Just announced: Eid Al Fitr is on Friday, March 20, 2026.

It’s been a strange one, hasn’t it?

Not the usual Ramadan. Schools closing early. Plans changing. Not to mention the uncertainty in the air.

So I’ve tried to make this edition more than just another “things to do” list. There are for Eid, and there’s plenty to do.

Let’s give your kids a proper Eid. And, in the process, give yourself one too.

If you know another parent trying to figure out Eid plans right now — forward this to them. It’ll save them a few hours.

So what to do, where to go, and how to make it count:

Dubai Miracle Garden
💎 Not so much a hidden gem now….but
FREE for UAE residents until March 31
Flowers, castles, heart walkways — easy win with kids
9am–9pm

Aquaventure + Lost Chambers
🔥 BOOK ASAP
FREE until March 22
Slides, lazy rivers, aquarium tunnels
👉 Must book online — no walk-ins

Jungle Bay Waterpark
⚠️ Limited Slots
FREE until March 31
Smaller, calmer, great for younger kids
👉 Call/email to book

Aura Skypool
🔥 Rare Free Access
10,000 FREE tickets
50 floors up, insane views
👉 Not super kid-friendly, but great for you

Five Iron Golf
Unlimited FREE family mini-golf (evenings)
Quick, easy family activity

Kite Beach
Always works.
No planning needed.

Parks: Safa Park, Creekside Park, Zabeel Park, Al Fahidi (old Dubai walk), etc. You pack snacks. Let the kids run.

Alserkal Avenue
Chill, creative, different.
Good coffee + space + culture. One of my favourite places. You’ll find me here at least once a week - usually at Nightjar.

Souk Madinat
Walk. Lights. Water. Easy evening.

Festival City IMAGINE Show
Night show. Free. Kids love it. My boy has seen this tens of times and still loves it.

Dubai Fountain
Still hits. Every time. And it’s not that busy.

Hatta Strawberry Farm
🍓 Simple joy
Pick your own strawberries
AED 35–55
8am–10pm

One of those “they’ll remember this” things.

Museum of Illusions
Kids go FREE (March 19–22)
Fast, fun, photo-heavy.

Boo Boo Laand @ Dubai Mall
Big. Soft play. Chaos (the good kind).
Energy burner.

Readles @ Dubai Mall
Immersive storytelling + fantasy zones. Free for under 3.
Something different. I definitely want to explore this guy.

House of Hype @ Dubai Mall
🔥 Free if you wear UAE colors (first 50)
Otherwise AED 99
Very Instagram, very fun

Storm Coaster
For older kids/teens
Fast, intense, memorable. I CAN’T.

If you just want: air conditioning + popcorn + 2 hours of silence…

You’re covered.

For Families

For Teens/Adults

Regional Releases:

EID SPECIALS:

Amaya (Dubai Mall)
Traditional Middle Eastern dishes with fountain and Burj Khalifa views. Breakfast spreads to late-night dinners. Open daily 10am-1am.

Asateer Tent (Atlantis, The Palm)
First-ever Eid lunch. Luxury buffet with live entertainment, kids' corner, photo station. AED 300 per person. March 20-21, noon-6pm.

Salvaje (Address Residences)
El Eid Weekend Rituals: Japanese-Latin fusion cuisine with live bands and saxophone performances. March 19-22, 7pm-2am.

Mama Shelter
All-out brunch with buffet, live grilling stations, skewers, kebabs, dessert table. From AED 199. March 21.

Maki & Ramen (JVT, Mövenpick Hotel)
Limited Eid deal: Edamame, dynamite prawns, signature ramen bowls, hand rolls. AED 185. March 19-22, 1pm-11pm.

Al Badayer Retreat (Al Madam Restaurant)
Traditional desert buffet: mezze, fried kibbeh, cheese sambousek, Lamb Harees, Chicken Molokhiya, kunafa, loukaymat. Kids under 6 eat free (with paying adult), ages 6-10 get 50% off. AED 199 per adult. March 19-20, 6pm-10:30pm.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES:

The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi
Kids' activities: treasure hunts, crafts, seashell painting. AED 65 per child. March 19-22, 9:30am-noon. Parents get complimentary tea or coffee.

STAYCATION PACKAGES (Kids Stay & Dine Free):

If you're booking a staycation, these hotels offer kids under 12 stay and dine free:

Qasr Al Hosn
Fuwalat Al Eid: Traditional Emirati hospitality experience. Learn about cultural significance and experience the majlis culture. Free.

Cultural Foundation
Puppet show "Give with a Good Heart" at Abu Dhabi Children's Library. March 21-22. Free.

Manarat Al Saadiyat
Majlis-style gatherings and board games. March 19-20. Free.

Clubist (Dubai Marina, Marina Quays East)
New wellness destination with infrared sessions, megaformer classes, and dark room strength training. Refuel at ThirtyFour restaurant. Class timings and prices vary.

La Perle Dubai (Al Habtoor City)
Up to 45% off tickets + complimentary popcorn. 18-meter dives, acrobatics, motorcycle stunts. From AED 149. March 13-30.

Free Parking (March 19–21)
All public parking is free across Dubai. Multi-storey parking is still paid. Don’t forget that it all goes back to normal on March 22. Please avoid fines :)

Schools Stay Online
Distance learning continues for 2 weeks after Eid. It’s a dynamic ruling to be reviewed weekly. Of course, kids attend remotely (even from abroad).

⚠️ Important Safety Reminder
It’s worth saying this. Many people have been arrested for sharing attack footage. Penalties are serious: fines, jail, deportation.Don’t be that person. Do not share or post:

Metro & Tram Hours (Eid) (more info)
Metro: 5am–1am
Tram: 6am–1am

You don’t need to do everything.

You don’t need to “maximize” Eid.

Pick one thing. Do it properly. Be there for it.

You just need a few, or even one good moment.

That’s what they’ll remember. And honestly — so will you.

Eid Mubarak ❤️
Parves