Still deciding how to spend your precious long weekend? We’ve put together a list of 29 fun activities for the Eid Al Adha weekend that will ensure you make the most of the last long weekend we’re going to have for a while. The next long weekend swings by only in December during the National Day holidays. We promise you’ll have amazing post-long weekend stories to share with your colleagues when you take inspiration from this list.
1. Watch traditional Emirati bands and folk dances for free live at various Dubai malls
Mall trawls are one of our favourite activities, but there’s a traditional twist for Eid Al Adha this time around. A number of malls around the city will be hosting live Emirati Al Harbia bands and performances by Ayala dancers, so visitors can truly get into the spirit of the Eid festivities. You can savour Emirati heritage at the following venues. On June 28 and 29 performances will happen at the Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Walk, Dubai Festival City Mall and Ibn Battuta Mall. On June 29 and 30 of Eid, the shows move to City Centre Deira, Nakheel Mall and Circle Mall.
2. Take your whole family out for games and fun at DIFC’s Eid Carnival
Gate Avenue at DIFC is hosting a colourful Eid Al Adha Carnival from June 28 to July 2. The celebrations will spring to life in Zone D of Gate Avenue where visitors can participate in fun and challenging fair games such as Frog Fishing, Rings Battle and Dunk Master. There’s an indoor carousel to amuse kids, cirque shows with acrobats and contortionists, roaming entertainment as well as character meet-and-greet and photo opportunities. The carnival is absolutely free to attend for kids and adults which makes it one of the must things to do in Dubai this Eid Al Adha.
Visit www.difc.ae/surprisinglydifc
3. Slip away to Souk Al Marfa for a family-friendly Eid Al Adha celebration
The waterfront destination in Dubai Islands has a jam-packed schedule of Eid Al Adha celebrations from June 28 to July 2. For five full days from 4pm to 10pm, the entire shopping and dining destination will be decked up to resemble the Arabian Nights. Roaming entertainers dressed as beloved characters from Aladdin will surprise visitors. A main stage will host performances by Emirati drummers, a traditional Oud Player and tanoura dancers whirling around in their dazzling costumes. The trail of exciting events continues with arts and crafts workshop for kids. You can also look forward to 50% discounts on fashion, electronics, household items, textiles, perfumes, accessories and more.
Visit www.soukalmarfa.ae
4. Transport yourself to a magical forest with dinner and a show at DREAM
DREAM, the multi-act dinner show concept at Address Beach Resort in JBR is launching season 4 of their show The Wild Side on June 27, just in time for the Eid Al Adha weekend in Dubai. The venue will transform into a magical forest adorned with flora, fauna and wild performances by talented acrobats and international acts. An equally untamed menu of lush cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine will make it to your plates as the show unfolds on stage.
From 8pm onwards; visit dreamdxb.com for bookings. Mininimum AED 1000 spend per head
5. Sip afternoon tea at this glamorous Eid edition at Mosaico in Palazzo Versace
Add a teatime twist to your Eid meals this weekend with a fabulous high tea at Palazzo Versace’s lobby lounge Mosaico. From June 28 to June 30, their special Eid Al Adha afternoon tea features Arabic and Emirati treats. A live chebab station will flip out fresh Emirati pancakes, an Arabic sweets trolley will roll by with Eid-themed cookies and more. Along with an array of tea, there’ll also be Arabic coffee and shisha service. Live entertainment will add some sweetness to the ambiance and tea from 5pm to 9pm.
From 12pm to 7pm; AED 360 for two people. Call 04 556 8888
6. Catch Mohamed Abdo live in concert at Coca-Cola Arena
You could blast the Saudi singer’s hits on the speakers at home to celebrate Eid Al Adha, or you could watch him live on July 2 at the Coca-Cola Arena. The oud player and singer who has been crowned the title the ‘Artist of the Arabs’ will be performing in Dubai after five years. Expect to hear his timeless hits from a repertoire of over 60 years such as Bent Alnoor, Jani Kalam and Haza Sadiqi.
Tickets from AED 395; get tickets here
7-8. Attend concerts by Conor Maynard and Aziz Maraka for free at City Centre Mirdiff
🎤The British singer-songwriter Conor Maynard will be performing live on stage in the mall on June 30 as part of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS). His hour-long set kicks off at 9pm and you can catch the Youtube sensation perform his viral hits such as Can’t Say No, If I Ever, and covers of popular songs.
