Your guide to the fireworks
From Yas Marina’s dazzle to the Global Village spectacle, these events are not to be missed
The 47th UAE National Day weekend brings the year’s best fireworks display across the country. tabloid! breaks down the best over the long weekend.
Official events
Under the Spirit of the Union flag, firework displays will be held in four locations on Sunday across Abu Dhabi: the Zayed Heritage Festival at 8pm; the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium at 8pm; Madinat Zayed, Al Dahfra at 8pm and the Abu Dhabi Corniche at 9pm.
Cost: Free
Yas Island
The venue will stage three days of entertainment and activities, with the Yas Marina promenade hosting theatre performances, roaming entertainment, heritage events and more. There will also be football activations in collaboration with the Fifa World Cup and AFC Asian Football Cup and fireworks.
The Yas Marina Circuit will also celebrate on Sunday with free entertainment activiations at the North Grandstand, North Oasis and Drag Area.
A highlight of the celebrations will be live music, car displays, a kartzone, a heritage vil- lage and more will entertain through the day.
Details: At Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi from December
1-3, from 3-7pm. Stage shows at 4pm, 5.30pm and 6.30pm. At Yas Marina Circuit from 2-9pm on Sunday. Fireworks on Sunday at 9pm.
Cost: Free
Global Village
There will be four days of fun at Global Village, starting tomorrow with a spate of events for National Day.
The Operetta Zayed: Leader of the Humans will take place at the Main Stage from Saturday to Monday.
Emirati star Hamad Al Ameri will also host a special concert at 9pm on Sunday, also at the Main Stage.
Global Village will also host a gathering for the National Anthem recitation with the participation of more than 10,000 people on December 1 and 2 at 9pm. The anthem will be played out loud across the park’s internal speakers. Another highlight will be a vending machine that gives guests the chance to win prizes by reciting the National Anthem, which acts as a token to win gold coins. Visitors will also be able to participate in painting a 5-metre wide UAE flag with their finger prints. A walk through a Ribbon Maze decorated with thousands of ribbons in the colours of the UAE flag will also be an attraction.
The entire park and its main corridors will be decorated with more than 50,000 UAE flags and more than 30,000 UAE flags and shawls will be distributed to guests.
Of course, fireworks will continue to light up the sky starting tomorrow until Sunday at 9pm. Details: Global Village will extend its hours from 4pm until 1am from tomorrow until Sunday. On Monday, it will be open to all visitors instead of being a family day.
Cost: Entry is Dh15
The Beach
The Beach will celebrate the National Day weekend with dance performances, roaming giant mascots and fireworks.
Details: Fireworks on December 1 and 2 at 8pm. Al Ayalah dancers from tomorrow until Monday, from 6pm.
Cost: Free to attend.
Emirates Palace
The Abu Dhabi hotel will be decorated in colours of the UAE flag, from its grand dome to the entryway fountains and grass lawns to mark the National Day. The highlight of the event will be the fireworks display on Saturday and Sunday.
Emirates Palace will also host attractions inside the hotel, including a display of seven kinds of dates, the chance to get up close and personal with the UAE’s national bird, the falcon, and traditional Al Ayalah dance performances. The Grand
Dome area will also feature a children’s corner with educational and entertainment, alongside a new Louvre Abu Dhabi corner.
Emirates Palace will also display a full size dhow replica as a tribute to the UAE.
Details: From tomorrow until Sunday. Children’s activities and face painting to be held in the Dome from 12pm until 7pm. Saturday and Sunday, catch a 10-minute firework display at 8.30pm. The falcon display will take place at the Dome from 11am until 3pm, with Emirati dancing at 4pm.
Cost: Free
La Mer
What is an evening out at La Mer without the trademark fireworks for National Day?
Aside from two nights of fireworks, also head down to catch Fouad Abdul Wahed and Mohammad Al Shehhi host free concerts.
Separately, a seven-metrelong art work will be on display as well depicting the UAE flag.
Details: Saturday catch Fouad Abdul Wahed perform at 9.10pm, while Sunday will see Emirati star Mohammad Al Shehhi perform at the same time, after the 9pm fireworks.
Cost: Free
Dubai Festival City
Dubai Festival City Mall will host a series of events at Festival Bay from 2pm on Sunday, including two fireworks displays and a light show. Details: Fireworks on Sunday at 8pm and 10pm, right after the Imagine show.
Cost: Free
Qasr Al Sultan
Celebrate the 47th UAE National Day at Qasr Al Sultan Boutique Hotel with a traditional dinner with fireworks and live entertainment programmes on Sunday.
Details: At Qasr Al Sultan Boutique Hotel on December 2 from 7.30pm onwards.
Cost: Dh250 per person. Children eat at half price. Kids below six years eat for free.
Al Seef
Al Seef will feature performances by Al Ayalah and Garbiya bands, Razfa dancers and more, along with a live merchants show by the waterfront, which will be selling festive National Day goods. For the little ones, there will be a dance class where kids can learn the Harbiya dance.
Details: From tomorrow until Sunday, live shows from 5pm until 11pm. Fireworks on December 1 and 2 at 8.30pm.
Cost: Free
Ajman Corniche
On Thursday, Ajman Corniche is hosting the a night fireworks spectacle.
Details: Tonight at 9pm at the Ajman Corniche.
Cost: Free