Hai Ramadan is establishing itself as a key UAE Ramadan location.
After its debut season at Expo City Dubai last year, the family festival returns over the holy month with plenty to offer families, foodies and culture lovers.
Running daily until April 10, the event provides another opportunity to appreciate the sprawling grounds of Expo City Dubai with Al Wasl Plaza, once again, the star of the show.
Here is what you need to know about Hai Ramadan.
Arrive in time for the iftar cannon
The iftar cannon goes off at sunset daily to signal the fasting day is over, and is one of the main attractions at Hai Ramadan.
More than the thrill of hearing the big bang at the pathway leading to Al Wasl Plaza, it is the ceremony preceding that’s worth the visit. A few minutes before the scheduled time, uniformed officers arrive on site and in a choreographed move to insert the shell in the cannon.
At the appointed time, the head officer shouts the order and the cannon goes off followed by the sound of the call to prayer. With the dome of the Wasl Plaza taking on a purple hue to match the colour of the sky, it is a beautiful sight.
Check out the shows
You may not know where to look when it comes to the performances at Hai Ramadan.
Each evening features a program of audio-visual, musical and cultural performances at Al Wasl Plaza. These include shows by UAE’s cultural dance and drumming groups and a children’s stage show featuring Dubai Expo City mascots Rashid and Latifa.
Meanwhile, Al Wasl Plaza’s dome also serves as a stage with engaging multimedia presentations featuring dynamic lighting design, evocative abstract images and symphonic soundtracks.
Those looking for a more relaxing environment can head outside Al Wasl Plaza and watch hit MBC Ramadan dramas on a large screen on beanbags and couches.
There are plenty of food options
From lavish buffets and Emirati regag (home-made bread) and luqaimat (sweet fried dough) to burgers and shawarmas, there is a lot to choose from for your iftar and suhoor needs.
Each day from sunset until 8pm, Hai Ramadan offers an iftar buffet at the Oasis Food Hall and the Surreal water feature.
With tickets at Dh220 for those more than 16 years old, Dh95 for children aged six to 12, and free to anyone younger, the iftars feature Middle Eastern and international cuisine. Food trucks and stalls are also available around the circular venue and include the popular burger brand Salt and pop-up of Levant restaurant Allo Beirut.
While plenty of seating options surround the food trucks and within the larger Dubai Expo City site itself, the best location is the comfortable steps peering over the performances on Al Wasl Plaza.
The local souq is a vibe
The market stalls play a big part in creating the community atmosphere at Hai Ramadan.
Walk around the dome and adjoining avenues and you will come across a range of outlets selling Emirati foods, arts and crafts, as well as oud and perfumes.
Look out for any “Dukan Yadoo” across the site, as the snack stalls always prove popular. Also known as grandmother's supermarket, the shelves are packed with local and nostalgic treats, including vintage lolly and chocolate brands, as well as the Chips Oman.
Falconry displays and camel rides are available around the periphery of Wasl Plaza.
How to get there
The ideal entryway and exit point is through the Sustainability Gate with its ample car park space and taxi ranks. From there, it is a straight 10-minute walk to Al Wasl Plaza.
Hai Ramadan iftar runs daily until April 10 from 5pm to 12am. Tickets are Dh20 each from dubai.platinumlist.net or physically on site.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Scores
Scotland 54-17 Fiji
England 15-16 New Zealand
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Rajasthan Royals 153-5 (17.5 ov)
Delhi Daredevils 60-4 (6 ov)
Rajasthan won by 10 runs (D/L method)
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eric%20Broug%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thames%20%26amp%3B%20Hudson%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20336%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20September%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
What should do investors do now?
What does the S&P 500's new all-time high mean for the average investor?
Should I be euphoric?
No. It's fine to be pleased about hearty returns on your investments. But it's not a good idea to tie your emotions closely to the ups and downs of the stock market. You'll get tired fast. This market moment comes on the heels of last year's nosedive. And it's not the first or last time the stock market will make a dramatic move.
So what happened?
It's more about what happened last year. Many of the concerns that triggered that plunge towards the end of last have largely been quelled. The US and China are slowly moving toward a trade agreement. The Federal Reserve has indicated it likely will not raise rates at all in 2019 after seven recent increases. And those changes, along with some strong earnings reports and broader healthy economic indicators, have fueled some optimism in stock markets.
"The panic in the fourth quarter was based mostly on fears," says Brent Schutte, chief investment strategist for Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company. "The fundamentals have mostly held up, while the fears have gone away and the fears were based mostly on emotion."
Should I buy? Should I sell?
Maybe. It depends on what your long-term investment plan is. The best advice is usually the same no matter the day — determine your financial goals, make a plan to reach them and stick to it.
"I would encourage (investors) not to overreact to highs, just as I would encourage them not to overreact to the lows of December," Mr Schutte says.
All the same, there are some situations in which you should consider taking action. If you think you can't live through another low like last year, the time to get out is now. If the balance of assets in your portfolio is out of whack thanks to the rise of the stock market, make adjustments. And if you need your money in the next five to 10 years, it shouldn't be in stocks anyhow. But for most people, it's also a good time to just leave things be.
Resist the urge to abandon the diversification of your portfolio, Mr Schutte cautions. It may be tempting to shed other investments that aren't performing as well, such as some international stocks, but diversification is designed to help steady your performance over time.
Will the rally last?
No one knows for sure. But David Bailin, chief investment officer at Citi Private Bank, expects the US market could move up 5 per cent to 7 per cent more over the next nine to 12 months, provided the Fed doesn't raise rates and earnings growth exceeds current expectations. We are in a late cycle market, a period when US equities have historically done very well, but volatility also rises, he says.
"This phase can last six months to several years, but it's important clients remain invested and not try to prematurely position for a contraction of the market," Mr Bailin says. "Doing so would risk missing out on important portfolio returns."
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Results
1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1hr 32mins 03.897sec
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull-Honda) at 0.745s
3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 37.383s
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) 46.466s
5.Sergio Perez (Red Bull-Honda) 52.047s
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 59.090s
7. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) 1:06.004
8. Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) 1:07.100
9. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri-Honda) 1:25.692
10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:26.713,
Name: Colm McLoughlin
Country: Galway, Ireland
Job: Executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free
Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Favourite part of Dubai: Palm Jumeirah
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
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