🎙️ On June 29, multi-threat Jordanian artist Aziz Maraka will showcase his musical skills on stage at City Centre Mirdiff. Marka’s made headlines regionally for creating “Razz”, an Arabic Rock-Jazz fusion with singles such as Mafi Mennik, Bint Al Nas, Najeh and more. Again, it’s a free concert so all you’ve got to do is show up and find a spot!
9. Dance the night away to a 1001 Arabian nights Eid party at QD’s
The iconic waterfront restaurant and lounge Dubai Creek Resort is hosting a 1001 Arabian Nights-themed party on June 30 and July 1. This special Eid Al Adha event will see you rock out to beats by guest DJs Keza and Stylez, along with resident DJ Jacob Harris. When you’re not on the dance floor grooving to electrifying music, a belly dancer will, bringing the Arabian nights theme to life. Party-goers are in with a chance to win a one-night staycation at Park Hyatt Dubai when they run up a bill of AED 1001 or more. The AED 250 entry fee to this event can be redeemed on food and drinks at the venue.
Call 04 295 6000 for bookings
10. Catch performances by Noel Kharman and the band Harget Kart at Social Distrikt
🎸 Arabic music lovers should make a beeline to The Pointe this Eid Al Adha weekend as Social Distrikt is packed to the rafters with some sensational performances. The food hall and dining destination is the seat of a live performance by Jordanian band Harget Kart on June 29, 9pm onwards. Tickets are available from AED120 per person including a complimentary drink.
🎵 The following day on June 30, renowned Palestinian singer-songwriter Noel Kharam will regale audiences with a live concert. Tickets start at AED 250 including a free drink, from 9pm.
11-12. Switch up Eid brunches for breakfasts at these two spots
Start your Eid break with some nourishing and lavish breakfasts at these two restaurants in Dubai
🍳Taj Dubai’s new Mediterranean and tapas outlet Meda is dishing out a ‘Big Meda Breakfast’ for Eid this week. From, the breakfast feast for two will include eggs prepared according to your choice, sourdough toast with fresh avocado, crème fraiche and smoked salmon, fluffy homemade pancakes and more.
From AED 235 for 2 people; call 056 711 2277 or visit www.medadubai.com
🥞 Tap House branches at Dubai Hills and Club Vista Mare are whipping up a sumptuous breakfast spread for Eid this weekend. On July 1 and 2, you can gorge on a breakfast menu of buttermilk pancakes, a range of eggs Benedict’s, shakshuka skillet, a full English Breakfast, and a range of power bowls and vegan options. From 9am to 12pm
Call 04 576 4999 for reservations
13-19. Dig into delicious Eid Al Adha brunches and dinners at these venues
🍤OAnjo, the glamorous little Portuguese-Nikkie restaurant perched on the 24th floor at Sheraton, Mall of the Emirates has a special three-course set Eid Al Adha menu. Available in vegetarian, vegan and meat options you can tuck into glazed short rib skewers, tofu dumplings, vegetable tempura and vegetarian ceviche and more. Dessert is in there too in the form of a delectable Japanese Mochi with a vegan version for those who want their ice cream dairy free.
From June 27-July 2, 6pm onwards; AED150 per person. Call 04 377 2007 or visit www.oanjodubai.com
🧆Mazzah Wa Mazzika, the Middle Eastern restaurant at Trump International Golf Club has a special Eid Al Adha brunch running for 3 days from June 29 to July 1. Including the best culinary creations from around the Middle East, this three-course set brunch deal will include a starter, a main and a soft beverage all of your choosing.
From 1pm – 4pm; AED 150 per person onwards. Call 04 245 3988, email reservations@skelmorehospitalitypartners.com
🍲Celebrity Chef-led restaurant Pincode by Kunal Kapoor has a special Eid Al Adha menu curated for the weekend. The opulent Dubai Hills Mall eatery will offer Indian delicacies cooked traditionally during Eid from June 26 to July 2. Hyderabadi haleem (lamb stew), chicken yakhni Pulao, dates & rose kulfi and more are part of the menu. Dishes start from AED 19.
For reservations call 04 566 1424
🍱 The plush theatrical restaurant TABU has planned a special Sansetto three-course set menu for Eid Al Adha. From 6pm-8pm between June 29 and July 2, diners can enjoy 18 Japanese dishes that include cold and hot starters, mains and desserts. The exquisite dinner comes with entertainment and live performances.
📍23rd floor of the St. Regis Hotel, Business Bay; Call 052 950 1309 or visit www.tabudubai.com
Olivia by El Greco at the Courtyard Mariott is serving an extraordinary Eid Eid buffet brunch on June 28 and 29. You can relish Indian, Arab, and continental cuisines for AED 179 per person.
