WEEKEND GUIDE
Find out what’s happening in the UAE this week.
We’ve got five days of holidays and a whole lot of events to celebrate UAE’s 48th National Day.
Concerts
Bollywood Parks Dubai: Indian singers and siblings Armaan Malik and Amaal Mallik are performing at Bollywood Parks Dubai on December 2. The duo have sung a mix of peppy dance anthems and romantic ballads for Bollywood films such as Sooraj Dooba Hai, Sanam Re. Show starts at 8.30pm; tickets from Dh89 at platinumlist.net including all-day access to the park from 2pm. La Mer: The beachfront destination is hosting four live performances by popular Arab singers. Emirati artist Eida Al Menhali performs tonight, Kuwaiti sensation Essa Al Marzouq and Emirati pop star Balqees take the stage on December 1, and Murex d’Or award winner and Expo2020 Dubai Ambassador, Hussain Al Jassmi performs on December 2. Concerts start at 9pm; free entry.
Al Seef: Khaleeji music phenomenon Mohamed Al Shehhi is performing at the promenade on December 6.
Fireworks
On December 1 and 2 you can catch fireworks light up the sky at Al Seef at 8pm, La Mer at 8:30pm, and The Beach and Bluewaters at 9pm.
Activities
Dubai Festival City Mall: The mall has a special National Day experience called Faces of the Nation running until December 2, where visitors can snap pictures of themselves at a designated photo booth and be featured in a special Imagine National Day laser and light show that pays homage to the ‘Year of Tolerance’. Live bands and other entertainment acts will overrun the destination from 3pm ever day during the holidays. The mall will also have henna stations for ladies and special kids’ corners with activities for little ones. Jumeirah Beach Residence: The second #WOWJBR festival will be culturally themed to celebrate the UAE’s 48th National
Day celebrations. There’ll be Ayala dance performances, a traditional calligrapher penning visitors’ names on take-home scrolls, a falconer and majlis areas serving guests Arabic coffee. Starting from 6.30pm on December 2 all UAE National Day activities on The Walk at JBR are free of charge. BurJuman: The mall will transform itself into an Arabic majlis with dedicated areas for calligraphy, falconry and henna art until December 3. From 3pm-10pm daily.
Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi: the palace is celebrating National Day with festivities starting at 1pm on December 2. Witness a welcome procession, accompanied with a parade of horses, cyclists and the Abu Dhabi Police Band, ‘The Symphony of the Nation’. Other entertainment includes an Ayala dance performance and Emirati artist Ahmad Al Mansoori who will perform a variety of Emirati-themed songs. Kids can participate in interactive activities such as learning to tie the Hamdaniah, the traditional Emirati head piece for males.
Yas Marina: As the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix comes to an end, National Day celebrations will kick off at the Yas Marina Circuit with fun activities for all the family, including a fireworks display and a Classic Car Parade featuring Emirati female racing stars Amna and Hamda Al Qubaisi sisters, who will be taking part in the F4 race. There will also be a UAE National Day Car Parade and Drift Display as well as the chance to participate in traditional games, boat building and more.