It’s during times of celebration and togetherness that the spirit of the city and its people really comes to the fore. This is no more evident than during the numerous festivities happening around the capital during Eid.
To help you plan your diary we’ve highlighted some of the must-do things on offer, from festivals to special events at zoos, great activities and even places to eat.
Events
SummerFest 2013
This 52-day extravaganza is nothing short of spectacular and this year’s line-up has been possibly the most impressive one yet (check out our interview with West End superstar Michael Ball on page 14, who’ll be bringing the curtain down on activities this year). Running until August 17 SummerFest is a celebration of comedy, theatre, sport, live shows (we even had Scooby Doo here this year!), celebrity appearances and premieres spread across ADNEC and the Du Forum on Yas Island. Standout features include a giant obstacle course, a live action Cartoon Network Village, the LEGO zone, Bubble Man, stunt performances and more.
Tickets are Dhs40 for adults and Dhs20 for under 12s. Children under two enter for free. www.summerfestabudhabi.ae.
Ramadan and Eid festival 2013
The ever popular Eid Festival at ADNEC is the perfect combination of a consumer show with traditional celebration. The event showcases family-friendly consumer goods, unique gift items, Arabic food, toys and games, as well as traditional song and dance to introduce an ambience of togetherness. Always highly recommended, this year is no different and it runs until August 10.
Ramadan timing: 8.30pm-2.30am. Eid timing: 4pm-midnight www.adnec.ae (02 444 6900).
Feed the elephants
On the first day of Eid, pack up the youngsters and bring them out to the Emirates Park Zoo where they can meet Madju and Rada, the UAE’s very first Indian elephants. As if that wasn’t exciting enough for the kiddies, they’ll also be given the chance to feed the gentle giants, too!
www.emiratesparkzoo.com (02 563 3100).
Ramadan and Eid festival 2013 (Al Ain)
Following the same format as the ADNEC festivities our friends in the Garden City are also putting on quite the celebration themselves. If you’re new to Abu Dhabi then it’s worth heading out to visit our neighbours at the Al Ain Convention centre – specifically the Al Khabisi Hall 2.
Runs until August 11. www.adnec.ae.
SummerFest: EidFest Concert
As part of the SummerFest celebrations three of the Arab world’s brightest musical talents will usher in the Eid celebrations in phenomenal style at the Du Forum on Yas on Saturday August 10. This event will see the best of Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the UAE unite for a three-hour musical extravaganza. The artists performing include opera star Yara, Rabeh Saqar from Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s very own Hussain Al Jassmi.
Doors open at 8pm and there are three ticket bandings: VIP (Dhs495), Premium (Dhs350) and A Reserve (Dhs200). www.summerfestabudhabi.ae (800 555).
Light Racers
Ferrari World is going to really brighten up Eid this year with a pretty phenomenal Light Racers showcase. Headlining the event will be the popular group Khawater Al Dalam, who came to prominence thanks to their memorable performances on TV show Arabs’ Got Talent with their incredible ‘appearing/disappearing’ LED dance act. Also performing will be Lightwire Theatre from the US and local favourites Urban Grunge with their energetic hip hop, urban ballet, parkour and b-boy dance moves. Light Racers runs from August 9-18.
www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com (02 496 8000).
View nights out
View sports and Activities
View hit the beach
View dine out somewhere different
View day trips
View staycations
View what will you be doing this Eid?
View essential Eid gifts
Nights out
Ladies’ night at Stills
One of the most stylish bars on Yas Island, Stills is hosting a ladies’ night this Thursday where DJ Chris Jackson will be manning the decks and there’ll be free mixed blends for the girls from 8pm-11pm. Just contact the Crowne Plaza on Yas to make reservations.
Crowne Plaza, Yas Island (020 656 3058).
Go Arabic
From 9pm on Sunday August 11, get yourself along to Le Méridien for a taste of modern Arabic hits being spun by the ever energetic DJ Marc Beta. So if you’re at a loose end grab some friends and head along to Double Arabic Night at G-Club where the party goes on until 3.30am.
Le Méridien, Tourist Club Area (02 644 6666).
Get cheesy
If something a tad more refined is what you’re after this Eid, then head to La Cava at the Rosewood. Every evening from 5pm-8pm they’re laying on a rather splendid paring of tapas and grape selected by their expert Sommelier. For five tapas and five flights of grape it’ll set you back Dhs250 or for eight tapas and eight flights of grape it’ll be Dhs380. They’ve also introduced a rather splendid selection of cheese platters starting from Dhs85.
Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island (02 813 5552).
Enjoy English sports
The English football Championship started last week and Cooper’s is one of the best spots in town to catch up on all the action from the UK (before the big boys from the Premier League kick off on August 17). Arguably one of the most popular social spots in town (certainly among the expat community anyway), it has a special deal on every Saturday where bangers and mash with an English beverage will set you back just Dhs80. There’ll be special drinks offers for ladies as well with free bubbly from 8pm. As if that wasn’t enough there’s also a daily happy hour from noon-midnight with 50 percent off selected beverages.
Park Rotana, Khalifa Park (02 657 3333).
Sports and Activities
Wakeboarding
Get dragged along at speeds of up to 38kmph on the board of your choice at the Middle East’s first water cable park facility. Beginners and professionals can either hang on for dear life as they skim across the water, or throw a few jumps and tricks in along the way. Capable of taking 13 wakeboarders every minute, you’ll not be ‘hanging around’ for long before you’re ready for another go.
Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Airport Road (02 556 8555).
Helicopter ride
Take to the skies from just Dhs425 for a 15 minute helicopter tour around the Corniche, or head further afield with a 30 minute trip. They only run if at least five passengers are booked while capacity is limited to six people, but that just makes a good excuse to bring friends of family along for the ride.
Falcon Aviation Services, sales@falconaviation.ae (02 444 0007).
Get snapping
Think you’re a bit clever with a camera? Use the Eid festivities to get snappy with your smartphone and you could win a 2013 Formula 1 experience, return business class tickets with Etihad Airways and lots more. The competition, run by Visit Abu Dhabi, is aimed at capturing the sights of the city and uploading them to the Instagram app with the tag #SnapAbuDhabi.
Date for last entries is September 13. www.visitabudhabi.ae.
Flyboarding
Fancy jumping in and out of the sea like a superhero dolphin? Powered by massive jets of water, you can quite literally fly over the water thanks to possibly the most extreme-looking watersport to ever be invented; flyboarding.
Abu Dhabi Marine Sports, Yas Island (050 233 1177).
Free to see
Take advantage of some of the city’s great free attractions, including the Heritage Village on the Breakwater for a glimpse of Abu Dhabi in the days before oil riches. You could also pick up a book at the National Library on Airport Road or simply stay up until the early hours to see the catches come in at Port Zayed fish market.
Free tickets to Al Ain zoo
The zoo in our emirate’s Garden City will be hosting a variety of activities and celebrations over the long weekend. Every visitor to the park will receive an eidiya (traditional Eid gift) from the park: a free ticket for your next visit. There will be henna, arts and crafts, paintings, a parrot show, a three-times daily puppet show and lots more. It’s open 10am-10pm daily (closes 8pm on the last day of Eid).
Al Ain Zoo, www.alainzoo.ae (03 781 1451).
Hit the beach
The new Corniche
Head out to the Corniche’s new west beach, a 1.5km expanse which is open from 8am-2am. It’s proven to be a popular spot in the evening during Ramadan, even though facilities are somewhat limited at the moment (although plans for volleyball courts and more are planned). It’s already gone down well with the city’s swimmers, though.
Al Hijab beach
Belevari Marine are a tour boat operator who are running an overnight island camping trip to Al Hijab island. Packages include camping equipment, campfire, cooking equipment, soft drinks and water and leave from Emirates Palace Marina.
Belevari Marine (02 643 5674).
Al Bateen beach
Perfect for a picnic and a swim. Although quite narrow it doesn’t tend to be swamped in amenities like some of the other local spots which are aimed more at western tourists. To get there head along 19th Street and turn left when it ends, onto 16th Street. Drive a further 200 metres and you’ll see the beach on the right.
Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan beach
Situated on the Corniche Road West as part of the hotel’s facilities the private beach at Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana is also open to customers for day use. Access includes use of the sauna, Jacuzzi, pools and, of course, stunning turquoise water. There’s also a water sports centre.
Corniche Road West (02 657 0000).
