Hurray! The year’s first long weekend has rolled in with the joyous occasion of Eid Al Fitr and what an action-packed weekend it’s set to be from April 10-14. From Eid brunches to celebrate with your friends and family to concerts and shows to attend there’s so much to do, you’ll need another weekend to recover from the thrills of this one. Those who’ve left Dubai for international vacations over the Eid holidays will have serious FOMO!
1-10. Dine at a delicious Eid Al Fitr brunch or dinner
Mowsem, the all-day dining eatery at Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah is serving an Eid brunch on April 11 and 12 for AED 175 per person. Dig into kebabs, and biryanis at the outdoor buffet brunch that also serves an array of international dishes with live cooking stations. There’ll be fun activities for kids too. From 12:30pm to 3:30pm.
Call 04 230 0073 or email Restaurant.Palm@Hilton.com
🥘 Gear up for an Eid dinner that wows at La Maison Restaurant at Royal Central Hotel The Palm. This family-style buffet boasts mountains of food spanning cuisines and live entertainment for the whole family in the form of face painting, games, and balloon bending. A live DJ will spin tunes on April 11, 12, and 13. From AED 225 per person
Starting 1pm to 4pm; . Call 04 873 9300 or 04 873 9385.
🍲 Suq at the Four Seasons Resort, Jumeirah Beach is serving up an Eid Weekend Brunch on April 13 and 14 that promises to be a melting pot of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours. The elaborate buffet will feature culinary creations such as ouzi stuffed with warak enab, live bbq stations, turkey roulade and more. From AED 445 per person.
Starting 1pm-4pm; call 04 270 7770
🍛 Dhaba Lane has put together a special Eid-E-Khaas thali available all through the Eid Al Fitr holidays. Available in vegetarian (AED 65) and non-vegetarian options (AED 69), you can feast on dishes like achaari paneer curry, liberhaya meat, murgh korma pulao, seviyaan kheer and more.
Across Dhaba Lane branches. Visit www.dhaba-lane.com
🧆 Lido at QE2 has an Eid Brunch on April 12, 13 and 14. It is an Arabic feast featuring traditional dishes, grill platters, and desserts with dreamy views of Port Rashid. AED 125 per person.
From 6pm -11pm. Call 04 526 8040 or email dining.qe2@accor.com
🍖 Fine dining Indian restaurant Punjab Grill at Anantara Hotel Downtown has dropped a 5-course menu for Eid Al Fitr. Inspired by royal Indian cuisine, highlights here are melt-in-your-mouth slow-cooked mutton dishes such as Bohra lamb khurdi shorba, Liwa dates sambousek, kebab platters, biryanis and more. Available throughout Eid holidays
AED 250 per person; call 050 194 1107
🫖 The Mosaicao Lobby Lounge at Palazzo Versace is pouring something special this Eid – an Eid Celebration High Tea. Sip on exquisite selections of teas and coffees brewed to your requirements as you nibble on sandwiches, croissants, eclairs, pies, and freshly made luquaimats. Live entertainment will add to the celebratory mood.
Until April 11, from 10:30am-7pm; AED 360 per stand for two people. Call 04 556 8805.
🐟 Prefer a sit-down Eid dinner with the family over a buffet? OSH Del Mar, the Uzbek restaurant in Address Beach Resort is offering a 20% discount on a la carte items during the Eid Al Fitr break. Try out their famous dry-aged fish cuisine, kebabs, plov and other dishes while enjoying scintillating views of Ain Dubai. Discount is offered when you dine-in between 1pm to 5pm.
Call 050 914 4215 or visit the website
🥗Seaside brunches are in store at Al Manara Beach Bar at Habtoor Grand Resort from April 10-12. The buffet menu at this Dubai Marina restaurant is brimming with a variety of mains, started, desserts and drinks from different parts of the world. From AED 250 person.
Starting at 12:30pm to 4:30pm; call 04 3995000.
Downtown Dubai’s Jamaican joint Ting Irie is hosting a special Eid Carnival menu until April 14. The set menu will be served buffet-style. Iconic Carribean dishes like Oxtail and rice bowl, roasted plantain, Oxtail coco buns, pepper shrimps and unlimited selected beverages are part of the package. From AED 200 for food only and AED 265 with drinks.
