What to do in UAE

The UAE government has announced the official working hours for federal employees during Ramadan 2025. Public sector offices will operate on a shorter schedule to accommodate the holy month. According to a circular issued by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR), federal ministries and authorities will work from 9 AM to 2:30 PM from Monday to Thursday, while on Fridays, the hours will be from 9 AM to 12 PM. The circular also allows for flexibility — ministries and government offices can introduce remote work or adjustable schedules where necessary, as long as they stay within the set...

Open Fire Food Festival (OFFF) by Steve Harvey is coming back to Abu Dhabi for its second edition, setting Etihad Park ablaze with bold flavours, smoky grills, and live-fire cooking. The two-day event takes place on November 8 and 9, 2025, bringing together celebrity chefs, pitmasters, music, and family-friendly activities. What Is the Open Fire Food Festival by Steve Harvey? Founded around Steve Harvey’s love for authentic barbecue and live-fire cooking, the Open Fire Food Festival was created to bring authentic American-style BBQ culture to the region. The American entertainer, comedian, and long-time TV host is also a self-professed barbecue...

A shared sense of pride for the UAE brought people together this weekend at Hudayriyat Island. And it was a moment for the books. 153 healthcare workers from 64 nations, all of whom call the UAE home, carried the giant country’s flag together to complete a Guinness World Record. It took place during the closing ceremony of the Burjeel Games. The entire event was arranged within 48 hours following a call by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to raise the national flag. For the new record, a 200 kg UAE flag was used. The participants carried it for 100 meters....

Planning a trip or staycation in the UAE capital? Here's a great deal to get more out of it without spending extra. Hotel guests in Abu Dhabi can now visit three museums for free, thanks to a new offer running until April 5. Here’s how it works. If you book at least two nights at any of the participating hotels, you’ll get complimentary access to three major cultural spots in the Saadiyat Cultural District. The three museums included in the offer: Louvre Abu Dhabi Zayed National Museum Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi Some of the participating hotels include Sofitel Abu...

Good news for pet owners! Abu Dhabi has updated its laws, allowing pets to join their owners at hotels and restaurants with tourism licenses. This change means you can now bring your furry friends along for the adventure when you visit. Previously, pets were only allowed in restaurants if they were certified service animals. But now, cats and dogs are welcome at many public venues, making Abu Dhabi more pet-friendly than ever. Here’s what these venues are required to offer to ensure both pets and guests have a great experience: Designated outdoor areas for animals, such as patios, balconies, or...

If your child uses AI tools for homework, projects, or even just to look up ideas, this update from the UAE Ministry of Education is worth your attention. The UAE bans use of generative AI in schools under a new 2026 guide. It outlines 25 rules for how these tools can – and can’t – be used in classrooms. Students under 13 are not allowed to use generative AI tools at all. The same applies to children in grades below Grade 7. Academic Honesty: No AI-written Homework without Approval When it comes to homework and projects, students cannot submit AI-generated...

Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s dining scene is no stranger to global recognition, and the latest MENA’s Top 50 Restaurants list proves it. If you're a food lover, you’ll be pleased to know that many of the region’s best dining spots are right here in the UAE. Let’s take a look at the standouts that made the list in 2026. MENA’s Top Restaurants in Dubai for 2026 Dubai is clearly dominating, with seven dining spots mentioned in the top 10: Kinoya (2) Trèsind Studio (3) Orfali bros (4) Surfet Maryam (7) Jun’s (8) Manao (9) Moonrise (10) It’s no surprise that...

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that 70% of the Umm Suqeim Street Improvement Project is now complete. The large-scale road upgrade is designed to improve citywide connectivity and ease congestion, particularly for the over one million residents living in and around the areas of Al Barsha South, Dubai Hills, Arjan, and Dubai Science Park. The development stretches from the intersection of Al Khail Road to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and forms part of the larger Umm Suqeim–Al Qudra corridor. This strategic route spans 16 kilometres from Jumeirah Street all the way to Emirates Road, making it...

A familiar stop on the Dubai Metro red line just got a name change. As of May 5, 2025, the UAE Exchange Metro Station — located in Jebel Ali Industrial Area and serving as the last station on the red line in that direction — is now officially called Life Pharmacy Metro Station. The rebranding follows a 10-year naming rights agreement between Life Pharmacy Group and Hypermedia, with Mada Media involved as the RTA’s authorised concessionaire for station naming partnerships. According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), updates to signage — both inside and outside the station — as...

One of Abu Dhabi’s most historic landmarks is welcoming visitors once again. Al Maqta Museum, located inside the beautifully restored Maqta Fort, has officially reopened following a full revamp led by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Abu Dhabi Police. This latest restoration is part of an ongoing push to preserve the capital’s cultural heritage — and for history lovers, it’s well worth the visit. The building has deep roots in Abu Dhabi’s story. Back in the 1950s, long before Maqta Bridge connected Abu Dhabi Island to the mainland, this site served as...