As the UAE gears up to celebrate its 51st National Day on December 2, plenty of venues are putting together meal deals, discounts, concerts and family-friendly activities. Fireworks will be another big draw, as lavish displays of pyrotechnic prowess are put on during the public holiday.
A number of venues have confirmed they will hold a fireworks show this year, with more expected to follow suit, while Burj Khalifa will display an LED show this year.
The Pointe, Dubai
The waterfront destination on Palm Jumeirah will host not one but two celebratory shows on National Day. At 9pm on December 2, guests can expect a dazzling fireworks show set against the backdrop of the dancing waters of The Palm Fountain.
The two shows will be a treat for the eyes as well as the ears, as the fountain will be set to the tune of Ya Salam Ya Dubai.
The song, which translates as “Oh my, My Dubai” is a duet by Swedish-Moroccan producer RedOne (real name Nadir Khayat) and Bahraini-Saudi singer Rashed Al-Majed. It was originally released as part of last year's Dubai Shopping Festival, and is an up-tempo track that blends Al-Majed's Khaleeji rhythms with RedOne’s signature euphoric dance beats. The track's bilingual verses celebrate the city’s dynamism and diversity.
The two shows can be viewed from any of The Pointe's fountain-facing restaurants — from Alaca, Al Safadi and Zor on the west side to A Cappella, Samakje and Social Distrikt on the east.
Festival Bay
The waterfront extension of Dubai Festival City Mall will put on a four-and-a-half-minute fireworks display starting at 9pm on December 2. The 3,000 fireworks will light up the night sky in synch with the mall's famed Imagine laser and fountain show, resulting in a sensory experience that melds light, water, fire and music.
The Beach, Dubai
The Beach at JBR will have fireworks on December 2 at 8pm. These can be enjoyed from the many dining and leisure destinations dotted along both The Beach (PF Chang's, The Cheesecake Factory, Bosporus) as well as Bluewaters Island (The London Project, The Selfish Bull, Shi et al), which is accessible via a walkway. The bridge itself is also a cool spot to watch the action.
Bluewaters Island
Across the bridge from JBR, Bluewaters Island will host its own display on December 2, also at 8pm. The island will put on a line-up of themed entertainment from 4pm to 10pm on December 2 and 3, including Ayala, Al Harbia and Lewa troupes dancing to Emirati folk tunes along the avenues, plus henna artists, traditional handiworks on sale from local artisans and falconry corners.
Al Seef
The Creek-side venue is known for its traditional architecture set in part of the development, warm hospitality and year-round live shows. Head here on National Day to enjoy a parade from 7pm to 9pm, plus waterfront fireworks displays between 8pm and 10pm.
The area will also host a series of activities until December 4, including Al Harbia and Ayala troupes, a majlis with Arabic coffee and dates, henna and falconry artists, a stage show and arts and crafts workshops for children.
Scroll through the gallery below to see photos of major firework displays across the UAE over the years
A version of this article was first published on November 14
FA CUP FINAL
Chelsea 1
Hazard (22' pen)
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
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MATCH INFO
Manchester City 1 Chelsea 0
De Bruyne (70')
Man of the Match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
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Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
RESULTS
Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
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Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
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Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
RESULT
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 0 Al Ain 6
Al Ain: Caio (5', 73'), El Shahat (10'), Berg (65'), Khalil (83'), Al Ahbabi (90' 2)
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