Starting 2pm to 6:30pm; call 04 557 5601 or visit Ting Irie’s website
11. Get fix of Global Village’s splendid Eid events
The beloved theme park and tourist attraction is throwing a jaw-dropping Eid celebration. Musical fireworks, of course, are part of the proceedings. Explore Eid traditions of over 90 cultures at the 27 different pavilions. The regional pavilions of UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will have henna stations, stalls selling traditional clothing and other cultural activities. Keep an eye out for the Eid-based cultural shows on the Main Stage. Make sure to browse through the Eid Wonders Souq to shop for gifts and souvenirs. Check out our full guide to Global Village here.
From 4pm-2am; entry is AED 27 per person
12. Immerse yourself in Al Seef’s live music and activities
After a spectacular Ramadan lights show, Al Seef continues to hit it out of the park for Eid too with special souq retail offers, offers at waterfront dining venues and live performances by Tanoura dancers and Emirati folklore bands. Find more details here.
13. Eat your way through Karama’s street food festival
The second edition of the Ramadan Street Food Festival wraps up on April 13, which means this is your last chance to savour special menus at over 55 restaurants in Karama. Head straight to this old Dubai neighbourhood’s Sheikh Hamdan Colony and restaurant-hop, digging into kebabs, Indian chaat, Arabic snacks and more at cafeterias, and fancy eateries, all while twinkling Ramadan lights glint around you. Keep an eye out for live tanoura dancers, musical performances and other roaming entertainment.
14. Celebrate Eid Al Fitr at Motiongate
Motiongate always knows how to put its best foot forward for the festive season. Eid Al Fitr gets the same enchanting treatment with a fresh stage show called Hollywood Dreams. Spectators will be swept up into the tale of a cameraman who daydreams about what it would be like to be in the spotlight instead of behind the lens. There’s an Eid Street Food market by the DreamWorks Zone to snack on chai, churros spiral potato sticks and more. Entry during Eid includes access to all this and 29 movie-themed rides and attractions. Get your tickets here
15. Enjoy music, markets and performances at City Walk
This shopping and dining hub in the heart of the city is shining bright for Eid with traditional dance performances by the Emirati band Al Mazyood on the 1st and 2nd day of Eid opposite Roxy Cinema. There’s more: on day 1 and 3 of Eid a three-piece band will have live performances. As you stroll around, check out the Artisan Market’s handicraft stalls selling personalised jewellery, accessories, home décor and clothes from local brands and businesses. Find more info here.
16. Roar into Eid with Riverland’s Dino and laser shows
Laser light shows and fireworks apart, this scenic European village-themed shopping destination has plenty going on for Eid. The Dino Mania show featuring life-size animatronic dinosaurs will kick celebrations off at 8pm daily. Besides, kids can enjoy other attractions at the venue such as the Neon Galaxy indoor play world and and JumpX, the largest bouncy castle. Until April 12.
17. Sign up for thrilling sports at Hatta for reduced prices
Throughout Eid, the picturesque exclave’s nature trails, mountains and dam are rife with outdoor activities. Visitors get a straight 30% off activities offered at Hatta Wadi Hub. It’s pplicable on ziplining, archery, wall-climbing, axe-throwing, net walking and more. Find more details here.
18. Splash around at Wild Wadi’s DJ pool party
Every day until April 14, the waterpark’s wave pool will host DJ pool parties to celebrate Eid. Open to all ages, the aquatic party is perfect for a family day out. UAE residents also get a 30% discount on the day pass to the park when booking online. Additionally, you can purchase an ‘all-you-can-eat’ package for AED 75 per adult and AED 60 per child is on the website. Find info here.
19. Spend a day indoor in nature at The Green Planet
For scenic nature escapes within the city, head out to The Green Planet. The indoor biodome and rainforest is celebrating Eid with complimentary activities such as face painting, henna art, hair braiding, caricature art activities and a chance to meet mascots until April 14. Visitors can also sign up for Nature Talks happening in the park and see the Thunderstorm show. You can enjoy reptile encounter photoshoots too. More info on their website.
