What to do in UAE

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...

If you're driving to big events in Dubai, be prepared for higher parking fees. Starting Monday, February 17, parking rates near Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) will go up during event hours. The new rates, set by Parkin, the city's public parking operator, will charge AED 25 per hour in the "Grand Event Zone" around the venue. This is a significant jump from the previous fees. Parkin announced the changes on Instagram, advising people to use public transport to avoid traffic jams around DWTC during major events. The increase aims to ease congestion in the area, which often gets packed...

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...

Dubai cafés have found a new summer obsession, and it’s impossible to miss. Flame Tree season has officially moved beyond streets and parks and landed straight onto café menus around the city, giving drinks, ice cream, and colorful summer specials the seasonal orange look. The trend picked up after Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum directed the expansion of Flame Tree planting across Dubai to add more shade and color to the city. Here are 5 spots in Dubai joining the Flame Tree trend. Brew CafeBrew Cafe introduced Flame Tree V60 and Flame Tree Bellini, seasonal drinks inspired...

The UAE is making big strides in transforming transportation with the Etihad Rail passenger train, a project designed to connect all seven emirates. The latest updates came from a Cabinet meeting chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. One of the major topics discussed at the meeting was the progress of the Etihad Rail passenger service. This high-speed train, running at up to 350 km/h, is set to bring a new level of convenience to travel across the country. Once fully operational, it could cut travel time between cities significantly — Abu...

Get ready for something truly magical! The Butterfly Gardens Abu Dhabi is opening on January 9, and it’s about to become your new favorite spot in the emirate. This immersive sanctuary, located next to the National Aquarium at Al Qana, offers a mesmerizing and Insta-worthy escape into nature. Inside, you'll find over 10,000 butterflies, freely flying around climate-controlled bio-domes that recreate tropical ecosystems. The garden is split into two zones: Asia and Americas, each offering its own unique experience. In the Americas zone, you’ll get up close to fascinating creatures like sloths, caiman crocodiles, and colorful native insects. Meanwhile, the...

The city's favourite after-dark attraction has switched the lights back on! Dubai Garden Glow has reopened in a new location at Zabeel Park - Gate 3 (right next to Dubai Frame), and it promises a full refresh with new installations and zones to explore. Double Fun at Dubai Garden Glow with 2 New Parks For its Season 11, Dubai Garden Glow has prepared two different but equally jaw-dropping experiences. Explore Fantasy Park with huge, colorful sculptures of animals or step into Dinosaur Park, home to over 100 life-size animatronic pre-historic creatures. In Fantasy Park, you can wander through a world...

Dubai’s favorite pop-up food festival, e& Beach Canteen, is making a comeback! From March 27 to April 13, Nessnass Beach in Jumeirah will turn into a buzzing hub of food, music, and activities—all with a stunning ocean view. And the best part? Entry is completely free! What to Expect at e& Beach Canteen 2025 This year’s edition brings a variety of themed zones packed with exciting experiences. Whether you’re a foodie, a music lover, or looking for some wellness time, you won’t be disappointed.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Beach Canteen (@beachcanteenofficial) Foodie...

Music and sports lovers, get ready for an unforgettable night! The global superstars Akon and Sean Paul are set to perform live at Etihad Arena as part of the World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi on December 21st. Known for his iconic hits like "Smack That," "Lonely," and "Right Now (Na Na Na)," Akon promises a performance filled with infectious energy and anthems that have defined an era.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by World Tennis League (@worldtennisleague) But the party doesn’t stop there—Sean Paul, the Grammy-winning king of dancehall, is also set to take...

If you’ve been worried about what your teen sees on Instagram, this update brings some relief. The popular platform has started introducing new Teen Account settings in the UAE, with stricter content limits turned on by default. All eligible accounts should have it within the next few months. Users under 18 will be automatically placed into a more restricted setup, and they can’t switch it off without a parent’s approval. They will now see content filtered to match a 13+ rating system. Here’s what gets filtered: Posts with strong language Risky stunts Content that could encourage harmful behaviour Anything linked...