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
RESULTS
Men
1 Marius Kipserem (KEN) 2:04:04
2 Abraham Kiptum (KEN) 2:04:16
3 Dejene Debela Gonfra (ETH) 2:07:06
4 Thomas Rono (KEN) 2:07:12
5 Stanley Biwott (KEN) 2:09:18
Women
1 Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 2:20:16
2 Eunice Chumba (BRN) 2:20:54
3 Gelete Burka (ETH) 2:24:07
4 Chaltu Tafa (ETH) 2:25:09
5 Caroline Kilel (KEN) 2:29:14
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
}Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Founders: Ines Mena, Claudia Ribas, Simona Agolini, Nourhan Hassan and Therese Hundt
Date started: January 2017, app launched November 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Private/Retail/Leisure
Number of Employees: 18 employees, including full-time and flexible workers
Funding stage and size: Seed round completed Q4 2019 - $1m raised
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, 500 Startups, Vision Ventures, Seedstars, Mindshift Capital, Delta Partners Ventures, with support from the OQAL Angel Investor Network and UAE Business Angels
Full Party in the Park line-up
2pm – Andreah
3pm – Supernovas
4.30pm – The Boxtones
5.30pm – Lighthouse Family
7pm – Step On DJs
8pm – Richard Ashcroft
9.30pm – Chris Wright
10pm – Fatboy Slim
11pm – Hollaphonic
The Specs
Price, base Dh379,000
Engine 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 503bhp
Torque 443Nm
On sale now
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North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
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Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Notable groups (UAE time)
Jordan Spieth, Si Woo Kim, Henrik Stenson (12.47pm)
Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Louis Oosthuizen (12.58pm)
Hideki Matsuyama, Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood (1.09pm)
Sergio Garcia, Jason Day, Zach Johnson (4.04pm)
Rickie Fowler, Paul Casey, Adam Scott (4.26pm)
Dustin Johnson, Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy (5.48pm)
Scoreline
Arsenal 3
Aubameyang (28'), Welbeck (38', 81')
Red cards: El Neny (90' 3)
Southampton 2
Long (17'), Austin (73')
Red cards: Stephens (90' 2)
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Company Profile
Company name: Fine Diner
Started: March, 2020
Co-founders: Sami Elayan, Saed Elayan and Zaid Azzouka
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and food delivery
Initial investment: Dh75,000
Investor: Dtec Startupbootcamp
Future plan: Looking to raise $400,000
Total sales: Over 1,000 deliveries in three months
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Name: Marie Byrne
Nationality: Irish
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption
Book: Seagull by Jonathan Livingston
Life lesson: A person is not old until regret takes the place of their dreams
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
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David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
India squad for fourth and fifth Tests
Kohli (c), Dhawan, Rahul, Shaw, Pujara, Rahane (vc), Karun, Karthik (wk), Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Pandya, Ishant, Shami, Umesh, Bumrah, Thakur, Vihari
'C'mon C'mon'
Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman
Rating: 4/5
