New music and street food festival to take place at Dubai Design District

The event will celebrate counter-culture across food, music and art

Popular Egyptian DJ Kaboo will perform as part of the Break the Block festival in Dubai Design District. Antonie Robertson / The National

A new event celebrating street food and music is taking place this month, and organisers say it will be Dubai's first street food block party.

Running on May 13 and 14 at the Dubai Design District, Break the Block will bring together popular UAE hip-hop and RnB artists and street food trucks for exciting beats and bites.

Headlining the musical line-up is DJ Kaboo, the Egyptian spinner who gained international acclaim with tracks appearing in new anti-hero Marvel TV series, Moon Knight.

He will be joined by Somali rapper Freek, who recently released his debut album 150, as well as Iraqi-Belgian singer Sandra Sahi.

Other acts rounding up the bill include DJs Luitik, Nedz Dustizm and Powers.fm.

On the culinary front, expect food trucks and restaurants including Birria Tacos, Cafe Isan, Chiki, Fifth Flavor, High Joint, Local Fire, Sakura and Pedalo Gelato.

Skaters and breakdancers will have a chance to display their skills with public skate jams and dance-offs taking place, plus prizes and giveaways on offer.

Graffiti artists can also showcase their talents with live street art murals featuring seasoned sprayers and new talents.

Break the Block will run from 6.30pm to 3am, with tickets available from the venue at Dh50 a person.

Things to during Eid Al Fitr holidays

Before Break the Block takes place, there's plenty to do in the UAE throughout the Eid Al Fitr holiday week, with celebrations beginning in the UAE from Monday.

Running until May 15 is the Dubai Food Festival and during Eid venues across the city are putting on special breakfast menus, with nearly 20 restaurants involved, including Hillhouse Brasserie, Bistro Des Arts, French Riviera and Zaatar w Zeit.

Time Out Market Dubai will be hosting a number of musicians, singers and DJs, including rock group Carl and The Reda Mafia on Tuesday and Canadian-Lebanese singer-songwriter Danny Aridi the following day.

Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena will host concerts by Arabic and International pop stars, with Amr Diab taking the stage at the Yas Island venue on Tuesday.

The Egyptian singer has been the reigning pop king in the Mena region since his 1983 debut album, Ya Tareea.

The following night, two other popular Arab pop stars will team up for a night of exquisite balladry as Kadim Al Sahir, one of the most successful Arab singers, and Sherine Abdel Wahab take to the stage.

US pop group Maroon 5 will also take the Etihad Arena stage with a hit-filled set on Friday.

30 things to do during Eid Al Fitr in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and more — in pictures:

A new hot-air ballooning experience has launched in Ras Al Khaimah in time for Eid Al Fitr. Photo: RAK Airventure

Visit Dubai's Global Village during Eid Al Fitr as it closes for the summer on May 7. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Time Out Market Dubai will feature live music during Eid Al Fitr. Photo: Time Out Market

Enjoy the colourful spectacle of more than 150 million flowers before the season ends at Dubai Miracle Garden on Sunday, May 15. Antonie Robertson / The National

There will be a new Burj Khalifa light show and a new Dubai Fountain show to celebrate the end of Ramadan. Pawan Singh / The National

The Pods opens on May 1 at Bluewaters Island. Photo: The Pods

Musical 'Umm Kulthum and the Golden Era' will make its regional premiere on May 3, after being launched with a one-off show at the London Palladium in the West End in 2020. Photo: Dubai Opera

The Pointe on Palm Jumeirah will mark Eid with a fountain show and a fireworks display on the first day of Eid Al Fitr, May 2, at 9pm. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Head to the Coca-Cola Arena for the one-two electro house punch of Afrojack and Steve Aoki. Getty Images for Mdlbeast Soundstorm

Until May 4, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities as they shop for fresh food at Waterfront Market, including a tanoura dance performance, and Arabic coffee and sweets served in a traditional majlis. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Cultural sites in Al Ain will celebrate Eid with special Al Ayyala and Al Harbiya traditional performances at Al Ain Palace Museum and Al Ain Oasis. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Visit the theme parks on Yas Island for family-friendly Eid entertainment as live Al Ayyala dancers will be present at all the attractions. Silvia Razgova / The National

Amr Diab will make his concert debut at Yas Island's Etihad Arena on May 3. Getty Images for Mdlbeast Soundstorm

The Abu Dhabi Edition is hosting its first vegan brunch. Photo: Edition Hotels / Marriott

A Tyrannosaurus rex called Stan — the most expensive fossil to be sold at auction — is on display at Manarat Al Saadiyat. EPA

Al Ain Oasis was the first Unesco World Heritage Site in the UAE, and is a beautiful spot to while away a few hours under the shade of thousands of date palms. Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi

Enjoy a day in the sunshine at Cove Beach Abu Dhabi. The beach club will have live DJs playing from 1pm until 4pm on Monday and Tuesday, which will provide the soundtrack to brunch inside at Two.0 restaurant.

On the first day of Eid Al Fitr, there will be a sound and light show at Qasr Al Watan. Victor Besa / The National

Home to a huge and varied array of Arabian wildlife, the centre in Sharjah remains a hidden gem. Reem Mohammed / The National

You don't have to spend money to check out this eerie "ghost town" of Al Madam in Sharjah, just a hardy 4x4 to cross the terrain. Photo: Mohammad Azizi

For the Eid Al Fitr holiday, entry to the Mleiha Archaeological Centre is free for adults and children. Photo: National Geographic

Opened in February, the sprawling Sharjah Safari park covers an area of eight square kilometres in Al Bridi Nature Reserve in the city of Al Dhaid, Sharjah. Antonie Robertson / The National

Suwaidi Pearls in Ras Al Khaimah hosts regular tours teaching visitors about the history of pearl diving. Pawan Singh / The National

Try kayaking in the Al Zorah Nature Reserve, Ajman. Photo: The Luxury Collection

French Riviera Dubai has a sharing breakfast menu on offer during Eid Al Fitr. Photo: Instagram / @frenchrivieradubai

'Physiognomy, Land and Territory' by Emirati multidisciplinary artist Ahmad Al Dhaheri is available to see at Louvre Abu Dhabi until May 15 and as part of the Eid programme. Photo: Louvre Abu Dhabi