20. Calm Down and head to Afrobeats star Rema’s concert
The talented Nigerian singer Rema will be performing at the Coca-Cola Arena on April as part of the Afroworld concert. You’ll be singing along to hits such as Calm Down, Dumebi and other dancefloor favourites. Tickets from AED 299 available here.
21. Groove to Mohamed Ramadan’s pop tunes
Egyptian artist Mohamed Ramadan is raising the roof at The Agenda in Media City on April 12 with a concert. The multi-talented star who raps, acts and sings will be belting out his chartbusters like Ya Habibi, Tik Tok and Champion. Tickets start from AED 250; get them here
22. Watch Abdul Majed Abdullah live in concert
Saudi singer and a stalwart of the Khaleeji pop genre, Abdul Majeed Abdullah is performing at Coca-Cola Arena on April 13. Expect to hear some of his biggest hits such as Raheeb, Melyon Khater and Alla Yejazeek during this show. Tickets from AED 367; get them here.
23. Lose yourself to the music at Be Beach all weekend long
One of Dubai Harbour’s crowning glories – Be Beach – has a packed line-up of live DJs and music scheduled for the Eid weekend from April 11-14. On April 11, DJ Tennis and Apache rev up the electronic music from 7pm till late. April 12 sees the launch of NIU (New Iconic Urban), a weekly night of music dedicated to R&B, Hip Hop, Afrobeats, and Reggaeton. You’ll be dancing away from 9pm till late. This inaugural session sees Erika and DJ Ace take to the decks.
On April 13, South African house music DJ Themba will spin electric tracks from 7pm until the wee hours of early morning. Wrapping things up on a high note on April 14 is Be Beach’s weekly Sunset Sessions from 5pm-12am.
Free entry for ladies and AED 200 for men. Call 054 7511119 for bookings.
24. Pamper yourself with a day pass from SEVA
Long weekends are a great excuse to clock in some R&R. Until April 14, wellness space SEVA is offering an unlimited pass that packs in yoga, sound healing meditation, dining discounts and shopping deals. Besides unlimited access to classes, this Eid Al Fitr package also offers a 20% discount on F&B bills at their holistic vegan SEVA cafe. The discount also extends to purchases of wellness products from their retail store. The Eid Al Fitr Unlimited Pass is AED 888 per person.
Call 056 534 2899 or visit visit SEVA’s website
25. Savour sun, sand and shimmying to live music at Summersalt Beach Club
Summersalt Beach Club is sinking into the long weekend with a rotation of live entertainment and music from April 11-14. Saxophonists, violinists and dancers will entertain guests as you lounge about on a sunbed. Once night falls, the tempo picks up with individual sets by tech and house music DJs Bona Fide, DJ Katia and Shahin Shantiaie. Throw in uninterrupted views of Burj Al Arab and you’ve got the recipe to a memorable weekend. A day pass costs AED 800 with an AED 400 F&B credit; minimum spend of AED 250.
Call 04 366 7680 for bookings
26-31. Head to these spots in Dubai to catch spectacular Eid Al Fitr Fireworks
We’ve got down the timings and locations of 6 confirmed venues where dazzling Eid Al Fitr pyrotechnics will illuminate the skies. Click here for the full list.
32-34. Gift friends and family these amazing Eid hampers
🍫Luxury desert brand Varak have a special Eid Crescent box featuring indulgent elements from around the Middle East. There’s tea from Sya, Moroccan amlou (almond) spread, halal water-based perfume and a note to personalise each gift. AED 400 per box, buy it here
🍰Homegrown bakery chain Mister Baker has put together an Eid gift hamper full of festive treats. Crescent-shaped pastries, desserts and more are beautifully wrapped up in wicker basket. Gift hampers start from AED 189. Buy them here
🍪 French chocolatiers Forrey & Galland have concocted gorgeous Eid-themed gift hampers and boxes. Choose from a selection of handmade Arabic sweets infused with pistachio, orange and date ma’amoul cookies, and flavoured chocolates. These are lovingly encased in ornate packaging featuring intricate Arabesque motifs, gold foiling and plexi boxes. Some of them are shaped like crescent moons.
The collection ranges from AED 53 to AED 1,170; www.forreyandgalland.com