Events listings: UAE National Day

What you can do in the UAE to celebrate National Day

November 27, Tuesday
Abu Dhabi

Sorbonne University: Emirati artist Aysha Ahmad Al Masood presents historical pictures and artifacts from the UAE, at 1.30pm. The university’s official celebration will be held on Wednesday November 28 from 4pm, at the university campus located on Reem Island.

Abu Dhabi Education Council: Open day for public and private school pupils, teachers and their families with cultural performances, military shows, art workshops and sport activities like paintball and soccer. Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, 10am-6pm.

Dubai

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Knowledge and Human Department: National day performances and dances by eight schools, at the Mina a’Salam Hotel, Dubai, 9.30-11.30am.

Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department: 20 UAE-themed activities, including union tree planting in Umm Al Sheif, and a traditional bazaar and folk shows at the Mizher branch, in association with the Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain Cultural and Islamic Centre, 9am-12pm at the Al Sheif and Mizher branches of Princess Haya Centre.

Dubai Ladies Club: Cutdoor bazaar with cooking and art workshops, kids activities (also Wednesday). Thursday will include a special UAE-themed bazaar, a children’s party where all children are encouraged to wear National dress, and the beauty salon be doing UAE-themed nail art. 11am-8pm, Jumeirah Beach Road.

November 28, Wednesday

Abu Dhabi

Zayed University: Mohammad Al Menhali and Mansoor Zayed perform. Celebrations also include a military band, photo booth with traditional decoration, hand craft workshops, tents, a traditional food café, videos on national day; from noon-5pm, at female promenade.

Abu Dhabi Men’s College: Open day with heritage village, a cultural cooking show, Emirati cultural products on sale, competitions best-decorated student cars, and for Arabic poetry, traditional Ayala Emirati dance and screenings of short movies. 10am-12pm.

Zayed University: du National day forum with Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, presenting awards to winners of the du social media award, and premiere of the official National Day song.

Dubai

Dubai Public Prosecution: Bazaar tent with traditional and handmade products. In front of the Dubai Public Prosecution building, 9am-2pm; also on Thursday.

Ministry of Education: Raising of the UAE flag on the biggest flag pole installed in a governmental department, inauguration of the Union Library and unveiling of the “union mosaic” inside Al Qusais metro station, next to the ministry, at 9.30am.

Cultural and Scientific Association: Seminars on development efforts in light of the union on Wednesday, 7pm; Thursday: a Chinese band performance; Friday: Egyptian band performance; Saturday Emirati Scientific Club will hold a scientific day with workshops and an art exhibition, at the association’s headquarters in Mamzar, Dubai, 9am-7pm

Deira City Centre: Kids art activities on the Centre Stage until December 2; the mall’s LOVE Art initiative has a photo exhibition by the Emirates Photography Society celebrating the UAE’s heritage.

Documentary Voices: Screening of When Clouds Come Down, directed by Moein Karimodini, followed by a discussion on cinema and national identity, at Alliance Francaise, Oud Metha, 8pm. Daily pass, including script writing workshop, Dh200. Details at documentaryvoices.com.

Global Village: Union Festival until December 2. Emirati cultural shows with Ayyala, Andiman, Liwa, Razfa and Noban dances, traditional competitions on Meydan Stage and Youla contests. Doors open from 4pm. Call 04-3624114.

Ajman

Ajman Corniche: Ajman Police’s national day activities, 8.30pm.

Sharjah

Al Mamzar: Sharjah Police’s national day activities, in front of Sharjah Islamic Bank, 4pm.

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation: Events for people with special needs (adults and kids), al harbia band, workshop on Arabic calligraphy, kids workshops and traditional food, from 9am until noon. Details at sharjahmuseums.ae.

November 29, Thursday

Abu Dhabi

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology: National anthem performed by police band, al harbeya performers, traditional contests, photo booth with UAE national costumes, camel riding, henna, traditional games, old souq and food kiosks. 10am-4pm; call 02-8109435 or 050-4887044.

Dubai

Department of Economic Development: Activities and a luncheon, 11am-2pm, courtyard of DED headquarters, Business Village, Port Saeed near the Clock Tower.

Dubai Municipality Architectural Heritage Department: Display of the Department’s products with tents, a poetry house, local food. All municipality centres will hold traditional programmes, including exhibitions of old photographs and calligraphy and live stage shows. 10am-1pm.

Mall of the Emirates: Exhibition of works by regional artists with images of the UAE, H.H Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and H.H Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Until December 3.

Mirdif City Centre: Maze, a heart-shaped walk-through adventure incorporating the “Spirit of the Union” theme with touchscreen games and prizes; ‘Joy of the Union’ photo station which allows visitors to select a UAE-themed background; heritage and children’s area with traditional and modern arts and crafts such as weaving, puppet making, mask and origami making, painting and more. Local drumming and folklore band Yoola. Until December 2.

Documentary Voices: Screening of Floating Life of Dubai Creek, followed by a Q&A with director Tim Kennedy, at Alliance Francaise, Oud Metha, 8pm. Daily pass, including script writing workshop, Dh200. Details at documentaryvoices.com.

Global Village: National Day concert featuring Hazzaa on the main stage and a parade with over 40 artists from all over the world and their traditional costumes. Emirati areesh huts around the park welcome visitors with Arabic coffee, dates and Arabic incense. Doors open from 4pm. Call 04-3624114.|

Dubai Ladies Club: Cultural activities for children and mothers including a UAE-themed bazaar with products from small businesses from across the country; 11am-9pm in the main foyer, open to all ladies. UAE-themed nail art, 3-8pm and UAE-themed children’s party 4-6pm, open to children 4-11, prize for best dressed. dubailadiesclub.com.

