Let the parties begin! As the UAE prepares for one of the longest Eid Al Adha celebrations, here’s a run-down on the hottest events not to be missed across the country.
Shop till you drop
From Abu Dhabi to Sharjah and Dubai, this Eid is all about great deals and options. Here’s what’s happening:
…in Abu Dhabi.
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) is hosting Eid Shopping Festival, a shopping fair for readymade garments, abayas, silks and cashmere shawls to paintings and artifacts. It opens on Wednesday and goes on until October 18 from 4pm to midnight daily. Entry is free.
…in Dubai
- Fancy shopping any time of the day? Yes, we mean any time. ‘Dubai 24 Hours’, featuring eight participating malls is back this Eid. On the first and second day of Eid Al Adha, The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Centre, Mirdif City Centre, Dubai Festival City Mall, Oasis Centre, Arabian Centre and Lamcy Plaza will stay open for 24 hours to give you enough time to find that real bargain. All other malls will remain open until very late too throughout the official celebrations, from October 10 to 19.
...in Fujairah
This Eid Al Adha Festival at the Fujairah Exhibition Centre kicked off last month and will run until October 13. Featuring everything from readymade garments, perfumes, cosmetics, shoes, handbags and toys and much more. Show is open from 10am to 1pm and from 5pm to 12am.
The shows
From WWE Live to a kid’s festival and amazing fireworks shows to traditional Emirati showcases, it’s all happening this Eid.
…in Abu Dhabi
- Get ready to rumble and watch top wrestling superstars Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan, The Miz, Big Show, The Shield and more for three days of action from October 10 to 12 at Zayed Sports City Tennis Stadium. Ticket prices range from Dh300 to Dh2,000 available at ticketmaster.ae
- From October 15 to 17, EidFest Abu Dhabi, the official organisers will bring a number of shows including two purpose-built stages on Abu Dhabi Corniche which will feature street acts, an Eid market and a Heritage Zone showcasing everything from hand-painting to traditional ayala dancing. Go to eidfestabudhabi.ae for the full schedule.
- For the little ones, there’s KidsFest Abu Dhabi, a family festival from October 15-19 at Zayed Sports City. Opened from 3pm to 11pm daily, activities include carnival rides, sport clinics, arts and crafts, talent competitions, bouncy inflatables, a petting zoo, an entertainment stage and more. Entry is free but charges to use certain activities will apply. For directions and full list of activities, go to KidsFestAbuDhabi.com
- For the adrenaline junkies, Speed Week is back to to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi from October 10 to 20. Featuring a line-up of international acts and fun activities including Moroccan break dancing brigade La Halla Kingzoo, the jam skating artists High Rollaz, the World’s Fastest Piano Juggler who has appeared on the Jay Leno Show and the Late Show with David Letterman and Speed Painters among others. Entry to Ferrari World costs Dh235 for general admission and Dh195 for children under 1.3 metres. Go to ferrariworldabudhabi.com for full list.
…in Dubai.
- An annual highlight in the city is the fireworks show every evening during Eid. This year, it has moved from the Creek to Jumeirah Open Beach in Umm Suqueim 2. Fireworks show commences at 9pm daily from October 15 to 18.. Also, from October 10 to 19, the open beach will come alive with water-based games, activities and live shows every day from 10am to 9pm.
- British comedian and actor Omid Djalili returns to the UAE for one night only for a stand-up show at Shaikh Rashid Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre on Friday (October 11). Tickets start at Dh250. Show begins 8pm. Go to platinumlist.ae.
- Jason Byrne, the Irish comedian performs his Special Eye Tour, with support from Eric Lalor, at Almas Tower, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, JLT, at 7pm. Tickets Dh1100 for show only and Dh190 for show and food and drinks. Call 04-3560560.
- Fashion Forward (FFWD), Dubai’s newest fashion event is back for Season 2 from October 15. Fashionistas can look forward to catwalk shows by established and emerging designers and a series of fashion-themed talks, panels and workshops from international names such as Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) member and designer Nanette Lepore; Ben Malka, the chairman and CEO of iconic American label Halston, Philippe Von Borries, the co-founder of beauty and fashion website Refinery29 and Stefan Siegel, former model and founder of the website Not Just A Label (NJAL). Runs until October 18. For the full schedule and how to register, go to fashionforward.ae
- The Light of Life, light installations will be exhibited for four days starting October 15 at Bay Avenue, The Walk, in JBR. Children will also be able to experiment with art creating their own lanterns which will be hung at the venue.
- Luminaire Dubai 2013, a first-of-a-kind event includes a variety of shows such as laser and lighting shows, the laser man, the laser juggler, shadow projection, laser harp, the light painting show, laser tromper soloist and the iPad tricks. There’s also a special guest from Arabs Got Talent 2, the finalist Muhammad Al Jemayli. Daily shows at 3pm, 6pm and 9pm. from October 15-18 at Meydan IMAX Theatre. Tickets start at Dh200. Go to platinumlist.ae.
- Dubai Dolphinarium will host more daily shows in addition to the ‘Legend of the Mermaid’ show which kicked off on October 1, and will run throughout the 10-day Eid in Dubai celebrations. Gifts and prizes will be given out to children during the shows.
...in Sharjah
Eid Al Adha celebrations are on Al Qasba from October 15 to 19 starting with a fireworks show on the first evening. Activities include the animated Pingu show, fighting zones section for kids at the ice rink, a 3D photo both section and art and craft. Al Qasba is opened from 5pm to 11pm. Tickets are priced Dh10. Workshops and games are charged individually. Call 06-5560777 or go to alqasba.ae
The concerts
From Arab Idol winners to Saudi music legends, American rock bands to Bollywood singers and child prodigies, it’s going to be a mixed bag of music offerings this festival. Here’s our pick of the crop.
