Discover all the fun things to do

Dubai residents and visitors, mark your calendars for an extraordinary celestial show this Friday, December 13. The Geminids Meteor Shower, one of the year's most spectacular astronomical events, will light up Dubai’s night skies. This cosmic phenomenon, peaking mid-December annually, is famous for its dazzling display of meteors zipping across the sky at a staggering 120,000 kilometers per hour. While this year’s full moon might dim the spectacle slightly, the experience remains unmissable. At its peak, up to 120 meteors per hour can be seen under optimal conditions, according to NASA. To help you make the most of this astronomical...

Choosing a career path can be stressful, especially when many people worry about picking something that may not lead to strong job opportunities later on. The newly launched UAE Skills Platform gives students, professionals, and educational institutions a clear view of which skills, jobs, and specialisations employers are looking for today. The IMF recently reported that AI could impact 40% of jobs worldwide, making career planning and skill development a bigger priority for many people. In response to changing workforce needs, the Ministry of Education and MoHRE launched UAE Skills Platform. Students can use it to: Explore suitable university specialisations...

Qatar has officially announced the Eid Al Adha 2026 holiday schedule for ministries, government entities, and public institutions. Here are the confirmed dates for the upcoming break: Holiday dates: Tuesday, May 26 to Saturday, May 30 Official work resumes on Sunday, May 31 Holiday schedules for Qatar Central Bank employees, banks, and financial institutions supervised by the central bank and Qatar Financial Markets Authority will be announced separately. If you’re still planning how to spend the long weekend, check out things to do during Eid Al Adha in Qatar 2026 for ideas on activities, family outings, and places to visit...

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a new digital inspection system to improve the Dubai Metro and Tram experience. This update will make journeys smoother, ensure proper use of designated cabins, and increase efficiency in monitoring violations. Better Enforcement of Women-Only and Gold Class Cabins Dubai Metro and Tram have dedicated cabins for women and children, but sometimes men enter these spaces, which is not allowed. The new system will help inspectors detect and prevent such violations more effectively. Gold Class Cabin users will also benefit, as the system will track unauthorized passengers using Silver nol cards in...

Residents in Saudi Arabia can now start planning for Eid Al Adha 2026. The holiday’s start date has been confirmed after the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon was sighted on Sunday evening. Here are all the dates for the upcoming holiday period: Dhul Hijjah begins on Monday, May 18 Day of Arafah: Tuesday, May 26 Eid Al Adha 2026 in Saudi Arabia: Wednesday, May 27 The holiday falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. With the Eid Al Adha 2026 start date now confirmed in Saudi Arabia, holiday plans and family gatherings...

Get ready for an extraordinary experience this January as AlUla Desert Polo returns to the breathtaking landscapes of AlUla, Saudi Arabia. Held from January 16 to 18, 2025, this unique tournament is a key event of the Winter at Tantora Festival, offering visitors a chance to witness world-class polo in a setting like no other. Hosted by the Royal Commission for AlUla in collaboration with the Saudi Polo Federation, this sporting spectacle unfolds amidst AlUla’s dramatic sandstone formations and ancient archaeological treasures, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra. Picture yourself watching fast-paced matches against a backdrop of rugged...

Public sector employees in Bahrain can start planning for a long Eid Al Adha 2026 break. HRH Prince Salman officially announced the holiday dates for ministries and public institutions. The Eid Al Adha holiday in Bahrain will begin on Tuesday, May 26 and continue until Friday, May 29. Since Friday falls during the holiday period, Sunday, May 31 will also be given as a compensation day off. It means a six-day long weekend during the Eid holiday period. If you’re looking for festive ideas and things to do during the long weekend, check out best places to visit during Eid...

What your child eats at school has mostly been out of your hands. That’s starting to change in the UAE with a National Guide for Food and Beverages in the School Environment. The newly issued guide sets strict rules for what schools can serve, how food is handled, and who is responsible for it. According to it, all school food outlets must follow the same strict standards, whether it’s a canteen selling pre-packaged items, a cafeteria preparing sandwiches, or a full-service kitchen. There are 13 responsibilities covering how food is handled, prepared, and monitored. The most relevant change is that...

Starting at the end of July, Dubai will implement a new public health law that updates how medical fitness tests are handled for residency, work permits, and driving licences. The changes come under Law No. (5) of 2025 on Public Health, a regulation that aims to unify health standards and improve screening processes for everyone living and working in the city. If you're applying for a residence visa, a job in the UAE, or renewing either one, requires an applicant to go through a standardised medical fitness test. These tests will include screenings for communicable diseases like tuberculosis and HIV,...

If you're thinking of extending your stay in Bali or anywhere in Indonesia, there’s a major update you need to know about. A new hybrid visa extension system is now in effect, requiring both online registration and an in-person visit to the immigration office. As of last month, Indonesia reversed its 2024 update that allowed many visa extensions to be done entirely online. This new requirement applies across Indonesia, including popular destinations like Bali. The change comes in response to a 36.7% rise in immigration violations from 2024 to 2025. If you're travelling with the UAE passport or residency, the...