UAE National Day 2020: 10 Fun things to do with the kids over the long weekend

SNAP UP THE NATIONAL DAY DEAL AT NEWLY REOPENED LEGOLAND: It’s official: Legoland will finally reopen on 1 December 2020, just in time for the National Day public holiday, with 49% off ticket prices in celebration of the 49th UAE National Day. From 1 – 5 December, Legoland Dubai will bring back its unique UAE Hand Salute Lego Model, made from an awesome 108,231 Lego bricks, while families can once again enjoy the Lego-themed rides and attractions across 6 lands – from experiencing the exhilarating Dragon Coaster, to recovering a pharaoh’s stolen treasure in Lost Kingdom Adventure, or letting their creativity run wild in Imagination and Lego City. The UAE National Day ticket offer at LEGOLAND Dubai can only be availed online and is available to book now for visitation between 1 - 5 December 2020. The theme park will be open from 10am – 8pm from 1 – 4 December, and 10am – 6pm on Saturday 5 December. Legoland.ae

SEE MODHESH AND DANA LIVE AT LA PERLE: An exclusive show for the UAE National Day celebrations, Modhesh and Dana will perform live in an extra special performance at La Perle, telling the story of their adventures with Pearl, a young girl who is lost, and the incredible journey through a portal of wonderful and whimsical worlds that follows. The Modesh & Dana at La Perle show will be held from 1-5 December, with two shows per day at with two shows daily at 4pm and 7pm. Modesh's Family package comes with a ticket and popcorn for Dh70 for kids and from Dh199 for adults. You can also enjoy a combo offer with Dana's Dinner Deal with ticket, popcorn, burger, chips and soda for Dh95 for kids and from Dh249 for adults.

SEE THE MOON AND THEN GO ON AN ASTRONAUT TRAINING CAMP AT OLIOLI: OliOli UAE is dedicating the 49th UAE National Day to UAE’s visionary and inspiring space program with its ‘An Astronaut in Every Child’ program at its Astronaut Training Camp. Featuring 6 space-themed hands-on activities, aspiring astronauts can reach for the stars at this camp following their introduction to the space theme at the Museum of the Moon. Free when booked online at www.olioli.ae in advance from 1-5 December 2020, along with your regular admission ticket of (Dh126 for 1 child + 1 free adult), or an additional Dh25 when purchased on the door. Olioli.ae.

CATCH ENTERTAINMENT AND WORKSHOPS AT AL SEEF: Delve a little deeper into the traditions and culture of the UAE at waterfront destination Al Seef, which will host performances by local artists for the National Day weekend. These will include a Harbiya band, which will entertain visitors with deep, soulful sounds of the oud and the catchy beats of the bendir every evening between 1 and 5 December, while on 2 and 4 December, Jalsat Wanasah will delight visitors with Emirati tunes. A traditional Emirati storytelling stage, Sawalif Al Awaleen, will be set up to bring alive enchanting stories of the UAE’s past, along with live painting workshops. Over the three days, visitors to the destination can also participate in 15-minute sessions that introduce them to traditional Emirati crafts, such as Sadu weaving, sand art and Arabic calligraphy. Sinbad and the Sea Monsters will take the stage on Tuesday, 1 December, and Thursday, 3 December, to share stories of his voyages and adventures, accompanied by street musicians.

VISIT THE FREEJ VILLAGE AT BOX PARK: For every spend of Dh50 at Box Park in Jumeirah, visitors can enter the dedicated Freej village set up at Box Park, dedicated to the popular cartoon characters. Here you’ll be able to take part in kids’ cultural and arts and crafts sessions, a petting zoo, rodeo rides and also watch live appearances by characters from the popular Freej cartoon series taking place from 2pm to 10pm from 1-12 December.

GET FREE FUN AND PHOTO OPPS AT BURJUMAN: Explore the emirates’ heritage through a family-friendly Arabian extravaganza, featuring a range of free fun things to try out. Until 5 December 2020, 3 pm to 10 pm daily, the Mall is offering an array of complimentary activities to experience authentic Emirati customs, including calligraphy and falconry, whilst enjoying local dates served with delicious Arabic coffee. There are also fun, themed photo ops spread across the Mall, especially at the breathtaking kinetic photo wall depicting the UAE flag.

CELEBRATE UAE CULTURE AND HERITAGE AT AL KHAWANEEJ WALK: Al Khawaneej Walk community mall has a line-up of family-friendly activities and entertainment under the theme ‘Turath Beladi’, Arabic for ‘My Country’s Heritage’. A traditional Emirati storytelling stage will bring alive stories of the UAE’s past, while an Emirati market will showcase the best of local art and culture. There will also be henna artists and sand artists onsite, alongside crafters demonstrating the traditional art of weaving fishnets and rowing boats. Guests can also ‘lock their love’ for the nation by attaching padlocks in the colours of the UAE flag to a giant 3D UAE sign, sitated near the promise bridge. DETAILS: Themed arts and crafts booths 4pm -10pm 1-4 December; UAE-themed live performances 5pm-10pm 1-2 December.

WATCH FREEJ STAGE SHOWS AND WIN PRIZES AT CITYWALK: From 2-4 December, City Walk will host a Freej stage show and meet and greet sessions for fans of the cartoon characters. The show will be performed in front of the venue’s fountain at 5pm, 7pm & 9pm. Meanwhile Al Harbiyah Dancers will perform at 5pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm, 8:30pm & 9:30pm from 1-5 December in front of Godiva café. Plus, the 49 Reasons to Celebrate at City Walk raffle will give away a total of 49 one-night stays at the La Ville Hotel and Suites for families of two adults and two children. Spend Dh300 at City Walk and upload a photo of the receipt to City Walk’s Instagram or Facebook platforms to enter the raffle, which runs from 1-5 December. Prize draws will take place on 10 December.

VISIT THE BURJ KHALIFA AND GET ENTRY TO A KID-FRIENDLY ATTRACTION FOR FREE: If you purchase a ticket for At the Top Burj Khalifa, for an extra Dh49 spend you will receive a pass to experience another kid-friendly attraction for free, including the EKart Zabeel, the Dolby Screen at Reel Cinemas, Dig It over at The Spring Souk, the Dubai Ice Rink and the VR Park at The Dubai Mall along with Dh100 credit to enjoy the park.

ENJOY ROAMING ENTERTAINMENT AT JBR: JBR is hosting a packed schedule of free entertainment and activities from December 2 to 5. The whole beachfront destination will be decorated in the colours of the UAE flag, and visitors can enjoy roaming entertainment with jugglers, stilt walkers, ribbon dancers, and musicians in action from 4pm to 8pm each day.