Top 10: Head to the Liwa Date Festival, get tickets to see Hugh Masekela, and more

Your essential guide to what's happening in the Emirates

The 13th annual Liwa Date Festival opens today. Ravindranath K / The National

Liwa 

Date Festival 

Catch the first day of the 13th annual Liwa Date Festival, where farmers present varieties of the fruits for judging, along with competitions for the best mangoes and lemons, model farms and more. There is a traditional market, children’s village, a dates market, plus seminars and workshops.

Opens today, then runs daily until July 29, 4pm to 10pm, free, Liwa, Al Dhafra region, Abu Dhabi, www.liwadatesfestival.ae

Al Ain

Workshop

Take part in a series of workshops at Al Ain Palace Museum that explore the history and heritage of traditional Emirati handicrafts, including telli embroidery, which uses gold, silver and brightly coloured threads; khoos palm-leaf weaving for decorative and household items; and sadu weaving, which is used to create shelters and tents.

Runs until October 31, 9am to noon, Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, free, Al Ain Palace Museum, Al Ain, www.visitabudhabi.ae

Abu Dhabi

Kids’ camp

Register your children ages 5 to 12 for the ZSC Kids Holiday Camp, where they can enjoy ice-skating, bowling, arts and crafts, films and indoor games at the longest day camp in the city. It is led by friendly, professional staff who are experts in keeping kids having fun all day long.

Runs until August 25, 8.30am to 5.30pm, Sundays to Thursdays, Dh1,000 per child per week; Dh900 per week for siblings, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, register at 02 403 4222, [e-mail]

Abu Dhabi

Bicycle workshop

Take part in a bicycle-maintenance workshop at Yas Cycles and get to know your bike better. Learn the basics of bike care and key products you need to keep your bicycle in top condition.

Tonight, 7pm, free, Yas Cycles, Al Zeina, Abu Dhabi, www.facebook.com/yascyclesuae

Ras Al Khaimah

Horse riding

Saddle up early in the morning or late afternoon at Al Wadi Equestrian Adventure Centre and discover the desert landscape of Ras Al Khaimah. Enjoy a horse trek through 500 hectares of nature, where you can spot sand gazelles, Arabian oryx, desert foxes and wildcats.

Daily, 5.30am to 9.30am and 4pm to 8pm, Al Wadi Equestrian Adventure Centre, Ras Al Khaimah, 07 206 7777,

www.alwadiequestrian.com

Dubai

Kids’ fun

Ikea Summer Academy is a series of indoor workshops for children ages 6 to 10 who can enhance their arts and craft skills through a series of educational activities. Every child will receive a personalised booklet and for each session they attend, are rewarded with a sticker. For every three stickers, children earn a prize. Today, they can make art using recycled plastic and paper bottles and also learn how to do magic tricks.

Wednesdays until August 30, 2pm to 5pm, Ikea Dubai, Festival City, Dubai, www.ikea.ae

Dubai

Kids’ camp

Children ages 1 to 5 will enjoy experiencing the world of book creator Eric Carle at the British Orchard Nursery Summer Camp. The fun, educational and engaging weekly camp will introduce children to concepts, moral values and skills through Carle's popular stories such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Daily until September 7, 9am to 2pm or 7.30am to 5.30pm, prices vary per branch, British Orchard Nursery, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, 800 773 724665, www.britishorchardnursery.com

Dubai

Performance

Get tickets to see Hugh Masekela perform at Dubai Opera. The world-renowned South African trumpeter, bandleader, composer and singer brings a repertoire of his African-influenced jazz style which spans decades.

December 11, 8pm, from Dh195, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, www.dubaiopera.com

Dubai

#YearofGiving

Enjoy a visit to At the Top, Burj Khalifa, at a discounted rate. Emaar Properties and RTA mark the UAE’s #YearofGiving by providing all residents with a chance to visit the iconic attraction, for just Dh65 per person. Emirates ID holders can claim discount vouchers from all 47 Dubai Metro stations to present at the ticket counters of At the Top, to take in the sweeping views of the city and beyond. A new spiral flight of 36 steps connecting Levels 124 and 125 is enclosed in a glass facade and also features a crystal LED-lit chandelier.

Offer valid until the end of August, 9am to 1pm, from Dh65 with a discount voucher from Dubai Metro stations and Emirates ID, At the Top, Burj Khalifa, ground floor, The Dubai Mall, Dubai, 800 288 438 67, www.atthetop.ae

Dubai

Auditions

Register today to audition for Amazing Dubai, a professional musical that will be performed at Madinat Jumeirah in September, with rehearsals starting in mid-August. Singers, dancers and actors are invited to try out for the musical, written and directed by Sanjeev Dixit. The American Idol-style auditions are open to performers of all nationalities over the age of 18 and those selected will be given full-time contracts. Registration ends today. Send your contact details and a summary of relevant experience to [e-mail].

Friday, 10am to 2pm, Madinat Theatre, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, [e-mail]