The Eid Al Fitr holiday will commence on Thursday and is expected to last up to five days.
For those not travelling, there are plenty of family-friendly activities across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, from a moon museum visit to a smash room, to enjoy.
Here, The National rounds up some of the venues — including amusement parks, restaurants and hotels — with child-friendly activities planned for the long weekend.
Dubai
Dubai Parks and Resorts
The attraction with multiple theme parks has created a line-up of events, from a light and dinosaur show to children's programmes with freebies galore.
On April 21, Motiongate is launching Illuminate, a show featuring glowing lights and sounds at the Hollywood Theatre. It tells the story of a dancer who discovers the power of hope through a magical light. Dinosaur parade Dino Mania will also return to the venue on April 21.
At Lapita Hotel Dubai, little ones can enjoy meet-and-greets with cartoon characters from the shows Shaabiat Al Cartoon and The Smurfs. Children will also receive a badge, free ice cream, candy and other Eid-themed treats. The offer extends to discounted room rates.
April 20 to 23; dubaiparksandresorts.com
OliOli
Take the little ones to the Moon at OliOli, which will have a five-metre replica of the satellite by British installation artist Luke Jerram.
There are a range of discounted packages for families, starting at two adults and two children for Dh269. Regular passes are also available.
Until April 30; 9am-6pm on weekdays, 9am-7pm on weekends; from Dh149; Al Quoz; 04 702 7300
IMG Worlds of Adventure
The indoor theme park will be adorned with lights and special decorations, while superheroes and cartoon characters roam around.
The Cartoon Network zone will host activities such as henna and face painting, as well as Khaleeji and Bollywood-inspired musical performances.
The park is also extending its operations for two hours until midnight over Eid.
April 20 to 23; noon-midnight; from Dh345 per ticket, children under 1.05 metres go free; Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road; 04 403 8888
The Smash Room
Destroy appliances and other household items to your heart's content at The Smash Room, which is running a special package during Eid.
Originally costing Dh920, it is now priced at Dh594 and gives three people the chance to obliterate a washing machine, a TV and 20 glasses. Smashing.
April 21 to 23; 1pm-11pm on weekdays, 1pm-midnight on weekends; Dh594 for three; Al Quoz; 04 339 7810
Hilton Dubai Jumeirah
Hilton Dubai Jumeirah has buy one, get one free Saturday brunches at two of its child-friendly restaurants.
Asian food is on offer at Mango Tree Thai Bistro, with a buffet that features soups, spicy salads and live cooking stations inspired by Bangkok's vibrant street food scene.
Italian food and live entertainment will be on offer at Vero. The restaurant serves dishes frequently found along the country's coastline, so expect fresh seafood such as prawn, squid and oyster, as well as pizza and pasta.
April 22; 1pm-4pm; from Dh249 at Mango Tree, from Dh299 at Vero; Jumeirah Beach Road; 04 318 2999
Abu Dhabi
The Ripe Market, Al Maryah Island
The alfresco market is hosting Eid celebrations on April 21 and 22.
Expect live entertainment, food trucks, including burger chain joint Pickl, as well as activities, an obstacle course, a magic show and puppets.
April 21 and 22; 4pm-11pm; free entry; Al Maryah Island; 04 315 7000
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Guests staying at the hotel on April 22 can enjoy a complimentary Eid brunch for two adults at Vendome, as well as complimentary meals for up to two children when staying in a suite.
Children under four eat free at the all-day dining restaurant, while those aged four 10 12 dine at 50 per cent off.
April 22; from Dh1,872 per night; West Corniche Road; 02 690 8888
The Galleria Al Maryah Island
The children's zone at the mall will host storytelling sessions and have board games, arts and crafts activities and video games.
Between 2pm and 6pm, Um Khammas and Abood — the characters from Emirati hit show Freej — will roam about for an interactive session with little ones.
April 22 and 23; 3pm-6pm and 8pm-11pm; Al Maryah Island; 02 493 7400
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Company%20profile
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETamer%20Ruggli%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENadine%20Labaki%2C%20Fanny%20Ardant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WHAT%20MACRO%20FACTORS%20ARE%20IMPACTING%20META%20TECH%20MARKETS%3F
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Rajasthan Royals 158-8 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 143/7 (20 ovs)
Rajasthan Royals won by 15 runs
Bridgerton%20season%20three%20-%20part%20one
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nicola%20Coughlan%2C%20Luke%20Newton%2C%20Jonathan%20Bailey%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
England's lowest Test innings
- 45 v Australia in Sydney, January 28, 1887
- 46 v West Indies in Port of Spain, March 25, 1994
- 51 v West Indies in Kingston, February 4, 2009
- 52 v Australia at The Oval, August 14, 1948
- 53 v Australia at Lord's, July 16, 1888
- 58 v New Zealand in Auckland, March 22, 2018
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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
FIGHT%20CARD
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Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
Torque: 340Nm
Price: Dh155,800
On sale: now
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
Company%20Profile
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