Enter week two of the holy month, with a calendar full of Ramadan-themed events, activities and treats. Our recommendations take in everything from family-friendly zones and art-dedicated strolls to a digital mall and garden-side tent.
Monday, March 18
Head to Yas Bay for the third iteration of its Ramadan-themed Waterfront Nights. The pop-up event includes traditional decor, an outdoor market with clothing, perfumery and homeware brands, as well as oud and qanun players. Children will enjoy a craft corner where they can learn how to create paper lanterns. Waterfront restaurants aside, food vendors will be on hand to provide luqaimat, rigag koshari and piping hot karak.
Until Eid Al Fitr; 9pm-2am; free entry; Yas Bay Waterfront, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, March 19
Perk yourself up with a midweek treat by way of a visit to Dubai World Trade Centre’s famed majlis, one of the city’s longest-running Ramadan destinations. Food is the main event here, with the makeshift arena offering iftar and suhoor menus made up of close to 70 dishes. Four to try include lamb ouzi, thareed stew, luqaimat and date pudding. Live music will be on offer from 10pm to 1am during suhoor, while the shisha service starts at 9pm. Complimentary parking is available in the multistorey lot on Exhibition Street.
Until Eid Al Fitr; sunset-8.30pm (iftar), Dh95 for children, Dh215 for adults; 9pm-3am (suhoor), a la carte rate; Dubai World Trade Centre; majlis.ae
Wednesday, March 20
Snap Inc, the parent company of Snapchat, has opened the virtual doors to the third iteration of its AR Ramadan Mall. Merging digital and physical worlds, the mall will enable users to browse intricately designed pop-up boutiques from 11 brands, including Caroline Herrera, Arabian Oud and BYD motors, all from the comfort of their homes. Snapchatters can also share products directly with friends on the platform. The mall can be accessed via the app’s organic lens explorer and carousel feature.
Until April 14; snapchat.com
Thursday, March 21
If you’re looking for a themed gift hamper to carry along to an iftar or suhoor bash, consider the one put together by pastry boutique Margaux in collaboration with Emirati artist Abdulla Lutfi. Using his signature black-and-white style, Lutfi has created an eco-friendly box adorned with images of families celebrating Ramadan surrounded by lanterns, crescent moons and abras. Pastry chef Alexandre Dufeu’s creations include treats such as chocolate dates, pistachio shortbread, hazelnut cookies, rose cakes, saffron honey and apricot and raspberry marshmallows.
Until April 15; Dh690; Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, Dubai; 058 601 7474
Friday, March 22
Take the family to The Galleria Al Maryah Island mall in Abu Dhabi to participate in Hag Al Laila. As part of Emirati tradition, children carry paper bags around to receive sweet treats and gifts, which is exactly what they can do on level 3 of the mall over the weekend.
On level 2 is a limited-time family playground with activities such as henna art, face-painting, Jenga, ball pit and magnetic board puzzles.
Until Sunday (Hag Al Laila); play area open until April 14; free of charge; Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi; thegalleria.ae
Saturday, March 23
Soak in some history and culture through Alserkal Avenue’s Stay a Little Longer Ramadan campaign. This includes a series of slow art walks, led by Hala El Abora (Arabic), Richi Bhatia (Hindi) and Amad Mian (English). Cinema Akil will screen R21 aka Restoring Solidarity by Mohanad Yaqubi, a film that explores the little-known anti-imperialism movement between Japan and Palestine. Elsewhere, a community library will be on site, curated by Bootleg Griot and Zerzura Rare Books, as will Ramadan Fair Trade and farmers’ markets.
Until March 31; 7pm-midnight; Alserkal Avenue, Dubai; alserkal.online
Sunday, March 24
Combine a road trip and Ramadan tent experience by heading to Fairmont Ajman Beach Resort, which has put up an outdoor canopy with water views. Al Fayruz Pearl Garden tent will also lay out iftar and suhoor spreads, with dishes such as lentil soup, vine leaves, hummus, fattoush, tabbouleh, spinach and cheese samosas, lamb ouzi, chicken biryani, butter chicken, mixed grill and lamb molokya on offer. Arabic entertainment and a shisha service will also be on hand.
Until Eid Al Fitr; sunset-8.30pm (iftar buffet), Dh189; 9pm-2am (suhoor menu), a la carte rate; Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Street, Ajman; fairmont.com
