What to do in UAE

Planning your next getaway but dreading the visa application process? Good news, if you're a UAE resident, you have plenty of destinations where you can either get a visa on arrival or skip the visa hassle altogether! From tropical beaches to buzzing cityscapes, 2025 offers plenty of exciting travel opportunities without the paperwork stress. Important Notes Passport Validity: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. UAE Residency: Some countries require your UAE residence permit to be valid for a certain period (commonly 3 to 6 months) beyond your travel dates. Travel Documents:...

Planning your Dubai Opera first time and not quite sure what to expect? Whether you're heading to a magical musical, a powerful opera, or a glamorous gala night, we’ve got everything you need to know before stepping into this iconic Downtown venue. What is Dubai Opera? Let’s start with the basics. What is Dubai Opera, exactly? It's not just a venue, it’s an experience. Located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, this dhow-shaped masterpiece is the city's cultural crown jewel. It hosts a diverse lineup of shows: think classical music, ballets, Broadway hits, Arabic concerts, stand-up comedy, and more. Whether...

Expo City has something special for the kid and families this season. If you’ve been looking for kids activities in Expo City that feel more interactive and a bit more meaningful, there are a few unique experiences worth keeping on your list. These are the kind of activities where kids get involved, create, and explore, and parents can join in too rather than just watching from the side. It all comes together as an easy, well-paced family day. Here’s what’s happening at Expo City right now, and how to build your visit around it. Saturdays at the House in Expo...

Atif Aslam is set to perform at Etihad Arena on July 18, bringing one of the most anticipated summer concerts in Abu Dhabi to the stage. Known for his distinctive voice and emotional delivery, his live shows tend to feel less like performances and more like shared moments with the crowd. Atif Aslam Live in Abu Dhabi If you’ve been listening to him for years, songs like “Tera Hone Laga Hoon,” “Jeene Laga Hoon,” “Dil Diyan Gallan,” and “Pehli Nazar Mein” are the kind you don’t just play, you remember where you first heard them. And live, they tend to...

With sold-out shows almost every time, people wait for Omar Khairat concerts in the UAE year after year. And if you’re looking at upcoming events in Abu Dhabi 2026, here’s one that already feels like a given, Omar Khairat returns to Etihad Arena on June 20. It’s not the kind of concert that needs hype. If you’ve been before, you already know the feeling. And if it’s your first time, it’s one of those nights that’s easy to step into, no expectations, just music that carries you through. Omar Khairat concerts 2026 That’s really what defines Omar Khairat’s work. His...

June is shaping up to be a busy! OTBE is bringing a mix of family theatre, live performances, and musical nights across QE2 Dubai and Jumeirah Beach Hotel, with a lineup that covers everything from kids’ adventures to evenings built around big stage favourites. Whether you're planning family outings, looking for things to do in Dubai, or trying to find something beyond the usual mall-and-dinner routine, this lineup covers a few very different moods. Younger audiences get interactive theatre and playful storytelling, while musical fans have a night built around familiar stage favourites. Mother Goose at Theatre by QE2 Expect...

Some shows don’t need much explaining. On August 8, SB Girls are coming to the Etihad Arena, Yas Island for the first time ever with their Get Get A! The SB Concert, and if you know, you already know. It’s one of those upcoming events in Abu Dhabi that’s built around pure energy, familiar moments, and a crowd that’s fully in it from start to finish. If you’ve been looking for things to do in Abu Dhabi that feel fun, loud, and easy to enjoy, this is exactly that kind of night. Meet The SB Girls! For many, SB Girls...

Eid is coming up, and the city is already filling up with plans. Among all the Eid events in Dubai, this one feels a bit more personal. Adam is taking the stage at Dubai Opera on May 28, bringing a night that leans more into feeling than noise. If you’ve heard him live before, you already know, it’s not about big production, it’s about the voice and the way the songs land. Adam is known for his steady style, slower songs, clear vocals, and lyrics that people actually follow. Tracks like "Kifak Enta", "Hada Aaref", and "Ya Helou" are the...

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...

Global Village is finally open for the Season 30, just in time for winter! If you’ve ever been to Global Village, you know it’s not your ordinary amusement park or marketplace, it’s a cultural extravaganza now bigger and more immersive than ever, bringing together people from all corners of the world. This Dubai favorite continues to be the one-stop destination to experience global cultures, cuisines, entertainment, and much more, now featuring brand-new attractions, upgraded stages, and stunning landscaping for the 30th anniversary season. What Is Global Village? So, what is Global Village, you ask? Well, it's like a world tour...