Global Village will have fireworks every day over Eid, starting at 9pm. Photo: Global Village
Global Village will have fireworks every day over Eid, starting at 9pm. Photo: Global Village
Global Village will have fireworks every day over Eid, starting at 9pm. Photo: Global Village
Global Village will have fireworks every day over Eid, starting at 9pm. Photo: Global Village

Eid Al Fitr 2022: where to see fireworks in Abu Dhabi and Dubai


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

As Ramadan draws to an end, the UAE is gearing up to mark Eid Al Fitr with a number of celebrations over the long weekend.

Among the festivities will be free fireworks displays throughout the Emirates. Although the exact date for Eid Al Fitr has yet to be confirmed, it is likely to fall on Monday, May 2.

Here's a look at where to go to celebrate.

Eid fireworks in Abu Dhabi

Yas Island

Yas Bay will have fireworks over the first three days of Eid Al Fitr, starting at 9pm. In addition to the light show, there will also be a line-up of Eid concerts at Etihad Arena that include Amr Diab on May 3 and Sherine Abdel-Wahab and Kadim Al Sahir on May 4.

  • Yas Bay Waterfront has opened to the public. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Yas Bay Waterfront has opened to the public. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Pier 71 is home to a number of restaurants and lounges at Yas Bay Waterfront.
    Pier 71 is home to a number of restaurants and lounges at Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • Guests can enjoy views of Al Raha Beach skyline from Yas Bay Waterfront.
    Guests can enjoy views of Al Raha Beach skyline from Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • The boardwalk at Yas Bay Waterfront.
    The boardwalk at Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • Yas Bay Waterfront has a three-kilometre boardwalk that overlooks the Arabian Gulf.
    Yas Bay Waterfront has a three-kilometre boardwalk that overlooks the Arabian Gulf.
  • There are art installations around the waterfront area.
    There are art installations around the waterfront area.
  • A giant bronze sculpture emerges from the water at Yas Bay Waterfront.
    A giant bronze sculpture emerges from the water at Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • Paradiso, which is helmed by Nicole Rubi, the woman behind LPM Restaurant, and Michelin-lauded chef Pierre Gagnaire.
    Paradiso, which is helmed by Nicole Rubi, the woman behind LPM Restaurant, and Michelin-lauded chef Pierre Gagnaire.
  • Paradiso, a Mediterranean restaurant that originated in Cannes, France, is now open at Yas Bay Waterfront.
    Paradiso, a Mediterranean restaurant that originated in Cannes, France, is now open at Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • The rigatoni pasta dish at Paradiso.
    The rigatoni pasta dish at Paradiso.
  • Pizza with tomatoes and oregano at Paradiso.
    Pizza with tomatoes and oregano at Paradiso.
  • Etihad Arena is located within Yas Bay Waterfront.
    Etihad Arena is located within Yas Bay Waterfront.
  • More restaurants and concepts are set to open in the coming months.
    More restaurants and concepts are set to open in the coming months.
  • Cafe del Mar's cabanas come with their own Jacuzzi.
    Cafe del Mar's cabanas come with their own Jacuzzi.
  • An installation lights up at night at Yas Bay Waterfront.
    An installation lights up at night at Yas Bay Waterfront.

Eid fireworks in Dubai

The Pointe

Visit The Pointe on Palm Jumeirah to see a dazzling fountain show and a fireworks display on the first day of Eid Al Fitr on May 2 at 9pm.

Bluewaters Island

Home to Ain Dubai, the world’s largest observation wheel, Bluewaters Island will have a fireworks show on the second day of Eid Al Fitr at 9pm.

Dubai Festival City Mall

Festival Bay at Dubai Festival City Mall will host a spectacular three-minute fireworks show on May 3 at 9pm. It will take place alongside Imagine, a colourful light, laser and sound show. There will also be a ticketed concert by Nassif Zeytoun and Rahma Riad taking place on the South Side. Tickets start at Dh195.

Burj Khalifa

A new Burj Khalifa light show and Dubai Fountain show will debut over Eid. The never-before-seen shows, choreography to LED and lighting up the Downtown Dubai skyline, will take place at 8pm every night during the long weekend.

Global Village

The family favourite destination will have a fireworks display on every day over Eid, starting from 9pm. The attraction will also extend its opening hours from 5pm until 2am from Saturday until it closes its doors on May 7.

  • Global Village in Dubai will remain open throughout Ramadan. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Global Village in Dubai will remain open throughout Ramadan. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The family-friendly attraction hosts Ramadan Nights, an iftar and suhoor experience at the Majlis of the World.
    The family-friendly attraction hosts Ramadan Nights, an iftar and suhoor experience at the Majlis of the World.
  • A toddler enjoys herself at the annual event, which is marking its silver jubilee edition.
    A toddler enjoys herself at the annual event, which is marking its silver jubilee edition.
  • Ramadan decorations have enhanced the grandeur of Global Village.
    Ramadan decorations have enhanced the grandeur of Global Village.
  • Moutyaa Al Chayah, a cook from Baalbek, Lebanon, bakes manakeesh.
    Moutyaa Al Chayah, a cook from Baalbek, Lebanon, bakes manakeesh.
  • Global Village also offers delicious food options.
    Global Village also offers delicious food options.
  • Friends gather for iftar.
    Friends gather for iftar.
  • Luqaimat is also a favourite among those breaking the fast.
    Luqaimat is also a favourite among those breaking the fast.
  • Queue builds up in front of a Turkish ice cream outlet.
    Queue builds up in front of a Turkish ice cream outlet.
  • It's prayer time at Global Village.
    It's prayer time at Global Village.
  • The traditional cannon fire marking the end of the day's fast is quite a spectacle.
    The traditional cannon fire marking the end of the day's fast is quite a spectacle.
  • Food is cooked on the floating market.
    Food is cooked on the floating market.
  • A musician plays oud at the Majlis of the World.
    A musician plays oud at the Majlis of the World.
  • Global Village hosts more than 3,500 shopping outlets.
    Global Village hosts more than 3,500 shopping outlets.
  • An impromptu iftar gathering at Global Village.
    An impromptu iftar gathering at Global Village.
  • The Majlis of the World has been put up exclusively for Ramadan.
    The Majlis of the World has been put up exclusively for Ramadan.
  • The majlis hosts traditional entertainment such as live music.
    The majlis hosts traditional entertainment such as live music.
  • Ramadan decorations at the Syria pavilion.
    Ramadan decorations at the Syria pavilion.
  • Opening hours have been changed to accommodate guests over iftar and suhoor.
    Opening hours have been changed to accommodate guests over iftar and suhoor.
Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

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Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

'Skin'

Dir: Guy Nattiv

Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

T20 World Cup Qualifier

October 18 – November 2

Opening fixtures

Friday, October 18

ICC Academy: 10am, Scotland v Singapore, 2.10pm, Netherlands v Kenya

Zayed Cricket Stadium: 2.10pm, Hong Kong v Ireland, 7.30pm, Oman v UAE

UAE squad

Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Darius D’Silva, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zawar Farid, Ghulam Shabber, Junaid Siddique, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Waheed Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Zahoor Khan

Players out: Mohammed Naveed, Shaiman Anwar, Qadeer Ahmed

Players in: Junaid Siddique, Darius D’Silva, Waheed Ahmed

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

Which honey takes your fancy?

Al Ghaf Honey

The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year

Sidr Honey

The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest

Samar Honey

The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments

Updated: April 29, 2022, 10:08 AM