Top 10: Enjoy a Mommy & Me day at Legoland Dubai, see a classic-car show at Al Zeina, give A Hand to the Nation at Wafi

Your essential guide to what's happening in the Emirates

Legoland Dubai has a special Mommy & Me offer on Mondays and Tuesdays until December 13. Legoland Dubai

Dubai

Family fun

Legoland Dubai has launched Mommy & Me Days for parents and children ages 4 and younger, with complimentary admission on Mondays and Tuesdays. Enjoy soft-play areas such as Duplo Valley and the Seaport Splash Pad; rides including the Boating School and Duplo Train, as well as Submarine Adventure, where young explorers can visit the Discovery Area and join in talks with the park’s aquarists. Additionally, Legoland Water Park offers Mommy & Me experiences.

Daily until December 12, free entry for children ages 4 and younger with one paying adult, from Dh235 for adults, Legoland Dubai, Dubai Parks & Resorts, Dubai, www.legoland.com

Abu Dhabi

Performance

Plan to attend the third annual edition of the show Hekayah | The Story, an evening of poetry and song in honour of National Day. A selection of 12 artists from diverse walks of life and backgrounds will express what heritage, family and culture mean to them. There will also be food trucks and a small craft market offering goods by local vendors.

December 5, 7pm, free, The East Plaza, NYU Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, www.nyuad-artscenter.org

Make plans to attend an evening of poetry and song at Hekayah The Story at NYUAD. NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center

Abu Dhabi

Concert

Make plans to attend a concert by popular Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram in celebration of UAE National Day. Her hit songs include Ya Banat, Ma Tegi Hena and Hassa Beek.

Saturday, from 9pm, Dh250, du Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.tixbox.com

Abu Dhabi

Kids’ camps

ZSC Academy Sports Camp offers three sports-specific camps for children ages 7-18. Classes in football, ice skating and tennis are designed to advance skills quickly. High-quality instruction will target fitness, with the aim of keeping children motivated and healthy.

December 17 to 21; January 2 to 4, 9am to 2pm, various prices per camp, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, 02 403 4228, zscacademy.ae/events

Abu Dhabi

Family fun

Aldar Properties hosts a series of events in honour of National Day at its venues Al Zeina, Shams Boutik and Al Falah Retail Village. Activities and attractions include traditional dance, street performances, cooking tents, UAE cartoon characters, workshops, face-painting, henna, camel riding, a calligrapher, a falconer and the Abu Dhabi Police Music Band. The Al Zeina venue will also feature a classic car show.

Daily until Wednesday at Al Zeina; Wednesday at Shams Boutik; Saturday at Al Falah Retail Village, 10am to 10pm, Abu Dhabi, www.aldar.com

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Dubai

Comedy show

Award-winning Scottish comedian Danny Bhoy performs in Dubai for the first time, for one night. His brand of storytelling and sharp wit has led him to be described as “the stand-up equivalent of Bill Bryson”.

December 16, 8pm, from Dh150, ages 14+, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, www.dubaiopera.com

Dubai

Kids’ camp

Register your children now for the Gulf Star Winter Camp and take advantage of an early-bird offer. The multi-activity camps are designed to keep youngsters active and involved during the holiday break, with arts and crafts, games and a wide range of sports for all age groups.

December 17 to 21; December 26 to 28; January 2 to 4, 9am to 2.30pm, early-bird offer is from Dh600 for a full week and Dh450 for three days when booked before December 7, Foremarke School; Jebel Ali School; Clarion School, Dubai, 050 429 4860, [e-mail]

Dubai

Exhibition

Nadim Karam presents the exhibition Compressed Thoughts, in which he experiments with visualising complex ideas. The artist uses recycled steel rods extracted from residential buildings in the suburbs of Beirut to create his artworks. Pictured: Compressed Thoughts 

Daily until January 6, 10am to 6pm, Sundays to Thursdays; noon to 6pm on Saturdays (closed Fridays), Ayyam Gallery, 12 Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 04 323 6242, www.ayyamgallery.com

See the exhibition Compressed Thoughts by Nadim Karam. Ayyam Gallery

Dubai

National Day

Head to Wafi to take part in A Hand for the Nation. Visitors are invited to place their hands on the digital screen, leaving a handprint that will light a portion of the UAE flag, which will be lit entirely on National Day. At the weekend there is also the chance to see a new National Day-themed light and sound show, projected across the Pyramid Building in the central courtyard at 8pm and 9.30pm.

Daily until Saturday, mall open 10am to 10pm, Saturdays to Wednesdays; 10am to midnight, Thursdays and Fridays, atrium, Wafi, Dubai, www.wafi.com

Oman

Fitness event

Registration is now open for the 26th annual Wadi Bih Run in Dibba, Oman. More than 2,100 runners are expected to compete in five race categories through the rugged, wild terrain of the Hajar Mountains with various distances including 30km, 50km and 72km. There are also relay team races along challenging ascents and amid stunning views

February 2 to 3, from 4.30am, Dibba, Oman, register by January 18 at www.premieronline.com

Register now for the 2018 Wadi Bih Run. Reebok