An extra day or two off work was the perfect tonic for the hordes of tourists and residents alike who enjoyed the many events and attractions on offer during EidAl Adha this weekend.
A drop in temperatures on Saturday made for a double dose of fortune for those lucky enough to enjoy two days off, either side of the weekend.
On Friday, a reception at Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi was hosted by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The event marking Eid was attended by Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers from around the UAE.
“The first day of Eid is about traditions and getting together as a family”, said Shoroq Al Kabbi, an Emirati mother of three living in Fujairah.
“Family members from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah came to celebrate Eid with us at our father’s house in Merbeh, we exchanged Eid wishes, shared a meal together and children collected their Eideah ‘Money given to children during Eid’,” said Ms Al Kabbi, 32.
Ms Al Kabbi and her family decided to have lunch at Fujairah city centre before heading to Jumeriah Beach Residence in Dubai on Saturday.
“We brought them here to play and eat before we start our long trip to Dubai to watch the fireworks at the beach," she said.
“We went last year and the kids loved it so they asked to go again this year.”
“We’ll spend the night there and take the kids to Modhesh World on Sunday."
Another family said that they were planning to go to the beach in the evening on the first day of Eid, but humidity levels were a bit higher than they expected in Kalba.
“I went to the abattoir after Eid prayers and brought meat, we distributed some of it and kept the rest to make barbecue on the beach in the evening, but the humid weather made us change our plans,” said Mostafa Youssri, an Egyptian father of two living in Kalba.
“Instead, we took the children to the amusement park in Fujairah but we are thinking of going to Kalba beach today, as the weather seems better and less humid,” said Mr Youssri, 36.
Pakistani Bilal Mohammad, 24, who works for Emirates flight catering has been in the UAE for three years, but was making his first visit to the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque on his extra day off.
“A three-day weekend is nice – so I’m making the most of it with a day out with my friends,” he said.
“There are a lot of people with the same idea of visiting the Grand Mosque, but it is still not too busy. It’s just nice to spend some time with others.
“We’re going for walk at the Corniche as it’s not too hot, and will then get some food.”
Lydia Sauer, was visiting the UAE from Germany for a week.
“We have been staying in Jumeirah Beach Residence so we’ve had a great location from where to watch the fireworks each night,” she said.
“It is my first visit to the UAE, and it has been a wonderful atmosphere with the street entertainers and market stalls on JBR.
“I thought there would be more crowds as it is Eid, but I guess a lot of people are away on vacation and making the most of the holidays.”
Bijod Chittiappily, 30, who lives in International City in Dubai, was enjoying a day out on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi.
“We all work hard, so an extra day off has been a bit of luck for us,” he said.
“We are making the most of it, as we don’t often get the chance to come to Abu Dhabi, it is a different pace to Dubai so it is making a nice change.”
Another tourist Marie Luca, from a village near Munich in Germany, was impressed with the choice on offer for sightseeing.
“I am only here for a few days, so it is difficult to fit everything in,” she said.
“I wanted to come to Abu Dhabi to see the Grand Mosque, it is an amazing building and feels particularly special during Eid.”
Whilst special prayers were offered in Abu Dhabi to the nation’s fallen servicemen and women, support was offered to those in need further afield.
Emirates Red Crescent continued its charitable work, distributing Eid sacrifices to families of martyrs, injured across the Hadhramaut governorate of Yemen.
Efforts were part of the 'Zayed Legacy to Support Yemeni People' campaign on the occasion of Eid al Adha.
The campaign is providing Eid sacrifices and clothing, as well as gifts and cash, until the third day of Eid in the various Yemeni governates.