • Tacos at La Carnita.
    Tacos at La Carnita.
  • The iftar spread at Ruby Passion for Meat.
    The iftar spread at Ruby Passion for Meat.
  • Stuffed vine leaves at Li'Brasil.
    Stuffed vine leaves at Li'Brasil.
  • Iftar dishes and mocktails at Roberto's.
    Iftar dishes and mocktails at Roberto's.
  • Empanadas at Sucre.
    Empanadas at Sucre.
  • The iftar spread at Olea, St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.
    The iftar spread at Olea, St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.
  • Beef at MasterChef, The TV Experience.
    Beef at MasterChef, The TV Experience.
  • Uzbek dishes at the OSH iftar.
    Uzbek dishes at the OSH iftar.
  • Pulled lamb shawarma pizza at Pitfire, Time Out Market.
    Pulled lamb shawarma pizza at Pitfire, Time Out Market.
  • French-Mediterranean iftar at LPM Restaurant & Bar.
    French-Mediterranean iftar at LPM Restaurant & Bar.
  • Russian honey cake at Caviar Kaspia.
    Russian honey cake at Caviar Kaspia.
  • Arabic sweets at Vendome, Emirates Palace.
    Arabic sweets at Vendome, Emirates Palace.
  • Prawn and papaya salad at Vietnamese Foodies.
    Prawn and papaya salad at Vietnamese Foodies.
Updated: April 05, 2022, 12:08 PM
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