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
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
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.
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Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
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
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