Whether it is draping the car in the UAE colours or hopping out to various emirates to enjoy the holiday, we residents cannot help but give in to the solidarity and infectious joy that surrounds the UAE National Day celebrations. Over the years the day that commemorates the Spirit of the Union and the formation of the UAE has evolved into a day of dazzling displays and massive festivities. If you are stuck for ideas on how to spend the holiday and also pay homage to the Emirates, here are a few suggestions.
Bling it up
You could take advantage of some of the offers on gold and jewellery and purchase a piece of history. Several UAE jewellers are dropping prices and launching ornaments that celebrate the Spirit of the Union. Pure Gold Jewellers’ offers for the UAE National Day include a free quarter-carat certified diamond solitaire on purchase of every half-carat solitaire diamond. The jewellers will also be releasing a commemorative two-in-one diamond pendant and brooch in the shape of the UAE national flag.
As Karim Merchant, Group CEO & MD, Pure Gold Jewellers, puts it: “The UAE National Day is a day of great pride for everyone in this country and it is a time to reflect on the UAE’s spectacular journey to become one of the most prosperous and advanced nations in the world. It is a celebration of the indomitable spirit and vision of the leaders of this country, and the contribution of its citizens and many expatriate residents.”
Break a record
Day is complete without decorating your car. If you haven’t done so yet, head down to the accessory shops near the Satwa Bus Station for a quick vehicle makeover. Before you do so, keep in mind the rules and the expenses that can be incurred. Make sure you do not cover your number plates or tint your front windscreen and driver’s side window.
How much does it cost? A small flag that clips onto your window will set you back Dh3 — bigger flags would cost between Dh100-Dh500. Little stickers of stars and hearts cost Dh1 each. You can decorate an SUV with about 400 of these little stickers, which will take a maximum of two hours to apply. Tinting your rear window will set you back Dh50-Dh100, so if you want to cover you entire car, excluding the windows, expect to spend Dh850 or so.
Where do you take your car? Down to the du Forum on Yas Island, where the National Day Union Car Parade may well set a new Guinness World Record. Organisers anticipate that more than 3,000 cars will take part — but more than 300 are enough for a successful attempt.
The bid is a highlight of the National Day celebrations planned by the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA).
“Yas Island is ideal for this record bid as it is our entertainment destination and within easy reach of all in Abu Dhabi, only an hour away from Dubai and can also attract [people] from the other emirates. The parade will take place at 5pm but we want people to arrive at around 2pm as we will have a whole range of family-fun [activities] taking place,” says Faisal Al Sheikh, Director, Events Bureau, TCA Abu Dhabi.
Those wishing to take part in the world record attempt must decorate their car in the UAE colours on at least two sides of their vehicle — either the roof, the bonnet, the entire left or right-hand side of the car — and each part
Free-to-attend concerts
A three-minute show today will bring to a close the National Day parade celebrations on Yas Island at 8pm. Following the fireworks on Yas Island a free-to-attend concert with an Arab singing star will be held in du Forum. Details of the star performer will be announced today.
Leave for a staycation
Hotels have stepped up festivities with specific National Day packages and events.
The JA Ocean View Hotel has transformed into a traditional Emirati heritage village to celebrate UAE National Day and the hotel’s first 12 months of operation. “The UAE’s 42nd National Day is the perfect opportunity for us to celebrate our first year of operations,” says Otto Kurzendorfer, General Manager, JA Ocean View Hotel. “By featuring a tribute to Emirati culture in a traditional Arabian setting, our guests will experience the best of both past and present, highlighting the remarkable progress of the UAE.”
Not to be outdone, Abu Dhabi’s hotels are offering their own packages. The Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal is offering an overnight stay from Dh4,200++ per room per night for two guests, inclusive of accommodation in a luxurious Executive Suite, lunch at Giornotte with traditional Emirati dishes such as fish salona, lamb thareed and camel ouzi, and dinner in Mijana, authentic Arabic restaurant.
The Rosewood Abu Dhabi has good offers going as well. The waterfront hotel on Al Maryah Island are offering a 42 per cent discounted room rate alongside a 25 per cent discount on treatments at the hotel’s Sense spa, and at Spice Mela, a pan-Indian fine dining restaurant.
And the Tilal Liwa Hotel, a secluded hideaway leisure resort at the edge of the Rub Al Khali desert, is celebrating with special packages.
Catch the fireworks
Abu Dhabi’s fireworks programme for this UAE National Day weekend has just become more explosive. To make the celebrations more accessible for residents and visitors, 11 shows have been planned at six sites throughout the emirate.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers will extend the opening hours of the Observation Deck at 300 to offer visitors a dramatic vantage point for the National Day fireworks. Abu Dhabi’s highest public space venue will be open until 10pm today, enabling visitors to enjoy the capital’s spectacular firework celebrations. A 12-minute show will run at Abu Dhabi Corniche at 9pm.
Located on level 74 in Tower 2, the Observation Deck is 300 metres high and offers an uninterrupted bird’s-eye view of the city’s skyline, the Corniche and the Arabian Gulf. Entry to the observation deck costs Dh75 per person, with Dh50 redeemable for food and beverages.
Dress the part
Drive down to the Zari O’Breesam store in Al Wasl Square and browse through the Iyshi Biladi collection inspired by the Spirit of the Union theme. Founded by Nazek Al Sabbagh, an Emirati businesswoman and fashion designer, Zari O’Breesam has won wide acclaim for offering a wide range of contemporary designs that feature elements of Emirati culture.
“We decided to dedicate this collection to kids to encourage them to celebrate this proud day and highlight their sense of belonging to the UAE,” says Al Sabbagh. “We have received an overwhelming response from mothers so far and this demonstrates the deep spirit of unity among the people living in the UAE.”
The new collection includes dresses for girls aged between 6 and 16 years. Every design reflects clearly the concept of Iyshi Biladi which translates as Long Live the UAE.
Decorate your vehicle
If you are one of the few who have not decorated your vehicle yet, head down to the accessory shops near the Satwa Bus Station for a quick vehicle makeover.
However, before you do so, keep in mind the rules and the expenses that can be incurred. Make sure you do not cover your number plates or tint your front windscreen and driver’s-side window. A small flag that clips onto your window will set you back Dh3 — bigger flags would cost between Dh100-Dh500. Little stickers of stars and hearts cost Dh1 each. You can decorate an SUV with about 400 of these little stickers, which will take a maximum of two hours to apply.
Tinting your rear window would set you back between Dh50 to Dh100 and if you would like to cover you entire car, excluding your windows, with National Day decals, you should be prepared to spend a minimum of Dh850.
