The long weekend is here, and it’s a big one. Arafat Day on Tuesday, Eid Al Adha running Wednesday through Friday, and the weekend right behind it, which means up to six consecutive days off for most people in the UAE (nine if you play your annual leave right). That’s a lot of time, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi have filled it well.
From Arabic music concerts that’ll have the whole crowd singing to waterparks, immersive art, dinner shows, and free park giveaways, we’ve gone long on purpose. This is your Eid, and there’s a lot of it.
Music and Live Shows
Majid Al Mohandis Live, Dubai
If there’s one artist who knows how to fill a room during Eid, it’s Majid Al Mohandis. The Iraqi-Saudi superstar has built a following across the Gulf that crosses every demographic, and a live show from him during Eid weekend is about as good as it gets. Expect a full-production night built around the classics, with an audience that already knows every word. Book early; these always go.
George Wassouf & Ziad El Bourji Live, Abu Dhabi
Two names, one stage. George Wassouf, the Sultan of Tarab, alongside the Lebanese star Ziad El Bourji at Space42 Arena in Abu Dhabi. Between you and me, the combination here is rare, and Wassouf at his best is the kind of performance that makes people misty-eyed in the middle of a crowd. Abu Dhabi makes the trip worthwhile on its own; this tips it over.
ADAM Live, Dubai
ADAM has been doing something interesting with Arabic pop, and a live show is where it lands best. A more intimate energy than the stadium nights, sharper setlists, and an audience that came for the music specifically. Good pick if you want a concert that feels a bit more current.
ARTBAT at Be Beach, Dubai
On the other end of the spectrum entirely. The Ukrainian electronic duo ARTBAT play a kind of deep, cinematic techno that sounds best outdoors, with the Dubai skyline behind it. Be Beach is one of the city’s better open-air venues for this kind of thing, and an Eid weekend night set from ARTBAT is the kind of thing people will talk about after. Later start, later night, worth it.
Unique Events and Experiences
The Theater Award-Winning Dinner Show, Dubai
Running a special Eid selection of acts through the long weekend, The Theater at Address Beach Resort is worth knowing about if you’ve never been. Dinner and a live performance in one sitting, starting from around Dhs800 per person. The production values are high, the food isn’t an afterthought, and it’s one of those nights that works whether you’re with family, on a date, or just want something a bit more dressed-up. Book a spot at the front.
Ivan Vasiliev’s Farewell Performance, Dubai
This one is genuinely rare. Ivan Vasiliev, widely considered one of the greatest male ballet dancers alive, is performing in Dubai. If you have any interest in dance or live performance, this is the one non-negotiable on the list. Farewell tours don’t come back; this is the last chance to see him at full power. Go.
Arte Museum Dubai — Up to 40% Off for Eid
Arte Museum’s digital art experience in Dubai is running an Eid offer of up to 40% off tickets. Vivid, walkable installations across multiple rooms, built for people who want something visually striking without a strict schedule. Relaxed pacing, genuinely impressive visuals, and with the discount, one of the better-value experiences on this list.
Live Sports
The Ultimate IPL Final Watch Party, Dubai
The IPL Final watch party in Dubai for the cricket fans. Big screen, big crowd, the kind of atmosphere that turns a match into a full event. If you care about the IPL, this is the room to be in.
Fitness Hangout, Dubai
For those who want to keep moving over the long weekend, the Dubai Fitness Hangout brings together workouts, classes, and an active community in one space. A good way to start a day before the rest of the itinerary kicks in.
Family-Friendly Experiences and Offers
Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark — 50% Off
With summer temperatures arriving and the long weekend ahead, Atlantis Aquaventure is the obvious family call. The UAE’s most iconic waterpark, with the Eid offer bringing tickets down by 50%, this is the day-out that plans itself. Book the morning slot; the park fills up fast and the queues double by noon.
Dolphin & Seal Show at Dubai Dolphinarium + The Green Planet — 20% Off
Two experiences in one booking, and 20% off on both. Start with the Dolphin & Seal Show at Dubai Dolphinarium for the younger ones, then continue to The Green Planet for a proper exploration of the indoor rainforest with over 3,000 plants and animals. Pairs well as a half-day plan, and the combo discount makes it easy to justify both.
iFLY Indoor Skydiving, Dubai — 40% Off
Indoor skydiving at iFLY is one of those things that sounds more intimidating than it is. The tunnel handles everything; the instructors are patient; and the look on a first-timer’s face when they figure out how to hover is always worth seeing. With 40% off for Eid, it’s a strong option for families with adventurous kids (or adventurous parents).
XLine Dubai Marina — Buy 1 Get 1
The world’s longest urban zipline, running across Dubai Marina, currently has a buy-one-get-one offer. This is the one to book if anyone in your group keeps saying they want to try it and then never actually books it. Send them the link. Go together.
Emirates Park Zoo, Abu Dhabi
Emirates Park Zoo in Abu Dhabi is running a special Rain in the Zoo experience for Eid Al Adha, a cool-down event that’s a thoughtful answer to the May heat. Worth the drive from Dubai if you’re in Abu Dhabi for the concerts anyway; the two pair well as a day-into-evening plan.
Brunch at FireLake Grill House by Radisson Blu
A solid long-weekend brunch pick for families and groups. FireLake Grill House at Radisson Blu does the format well: generous spread, relaxed setting, space to actually sit and breathe rather than rush. A good landing spot for the first or second day of Eid when the plan is to take it easy and eat well.
Eid Celebrations Across the City
Family Beaches
On the beach front, Dubai Municipality has announced that several of the city’s most popular stretches will be family-only zones across the Eid holiday. Jumeirah 1, Jumeirah 2 and its night beach, Jumeirah 3, Umm Suqeim 1 and its night beach, Umm Suqeim 2, and Khor Al Mamzar Beach are all designated for families during the break. A mix of daytime relaxation and evening atmosphere along the waterfront. No booking needed; just go early for a good spot.
