Not sure what to do this Eid? There’s plenty on offer, from concerts and comedy shows, to theatre performances and kids’ activities. tabloid! rounds up the best events from around the UAE.
For all
Fireworks
When and where: September 23-26 at The Beach opposite JBR
Entry: Free at 9pm
No Eid celebration is complete without the usual fireworks and pyrotechnics, and thankfully you can catch these every night during Eid Al Adha at The Beach.
Cowboy Dancers
When and where: September 23-26 at Mall of the Emirates
Entry: Free at 5pm, 7pm and 8pm
Six professional Hungarian dancers dressed as cowboys will entertain with tap dancing. The 25-minute show sees the dancers mixing their rhythms to create a fun performance for the whole family.
Dance at the malls
When and where: September 23-26, 6-9pm, at Arabian Centre and Lamcy Plaza
Henna, tanoura and dabke shows at Arabian Centre, and Bollywood dances and cultural acts such as gawafi and tanoura at Lamcy.
Henna application
When and where: September 23-26 at Festival Square in Dubai Festival City Mall
Entry: Free
Complimentary and personalised henna designs are offered by a team of artists. Choose from modern, traditional, Arabian or Moroccan designs. Children can even pick their favourite characters.
Sema and Semah Show
When and where: September 23–26 at Dubai Festival City Mall
Entry: Free at 5.30pm, 7.30pm and 9pm
Love dance? This is the show for you and your family. Sema is all about the whirling dance while Semah brings to the table “mystical body movements in rhythmic harmony”.
Moscow Circus on ice
When and where: September 24-26 at Dubai Ice Rink in Dubai Mall
Entry: Dh50-Dh60
A one-hour acrobatic extravaganza, including breath-taking stunts. For an extra Dh10 on the regular price, enjoy an after-party and meet and greet.
For the grown-ups
Cirkopolis
When and where: September 23-26 at Dubai World Trade Centre
Entry: Dh194-Dh1295 on tixbox.com
The international Cirque Eloize’s Cirkopolis promises an evening of enchanting colour and incredible stunts as well as an original musical score. For fans of acrobatics and fantastical stories, Cirkopolis is the place to be.
Midge Ure live in concert
When and where: September 24 at the Irish Village
Entry: Dh125 on platinumlist.net
DJ Nights on ice
When and where: September 24-26 at the Dubai Ice Rink in Dubai Mall
Entry: Dh125
The Olympic size rink will turn into a skating party after 9.30pm as some of the brightest names in the local music scene — DJ Stutter, DJ Masterstepz and DJ Bliss — play the latest beats.
Eid with Maz Jobrani
When and where: September 25 at Samaya Ballroom, The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC
Entry: Dh295-Dh550 on platinumlist.net
The Iranian-American comedian, who earlier this year released his memoir, will perform once again in Dubai this Friday. He promises new jokes and old favourites.
Eid foam party
When and where: September 26 at Dubai Ice Rink in Dubai Mall
Entry: Dh100
Water pistols, a pool of foam, strobe lights and in-house DJing are the name of the game at this one-night-only event.
Family-focused
Alice Adventure Circus Music Show
When and where: September 23–26 at City Centre Mirdif
Entry: Free at 6pm, 8pm and 10pm
A children’s book favourite, this family-friendly musical show will feature an array of artists including actors, dancers, circus performers and singers who bring to life Alice’s adventures.
Arabesque
When and where: September 23-26 at Ibn Battuta Mall
Entry: Free at 4.30pm, 7.15pm and 8.45pm
An international children’s dance show featuring the Romanian ballet ensemble, Arabesque, who were formed in 1982, and feature kids and teens between the ages of four and 19. Their skills vary from classical and traditional to modern dancing.
Arabian Nights
When and where: September 24-26 at Centrepoint Theatre – Ductac, Mall of the Emirates
Entry: Dh120-Dh180 on ductac.org
An event for the whole family, Arabian Nights will bring Scheherazade’s storytelling to life. Music, madcap comedy and puppetry will all be a part of the theatrical experience, including Ali Baba, Aladdin, Little Beggar and the Fisherman and the Genie.
Comicave Kids Carnival
When and where: Until September 26 at Comicave, Dubai Outlet Mall
Discounts on collectibles and toys for families and kids, and activities including superhero-themed balloon art and face painting, plus Batman Day celebrations on September 26, with the caped crusader and The Joker.
Eideya Fair
When and where: September 24-27 at KidZania in Dubai Mall
Entry: Dh140 for children, Dh95 for adults
Along with the usual KidZania fun, children can enjoy dance performances at the venue. Competitions, prizes and complimentary samples from over 25 local businesses will also be available. Parents will be offered massage, hypnotherapy and reflexology, as well as de-stressing techniques.
Freej show
Where and when: First two days of Eid, 7.30pm and 9pm at Dalma Mall, Abu Dhabi
Live show with characters from the popular cartoon plus activities, Freej mascots. Freej children’s workshop, 4-10pm, with face painting, sand art, pottery-making, movie stations and colouring sessions on the third day of Eid.
Iftah Ya Simsim
When and where: First two days of Eid, Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
Festive parade with Muppets No’man, Shams, Gargur, and Elmo, plus arts and crafts activities.
Origami workshops and Nat Geo gallery
When and where: September 23-26 at Dubai Mall
Entry: Free between 3pm-9pm
For those creative youngsters out there who’d like to learn a new skill, regular origami sessions will be held at the Village. While you’re at it, check out the Nat Geo Brain Games optical illusion gallery by the Waterfall Atrium, courtesy of National Geographic.
Shaun the Sheep
When and where: September 23-26 at Dubai Marina Mall
Entry: Free at 7pm, 8pm and 10.30pm
The children’s television show favourite comes to life at this daily show with Shaun and his friends. There will also be plenty of activities and competitions that kids can participate in to show off their own skills.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
When and where: September 24-26 at Town Square, Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi
Entry: Free
Story-telling and activities; other mall events include henna and face painting; Barbie activity stations (Hamley’s); Build-a-Bear Bearemy meet and greet.
Dinosaurs, dinosaurs and more dinosaurs
When and where: September 24 to October 8 at The Mall at The World Trade Centre Abu Dhabi
Entry: Free between 5pm-9pm
Activities including dino rides, dino movie series, a dino pet corner and dino live shows are all on offer, as well as an arts and crafts corner for children.