…in Dubai
- Italian-born Alessandro Safina, the romantic opera singer is coming to woo his fans on October 10 at the Madinat Arena, Madinat Jumeirah. The operatic tenor, who has helped create a new genre of pop opera music for this generation, will be bringing his soulful voice and skills to fans in the UAE. Safina has performed for the Queen of England and in the TV musical Moulin Rouge as well as alongside the multi-talented Sarah Brightman. Tickets: Dh250 (Gold), Dh350 (Balcony) and Dh450 (Platinum). Go to mpremiere.com
- The Arab Idol Tour Concert series is back in Dubai, also on October 10 at Al Bustan Rotana Hotel. Featuring the show’s talent including winner Mohammad Assaf from Palestine, Syrian Farah Yousuf and Lebanon’s Ziad Khoury. Show starts 9pm. Tickets: Dh1,000 (Platinum), Dh700 (Gold), Dh500 (Silver). Call 04-2820000.
- Sandance is back on October 11 at Atlantis, The Palm. Headline acts, American rock band The Killers, are joined by Of Monsters and Men and The Wailers from 2pm onwards. Tickets: Dh295 (Advance) and Dh350 (at the door), Dh500 (VIP).
- Legendary Saudi singer Rabeh Saqer will hit the stage for a Rotana Concert on October 17 at Al Habtoor Grand Hotel. The veteran singer, who is known for striking a chord with audiences across the region, will perform live on stage from 10pm. Ticket packages range from Dh1,000 to Dh3,000. Call 056-71601101
- Bollywood singer and composer Aadesh Srivastava leads a Dandiya Raas to celebrate the Indian festival of Navratri where every participant dances with a pair of Dandiyas (colourfully decorated sticks). This is on October 18 at Wonderland Theme & and Water Park, Oud Metha, from 5pm to 2am. Tickets are priced Dh50 (Single), Dh90 (Couple), Dh160 (Family of four).
- Jay Sean is back! The British R&B singer performs as part of his Neon Tour at Domeland The Arena @ The Lodge on October 16, supported by Mo Tiger, Mr Shef Codes, DJ Badir, Ray Hollywood, DJ China and MC Money+. Tickets Dh150. Call 04-3379470 / 052-6599933.
- Dariush, the famous Iranian artist performs at Dubai World Trade Centre on October 17. Tickets are priced Dh295 (standard) and Dh1,095 (seated) and are available at all Virgin Megastores and select Eppco and Enoc stations. Call 050-1152544
At the malls
It’s not just 24-hour shopping, malls are going all out to mark this Eid Al Adha. Here are some of the main attractions:
… in Abu Dhabi
- Street theatre performers from Argentina, Spain, UK, Scottland, America, Canada, Holland and Australia will be performing specialist acts in 40-minute shows at Al Ain Mall, Bawadi Mall, Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall, Mushrif Mall, Dalma Mall and The Galleria at Sowwah Square from October 15 to 17. For a full schedule, go to eidfestabudhabi.ae
…in Dubai
- This one’s for the little ones. Karameesh Concert, a musical event featuring young singers from the region will be held from 6-8pm on October 16 at Mall of the Emirates. This is a free concert.
- And one more for kids, and families. Hala Al Turk, the Bahraini little wonder who became famous after her appearance on Arabs Got Talent, will perform on October 17 at the Fashion Catwalk in The Dubai Mall. Show is from 6 to 8pm. This is a free concert.
- Also at The Dubai Mall, the first ever Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience kicks off tomorrow (October 10). Endorsed by Vogue Italia magazine, the event will feature fashion shows and exhibitions with a long list of fashion celebrities attending including Donatella Versace, Dean and Dan Caten, the twins behind DSquared2, Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty and Beyonce’s sister Solange Knowles. The event and various activities will also raise funds for Dubai Cares.
- There will be traditional Arabic performances along with kids arts and crafts activities on October 15 and 16 at Oasis Centre, prize giveaways will add to the festivity for those looking to trawl the mall during the extended hours.
- Further north, Dubai Outlet Mall’s Eid celebrations from October 15 to 18 include folkloric Tanoura dance, art competitions, Johny the Skull Demos, Pinkie Cooper Photo Booths and a meet-and-greet with Hello Kitty.
- Mercato will host a series of Cirque du Soleil inspired entertainment and interactive workshops for children from October 10 to 19.
- The party continues in BurJuman where stage shows and traditional folkloric entertainment will take place daily during Eid, including performances of the Dabke, the Arabic folkloric dance. Visitors can also watch the Candy Dance, featuring four performers dressed up in colourful, fluffy and florescent costumes, who will jive to lively piano music.
- On the first day of Eid, Lebanese singer Ramy Ayach will host a meet-and-greet with fans at Deira City Centre at 5pm. Later that evening, he will make an appearance at Mall of the Emirates for a special performance at 11.30pm and meet-and-greet with fans. On the second day of Eid, starting at 11.30pm, Ayach will perform live at Mirdif City Centre.
At Global Village
The theme park will have all of its Pavilions and attractions open for the Eid Al Adha Festival from October 10-19, with extended opening hours from 4pm-2am throughout the Eid season and hours extended to 3am on the first and second day of Eid. www.globalvillage.ae