Al Dibbeiya beach
Around 30km away from Abu Dhabi city, this spot is very much an untouched gem offering shallow, clear and calm water. If you want to venture further it makes an ideal swimming spot too. Getting here is a bit of an adventure in itself and please be sure to check the timings of the 12-hour tide cycle online (www.adiamet.gov.ae for example) before you visit, especially at night. When the tide is in the sand turns to mud and you and your vehicle will be in quite a bit of bother. To get to the beach leave Abu Dhabi on the E11 motorway that leads westward to Sila, Al Ruwais and Liwa, and the turn-off to your right is clearly signposted to Al Dibbeiya.
Dine Out somewhere different
The Capital Grill
If you’re a fan of big chunks of beef, we recommend you head to the city’s newest steakhouse. The Capital Grill is situated in the recently opened Dusit Thani hotel on Muroor Road and they are serving a selection of steaks using Australian and American beef.
Dusit Thani, Al Ittihad (02 698 8888).
Manna Land
This Korean restaurant in the up-and-coming area of Al Muroor is situated right next to two of TOAD’s favourite cafés: Soulfull and Shabby Chic. This is as traditional Korean cuisine as it can get, so be prepared to ask the wait staff lots of questions as you try and work out what dishes such as kimbap, galchi jorim and haemul pajeon actually are. That’s sushi rolls, hairtail fish stew and seafood pancake for those of you who don’t speak Korean.
Near Al Mamoura Building, Al Muroor (02 446 6860).
The Grille
You don’t have to have a passion for the fairways to enjoy the buffet being served at this restaurant at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. For the first and second days of Eid, they are serving a buffet of Arabic and international dishes from noon-3.30pm. It’ll set you back Dhs180 for the soft drinks package, Dhs295 to include house beverages.
Khalifa City (02 558 8990).
Magnolia Bakery
Situated in the new Galleria on Al Maryah Island, which opened on August 6, Magnolia is a cupcake bakery. Unlike the sister branch in Dubai, this one also features a savoury menu. So as well as cupcakes, cakes, cookies and pies, expect sandwiches, salads and more. Not even the New York branch of this rather hip outlet does savoury courses.
www.sowwahsquare.ae.
Café Macondo
A coffee shop on Al Reem Island in Boutik Mall, Café Macondo serves a selection of breakfasts and lunches and coffee imported from Hulia in Colombia. They also deliver. If that doesn’t lure you in, their friendly service and bright and breezy, multi-coloured décor will.
Boutik, Al Reem Island (02 644 7011).
Max’s Restaurant
A Filipino eatery that only recently landed in the city, this one is situated near the Corniche and is a branch of a very famous chain of restaurants back home. It does a selection of local dishes but its big lure for customers is its fried chicken. Be warned: it’s not the easiest to find.
Level R inside Corniche Apartments, Corniche Road, back of ADNIC building (02 628 1234).
Day trips
Dune views
Visit the most impressive dune in the emirates, Moreeb dune or Tal Mireb. Around three hours away from the capital it’s an incredible sight on the edge of the ‘Empty Quarter’. Stop in at the Liwa Oasis and find relief from the heat and sand at the Liwa Rest House, a government-owned traditional public resting place.
Liwa Rest House, Liwa Oasis (02 882 2075).
Dip into Hatta Pools
This time of year is perfect to head to Hatta Pools because the clear water pools among the rocks are easily accessible. Located just east of Oman, you can either travel through or go around the top of the country to get there. Stop off at Hatta Fort Hotel for refreshment before the drive home.
Hatta Fort Hotel, Dubai (04 809 9333).
Soak up Al Gharbia
Western Marine Sports Club (WMSC) down in Al Gharbia offers everything from pedal boats and parasailing to floating loungers and diving with certified instructors. Head down for fun on the sea, then enjoy tasting the fruits of it at Manara Al Marfa restaurant in the Mirfa Hotel.
Mirfa Hotel, Al Gharbia, (050 760 4060).
Fort finding
Relive childhood fantasies when sofas and duvets became imaginary forts with a trip to Al Ain. Head to Al Jahili Fort for a display of works by famed British explorer Wilfred Thesiger, or go to Muraijib Fort built in 1816 and across the Omani boarder, or even Hili Fort which will give a slice of rear fort action. Drive back at dusk to capture the desert roads at their best.
Deep sea Dubai
Forget the malls and theme parks, drive up to Dubai for a day of deep sea fishing. From Dhs550 you can try to hook something big over a four-hour trip. If they don’t take the bait, pop along to Dubai Mall for some cage snorkeling in the huge aquarium before heading home (open until 8pm). You might at least see what you were meant to catch!
