The 43rd UAE National Day is fast approaching and everyone in the Emirates is gearing up to celebrate in style.
Whichever part of the UAE you live in, there’s no end of events for you to enjoy, including two Guinness World Record attempts. Here are some of the fun activities you can participate in.
[Related: Big Deals Digest: UAE National Day getaways]
National Day events in Dubai
Event | Date | Location | Time | Description |
The Parade | 29 Nov 2014 | Downtown Dubai | 3pm – 5pm | The Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard will turn into a giant stage for a mix of entertainment including floats, mascots, folkloric dancers and Dubai Police super cars. Admission is free and spectators will be handed National Day keepsakes such as flags, balloons and clappers. |
National Day Fireworks | 1 Dec 2014 | Burj Al Arab | 6pm | Enter before 5.15pm to watch performances and fireworks. Admission is for ticket-holders only. If you haven’t registered already, you can enjoy the fireworks display from afar. |
Our Journey – making of the world’s longest graffiti | 29 – 30 Nov 2014 | Beach Park | 10am – 5pm | Participate in the making of a 2,180m-long graffiti scrawl with 150 world renowned graffiti artists. Expected to enter the Guinness World Records as the world’s longest graffiti, ‘Our Journey’ is to consume over 7,000 eco-friendly spray paint containers. |
Go on a ‘flower flag quest’ | Anyday | Across Dubai | Anytime | The Government has attempted to set a new Guinness World Record by creating 43 huge flower flags across Dubai. The biggest flower flag is located at the fifth intersection of Sheikh Zayed Road, planted over 6,500 square meters using 105,000 seedlings. Look out for more in Bur Dubai, Deira and public parks of Dubai. |
Art & craft workshops, nail art, stage shows, cake cutting and souvenir shopping | 30 Nov – 3 Dec 2014 | Mercato Mall | 10am – 10pm | From watching multicultural performances to getting your nails painted in the colors of the UAE, attend a line-up of events and family-friendly activities on the ground floor and first floor of the mall. |
Waterfall flag, falconers and kids parade | 27 Nov – 3 Dec 2014 | The Dubai Mall | 3pm – 12am | Catch the UAE flag on a waterfall at the Waterfall Atrium or let your children enjoy a session of face-painting, kids parade and falcons at the ground floor of the mall. |
Art and culture activities | 1 – 6 Dec 2014 | City Centre Mirdif/ Deira | All day | Each City Centre mall will host family activities such as performances of live Emirati bands, dance troupes, distribution of complimentary Arabic dates and coffee. |
National Day events in Abu Dhabi
Event | Date | Location | Time | Description |
Traditional activities & festivities | 27 Nov 2014 | Boutik Sun and Sky, Al Reem Island | 5pm – 9pm | Have your kids participate in a series of activities such as bungee jumping, henna tattoos and bouncy castles. Get up close with falcons and camels or watch traditional dances and the Abu Dhabi Police band show. |
National Day concerts | 1 – 2 Dec 2014 | Across Abu Dhabi | 9pm | Attend concerts featuring well-known Arab and Gulf stars across various locations in Abu Dhabi.
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National Day Fireworks | 1 – 3 Dec 2014 | Across Abu Dhabi | 9pm | Watch choreographed fireworks in red, green and white colors across various locations in Abu Dhabi.
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Events in other emirates
Event | Date | Location | Time | Description |
Art and culture activities | 1 – 6 Dec 2014 | City Centre Ajman, City Centre Deira, City Centre Fujairah, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Sharjah and My City Centre, Nasseriya | All day | Each City Centre mall will host family activities such as performances of live Emirati bands, dance troupes, distribution of complimentary Arabic dates and coffee. City Centre Sharjah is to cut a giant C-shaped cake with visitors. |
Country of Innovation, a musical play | 2 Dec 2014 | Flag Island, Sharjah | 7:30 pm | The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) will host the premiere of the musical play, lyrics of which were written by national poet Ali Al Khawar and composed by Khalid Nasser. |
Sea Parade | 2 Dec 2014 | Sharjah Marine Museum | 2 pm | Watch the Sharjah Government’s sea parade at the marina of Sharjah Marine Museum. |
Mega military show | 2 Dec 2014 | Across Ajman | 9 pm | Watch a mega military show from the UAE land, maritime and air forces. |
Art and culture activities | 2 Dec 2014 | Cultural Centre – Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah | 4 pm – 8 pm | Head out to the Cultural Centre in your Emirate with your family to participate in a series of traditional activities. |