Dubai Family Carnival, Zabeel Park
Head to Zabeel Park to enjoy an exciting carnival parade and skill games. The event will also feature the UAE’s largest open-air consumer fair with over 100 exhibitors showcasing latest products and innovative household items tof educate the UAE’s parenting community. Win prizes all weekend with several competitions being held including Baby of the Year, Family of the Year and Inter-school Dance Contest.
When: November 29-December 2
La Mer, Jumeirah 1
Check out graffiti canvases on the north beach, showcasing the UAE’s history and free workshop for children where they can create their own National Day-themed gadgets.
When: December 1-3
Flag Garden
Visit the picturesque Dubai Flag Garden at Kite Beach, Umm Suqeim, where 4,000 flags have been put together to form the portrait of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
When: Until December 5, open all day
Global Village
Head to the National Day carnival at Global Village and enjoy Emirati performances such as Belad Al Khair, Al Ayala cultural show, Shabiat Al Cartoon Live show and the World Parade. The annual fair has extended its timings to 2am during the N-Day celebrations.
When: December 1 to 5
JBR
Still walkers, ribbon dancers, jugglers, a traditional parade, art performances, paper puppets are some of the unique acts that will take place at JBR. A live Emirati food cooking station, a fishing net experience, basket weaving and face painting are among some of the other highlights.
When: December 2 and 3
Shaikh Zayed Heritage Festival, Al Wathba
The festival flags off on December 1 and will feature over 2,000 local and international heritage activities.
When: December 1 to January 21
Yas Marina Circuit, North Grand Stand
Yas Marina Circuit will host a slew of activities including live music, Emirati dance, falconry, calligraphy and henna painting along with the popular F2 testing and Kartzone. Food trucks will be available throughout the day. Entry is free.
When: December 2, 2-9pm
Al Maryah Island
Head over to Al Maryah for a series of activities including traditional dances, live cooking shows and arts and crafts.
When: December 2
Ferrari World
Traditional Ayala and Khaleeji dancers and stilt walkers will entertain visitors. The park will be decked up with flags, banners, lights and lanterns and more.
When: December 2
Yas Water World
The waterpark is hosting the biggest water battle ever seen in Abu Dhabi. It will start at 11.46am at the Amwaj Wave Pool and will last for 15 minutes. Guests will be offered coloured water pistols as they enter the battle area.
When: December 2
Heritage Village
Watch the ‘traditional rowing race (40-feet category)’ off the Corniche, finishing opposite the Heritage Village. The free event will also feature traditional shows.
When: December 2, 2.30-4.45pm
Hili Fun City, Al Ain
Organised by the Al Ain Municipality, the celebratory activities will include paintings, laser shows, heritage market and water shows.
When: December 1-2 (4-10pm)
Mall Activities
Dragon Mart 2
Enjoy a slew of activities including live music by traditional Emirati bands, heritage market and a ‘Peking Opera’ show.
When: December 1-9, (10am-10pm)
Festival City Mall
Watch a jet flypast by the Al Fursan aerobatics team, international jet pack performances, cultural dance by Al Yola and thrilling helium balloon acts.
When: December 2 (1.30-11.15pm)
KidZania
Children can take part in the Heritage Village establishment to learn about the history of the UAE through calligraphy, pottery making, pearl cultivation, flag painting and special parades.
When: November 30-December 2
Arabian Centre
Enjoy Yola dance performances, free henna and falcon sighting. Also take a look at the largest Origami Flag created with 24,000 Japanese Origami pieces.
When: December 1 to 3
Bay Avenue, Business Bay
A two-day celebration will be held at the community mall that will feature workshops including sand art and bracelet making, cookie making. Plus enjoy traditional Al Habban dance shows at 6, 7 and 8pm on both days.
When: December 1-2
Dubai Mall
The shopping centre will mark ‘Spirit of the Union’ with cultural activities, performances and giveaways. The Souk Atrium will be transformed into a majilis where guests will be served traditional coffee and dates as they listen to stories of the UAE’s culture and heritage. Visitors will be invited to wear scarves and flags available at all Guest Services counters. They will get to taste National Day popsicles at Bloomingdales and watch dance performances at Patchi among others. Meanwhile the Dubai Fountain will ‘dance’ to the UAE National Anthem.
When: November 30 and December 2-5
BurJuman
BurJuman mall has created a tree with 1,000 camel soft toys in green, red and white. The mall will host cultural activities, dances, henna and kahwa tasting sessions. A Volkswagen Beetle is also on display with over 10,000 flag stickers. Stand a chance to win exclusive prizes during the long weekend.
When: Until December 3
Dubai Garden Centre
A Garden Souq will take centre stage at the Garden Centre in Al Quoz showcasing a variety of handicrafts, organic products and food items. There will be free henna, camel rides, free yoga, live Arabic cooking, N-Day themed photo booth and more. Festivities start at 10am and end with the singing of the national anthem at 2.30pm.
When: December 2
Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi
Apart from cultural performances throughout the day, Marina Mall will put on a light show, decking the exterior tent structure as well as the Marina Eye (giant wheel) in the UAE’s national colours.
When: December 1 and 2
Nation Towers
The Galleria at Nation Towers has set up three special exhibits for the special occasion. The Handprint Wall will consist of handprints of guests in the colours of the UAE flag. The Wishing Wall will honour the UAE’s martyrs and the Mosaic Wall will transform crowd sourced photos into a giant mosaic. The exhibitions which began on November 26 will run until December 3. Meanwhile, an energetic Stomp Show will surprise visitors and get young and old into a groove on December 2. The theatrical performance uses the body and ordinary objects to create an invigorating show and electrifying rhythm. The next day, celebrations continue with a breathtaking aerial show and a spectacular dance performance.
When: December 2 and 3
Al Wahda Mall
Bubble Soccer, minigolf, mimes and other sports and games are lined up here.
When: November 16 to December 3
Bawabat Al Sharq Mall
A traditional market has been set up with fragrant incenses, handicrafts, perfumes, garments and food.
When: November 29-December 3
Dalma Mall, Musaffah
Visitors can enjoy five days of cultural activities like basket weaving, calligraphy, falcon show and national anthem singing competition.
When: Until December 2
Celebrity performances and stage acts:
December 1, 8pm onwards
1. Fouad Abdel Wahid at Dragon Mart 2
2. Shama Hamdan at City Centre Mirdif
3. Dalia Mubarak at JBR – The Beach
4. Mohammad Al Shehhi at Citywalk
5. Waleed Al Shami at Mall of the Emirates
6. Abdullah Bil Khair, Global Village
7. Smurfs Live, Du Forum
8. Hamdan Al Bloshi, Dalma Mall
December 2, 8pm onwards
1. Aidhah Al Minhali, Balqees and Fayez Al Saeed at Dubai Parks and Resorts
2. Nancy Ajram, Du Forum
FIREWORKS:
1. Festival City Bay at 9pm and 11pm from November 30 to December 2
2. JBR - The Beach at 9.30pm on December 1 and 2
3. La Mer at 9.30pm on December 1 and 2
4. Burj Al Arab at 10pm on December 2
5. Global Village between 8 and 10pm on December 1, 2 and 3
6. Corniche Abu Dhabi between 8 and 10pm on December 2
7. Yas Marina at 9pm on December 2
8. Al Maryah Island at 9pm on December 2
