Eid Al Fitr 2024: Fireworks to light up the skies over Dubai and Abu Dhabi


  • English
  • Arabic

With Eid Al Fitr expected to start on Tuesday or Wednesday next week, the UAE has announced a week-long holiday for public sector employees, starting from Monday, April 8. Several venues have planned firework displays that will light the skies to celebrate the occasion.

Here are some of the places where you can watch the fireworks in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Bluewaters Island, Dubai

The man-made island opposite JBR will host a firework display on the third day of the Eid Al Fitr holiday, at 8pm.

The show can be viewed from the island's promenade, the bridge connecting Bluewaters and JBR, or from one of several restaurants dotted along the waterfront.

Al Seef, Dubai

The Creek at Al Seef is a quaint yet vibrant area and includes a 1.8km promenade, two heritage districts, a marina and restaurants. These spots will offer views of the fireworks on the second day of Eid, at 8pm.

Global Village

The multicultural attraction is going out with a bang before it closes its doors for the summer, with daily musical fireworks planned at 9pm each day from April 10 to 14. The open-air park will also have an Eid Wonder Souq, with kiosks offering themed gifts, souvenirs and food.

Dubai Festival City

Festival Bay will host firework displays on the last weekend of Ramadan, as well as the Eid holiday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Festival Bay will host firework displays on the last weekend of Ramadan, as well as the Eid holiday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The mall's Festival Bay will host displays at 10pm each night from April 5 to 7, to mark the last week of Ramadan. A special display will also be held in the area at 8pm on the first day of Eid.

Dubai Parks and Resorts

Head to Riverland on the first and second days of Eid Al Fitr to catch a firework show at 9pm. The family-friendly theme park will also put on daily laser shows three times each evening from April 10 to 12.

Al Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi

The night sky will light up during the firework display at this family-friendly spot, known as Abu Dhabi's adventure playground. The show is set to take place in Marsana at 9pm on the first day of Eid. The island will also host an Eid-themed event from 5pm to 11pm on day two of the holiday, complete with an outdoor cinema, a henna station, gaming and children's zones, roaming carnival performers and a DJ.

Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Fireworks light up the sky over Yas Bay in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
Fireworks light up the sky over Yas Bay in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

Both Yas Marina and Yas Bay Waterfront will provide Eid entertainment with an eye-catching display of fireworks. The shows will take place at 9pm on each night of Eid Al Fitr.

Hatta

The mountainous Dubai town will put on a firework show at 8pm on the first day of Eid, illuminating the record-breaking Hatta sign to glorious effect. Visitors can also expect a 30 per cent discount on all Hatta Outdoor packages in Wadi Hub, from ziplining and wall-climbing to archery and net-walking, through the Eid Al Fitr break.

Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

Profile

Company: Libra Project

Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware

Launch year: 2017

Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time

Sector: Renewable energy

Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.

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

Keep it fun and engaging

Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.

“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.

His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.

He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

Fight card

1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)

2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)

3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)

4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)

5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)

6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)

7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)

8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)

9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)

10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)

11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)

12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed

Based: Muscat

Launch year: 2018

Number of employees: 40

Sector: Online food delivery

Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception 

Name: Colm McLoughlin

Country: Galway, Ireland

Job: Executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free

Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club

Favourite part of Dubai: Palm Jumeirah

 

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.

Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
​​​​​​​Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

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

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Lamsa

Founder: Badr Ward

Launched: 2014

Employees: 60

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: EdTech

Funding to date: $15 million

Updated: April 05, 2024, 7:57 AM