Arabia Horizons Tours (04 294 6060).
City tour
Why would you need a tour of the city you know so closely? Well, perhaps a day of careful guidance around sites including the Grand Mosque, Masdar City, the date market with a final stop at the Central Market and Marina Mall may just reveal a few secrets you didn’t know already. Operates every day.
Adults from Dhs300. Emirates Tours & Safaris (02 491 2929).
Sharjah sights
Head on up to Sharjah and jump aboard an open-top sightseeing bus for a three-and-a-half hour tour around the emirate. Stopping at the renovated Heritage Area as well as the iconic Blue Souk, day trippers will get a fill of history and possibly a few souvenirs from the 600 and more traditional shops.
Big Bus Tours, Dubai (04 340 7709).
Staycations
Indulge at the canal
During Eid, the Ritz-Carlton is offering a stay three nights, pay for two deal. Starting at Dhs1,020 per room per night for a spacious deluxe room and also valid for a club room, executive suite or one-bedroom villa, the package offers a complimentary third night when two nights are booked, access to the stunning 1,600-square metre swimming pool and private beach and a daily buffet breakfast in Giornotte restaurant.
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, www.ritzcarlton.com/AbuDhabi (02 818 8888).
Experience bliss
The chic spa at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers has a special offer just for Time Out readers. Begin your journey at Talise Spa with a floral bath followed by a 30-minute body scrub which will leave your skin feeling silky smooth and soft. Your ritual finishes with a one hour massage and facial of your choice, which provides the perfect pampering experience. The spa promotion would normally sell for Dhs1,300, but if you are a Time Out Abu Dhabi reader and you mention the magazine you will pay the special price of Dhs1,000.
Talise Spa, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers (02 811 5555).
Relax in style
Escape from the daily grind in a Capital Suite room for just Dhs1,200 at the Hyatt Capital Gate. The deal includes breakfast for two and a choice between rejuvenating at Rayana Spa or indulging in Eastern Mediterranean cuisine at 18°. It’s also offering a special deal for summer where if you stay for two nights or more until September 14 you can enjoy one free night on them, along with numerous benefits including a 20 percent discount on food and beverages.
Hyatt Capital Gate, Al Safraat (02 596 1234).
Save on your stay
The Eastern Mangroves, with picturesque views of the mangroves, is offering you some great discounted rates over Eid. Book three nights and receive a 25 percent discount on the best available rate each day. Book four nights and receive a 30 percent discount on the best available rate each day or book five nights or more, and receive a 40 percent discount on the best available rate each day.
The offer is valid until August 30. Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara, Eastern Ring Road (02 656 1044).
Make a splash
Enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Yas Waterworld starting at Dhs769 per night at the Yas Viceroy. You can combine all the luxury and relaxation of a stay at the hotel on Yas Island with all the fun and exhilaration of unlimited complimentary access to one of the region’s biggest theme parks.
Yas Viceroy, Yas Island (02 656 0727).
What will you be doing this Eid?
‘I’ll be spending the morning with my father, then we’ll pray together before we eat. We’ll have some Arabic juices and some fresh fish. Afterwards I’ll be performing for three days at Al Raha Mall as part of their special Eid programme, from 4pm onwards.’
Dr Muntaser Al Mansoori, leading UAE magician
What will you be doing this Eid?
‘I will be in Bahrain during Eid with my partner and his friends. He is passionate like me about my charity and this Eid is planning to help me to spread the message of the children in Bangladesh there. Teaching by our own example is the only way we can change the lives of many around us’
Eva Kernova, co-founder, The Choice to Change Foundation
What will you be doing this Eid?
‘In the early morning I’ll attend Eid prayers and take my wife to visit her family and mine. We will have a big lunch with the family united and of course I will need to get some cash to give to the kids! Eid Mubarak.’
Movie director Yasir Al Yasiri, a winner at the 2012 Abu Dhabi Film Festival
What will you be doing this Eid?
‘I’ll make sure myself and my family are all in our new Eid outfits and I’ll make sure I have lots of money when visiting family because the kids will not leave me alone if I don’t give them eideya, which is the money they take to go shopping for toys or candy. Eid is about family, celebrating and laughter.’
Sumayyah Al Suwaidi, designer and owner of Grafika
