Residents throng malls and parks during Eid holidays

Dubai: Parks, shopping centres, cinemas and heritage sites were full of cheer and laughter during the Eid Al Adha holidays with the weather staying pleasant and sunny.

Thankfully, the rain did not play spoilsport nor did the global slowdown.

The sunny weather encouraged people to plan outdoor activities in parks and gardens. Others went long drives on the highway to Dhaid with their friends.

"The weather was perfect to the venture outside. I just lazed out in parks soaking in soft sun watching my kids having playing. My wife preferred to engage herself with a book. The evenings were spent in a shopping mall," said Emirati Jasem Abdullah, a bank employee.

In Dubai, the night sky lit up with a dazzling fireworks display and traditional activities featuring folk dance and music shows set the festive spirit at Dubai Festival City's 'Eid in Dubai' programme.

The mall, a key sponsor of 'Eid in Dubai' and a main venue of the event, witnessed unprecedented crowds as shoppers thronged to watch various activities throughout the evening. Families were welcomed with tea and sweets, reflecting the traditional way of welcoming guests by offering the 'fuwalla'.

The waterfront at the Festival Centre area in Dubai Festival City hosted a majority of the events with popular dances like the Ayallah constantly attracting crowds.