Abu Dhabi
Federation panorama, Abu Dhabi Mall, until December 4, 10am-10pm
Children carnival show, Abu Dhabi Mall, November 30 to December 4, 7.30pm-9pm.
Cartoon character show (Hamad and Mira), Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Community Development Centre, November 30 to December 4, 5pm-5.30pm, 6-6pm, 7.30-8pm, 8.30-9pm.
Corniche celebrations, November 28 to December 3, 3-11pm.
Parade of decorated cars, aiming for a Guinness World Record, on Yas Island, 2pm, December 2. Participants need to be at Yas Island no later than noon to have their car inspected by an independent adjudicator and official from Guinness World Records who will approve the car’s entry into to the record title attempt.
Nation’s March, Yas Island, December 2, 3pm
Fireworks, Abu Dhabi Corniche, December 1 and 2, 9pm.
Fireworks, Al Maqta Creek, December 1 and 2, 8.30pm.
Fireworks, Yas Island, December 2, 8pm.
Observation Deck of Jumeirah at Etihad Towers will have extended opening hours until 3am, Abu Dhabi’s highest public space venue, to view the National Day firework celebrations. Open until 10pm on December 2. Entry, Dh75 per person, with Dh50 redeemable on food and beverages. Call 02-8115666.
Military show (land, air and sea), Abu Dhabi Corniche, December 1, 3-5pm.
Emirati lunch at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal on December 2, with dishes including fish salona, lamb thared and lamb harris, camel and lamb ouzi and chicken fokaa, noon-3.30pm; Dh420++ for two guests. Call 02-8188181.
Emirati Big Brunch at Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara at Ingredients, on December 2, 12.30-4pm, Dh225++ per person. Call 02-6561000.
Off The Rails, an exhibition of contemporary Emirati female artists, at The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, until December 7.
Al Ain
Heritage contests, Al Jimi Mall, November 27, 5-9pm.
World folklore groups performance, Bawadi Mall, November 28 to December 4, 7-9pm.
Children’s Carnival, Bawadi Mall, November 30 to December 4, 5-6.30pm, 7.30-9pm.
Cartoon character show (Hamad and Mira), Bawadi Mall, 5-5.30pm, 6-6.30pm, 7.30-8pm, 8.30-9pm.
Fireworks, Al Hili Fun City, December 1 and 2, 9pm.
Al Ain Airshow, Al Ain International Airport, November 30 to December 2, noon-7pm.
World folklore groups performance, Al Ain Mall, Bawadi Mall, Al Qattara Market, evening.
Western Region
Heritage Village, Madinat Zayed Park, November 22 to December 4, 9am-2pm and 5-11pm.
Fireworks, Madinat Zayed Cultural Centre and Al Sila City (public park), December 1 and 2, 8.30pm.
Dubai
Federation Panorama, Dubai Mall, November 25 to December 5, 10am-8pm.
World folklore show / Alexandria folkdance troupe, Cultural and Science Seminar, November 29, 8pm.
Cartoon character show (Hamad and Mira), Dubai Mall, November 29, 5pm-5.30pm, 6-6pm, 7.30-8pm, 8.30-9pm.
Freej character show at Dubai Marina Mall with a roaming parade and a meet & greet with the characters, as well as traditional dance performances on the Promenade Terrace, a henna tent inside the mall, falconers’ shows and face painting for kids., December 1 and 2. Call 04-4361020.
Children Carnival, Dubai Mall, November 30 to December 4, 5-6.30pm, 7.30-9pm.
Marathon, Safa Park, December 3, 4pm
Heritage tents, Arabic majlises, traditional foods, children leisure activities, Ittihad Park, Palm Jumeirah (November 28) and Jumeirah Village (December 1).
Downtown Dubai Parade, with themed floats, novelty balloons, roaming entertainment, schools, cultural organisations and others, December 1, starting at 3pm at Mohammad Bin Rashid Boulevard near The Address Downtown Dubai.
Al Ghurair Centre celebration with an interactive graffiti station, live music and shopper giveaways, a magician and juggler and the grand final and semi-finals of the Battle of the Bands music competition on November 29-30.
Reform Social & Grill National Day BBQ on December 2 from noon. Call 04-4542638.
Alliance Francaise of Dubai Abaji Origine Orients concert, December 2, 6pm at the auditorium of the Alliance Francaise in Oud Metha. Dh50 ; tickets on sale at the venue, at DUCTAC and at platinumlist.net.
Dubai Marina Yacht Club Boat Parade, December 2, 2-4pm, with family activites from noon-7pm including cooking stations, a treasure hunt, and face painting. Best-themed and decorated boat will be honoured at a special ceremony. dubaimarinayachtclub.com
Harvey Nichols family activities including coffee and chocolate tasting by Coco Jalila, November 29-December 2. Henna artists, music, beauty makeovers and nail art by Ciate and Illamasqua on December 2.
