Eid Al Etihad, the UAE’s 53rd National Day, brings a wave of celebrations and a chance to honour the nation's spirit. Dazzling fireworks, themed decor and traditional Emirati performances aside, plenty of deals and discounts can be found on food, shopping and activities.
So while the long weekend, from November 29 to December 3, is set to be busy, it does not have to break the bank. Here are some dirham-saving offers worth checking out.
Free entry to Louvre Abu Dhabi
On December 2, visitors can enter the museum in the capital for free, plus enjoy a 15 per cent discount at Aptitude Cafe within the venue. An Arabian majlis will be set up under the museum's famed dome, where complimentary gahwa and luqaimat will be served while ayyala and nahma chants play in the background. Visitors can also attend a film screening at 7pm, featuring City of Life and Happy Birthday Younis.
December 2; 10am-midnight; Saadiyat Island; 600 565566
Free cultural event at Ibn Battuta Mall
The Egypt Court at Ibn Battuta Mall has a cultural celebration featuring an exhibition of portraits showing the UAE reimagined with a modern flair. The pieces showcase Emirati life and landscapes, enhanced with futuristic elements using digital art. Free crafts workshops are also on site, including burqa-decorating, stick-painting and bracelet-making. Face-painting and henna art stations are free of charge.
December 1 to 3; 2pm-10pm; Jebel Ali Village, Dubai
Free go-karting on Yas Island
Yas Marina Circuit is putting on a car parade of vehicles dressed in the colours of the UAE flag, while also giving attendees a taste of the F1 season finale site. There will be a go-karting competition for adults and children, as well as other cultural activities, including performances by Emirati singers, camel and falcon interactions, calligraphy writing and more. Entry is free, but registration is required.
December 2; 4pm-10pm; Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Complimentary dessert at Twine
The Mediterranean restaurant in Dubai has concocted a special dessert – lokmat al quemada. The dish pairs soft luqaimat with creamy cheesecake, finished with a drizzle of pomegranate and lime syrup. It is complimentary for diners who spend more than Dh120.
December 2; Dubai World Trade Centre
Discount at Smash Room
There are discounts available at the three Smash Room outposts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where visitors can de-stress and have fun. Guests can smash 53 glass bottles for a discounted price of Dh53 (the usual rate is Dh199 for 15 glass items and one CPU). The offer is valid across all Smash Room branches in Al Quoz, Mirdif and Abu Dhabi.
December 2; Al Quoz and Mirdif, Dubai; Al Rawdah, Abu Dhabi
Free family day out at Emirates Dubai 7s
Families are invited to come on the first day of the Emirates Dubai 7s on November 29 at no cost, although registration is required. The ticketed event goes on over the long weekend. Activities include a jungle-themed zone for children, inflatable giant board games, virtual reality experiences and an outdoor cinema with free popcorn. There will also be a mini raver station with a DJ deck for children to try out.
November 29; 9am-7pm; Dubai; The Sevens Stadium, E66 Dubai Al Ain road
Free museums in Sharjah
All public museums in Sharjah city, Kalba and Khorfakkan are free on December 1 and 2. The initiative aims to foster a “deeper appreciation of Emirati heritage” and “connect with the nation’s cultural legacy”.
Birthday meal at Nando's
This one is super-specific, but Emiratis who have turned 53 this year can go to any branch of the South African chainon December 1 or 2 for a free main course, as the restaurant looks to “honour those who have witnessed the country's growth over the years”. An Emirates ID is compulsory to confirm eligibility.
December 1 and 2; Nando's outlets across the UAE
Discounted dishes at Art of Dum and Bombay Borough
The two Indian restaurants in Dubai are celebrating with discounts on selected dishes. At delivery-only Art of Dum, customers can order six of its signature dishes priced at Dh53 each. At Bombay Borough restaurant in DIFC, guests can enjoy truffle carpaccio with a tangy salsa verde and almond crust (usually priced at Dh70), spinach patta chaat (Dh70), charcoal roasted baati (Dh95) and chocolate fondant (Dh80). These dishes are Dh53 each for a limited period.
Discounted pizza and risotto at Andreas Di Venezia
Italian food lovers can head to this restaurant at Andalus Al Seef Resort and Spa in Abu Dhabi to sample limited-edition pizza and risotto, inspired by the UAE colours. There's the Roman-style rectangular pizza served in tri-colour using marinara, pesto and mushrooms for Dh96 and a risotto dish for Dh70. Both items will be sold with a 53 per cent discount on December 2.
December 2; 7.30am-1am; Al Muntazah, Abu Dhabi; 050 130 4511
Discounts at Royal Furniture
Massive discounts are available on a variety of homeware products as part of this Royal Furniture's online sale. From coffee tables and sofas to dining sets and bedroom fixtures, items are discounted by up to 90 per cent. For example, the Kemensky coffee table made of engineered wood retails for Dh495, down from Dh2,080, while the black Crimson recliner is priced at Dh750, instead of Dh1,550. The online sale runs from Wednesday to December 5.
Free khachapuri at Society
On December 2 and 3, Emirati diners at the Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches can get a complimentary plate of khachapuri, a traditional Georgian dish of cheese-filled bread. Guests need to pre-book and order at least one dish and a beverage.
December 2 and 3; 8am-9pm in Dubai, 8am-11pm in Abu Dhabi
Complimentary UAE-themed cake at Sfumato
Diners will be treated with a free slice of UAE flag-inspired cake when they order a main course on December 2.
December 2; 9am-11pm; ME Dubai Hotel; 058 101 5649
Discounted rates at Atlantis The Palm
Until December 4, guests can book a room or suite at Atlantis The Palm for stay dates between December 2 and 22 at 35 per cent off. All bookings will include complimentary access to both Aquaventure World and Lost Chambers Aquarium per room for each night booked.
For bookings made until December 4; Palm Jumeirah, Dubai; 04 426 0000
Free dessert at Alaya
Diners at this Mediterranean restaurant will be served a complimentary National Day-themed chocolate dessert, featuring the colours of the UAE flag. The ingredients used to make the dish include pistachio, black seed and dry yoghurt. The offer is available, from December 1 to 3, to diners who order a meal.
December 1 to 3; 12.30pm-11.20pm; Dubai International Financial Centre; 04 570 6289
Free coffee and luqaimat at James Cafe
The Al Reem and Al Qana branches of this home-grown cafe will serve complimentary Arabic coffee plus luqaimat to diners on December 2. The venue serves French dishes, including freshly baked pastries, croissants and desserts.
December 2; 7am-11pm; Al Reem and Al Qana, Abu Dhabi; 02 886 9949
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16 second leg
Paris Saint-Germain (1) v Borussia Dortmund (2)
Kick-off: Midnight, Thursday, March 12
Stadium: Parc des Princes
Live: On beIN Sports HD
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
How to tell if your child is being bullied at school
Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety
Shows signs of depression or isolation
Ability to sleep well diminishes
Academic performance begins to deteriorate
Changes in eating habits
Struggles to concentrate
Refuses to go to school
Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings
Begins to use language they do not normally use
The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
The years Ramadan fell in May
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
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The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
