Things to do in Dubai this Eid Al Adha: family days out, theme parks and staycations

From five-star hotel stays to firework displays, there is plenty to keep the entire family busy this Eid

The Park Hyatt Dubai is offering up to 40 per cent off room rates this Eid Al Adha. Courtesy Park Hyatt Dubai
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Eid Al Adha falls from August 10 until 13 this year, giving the majority of the UAE's workers an extra-long five-day weekend. Here is our comprehensive guide to keeping busy and saving money this Eid…

A staycation at Park Hyatt Dubai

The luxurious five-star hotel, Park Hyatt Dubai, is offering guests up to 40 per cent off the best available room rates this Eid, which includes complimentary access to the infinity Lagoon and at the chic Brasserie du Park.

For more information, call 04 602 1234, or email dubai.park@hyatt.com

Looney Tunes at Ibn Battuta

See all of your favourite Looney Tunes characters at Ibn Battuta this Eid Al Adha. There will be live stage shows, roaming entertainment and kids’ activity zone. In the China Court you will find Wile E Coyote, Road Runner, Elmer Fudd and Daffy Duck, and in the India Court there will be fun games and activities with Bugs Bunny and Wile E Coyote from daily August 9 to 17. Plus, from August 12 to 14 there will be a Steam Punk Parade featuring retro-futuristic costumes, props and stilt walkers touring all six courts of Ibn Battuta Mall.

For more information, visit www.ibnbattutamall.com

Watch the Eid fireworks

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. 21 AUGUST 2018. Visitors and residents of Dubai watch the Eid fireworks at The Beach on JBR. (Photo: Antonie Robertson/The National) Journalist: None. Section: National.
Visitors and residents of Dubai watch the Eid fireworks at The Beach on JBR during Eid Al Adha 2018. Antonie Robertson / The National

The entire city will light up at night during Eid. On Sunday August 11 and Monday August 12, Dubai Festival City Mall will be hosting a series of spectacular firework displays to celebrate Eid. The fireworks will coincide with Imagine – Dubai Festival City's water, laser and light show, and will take place at 8pm and 10pm each night. The fireworks are free for all to enjoy. There is also expected to be firework displays at The Beach at JBR, Al Seef and La Mer, although timings are yet to be confirmed.

Read more about the other Eid Al Adha fireworks across the UAE here.

Go to a Polynesian family brunch

Brunch with the family at Kalea at Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts. The eatery offers up feast of dishes from around the world. There is lamb ouzi, a shawarma, grill and tawa chicken stations, as well Asian, Indian and Western cuisines. Finally, satisfy your sweet tooth with the delectable dessert buffet. There is a kids' club to keep the little ones busy. The Eid brunch will run from 1pm until 4pm on Friday August 16, and costs Dh230 per person with soft beverages, Dh330 per person with house beverages and Dh99 per child, aged six to 12 years old.

For more information, call 04 810 94211, or email lapita.restaurantreservations@autographhotels.com

Spend all day (and night) at the cinema

The Dubai Mall's branch of Reel Cinemas is set to be open for 24-hour movie screenings this Eid . The cinema will be open for all hours on the first two days of the Eid holiday, and movies that are screening include Fast And Furious Hobbs And Shaw, Skin and Blue Elephant 2.

For more information, and to book tickets, visit www.reelcinemas.ae

See Nancy Ajram live

Singing sensation, Nancy Ajram, is performing an Eid Al Adha concert in Dubai. The Lebanese superstar will perform in the Dubai World Trade Centre on Thursday, August 15 alongside Saif Nabeel. Although a regular performer in the UAE, Ajram always attracts a large crowd to her gigs. With a near three-decade career, the 35-year-old remains one of the biggest names in the Arabic music industry with more than 30 million albums sold and massive pan-Arab hits including Akhasmak Ah and Ya Salaam.

Tickets begin from Dh95 from Platinum List

See 'Fantasy' at Mall of the Emirates 

Be thrilled by the mesmerising show, Fantasty this Eid, which has been especially curated for Mall of the Emirates. Watch in awe as artists perform spell-binding aerial and acrobatic feats set to captivating music, providing a visual feast for the eyes. Shows will take place between 3.30pm until 9.30pm from August 12 to 16.

For more information, visit www.malloftheemirates.com

Eid Al Adha at The Dubai Mall

isit Emaar Entertainment venues at The Dubai Mall and enjoy fun family activities. Dubai Ice Rink is hosting mini-golf on ice with a showcase of songs from Aladdin and The Lion King on August 12 and 13 from 5pm to 5.15pm.

For more information, visit www.thedubaimall.com

Take the whole family to Motiongate Dubai

Head to Motiongate during Eid and visit favourite movie characters such as Shrek and Fiona, Master Po, Toothless and The Smurfs and enjoy an Eid buffet at The Candy Apple restaurant. The three course menu includes cold starters, five entrees and four desserts. Motiongate Dubai has more than 20 indoor rides inspired by Hollywood movies such as Hotel Transylvania, Madagascar and How to Train Your Dragon. Prices start at Dh280, and include buffet and access to all rides and attractions; or buffet separately from Dh59 for adults and from Dh45 for children with a 10 per cent discount for annual pass holders.

For more information, call 800 2629464, or visit, www.motiongatedubai.com

Visit Modhesh World

Enjoy a fun-filled Eid at Modhesh World, the region’s popular family edutainment destination, which is offering families and kids fun activities across a variety of themed zones. The free-to-enter Modhesh World is located at Halls 3 through 7 of the Dubai World Trade Centre. Modhesh World is open throughout the summer until August 24.

Hit the shops 

As if the enticing DSS sales weren't enough to drop you in, over the holiday you can shop to win up to Dh250,000 in cash prizes across 11 participating Dubai malls. Simply make any purchase for Dh200 to receive a raffle coupon that will give you a chance to enter the grand draw. Then, 25 lucky shoppers will get the chance to win cash up to Dh250,000. Malls include Al Barsha Mall, Al Mulla Plaza, City Centre Me’aisam, Dubai Outlet Mall and Time Square Centre.

Check into Sofitel The Palm

If you book a stay at five-star hotel, Sofitel The Palm directly, you will receive up to 30 per cent off your booking. The hotel has an inviting, spacious pool, direct beach access and 12 restaurants, bars and lounges to choose from. There is also the Amura Kids Club to keep children busy.

For more information, visit www.sofitel-dubai-thepalm.com or call 04 455 6677

Shows and activities at Legoland Dubai  

Check out the brand new evening light show at Legoland Dubai this Eid . End your day at the amusement park with a Lego character dance party followed by an eight-minute-long light show from 7.45pm. The show features light beams hitting more than 15,000 Lego models. Guests visiting during Eid will receive an exclusive Legoland Dubai brick as a keepsake. After Eid Al Adha, the light show will run on Thursdays and Fridays. The parks are open from 11am to 8pm for Legoland Dubai; 10am to 7pm for Legoland Water Parkickets start at Dh245 for one park and Dh345 for both parks.

For more information, call 800 2629464, or visit www.legolanddubai.ae

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Read more:

13 things to do in Abu Dhabi this August: comedy shows, new shops, special events and more

Don't slow down over summer: 15 things to do in Dubai this August

Muggles, assemble: Harry Potter movie marathon coming to Dubai cinema

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