It's the last week before Christmas and it's the most wonderful time of the year on the UAE's events calendar.
While there are plenty of festive-themed activities, there are also film screenings, cultural performances and a pet adoption day.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do around the Emirates, from December 18 to 24.
Monday
Start the week with a murder mystery and dinner at Belcanto, the restaurant at Dubai Opera. The immersive evening uses each dish as part of a thrilling detective story. It's accompanied by live performances to elevate the experience.
Starters include seabass tartare with yuzu kohso, avocado and mango; foie gras topped with morello cherries; and octopus with artichokes and potato foam. The main course is slow-cooked veal cheek with topinambur cream and chanterelle mushrooms.
Monday, 7pm-9pm; from Dh1,299 per person; Belcanto, Downtown Dubai; dubai.platinumlist.net
Tuesday
The landmark Cop28 is now finished, but sustainability is still a hot topic in the UAE. The Winter City at Expo City Dubai, where the summit was held, remains open until January 7.
There, Santa's house shows how Father Christmas reuses, reduces and recycles to help save the melting North Pole. It features repurposed decorations and energy-efficient lighting. Meanwhile, at Frosty's Farmhouse, there are workshops and other child-friendly exercises that highlight farm-to-table concepts and cultivating a green thumb. Other attractions include Mrs Claus's Bakery, Santa's Toy Factory and Letters to Santa.
Until January 7; 3pm-11pm; Dh20 per person; Expo City Dubai; expocitydubai.com
Wednesday
Fans of popular Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki can head to Cinema Akil on Wednesday to catch a screening of his latest – and last – film The Boy and the Heron.
Produced by Studio Ghibli, it follows a boy named Mahito Maki during the Second World War as he discovers an abandoned tower and enters a mythical world with a talking grey heron.
Until December 28; screening times vary; Dh56.50 per person; Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai; cinemaakil.com
Thursday
Enigma restaurant at Palazzo Versace Dubai is taking diners on a culinary journey inspired by Shab-e-Yalda, also known as Yalda Night, which celebrates the winter solstice.
The sharing-style menu features authentic Iranian dishes such as zeytoon parwadeh, or marinated green olives with walnuts and pomegranate; and ghormeh sabzi, a herb stew often regarded as the country's national dish. There's also a selection of kebabs, as well as a seabass option, and diners can end the meal with faludeh, pomegranate yoghurt parfait and pomegranate cookies.
The restaurant will be decorated accordingly, including a collection of works by revered Iranian poet Hafez. Live musicians will set the mood.
Thursday, 7pm-11pm; Dh450 per person; Palazzo Versace Dubai, Jaddaf Waterfront; 04 556 8830
Friday
Visit Hatta Wadi Hub or Leem Lake on Friday for a taste of Hatta Festival, which takes place in picturesque surroundings with an array of family-friendly activities and cultural performances.
Catch the light shows at both destinations or Shining Peaks of Hatta, a projection mapping show on the mountains. Visitors can also sample dishes at one of the many food trucks and pop-up kiosks. Light shows and dining aside, festivalgoers can enjoy Hatta's wide-ranging outdoor activities, from mountain biking to zip-lining.
Until December 31; Monday to Friday, 3pm-9pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am-10pm; free entry; Hatta Wadi Hub and Leem Lake; visithatta.com
Saturday
W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island is collaborating with dog and cat shelters for an adoption day on Saturday.
Individuals and families who are looking to add a furry member to their households can meet and mingle with the animals on site. It's not mandatory to go home with a pet, so guests are also allowed to pass by for a weekend endorphin boost.
Saturday, 5pm-7pm; free; W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island; 02 656 0000
Sunday
Celebrate Christmas Eve a little bit differently on Sunday with an escape room experience at Prison Island Abu Dhabi.
The popular destination is offering a 50 per cent discount on its heart-pounding immersive games, which is ideal for groups of friends or families. A minimum three-hour booking is required, with a maximum of 10 people per slot.
Sunday and Monday, 10am-10pm; from Dh129 per person; Abu Dhabi Mall; prisonisland.ae
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Top tips
Create and maintain a strong bond between yourself and your child, through sensitivity, responsiveness, touch, talk and play. “The bond you have with your kids is the blueprint for the relationships they will have later on in life,” says Dr Sarah Rasmi, a psychologist.
Set a good example. Practise what you preach, so if you want to raise kind children, they need to see you being kind and hear you explaining to them what kindness is. So, “narrate your behaviour”.
Praise the positive rather than focusing on the negative. Catch them when they’re being good and acknowledge it.
Show empathy towards your child’s needs as well as your own. Take care of yourself so that you can be calm, loving and respectful, rather than angry and frustrated.
Be open to communication, goal-setting and problem-solving, says Dr Thoraiya Kanafani. “It is important to recognise that there is a fine line between positive parenting and becoming parents who overanalyse their children and provide more emotional context than what is in the child’s emotional development to understand.”
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UK%20-%20UAE%20Trade
%3Cp%3ETotal%20trade%20in%20goods%20and%20services%20(exports%20plus%20imports)%20between%20the%20UK%20and%20the%20UAE%20in%202022%20was%20%C2%A321.6%20billion%20(Dh98%20billion).%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThis%20is%20an%20increase%20of%2063.0%20per%20cent%20or%20%C2%A38.3%20billion%20in%20current%20prices%20from%20the%20four%20quarters%20to%20the%20end%20of%202021.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20was%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%2019th%20largest%20trading%20partner%20in%20the%20four%20quarters%20to%20the%20end%20of%20Q4%202022%20accounting%20for%201.3%20per%20cent%20of%20total%20UK%20trade.%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
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
The five pillars of Islam
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Race card
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
9.50pm: Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
9.25pm: Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
RESULT
Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FINAL LEADERBOARD
1. Jordan Spieth (USA) 65 69 65 69 - 12-under-par
2. Matt Kuchar (USA) 65 71 66 69 - 9-under
3. Li Haotong (CHN) 69 73 69 63 - 6-under
T4. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 71 68 69 67 - 5-under
T4. Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 67 73 67 68 - 5-under
T6. Marc Leishman (AUS) 69 76 66 65 - 4-under
T6. Matthew Southgate (ENG) 72 72 67 65 - 4-under
T6. Brooks Koepka (USA) 65 72 68 71 - 4-under
T6. Branden Grace (RSA) 70 74 62 70 - 4-under
T6. Alexander Noren (SWE) 68 72 69 67 - 4-under
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
More on Quran memorisation:
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Biography
Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad
Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym
Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army
Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Recycle Reuse Repurpose
New central waste facility on site at expo Dubai South area to handle estimated 173 tonne of waste generated daily by millions of visitors
Recyclables such as plastic, paper, glass will be collected from bins on the expo site and taken to the new expo Central Waste Facility on site
Organic waste will be processed at the new onsite Central Waste Facility, treated and converted into compost to be re-used to green the expo area
Of 173 tonnes of waste daily, an estimated 39 per cent will be recyclables, 48 per cent organic waste and 13 per cent general waste.
About 147 tonnes will be recycled and converted to new products at another existing facility in Ras Al Khor
Recycling at Ras Al Khor unit:
Plastic items to be converted to plastic bags and recycled
Paper pulp moulded products such as cup carriers, egg trays, seed pots, and food packaging trays
Glass waste into bowls, lights, candle holders, serving trays and coasters
Aim is for 85 per cent of waste from the site to be diverted from landfill
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
SPECS
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