3.00 PM Tuesday, 19 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 05:07 06:20 12:29 15:54 18:33 19:47
19 March 2024

UAE National Day holidays: Latest on what's happening where

A large number of events and activities have been planned in Dubai. (File)

Published
By Shuchita Kapur

Several activities have been planned to mark the 43rd National Day of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 2014.

The holiday and the celebrations mark the unification of the emirates and the founding of the country in 1971.

Here are some activities – fireworks, parade and 'live' entertainment – that you can enjoy while you celebrate this important day.

Dubai

A large number of events and activities have been planned in Dubai. Here are a few of those:

World’s Longest Graffiti

Where: Jumeirah Beach Park

When: November 30, 10am to 5pm

A new art and cultural project, entitled ‘Our Journey’, will mark the UAE’s 43rd National Day celebrations. Expected to enter Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s longest graffiti, ‘Our Journey’ will be 2,180 metres long, will resemble UAE’s map and the seven emirates, and will mirror glimpses of UAE history, starting from the beautiful past to the bright present and promising future.

Once completed, it is expected to enter Guinness World Records as the world’s longest graffiti. The team members include 100 of the world's finest graffiti artists, 30 Arabian artists and 20 Emirati artists. Participation is open for public, especially students.

‘Our Journey’ will consume over 7,000 paint spray containers. The eco-friendly containers will be used in another artwork. Several cultural and recreational events will be hosted, starting from10am to 5pm.

Dazzling Fireworks Show

Where: Opposite Burj Al Arab Hotel

When: 6pm onwards, December 1

As part of the celebrations of UAE 43th National Day, there will be dazzling performance with the popular international magicians and spectacular fireworks shows at the Burj Al Arab. The events will take place opposite Burj Al Arab Hotel and is free of charge. However, only those who had pre-registered through the website before November 18 can only make it to the event now. The event will take place on 1st of December 2014 from 6 pm onwards.

Fireworks and 'live' Entertainment

Where: JBR beach

When: 5pm (live entertainment) and 9pm (fireworks), December 2

You can expect a scintillating fireworks display at the beach opposite Jumeriah Beach Residence on Tuesday, December 2, 2014. Celebrations will be on with live entertainment from 5pm onwards and fireworks start at 9 pm.

Dance, light show, fireworks

Where: City Walk, Al Wasl/Safa Road

When: Daily 2pm to 11pm, November 28 to December 2

City Walk, at the junction of Al Wasl and Al Safa Road, will be organizing events from Friday, November 28 to Tuesday, December 2. The five-day festivities will include traditional performances by Al Ayalla and Al Yolla dancers, an eventful showcase of skill by LED jugglers, face painting on the National Day, and a beautiful play on lights that illuminate the destination.

The festivities will conclude on December 2 with a fireworks show that will begin at 9pm. 'Live' entertainment will begin at 5pm onwards each day and fireworks at 10pm.

National colours on waterfall, cultural activities, exhibitions

Where: Dubai Mall

When: November 28 to December 6

Expect several cultural activities and entertainment at the Dubai Mall to celebrate the National Day. The Watani Exhibition at the mall will offer visitors insights about the UAE’s history, including the foundation of the seven Emirates, the development of the nation and the vision of its great leaders, from November 30 to December 6, 2014, at The Dubai Mall, Star Atrium.

Arabian Pearl Exhibition, another exhibit, will provide visitors with the full history on the early days of pearl diving, traditional tools used and clothes worn, from November 28 to December 6 at The Souk Atrium.

Besides this, a kids’ parade will be held featuring over 40 Emirati children, all dressed in the UAE flag colours, will march through The Dubai Mall’s ground floor reciting the National Anthem, onDecember 1 and 2 from 4 to 8pm. The UAE flag colours will be projected onto the mall’s Waterfall, until December 3 allowing visitors to take souvenir shots.

UAE-themed Art & Entertainment

Where: Dubai Outlet Mall

When: 10am to 12midnight, December 1-3

Dubai Outlet Mall has planned live art shows, entertainment, and a treasure hunt for the upcoming National Day celebrations. ‘Live’ painting exhibition under the central theme of 'My UAE' will see local artists of diverse nationalities come together Mall to create their own artworks on December 2.

Artists will only use UAE flag colours – Red, Green, Black & White – in their creations. In addition, visitors can participate in a treasure hunt at the mall, with the event being broadcast live on radio.

Abu Dhabi

There will be a wealth of amazing activities, fantastic firework shows, captivating concerts, dazzling displays and heritage attractions, running in the capital during these days.

Free-to-attend activities include hot air balloon rides on the Corniche, concerts by top Khaleeji performers across the Emirate, falconry competitions, sailing regattas, and art festivals and theatrical shows. Here are some that you can attend.

Fireworks

Where: Abu Dhabi Corniche family park

When: 7pm to 10pm, December 2

Fireworks have been planned by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority at the Plaza area in Abu Dhabi Corniche Family Park. It will be held on December 2 from 7pm to 10pm.

Traditional activities/festivities

Where: Boutik Sun and Sky

When: 5pm to 9pm, November 27

A series of events have been lined up at Boutik Sun and Sky on 27th November on Al Reem Island between 5 to 9pm. Traditional activities and festivities include stilt walking, face painting, kids’ workshop, henna tattoo corner, traditional dance, balloons release and Abu Dhabi police band show.

Concerts/Celebrations

Where: Yas Island

When: December 2

Concerts at DU Forum by Abu Dhabi Municipality will be held at Yas Island, 9pm onwards. Besides this, you can also see the fireworks by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority at the island at 8pm December 2.

Al Forsan Air Show

Where: Abu Dhabi Corniche

When: 3pm to 5pm, December 2

Be a part of Al Forsan Air Show at Abu Dhabi Corniche from 3pm to 5pm on December 2.

Sharjah

Various activities in several locations have been planned in Sharjah, aimed at igniting national pride and enhancing belonging among all people of the UAE.

Maritime parade, musical operetta, exhibitions

Where: Several locations in Sharjah

When: November 28 to December 2

The highlight of activities by Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) is a musical operetta titled ‘A Nation’s Journey’, to be performed on November 30 and December 1, at the Port Area of Sharjah Maritime Museum and Sharjah Aquarium.

The operetta, set in the art of Zuhairyat (traditional maritime songs), has been written especially for the occasion by Poet Matar Ramadhan. The National Day programme by SMD also includes various celebrations at Bait Sheikh Saeed in Kalba.

The event will be held on December 2, and will include a number of exhibitions, including ‘Memory of a Homeland’ – a large collection of images and documents telling the story of the union.

Other activities include an exhibition of historical and heritage books on the UAE, a fair of coffee-making tools and history, as well as a photographic showcase titled ‘Kharoufa Ya Bdehti’. This exhibition also features an accompanying puppet theatre show, traditional crafts, Bashout, and heritage artefacts.

The celebrations will also include musical and other performances by schoolchildren in Kalba, as well as a traditional cooking corner, painting workshops, and a number of competitions and riddles – all with the participation of a huge teddy bear.

Main activities continue at the external area of Sharjah Maritime Museum, which included a rafting boat race on November 28 and a maritime parade and other shows by the maritime group on December 2.

Other activities include a traditional café, an activity titled ‘Heritage from my Country’, folklore performances, a heritage studio, Abra boat show, a free drawing studio, parasailing, and draws for valuable presents and gifts.