Imperium Emirati brunch, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, from November 30-December 2; on December 2, live interactive cooking station teaching Emirati cuisine; 12.30-4pm, Dh225 for adults with 50 per cent off for children below 12 years. Call 04-4530444.
Free UAE National Day themed nail art at Mall of the Emirates for female shoppers from 10am-10pm on the first floor next to Jumbo Electronics. Not a woman? You can also get red, green, white and black prayer beads and UAE flags and UAE-themed chocolates at the Harvey Nichols entrance and Fashion Dome entrance, on December 1 and 2.
UAE National Day drawing competition at Deira and Mirdif City Centre for children onsite.
UAE National Day family funday at The Lost Chambers Aquarium , November 29, with champion UAE free diver Ahmed Khoori and his free dive team will perform a traditional pearling freedive. Guests will receive UAE flag face painting and henna. 10am-8pm, one child enters free with each paying adult (Dh100) and 10 per cent of proceeds from adult tickets will go to the charity Dubai Cares.
Sharjah
Cartoon character show (Hamad and Mira), Mega Mall, November 27, 5pm-5.30pm, 6-6pm, 7.30-8pm, 8.30-9pm.
University activities, American University of Sharjah, November 27, 8am-8:00pm.
World folklore shows, Mega Mall, November 30 to December 4, 7-9pm.
Children carnival, Mega Mall, November 30 to December 4, 5-6.30pm, 7.30-9pm.
Student parade, Khor Fakkan Corniche, November 27, 8am.
Official parade, Khor Fakkan Corniche, November 29, 4pm.
Landmarks from my country fashion show, Sharjah Maritime external area, November 28, 4.30pm. Call 06-5222002. Other events include folk kitchen on November 29, 4-10pm; Emirati wedding and Abu Dhabi Falcons Band, November 30, 4-10pm; best-looking car contest, 4-10pm, December 1, and maritime parade, band and musical show on December 2, 4-10pm.
Al Tamimi Stables family day, December 2, 9am-6pm, with flag-hoisting ceremony and singing of the National Anthem, belly dancing performances, henna tattoos, children’s flag making workshops and pony rides. Dh60 adults, Dh35 children (family passes for two adults and three children, Dh180. Call 06-7431122.
Rainbow Steakhouse Emirati lunch including koftat samak, fish machboos and lamb margougat, December 1 and 2, Shaikh Saqr Bin Khalid Al Qasimi Street; call 06-5723505.
Ajman
Spirit of the Union parade, starting from Ajman corniche and ending at Ministry Of Culture Centre, November 27, 10am-noon.
Cartoon characters show, Ministry Of Culture Centre, December 1, 5pm-5.30pm, 6-6pm, 7.30-8pm, 8.30-9pm.
Public cinema, Ajman Corniche, November 15 to December 3, 10am-10pm.
Heritage Village, Al Humaidiya Park, Musharif Park, Al Jarf Park, November 15 to December 3.
Student parade, December 1, Ajman corniche.
Pearl of the Union’s journey, from Ajman to Abu Dhabi Corniche, November 30.
Fireworks, Tala Square, December 2.
Umm Al Quwain
Freej cartoon character show, Ministry of Culture Centre, November 29, 5-5.30pm, 6-6.30pm, 7.30-8pm, 8.30-9pm.
Children carnival, Ministry of Culture Centre, November 30 to December 4, 5-6.30pm, 7.30-9pm.
Children’s village, Ministry of Culture Centre, December 1 to December 4, 5-9pm.
Women’s car parade, Ministry of Culture Centre, December 3, 5-9pm.
Ras Al Khaimah
Freej cartoon characters show, Ministry of Culture Centre, November 29, 5-5.30pm, 6-6.30pm, 7.30-8pm, 8.30-9pm.
World folklore groups show, Ministry of Culture Centre, November 30 to December 4, 7-9pm.
Children carnival, Ministry of Culture Centre, November 30 to December 4, 5-6.30pm, 7.30-9pm
Sea parade, opposite Ministry of Culture Centre, 10 am.
Marathon, Emirates Association for Social Development, November 29, 4pm.
Heritage activities organised by people living in Old Hamra area, November 28, 4pm
Bin Majid Hotels & Resorts 42 per cent discount on food and beverage on December 1 and 2, on all group’s restaurants at Beach Hotel, Beach Resort, Mangrove and Acacia. Diners need to show their national ID.
Fujairah
UAE landmarks art competition, Ministry of Culture Centre, November 26 to December 4, 5-9pm.
Honouring influential figures in Fujairah society, Ministry of Culture Centre, November 27, 9am-1pm.
Children carnival, Ministry of Culture Centre, November 30 to December 4, 5-6.30pm, 7.30-9pm.
Cartoon characters show, Ministry of Culture Centre, December 3, 5-5.30pm, 6-6.30pm, 7.30-8pm, 8.30-9pm.