November 30, Friday

Sharjah

Sharjah Islamic Bank: The sixth SIB national carnival, with a traditional food tent featuring Emirati bakers, and UAE-themed photo sessions. Also Saturday, in the front yard of the bank’s headquarters opposite Al Khan Lagoon.

Dubai

Blue Marlin Ibiza: Unite as One, a two-day National Day fiesta featuring Rudy (Axwell, Dirty South) and Shawnee Taylor (Sublimal records) alongside resident DJs Frederick Stone, Jean B, Jixo and Danz and Kaytek. At Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotel And Resort, Ghantoot; call 050-1422800.

Dubai Outlet Mall: Emerging and professional artists from different nationalities will present a live painting show using only the colours of the UAE flag, 10am-midnight. Completed painting will be on sale from December 2-8. Call 04-4234666.

Global Village: National Day concert featuring Arwa at the main stage. Doors open from 4pm. Call 04-3624114.

Atlantis, The Palm: Lost Chambers Family Fun Day with date tasting, UAE folklore and cultural activities and see the UAE flag flying underwater. UAE free-diving champion Ahmad Khoori will perform a free-dive to help raise awareness of ocean conservation at 11am. Dh100 per person, children under 11 receive free admission with each full paid adult admission. Call 04-4260000.

December 1, Saturday

Dubai

Blue Marlin Ibiza: Unite as One, a National Day fiesta featuring Michelle Weeks and Ultra Nate alongside resident DJs Frederick Stone, Jean B, Jixo and Danz and Kaytek, at Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotel And Resort, Ghantoot. Call 050-1422800.

Global Village: Concert featuring Diana Haddad, Ali Al Katheeri and Ali Al Naqbi. Doors open from 4pm, concerts from 8pm. Call 04-3624114.|

Dubai Festival City: Spirit of the Union celebrations from 6pm, with performances and fireworks.

Sharjah

Sharjah City Centre: Roaming traditional dance troupe playing National Day-themed music (also Sunday); traditional Emirati food bazaar complete with live cooking stations and a National Day-themed photo exhibition on display from December 1-15.

December 2, Sunday

Dubai

Arabian Center: Traditional entertainment and giveaways, yola dances, free henna for women and a falcon display. A digital canvas will be displayed in the mall where customers can draw their wish, worth up to Dh5,000.

Global Village: National Day concert featuring Ali Al Katheeri, Ali Al Naqbi and Fadhel Al Mazrouei and raffle to win a Chevrolet Camaro 2013. Doors open from 4pm, concerts from 8pm; Call 04-3624114.|

Al Nasr Leisureland: Ice show featuring junior skaters supported by Ice Stars Skating Club. Show at 6.30pm, free entry. Call 050-5594589.

Mirdif City Centre: Flash mob performance at 5pm, national anthem playing at 7pm, a march by the Dubai Customs inspectors and surprise grand finale event.

Ductac, Mall of the Emirates: Freej Folklore, a blend of dance, music, animation and stage performance. English show at 3pm, Arabic at 6pm, free entry. Call 04-3414777.

Jumeriah Beach Road: National Day motor parade organised by the Community Development Authority at 3pm between Union House in Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach Residence with Ferrari, Corvette, Harley Davidson and classic car clubs.

Abu Dhabi

Breakwater: Traditional market at Heritage Village organised by Emirates Heritage Club with food and handicrafts, falconry and camel riding and a traditional boat race, 5-9pm.

Ferrari World: Free admission for a child under 1.5m for every adult ticket purchased; for resident families only, until December 3. ferrariworldabudhabi.com.

Sharjah

Sharjah City Centre: Cutting of a 41kg cake decorated with the colours of the UAE flag, 8.30am.

Sharjah Aquarium and Sharjah Maritime Museum: Maritime parade, Emirati wedding, competition for best Emirati costume and Emirati meal, marine band and traditional competitions, from 2.45-7pm. Details at sharjahmuseums.ae

Al Majaz Waterfront: Cultural dances (5-10pm), firework displays (9pm) and multimedia shows in the Sharjah Fountain (8pm, 9pm and 10pm); art exhibition (November 27-December 6) and exhibition by the Woman’s Union Association in Sharjah (on display November 28-December 7). Also December 1.

Qasba: Daily activities from November 28-December 3, including stage performances and workshops by Sharjah Police, 9pm-midnight. Also, signing of the National Day card (November 29), National Day marathon (November 30), Emirates Society stand (7pm-9pm daily), carnival, performances by UAE bands, exhibition by students from the University of Sharjah’s College of Fine Arts and Design (11am-9pm daily) and workshops: origami (5-9pm, November 26); drawing with the Emirates Fine Arts Society (10am-4pm, November 27); mixed media (5-9pm, November 30).

December 4, Tuesday

Dubai

Capital D Studio: “We Built This City” exhibition of photos taken by the public and uploaded to Instagram with the hashtag #webuiltthiscity. Mention @sauceloves and @capitaldstudio and the images stream directly to www.shopatsauce.com/webuiltthiscity. 41 selected instagram shots will be turned into a #webuiltthiscity installation at the event in Al Quoz at 7.30pm. Call 04-3415339 / 04-3463393.