The Eid Al Fitr holiday will commence on Thursday and is expected to last up to five days.
For those not travelling, there are plenty of family-friendly activities across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, from a moon museum visit to a smash room, to enjoy.
Here, The National rounds up some of the venues — including amusement parks, restaurants and hotels — with child-friendly activities planned for the long weekend.
Dubai
Dubai Parks and Resorts
The attraction with multiple theme parks has created a line-up of events, from a light and dinosaur show to children's programmes with freebies galore.
On April 21, Motiongate is launching Illuminate, a show featuring glowing lights and sounds at the Hollywood Theatre. It tells the story of a dancer who discovers the power of hope through a magical light. Dinosaur parade Dino Mania will also return to the venue on April 21.
At Lapita Hotel Dubai, little ones can enjoy meet-and-greets with cartoon characters from the shows Shaabiat Al Cartoon and The Smurfs. Children will also receive a badge, free ice cream, candy and other Eid-themed treats. The offer extends to discounted room rates.
April 20 to 23; dubaiparksandresorts.com
OliOli
Take the little ones to the Moon at OliOli, which will have a five-metre replica of the satellite by British installation artist Luke Jerram.
There are a range of discounted packages for families, starting at two adults and two children for Dh269. Regular passes are also available.
Until April 30; 9am-6pm on weekdays, 9am-7pm on weekends; from Dh149; Al Quoz; 04 702 7300
IMG Worlds of Adventure
The indoor theme park will be adorned with lights and special decorations, while superheroes and cartoon characters roam around.
The Cartoon Network zone will host activities such as henna and face painting, as well as Khaleeji and Bollywood-inspired musical performances.
The park is also extending its operations for two hours until midnight over Eid.
April 20 to 23; noon-midnight; from Dh345 per ticket, children under 1.05 metres go free; Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road; 04 403 8888
The Smash Room
Destroy appliances and other household items to your heart's content at The Smash Room, which is running a special package during Eid.
Originally costing Dh920, it is now priced at Dh594 and gives three people the chance to obliterate a washing machine, a TV and 20 glasses. Smashing.
April 21 to 23; 1pm-11pm on weekdays, 1pm-midnight on weekends; Dh594 for three; Al Quoz; 04 339 7810
Hilton Dubai Jumeirah
Hilton Dubai Jumeirah has buy one, get one free Saturday brunches at two of its child-friendly restaurants.
Asian food is on offer at Mango Tree Thai Bistro, with a buffet that features soups, spicy salads and live cooking stations inspired by Bangkok's vibrant street food scene.
Italian food and live entertainment will be on offer at Vero. The restaurant serves dishes frequently found along the country's coastline, so expect fresh seafood such as prawn, squid and oyster, as well as pizza and pasta.
April 22; 1pm-4pm; from Dh249 at Mango Tree, from Dh299 at Vero; Jumeirah Beach Road; 04 318 2999
Abu Dhabi
The Ripe Market, Al Maryah Island
The alfresco market is hosting Eid celebrations on April 21 and 22.
Expect live entertainment, food trucks, including burger chain joint Pickl, as well as activities, an obstacle course, a magic show and puppets.
April 21 and 22; 4pm-11pm; free entry; Al Maryah Island; 04 315 7000
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Guests staying at the hotel on April 22 can enjoy a complimentary Eid brunch for two adults at Vendome, as well as complimentary meals for up to two children when staying in a suite.
Children under four eat free at the all-day dining restaurant, while those aged four 10 12 dine at 50 per cent off.
April 22; from Dh1,872 per night; West Corniche Road; 02 690 8888
The Galleria Al Maryah Island
The children's zone at the mall will host storytelling sessions and have board games, arts and crafts activities and video games.
Between 2pm and 6pm, Um Khammas and Abood — the characters from Emirati hit show Freej — will roam about for an interactive session with little ones.
April 22 and 23; 3pm-6pm and 8pm-11pm; Al Maryah Island; 02 493 7400
Men’s singles
Group A: Son Wan-ho (Kor), Lee Chong Wei (Mas), Ng Long Angus (HK), Chen Long (Chn)
Group B: Kidambi Srikanth (Ind), Shi Yugi (Chn), Chou Tien Chen (Tpe), Viktor Axelsen (Den)
Women’s Singles
Group A: Akane Yamaguchi (Jpn), Pusarla Sindhu (Ind), Sayaka Sato (Jpn), He Bingjiao (Chn)
Group B: Tai Tzu Ying (Tpe), Sung Hi-hyun (Kor), Ratchanok Intanon (Tha), Chen Yufei (Chn)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eco%20Way%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20December%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Kroshnyi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Electric%20vehicles%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bootstrapped%20with%20undisclosed%20funding.%20Looking%20to%20raise%20funds%20from%20outside%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Champion%20v%20Champion%20(PFL%20v%20Bellator)
%3Cp%3EHeavyweight%3A%20Renan%20Ferreira%20v%20Ryan%20Bader%20%3Cbr%3EMiddleweight%3A%20Impa%20Kasanganay%20v%20Johnny%20Eblen%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%3A%20Jesus%20Pinedo%20v%20Patricio%20Pitbull%3Cbr%3ECatchweight%3A%20Ray%20Cooper%20III%20v%20Jason%20Jackson%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EShowcase%20Bouts%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EHeavyweight%3A%20Bruno%20Cappelozza%20(former%20PFL%20World%20champ)%20v%20Vadim%20Nemkov%20(former%20Bellator%20champ)%3Cbr%3ELight%20Heavyweight%3A%20Thiago%20Santos%20(PFL%20title%20contender)%20v%20Yoel%20Romero%20(Bellator%20title%20contender)%3Cbr%3ELightweight%3A%20Clay%20Collard%20(PFL%20title%20contender)%20v%20AJ%20McKee%20(former%20Bellator%20champ)%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%3A%20Gabriel%20Braga%20(PFL%20title%20contender)%20v%20Aaron%20Pico%20(Bellator%20title%20contender)%3Cbr%3ELightweight%3A%20Biaggio%20Ali%20Walsh%20(pro%20debut)%20v%20Emmanuel%20Palacios%20(pro%20debut)%3Cbr%3EWomen%E2%80%99s%20Lightweight%3A%20Claressa%20Shields%20v%20Kelsey%20DeSantis%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%3A%20Abdullah%20Al%20Qahtani%20v%20Edukondal%20Rao%3Cbr%3EAmateur%20Flyweight%3A%20Malik%20Basahel%20v%20Vinicius%20Pereira%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
SPECS
Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 362hp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)
The biog
Name: Capt Shadia Khasif
Position: Head of the Criminal Registration Department at Hatta police
Family: Five sons and three daughters
The first female investigator in Hatta.
Role Model: Father
She believes that there is a solution to every problem
THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EBattery%3A%2060kW%20lithium-ion%20phosphate%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20Up%20to%20201bhp%3Cbr%3E0%20to%20100kph%3A%207.3%20seconds%3Cbr%3ERange%3A%20418km%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh149%2C900%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
