Fakhrak Ya Watan musical show in Ras Al Khaimah
Fakhrak Ya Watan (national pride), a musical production to celebrate the 45th UAE National Day, will debut on December 1 in Ras Al Khaimah at a purpose-built venue opposite Julphar Towers.
The musical will be the largest produced by Emiratis in UAE history, involving at least 600 dancers, singers, actors and poets of all ages. Eida Al Menhali, Oraib, Fouad Abdel Wahed, Samira Ahmad and Habib Ghuloom will perform.
The production will include 15 scenes, a firework display and a tribute to the founding father and Emirates’ rulers.
Poet and lyricist Ali Al Khawar, choreographer Obaid Ali, theatrical director Mohammad Al Amri and musical director Khalid Nasser worked together on the production, which will be recorded with a 360-degree camera and available to view in VR (virtual reality).
The one-hour show is free for all. Gates open at 4pm with the show scheduled to start at 7.30pm.
DJ Tiesto and DJ Snake live in Dubai
DJs Tiesto and Snake will perform at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) as part of the National Day holiday.
DJ Snake (Turn Down for What, Lean On, MO) will hit the decks at Shaikh Rashid Hall in DWTC on December 1, with Stephen Grandi, Rafael Becker and Keza.
Grammy-winner Tiesto will take over on December 2 with Grandi and Hollaphonic.
Doors will open at 9.30pm for both nights.
Tickets are Dh275 for general admission, available from platinumlist.net, UAE Exchange or Zoom supermarkets.
Abra ride on the Dubai Creek
Get a crash course in Emirati culture at Festival City, located on the Dubai Creek.
Take an abra ride to the Festival City Mall from Al Jaddaf Marine Station. The abra departs the station every 10 to 20 minutes and ticket costs Dh2.
Once you’re there, watch Emirati singer and Arabs Got Talent star Shamma Hamdan headline a free concert at Festival Bay on December 1 from 8-10pm.
If you’re feeling peckish, tuck into a meal at Al Fanar Restaurant, which serves up Emirati food and views of the creek. Try dishes such as reqaq (thin flatbread), machboos laham (meat cooked in yellow rice with traditional spices) and the popular leqaimat (fried dough balls with date syrup).
Go to festivalcentre.com for more information.
Watch the sunrise at the Burj Khalifa
Get front-row seats to watch the sun colour Dubai in shades of dawn this National Day.
Watch the sun rise from observation decks 124 and 125, that’s a 456-metre stage, when you get tickets to At the Top, Burj Khalifa. Sunrise tickets also get you a hearty breakfast at The Cafe before 8am.
On National Day, At The Top, Burj Khalifa will host a Majilis with henna artists and face painting for children, too.
Tickets to At the Top, Burj Khalifa and At the Top, Burj Khalifa SKY, starting December 2 at 5.30am and continuing every Friday and Saturday morning throughout winter, are available on burjkhalifa.ae and The Dubai Mall. Call 800-28843867.
Take part in a Water War in Abu Dhabi
Costumes out and at the ready fellow UAE-iites.
It’s time to suit up for the most epic water battle in the country.
As part of the weekend celebrations, Yas Waterworld is hosting a wet battle between two teams — Team Dana and the Bandits. Guests are invited to the Amwaj Wave Pool at 11.45am to choose their sides.
There, they will arm themselves with coloured water pistols and get ready to soak and be soaked. “We are proud to be hosting the biggest water battle that the UAE has ever seen and we are sure that this will be a fantastic activity for all the family.” says Bianca Sammut, General Manager, Yas Waterworld.
While admission for UAE nationals until December 3 is Dh95 (terms and conditions apply), the first 45 people to the park get free entry and those who wear UAE flag colours gain admission for Dh45 on December 2.
Go to yaswaterworld.com for more information.
Watch an operetta in Sharjah and a concert in Dubai
Head to Sharjah’s Flag Island to watch the Story of Nation operetta written by Emirati poets Rashid Sharar and Nasser Al Shanfari and performed by Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi along with by Fayez Al Saeed and Jassim Mohammad. Dr Habib Galoum, artist Ali Jamal and a host of young artists will also be joining them. The operetta showcases the vision and purpose of the founding fathers and tells the story of the rise of the UAE, the pride of its people and the sacrifices made for its glory and honour, through a seven-act musical performance, at 8pm, on December 2. Free entry.
Jassmi will then perform the same day at the Burj Park in Dubai along with Yemeni singer Balqees Fathi along and other artists. The free-to-attend concert starts at 8pm.
Get historical at the Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain
The historic fort, built in 1891, will host a number of activities including music performances titled Memories and Ayala dance performances, traditional displays, workshops and an air-show by the Emirates Falcon Aviation, on December 1 and 2. Activities from 4.30-10pm. Entry is free.
Hatta National Day Hike
Feeling a bit adventurous? Join the hiking expedition through the mountains and greenery of Hatta hosted by the Emirates Hiking Association, from 6.30-11am. For a complete route of the hike and to register for the free event, go to emirateshiking.com.
Catch a game of polo
The Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club is hosting a UAE National Day Polo Cup from 1.30pm. The event includes races, traditional entertainment and equestrian activities throughout Friday, a parade with horses and Rolls Royce cars, and camel polo. The event is open to families, Dh50 per adult and Dh25 per child (six to 12 years old). Call 04-618111 or email info@poloclubdubai.com or visit poloclubdubai.com
Catch a show at Global Village
From December 1 to 6, 40 members of the Ornina Theatrical Dance Group will perform an operetta called UAE: The Nation Of Tolerance on the main cultural stage, along with concerts by the popular Emirati singers Mohammad Al Minhaly and Walid Ebrahim.
UAE’s homegrown Shaabiat Al Cartoon characters will entertain little visitors while Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre will present popular shows such as Al Yolla, Ayyala and Al Harbiya.
A blood donation camp will also be held near Gate of the World.
And, of course, no National Day celebrations are complete without fireworks, which will take place while the Carnival of the World takes to the streets of Global Village. Shows are included in the entry ticket of Dh15. Go to globalvillage.ae.