From 1pm-4pm; call 056 533 9941
The Restaurant at Address Dubai Marina will have an Eid lunch buffet featuring a variety of international cuisines on the first day of Eid.
AED 150 per person; call 4 436 7777 or email DineAtDubaiMarina@addresshotels.com
A luscious Eid Al Adha buffet will be on offer during the three days of Eid at Millennium Place Barsha Heights Hotel. The buffet includes a multitude of cuisines and includes soft drink and tea or coffee. Kids under 6 dine free.
AED 169 per adult. For reservations, call 0586 060 831
20-21. Watch spectacular Eid Al Adha fireworks in Dubai
Nothing says Eid like a spectacular pyrotechnics display dazzling the skies. This year, two spots in the city are going all out for Eid Al Adha. Dubai Parks and Resorts and Dubai Festival City Mall are hosting special fireworks shows all weekend. Click here to find details.
22-26. Add a touch of sweetness with these special Eid Al Adha desserts
🍰 Japanese restaurant Origami Sushi has launched a too-pretty-to-eat Grande Cake for Eid Al Adha. Shaped like an origami lantern, this gorgeous dessert features a liquid mango caramel centre encased in a spongy green tea shell and a rice crisp base. The white icing represents Qurbani (sacrifice) an important element of Eid Al Adha. The cake can feed a group of 6-8 people making it the perfect sweet end to your Eid feast. Additionally, it makes a great gift if you’re visiting friends and family over the holidays. Delivery is complimentary.
AED 260 per cake; pre-orders at www.eatorigamisushi.com
🧁Sugargram has a special box of 25 bite-sized cupcakes in 8 flavours. Think triple chocolate, tie-dye swirl, rose & Nutella, lotus and cookies & cream. They come packaged in a stunning sleeve that captures Eid Al Adha celebrations.
AED 140 per box; available on chatfood and Deliveroo
🍫Famous French chocolatiers Forrey & Galland have a special Eid Al Adha chocolate box called the May Box. Designed with intricate geometric patterns, this box is a perfect keepsake once you’ve gorged on the handmade chocolates inside. The Eid Al Adha flavours include chocolates infused with Arabic coffee, halawa marzipan, rahash and more.
AED 420 per box; available at their Dubai Mall store. Call 056 434 7914
🍬Los Angeles chocolate brand Compartes is going all out for Eid Al Adha with delicious new creations such as chocolate-covered marshmallows and dates, peanut butter cups and the Eid Gifting Tower. They’re located inside American Rag Cie in Dubai Mall.
Starting from AED 45 (bars); visit www.compartes.me
🍩To celebrate Eid Al Adha, London export Bread Ahead has created a doughnut gift box of 16 mini doughnuts. You’ll get to test out four different flavours – vanilla, chocolate, blackcurrant cheesecake and their new limited edition sticky toffee. Available from June 27 to July 2.
AED 88; available at Bread Ahead store in Mall of Emirates, Level 1
27-29. Bag a last-minute Eid Al Adha staycation deal at one of these hotels and pamper yourself and the family
The FOMO of missing out on international holidays can be cured by one of these amazing staycation deals in the UAE for Eid Al Adha.
⛱️If you’re thinking of a road trip to the capital, then check into Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. Their Suite Package includes discounted tickets for Yas Parks. It also gives guests free access to Qasr Al Watan and Louvre Abu Dhabi and Galleria Mall. There’s more! You can enjoy priority a la carte reservations at restaurants, and kids get access to the Rixy Kids Club, Teen Club. It’s the island escape you deserve without leaving the country!
From AED 2,950. Call 02 492 2222 for bookings and info
🧖Palazzo Versace’s Eid staycation deal starts from AED 1,099 per night for a deluxe Versace room. The package includes breakfast, 20% off on food and beverage, a spa voucher of AED 150 per room and high tea for two. You also get access to the hotel’s pool and fitness centre.
From AED 1,099; Click here for more details
🌊Centara Mirage Beach Resort in Deira Islands has two staycation deals for Eid Al Adha. One is breakfast only (from AED 1,025) and the other’s an all-inclusive package from AED 2,700. The latter gets you access to nine dining venues, from Thai restaurant Suan Bua or Argentina grill Uno Mas. Moreover, you’ll also get to kickback at Sands, the casual beach club, Waves Pool Bar.
Rates are valid only during Eid Al Adha weekend. Visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com for bookings