What to do in UAE

As Eid Al Adha approaches, residents across the UAE are preparing for a long weekend filled with spiritual reflection and festive gatherings. Falling on Friday, June 6, with Arafah Day on Thursday, June 5, the 2025 holiday will bring a four-day break from Thursday to Sunday (June 5–8) for both the public and private sectors. While the holiday brings well-earned time off and joyful celebrations, its core begins with a spiritual start: Eid prayer. This year, Eid Al Adha coincides with Jumuah (Friday) prayers, marking a particularly significant moment for the Muslim community. The UAE Fatwa Council has confirmed that...

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...

Following the successful completion of the 2025 Hajj season, UAE authorities have announced that registration for the 2026 pilgrimage (1447 AH) will open in September 2025. This early notice gives prospective pilgrims ample time to prepare. The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat (Awqaf) has confirmed that priority will be given to UAE citizens who have not previously performed Hajj. This policy ensures that more individuals have the opportunity to participate in this important religious journey. How to Register for the 2026 Hajj Season All registrations will be handled through Awqaf’s official digital platforms, designed to simplify and...

Dubai has introduced a new public health law that will shape how the city responds to health risks and communicable diseases. The law, officially called Law No. (5) of 2025, was issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE. It will take effect 90 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by اللجنة العليا للتشريعات - دبي (@dubaislc) Public Health Law 2025: Rules and Responsibilities The new public health law bans hiding an illness or spreading it, whether...

The UAE has officially declared 2026 as the Year of the Family, a year dedicated to reinforcing the importance of family as the foundation of society. On November 6, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made the announcement, highlighting how families play a vital role in the UAE’s prosperity and long-term stability. Since 2016, the country has introduced an annual theme, with each year guiding national policies, initiatives, and events. Now, 2026 will shine a spotlight on family values: unity, empathy, and cooperation, which are deeply ingrained in Emirati culture, and ensure that these values continue to...

Dubai’s property scene is known for pushing boundaries, and the latest addition has a distinctly sporty twist. Chelsea Football Club has teamed up with DAMAC Properties to launch a new football-themed branded residential project in Dubai Maritime City. Titled Chelsea Residences by DAMAC, the development brings together high-end living with a bold sports identity — and yes, it’s Chelsea blue throughout. The project includes six towers, each rising 130 metres high, offering a total of 1,400 sea-facing units with expansive views of the Arabian Gulf. But it’s more than just the skyline views that make this project stand out. Every...

Dubai’s Global Village unveils EXO Planet City, a futuristic space-themed destination offering a thrilling mix of technology and storytelling this 29th season. Designed to captivate visitors of all ages, this immersive attraction features a dazzling array of activities, from sensory mazes to adrenaline-pumping virtual adventures. Begin your adventure at the Infinity Mirror Maze, where mesmerizing LED lights, illusion displays, and themed realms (aquatic, forest, and outer space) create a mind-bending challenge. Navigate through the captivating maze as special effects keep your senses engaged at every turn. Next, step into the Gravity Vortex, a swirling tunnel filled with dynamic lights and...

WhatsApp Business, the go-to platform for many UAE-based companies to communicate with customers, is set to introduce new pricing changes starting July 1, 2025. Meta, the app’s parent company, has confirmed that registered businesses using the platform will soon be charged per message, rather than per conversation, as part of a shift to simplify and align pricing with industry standards. These upcoming changes will mainly affect marketing, authentication, and utility template messages. Charges will apply based on the recipient’s country code, introducing regional pricing variations. However, companies that use the platform more frequently may benefit from tiered pricing models that...

Wild Wadi Waterpark is making a splash once again! One of Dubai’s favorite waterparks is reopening this Saturday, February 8, and it’s bringing a wave of exciting deals for visitors. If you're a UAE resident, you can grab a ticket for just AED 169 per person by showing your Emirates ID. Non-residents can join in the fun for AED 199 per person. For those who can’t get enough of the action, an annual pass is available for a discounted price of AED 399 per person. Want to skip the long queues? The new AED 99 Wild Pass gives you fast-track...

Teddy Swims, the GRAMMY-nominated artist known for blending R&B, soul, hip-hop, and pop, is officially set to perform in Dubai for the first time. The concert will take place on Saturday, November 22 at Coca-Cola Arena, marking a major moment for fans in the UAE. The global sensation, whose real name is Jaten Dimsdale, is currently on his I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy world tour. The stops include his home country United States, two festivals in the UK, several shows across Australia and New Zealand, and finally, arrival to the UAE in November.     View this post on Instagram...