Global Village — Eid Celebrations
Global Village is fully embracing the Eid spirit this long weekend, with festive moments waiting around almost every corner. Alongside crowd favorites like the Al Mandoos Live Game Show, many of the pavilions will be adding their own Eid touch through activities, seasonal experiences, and limited-time items throughout the celebrations.
There’s another reason to make the trip now: the season officially wraps up on May 31, making Eid one of the final chances to soak it all in before the doors close for the summer. Wander between pavilions, catch a show, discover something unexpected, and leave room for the food stops along the way.
Eid Celebrations at JLT, Dubai
JLT is hosting a free community Eid event on the first day of Eid (May 27) at Cluster D and JLT Park in Cluster Q. Performances, live music, and sweet treats in one of Dubai’s most walkable neighbourhoods, with the lakes as the backdrop. The kind of low-key evening that works well either as a warm-up before a concert or as the plan itself for families who want something relaxed and free. No tickets required.
Eid at Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, Abu Dhabi
Bawabat Al Sharq in Abu Dhabi has free concerts and festive activities through the Eid weekend. Add it to the Abu Dhabi day if you’re already in the city for George Wassouf and Ziad El Bourji.
And if you’re heading to Al Ain, Hili Mall has live circus performances across the first three days of Eid (May 27 to 29): clown shows at 5:30pm and 7:30pm, acrobat chair shows at 6:30pm and 9pm. The kind of evening that lands well with kids who haven’t seen a proper circus before.
Eid Ice Cream Giveaway — Dubai Parks
A small but lovely one: Eid gifts and ice cream will be distributed to visitors between 4pm and 7pm at Al Barsha Pond Park, community parks, Mushrif Park, Zabeel Park, Creek Park, and Al Safa Park. Take the kids. Let them run. Let them have ice cream at 6pm. It’s Eid. Read more about Eid in Dubai.
Brunch, Bites & More
Window, Dubai
Window is the kind of place Dubai needed more of. A 32-seat live-fire restaurant tucked into Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz, from the team behind Kokoro, with the whole menu built around slow cooking over embers. No reservations, limited seating, alcohol-free, and the room feels exactly right for its neighbourhood, industrial but warm, designed to slow you down. If you’re gallery-hopping around Alserkal during the long weekend, this is where the evening lands.
CQ French Brasserie, Dubai
The steak frites at CQ are the kind of thing that earns a return visit. Formerly Couqley in JLT, now rebranded and expanded across two Dubai locations (JLT and the newer Barsha Heights spot), CQ French Brasserie has settled into a comfortable groove as the city’s most reliable casual French night out. Mosaic floors, bentwood chairs, a signature zinc bar. The baguette and butter alone are worth the drive. Good for a long-weekend dinner that doesn’t require much planning.
Canary Beach, Dubai
Canary Beach sits at Club Vista Mare on Palm Jumeirah, the beachside spin-off from the well-loved Canary Club. The menu leans West Coast and Latin American with a Japanese influence, which in practice means seafood-forward, relaxed, and well-suited to a long afternoon. Sunbeds are available and fully redeemable on food and drinks. Go midweek for a quieter stretch of beach; the Eid weekend crowd picks up from Friday.
Al Beiruti, Dubai
A Dubai institution at this point. Al Beiruti on Sheikh Zayed Road is the kind of restaurant that stays packed every evening regardless of the day of the week, and Eid weekend is no exception. The Lebanese spread here is generous and properly done, the mezze arrive fresh, and there’s an outdoor shisha section for the slower part of the evening. If you have family in town or want a long, easy lunch that feels properly celebratory, this is it. Multiple locations across the city.
Strawfire by Ross Shonhan, Abu Dhabi
If there’s one Abu Dhabi dinner worth planning around during the long weekend, it’s this one. Strawfire sits inside Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental and centres on Warayaki, the Japanese straw-fire cooking technique from the Kochi prefecture. The kitchen is open, the flames are real and visible through the glass, and the miso-glazed Chilean sea bass and prawn toast have been cited in almost every review since it opened. Book the counter seat to watch the fire.
Mr. Kim, Abu Dhabi
Korean steakhouse and izakaya at Yas Mall, from the chef behind the award-winning Les Dangereux. Mr. Kim is slick, moody and properly fun, with a monochrome industrial fit-out, mural art on the walls, and a playlist that tilts toward the good stuff. The kimchi pancake and the Australian wagyu galbi short ribs are the things to order. Good for groups, late into the evening, the kind of meal that makes Yas Island feel worth the detour even if you’re not at the waterpark.
Luma Cafe, Abu Dhabi
A specialty coffee spot in Abu Dhabi with a following among the city’s morning crowd. Luma does the coffee properly and the vibe is relaxed enough to sit with. Worth knowing about if you’re in Abu Dhabi for a morning before heading to teamLab or Emirates Park Zoo, or just need a quiet coffee before the Eid weekend gets busy.
Bua’s Selection, Abu Dhabi
Located at Al Bandar on Al Raha Beach, Bua’s Selection is an all-day café running a menu that blends Mediterranean, French, and Asian flavours with sea views as the backdrop. The matcha crepe cake and Japanese soufflé pancake have become the signature orders. Relaxed, unhurried, and one of the better spots in Abu Dhabi if you want breakfast or a late morning that doesn’t feel rushed. The owner greets guests herself; the whole thing has the feel of a place that genuinely cares.
More Eid Activities?
Still building your Eid plans? Take a look at our guides to the best things to do during Eid in Dubai and Eid in Abu Dhabi for even more ideas across the long weekend.
