Top Cultural Events to Attend in the UAE: A Celebration of Tradition and Diversity
Top cultural events to attend in the UAE
When individuals imagine the UAE what comes to mind is skyscrapers, fast cars and high-end shopping, but culture enthusiasts understand that there is much more to what meets the eye at the glitzy end. The life here is a blend of the old and the new world, it is mostly evident in the colorful events and festivals held throughout the year.
And in case you happen to be in the Emirates this year, be it as a resident or a visitor with a little assisting hand of ezee Visa, here is the true picture of what types of experiences will remain with you long even after you are gone.
UAE National Day: Everybody Becomes a Partaker.
Wake up and see the buildings covered in red, green, white, and black and the great atmosphere in the streets all the time-UAE National Day on 2nd December changes every corner of the country. It is not simply about fireworks, although, the performances are mind-blowing. Malls have traditional dances and school children with flags, families picnicking and strangers chatting over the free desserts served at food stalls set up in the Corniche. Even the expat community, never so matched with this place’s culture, leans over to rejoice. It’s a kind of Eid and a Fourth of July atmosphere combined but the Emirati way: full-hearted and open.
Bedouin Heritage Al Dhafra Festival
To experience the spirit of the UAE, you should attend the Al Dhafra Festival in Madinat Zayed, typically in the period of December to January, when the weather in the desert is at its best. The roads are full of camels and four-wheel drives, life has been slowed down and heritage has taken over the center stage.
Highlights include:
- Falconry shows and date comps attracting masses of people.
- The families that consider it as their annual desert vacation.
- Children being taught the old crafts such as weaving.
- Elders sharing stories from a pre-skyscraper era
- Sunsets with great photographs.
It is true Emirati life: simple, proud, and memorable.
Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival: togetherness in diversity
This is a November-February festival that is worth the fame. It unites the tradition of all seven emirates, including horse parades, marching bands, stalls with aromatic spices and oud. In this case, you can taste sambousek in Sharjah, and margooga in Abu Dhabi right across the street. Be it in the family or traveling alone, you will discover the number of dialects and customs in this small and mighty country.
Jazz Under the Stars: Jazz Festival in Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi Jazz Festival, which is held every February in Beach Rotana, is a joy to music lovers and those who enjoy spending relaxing evenings at the beach. Saxophones will be floating over the marina as guests will sit on picnic blankets or enjoy coffee at the pier. The crowd consists of both the hardcore jazz lovers and the people that are just enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. No special skills required- you just have to show up, sit back, and leave the music to work its magic.
Mother of the Nation: Family and Adventure
Each January in the Corniche in Abu Dhabi, this event celebrates H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak with environmental projects, workshops and live performances. The best moments? Children making lanterns, local people learning about Emirati street food, and volunteers educating on the life of turtles. It is an easygoing affair that is friendly, joyful and full of tales, color and music that everyone smiles at the sunset.
Science and Wow Factor: the Abu Dhabi science festival
During October, the Corniche is full of tents with practical activities to children as well the adults who are interested in participating. In addition to lectures; the festival has now grown to host mini-rocket launches, VR displays, and local teachers demonstrating classroom experiments. Come with your curiosity--there will be nothing of that sort.
Shop, Eat, Repeat: Dubai Shopping festival
Between mid-December and towards the end of January the Dubai Shopping Festival generates an irresistible hype--that attracts even the non-shoppers. Offers may go as high as 75 percent on each items, however, it is also the street food, musicians outside stores and fireworks that put people on the street. The energy and the deals are what people arrive at and they make it a day with family and various pop-up stores and their unique offers.
Global Village: Round the World in one Night
Local secret: To see the world without going out of Dubai, visit Global Village during the period between November and April. The atmosphere is very lively and eclectic with pavilions representing all continents, live music every day, and the finest shawarma outside Beirut. Fireworks conclude each night, but the real joy comes from wandering markets and chatting with stall owners from countries you’ve only read about.
Liwa Date Festival: Festival with a Twist
The Liwa Date Festival, which takes place every July, is not merely a festival of dates, but a festival of the entire desert culture. In addition to fruit competitions, there is:
- Camel beauty pageants attracting large numbers of people.
- Farmers who are competing against each other in the harvest of the best date.
- Music, food booths and crafts that are full of Emirati heritage.
- A vibrant and family-oriented environment with golden dunes.
Yes it is hot but the culture and community spirit makes it a summer festival to remember.
Artist Adventures: Sharjah Biennial and Dubai Art Season
In case you are a fan of street art and contemporary sculpture, Sharjah Biennial also links you with the artists around the world by installations around the souks and galleries. In the meantime, Dubai Art Season attracts artists of any part of the world and makes weekends an opportunity to discover something new and attend workshops.
The Simple Stuff: Ramadan Nights and Community Events
Not only big festivals give rise to all culture. Parks and mosques, which host Ramadan iftars, small Eid events, and art walks such as those in Alserkal Avenue make communities close. These experiences resonate with the locals and expats, and create real relationships.
Plan and Prepare: It Is Easier Said Than Done Getting In
Enquire about festival schedules, ticket policies and rules beforehand. Online check-ins and crowed-limit rules remain on the schema, thus, planning is important. Casual style of dressing is also encouraged particularly in the traditional regions. With the modernized visa program that the UAE has, it is much easier and quicker to apply to enter the country as a tourist or a resident.
See It for Yourself
There is camel racing, art fairs, and fireworks on the National Day, every side of the UAE speaks volumes. In case you have no other reasons than paperwork to stop you, ezee Visa can do the visa on your behalf and you can concentrate on fun, culture and making memories.
Ready to go? ezee Visa can make your traveling easy, and you can have time to enjoy everything.
