Discover all the fun things to do

Get ready, food lovers! Taste of Abu Dhabi is making its grand return from November 15th to 17th, 2024, at Gateway Park South on Yas Island. Over three delicious days, this iconic festival will showcase the very best of Abu Dhabi's culinary scene, offering a feast of flavors that you won’t want to miss. A Gourmet Adventure This year's Taste of Abu Dhabi promises to be a paradise for food enthusiasts, featuring 15 of the city’s most acclaimed restaurants. Each restaurant will present a specially curated menu of 3 to 5 taster-sized dishes, giving you the chance to sample a...

As soon as September rolls in, the Halloween vibes start floating through the air like an autumn breeze, and this year, Bahrain is about to feel it stronger than ever with the arrival of Horror Fest. On October 8th, Out of the Box Events is bringing spine-tingling thrills, haunted experiences, and non-stop entertainment to Exhibition World, Hall 5, turning it into a full-on festival of fright. What To Expect Horror Fest isn’t just another Halloween party, it’s an immersive experience designed to keep you on edge from the moment you step inside. Expect themed haunted zones, creepy characters, and jaw-dropping...

If you're planning a trip to Makkah around Hajj time, there are some important updates you need to be aware of. Saudi Arabia has announced a strict new rule: only people with a valid Hajj permit or official permission to live or work in Makkah can stay in the city's hotels during the pilgrimage season. This decision kicks in from April 29, 2025 (Dhul-Qi'dah 1, 1446 AH) and lasts until Hajj ends. The aim of the temporary ban is to make sure pilgrims have a safe, organized experience without overcrowding. Who Can’t Enter Makkah During Hajj 2025? Saudi Arabia’s Ministry...

Unleash your inner detective at “What Else’s” latest extravaganza - the Who is the Murderer Gastroshow taking place at Belcanto Restaurant in Dubai Opera. If you're a lover of thrilling mysteries and exquisite cuisine, this is an event you won't want to miss. "Who is the murderer?" they ask, and it's a question you can help answer. This extraordinary show is a brilliant blend of immersive theater and culinary artistry, meticulously designed to keep you guessing from the very first course to the final curtain call. In a dining experience like no other, you'll find that the plot doesn't just...

Looking ahead to the rest of 2025, UAE residents have plenty of opportunities to plan some well-deserved time off. While exact public holiday dates are subject to moon sightings (especially for Islamic holidays), there’s already a good outline of when you can expect your next break. In total, UAE residents have at least 12 public holidays this year — and with some clever planning around weekends, you could stretch those into even longer escapes. Earlier this year, new public holiday law also came into effect: if a non-Eid public holiday falls on a weekend, the day off can now be...

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has confirmed that Tuesday, September 23 will be a public holiday for the Kingdom’s 95th National Day. The day off applies to employees in both the government and private sectors, with schools, banks, and official offices also pausing operations so everyone can join the celebrations. National Day marks the historic unification of the country in 1932 under King Abdulaziz Al Saud. It has been observed since 1965 during the reign of King Faisal, and was officially made a permanent holiday in 2005 by King Abdullah. Every year it brings people together...

Dubai is gearing up for a memorable New Year’s Eve, with exclusive arrangements to ensure a family-friendly experience. From December 31, 2024, to January 1, 2025, six public beaches will be designated exclusively for families. The initiative aims to provide a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere for families to enjoy the celebrations by the sea. The beaches included in this arrangement are: Jumeirah Beach 2 Jumeirah Beach 3 Umm Suqeim Beach 1 Umm Suqeim Beach 2 Sunrise Beach Al Mamzar Beach This step also helps to manage the influx of visitors during the holiday season, offering families a peaceful setting away...

Get ready to party because Elrow Dubai XXL, the mega techno and house music festival, is making a grand return to Dubai on April 13th, 2024 at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre!  Last year was a blast, with a sold-out 18,000 people show making it the biggest dance music festival in 2023 in Dubai. This time it's going to be even bigger with space for 12,000 music lovers in only one day. The real show-stealer? Elrow is bringing the Middle East's largest stage ever – a mind-blowing +60 meters of pure madness! This Kaledioscope-inspired stage will be hosting some of the...

Saudi Arabia’s dining scene is set for a major shift starting July 1, 2025, when new food labelling regulations officially come into effect. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has announced that all restaurants, cafés, food establishments, and delivery platforms must begin displaying full nutritional information on their menus — both physical and digital. The updated rules are part of a nationwide push to encourage healthier lifestyle choices and increase public awareness of sodium and caffeine consumption. Under the new guidelines, menus must now include: Saltshaker icons to indicate high-sodium dishes Caffeine content disclosures for beverages An estimate of...

After years of dormancy, Palm Jebel Ali is officially back in the spotlight. Originally launched in 2002 and paused during the 2008 global financial crisis, this man-made island is now regaining momentum, with major construction contracts awarded and plans for luxury living, leisure, and tourism firmly in motion. Set to be twice the size of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali spans 13.4 kilometres of land with 10.5 million square metres of development potential. Once complete, it will offer 110 kilometres of coastline and 91 kilometres of beachfront, eventually housing 35,000 families. Highlights of what’s planned include: 80 hotels and resorts...