What to do in Dubai

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced temporary road closures on Thursday, February 6, due to the UAE Tour Women cycling race. Several key roads will be affected as cyclists make their way through the city. Stage 1 of the race starts at 12:45 PM from the Dubai Police Officer's Club and finishes at Dubai Harbour at 4:40 PM. Roads will be closed temporarily and will reopen once the last cyclist has passed. If you're driving in Dubai on Thursday, be aware that the following 15 streets will experience temporary closures: Latifa Hospital Street Oud Metha Road Al Seef...

Dubai is set to introduce a game-changing parking system at three of its busiest malls — Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, and City Centre Mirdif — beginning January 1, 2025. Partnering with Majid Al Futtaim, Parkin will roll out a high-tech "barrierless parking" solution that utilizes advanced camera technology to automatically track vehicles. Parkin, Dubai’s primary public parking operator, confirmed that fees for parking will remain unchanged under the five-year deal with MAF. The primary benefit will be a smoother, more efficient experience for the 20 million vehicles expected to visit these malls annually. In total, these sites...

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced special extended hours for the Dubai Metro on Sunday, November 10, 2024, to support participants of the highly anticipated Dubai Ride 2024. This metro schedule update aims to ensure easy access for the thousands joining this premier cycling event. On that day, both the Red and Green Lines will operate from 3 AM until midnight, giving participants plenty of time to arrive and depart conveniently. Dubai Ride, the region's largest community cycling event, is back for its fifth year, inviting cyclists of all ages and fitness levels to experience the city from...

You probably know how easy it is to visit Thailand. Travellers from most countries, including GCC nations, can enter Thailand visa-free for tourism. However, the allowed stay period is now changing. The country remains visa-free, but your holiday can now last up to 30 days. Most visitors probably won’t even feel the difference, but the change is still worth knowing if you're planning a longer stay. Thailand introduced a 60-day visa-free stay in 2024, and the country is now replacing it with a stay period that’s twice shorter. All extensions will require approval from Thai immigration authorities. The new rule...

If you're planning to relocate to Dubai or are an expat looking to renew your residence visa, completing the medical fitness test is an essential step in the process. This mandatory test, required for all individuals aged 18 and above, helps ensure that individuals are free from communicable diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and hepatitis. The medical fitness test in Dubai consists of three steps: Physical examination Blood test Chest X-ray In Dubai, there are 21 medical fitness centres available across the emirate to complete this test. These centres are operated under the authority of Dubai Health. Medical Fitness...

Dubai Culture, in partnership with Kinder, is bringing a celebration of Hag Al Leila at Al Shindagha Museum. The event will take place from February 14 to 16, 2025, running daily from 4 PM to 9 PM. The celebration is designed to immerse visitors in Emirati traditions while offering an exciting lineup of cultural and interactive activities for children. The event is free but make sure to register and buy entry tickets to the museum.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Al Shindagha Museum (@alshindaghamuseum) Families will embark on a guided interactive tour through the...

Get ready, Dubai-based foodies! Canteen X Food Festival is back at Mushrif Park, promising an unforgettable culinary journey as part of the ongoing Dubai Shopping Festival. Running daily until December 31, this food lover’s paradise invites you to indulge in flavors from around the world while soaking in an electrifying atmosphere. Canteen X Food Festival Timings: Weekdays: 4 PM to Midnight Weekends: 4 PM to 1 AM     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Dubai Festivals & Retail Events (@dubaifestivals) At the heart of the festival are its culinary zones, each offering distinctive experiences. From...

The Ministry of Education in the UAE has recently made an important decision regarding mobile phones in schools. Starting now, students are prohibited from bringing mobile phones onto school premises, with clear guidelines established for how phones found on school grounds will be handled. This new rule is part of Ministerial Resolution No. (851) of 2018, specifically concerning student behavior in public education institutions. It falls under Article (7), which deals with second-degree violations, specifically addressing the misuse of communication devices like mobile phones. The Ministry’s circular to school principals and kindergartens outlines that schools must carry out regular inspection...

Football fans, get ready for an exhilarating soccer extravaganza in Al Ain! The Egyptian national team is all set to light up the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium with not one but two thrilling friendly matches. On Thursday, October 12th, Egypt will face off against Zambia, followed by a fiery showdown with Algeria on Monday, October 16th. Egypt vs. Zambia First up, on October 12th, Egypt takes on Zambia in a match that promises a fascinating clash of playing styles. Egypt, with its rich football heritage and possession-based game, will go head-to-head with Zambia's flair for attacking football. Expect skillful dribbles,...

Skip the long flight and get ready to experience Thailand’s vibrant culture right in Dubai! The Thai SELECT Festival 2025 promises to be an unforgettable cultural celebration packed with food, fashion, Muay Thai, and more. Happening on November 28-30 at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, this event will transport you into the heart of Thailand. This will be the second edition of the festival. From 12 PM until 2 AM, dive into authentic Thai experiences, including gourmet dishes by top Thai chefs. The festival will feature all the favorites: Tom Yum Goong, Pad Thai, Som Tum, and Mango Sticky Rice.  ...