Hey Gang!

The long Eid holidays are finally here. And I’m sending this post a day earlier, just in case you guys open it today, inspiration hits, and you find something that you could do tomorrow 😄

How are the holidays so far? I don't know about you, but my kids have already mentioned a few million times — "I'm bored" — I've introduced them to Star Wars, so it'll be a while till it's done.

Anyway, I've curated a humongous list of things I've found that could be interesting. Apologies if it comes across as a long list. I had to keep the descriptions short or this would have ended up being a short novel.

First: parking is free across Dubai until May 31. Metro runs 5am–1am daily. And every mall in the UAE has something free — face painting, balloon twisting, performances, and kids' workshops. Silicon Central, Ibn Battuta, Festival City, Arabian Center, Bawadi Mall in Al Ain, etc. — if you're near a mall, there's something happening. Soft play venues too — Extreme Fun, Popin and Play, MUMU Family at Dubai Hills, Piccoli, just to name a few— all have Eid activities on. I'm sure almost all of them have something going on. Check their Instagram for times.

Seven beaches are family-only all Eid — Jumeirah 1, 2, 3, and the Night Beach, Umm Suqeim 1, 2, + Night Beach, and the newly opened Khor Al Mamzar.

Free ice cream at the parks — May 27 and 28, 4pm–7pm. Al Safa, Creek Park, Mushrif, Zabeel, Al Basha Pond Park, and Community Parks. Just show up.

Al Shindagha + Etihad Museums, May 27–29. Eidiya trail, workshops, family experiences. A solid morning with curious kids.

Al Arada — May 27–29, 7pm–11pm. Game zones, BBQ, Eid market. A relaxed open-air family evening.

Dubai Frame — FREE live music. May 27–28, 4pm–7pm. Combine with a park ice cream and you've got a free evening sorted.

Ribambelle Eid Festival — Bluewaters Island. May 28–29, 12pm–5pm: henna, cooking class, cotton candy, sand art. AED 95/child, adults free. May 30, 12pm–2pm: ice cream cryo show, lantern workshop, immersive experience. AED 220/child, adults free. And from May 29 — soft play goes free for the whole summer.

Terra Bee Festival — Expo City. May 29–31. AED 20. FREE under 12. Honey tastings, beehive tours, candle making, face painting. Indoors, air-conditioned. Take the metro.

Children's City — The Luna Show — Creek Park. May 27–28, 5pm–6pm. Plus Koala Kids activities May 29, 4pm–6:30pm. Ages: 3–10.

The Ripe Market — Citywalk. May 27–30, 4pm–10pm. Free entry. Local food, artisan stalls, easy wandering.

Global Village — Until May 31. From AED 25. Wonder Pass AED 99. Last call before summer. Go.

Green Planet — City Walk. Free for kids 10 and under. Indoor rainforest, sloths, butterflies. Cool, calm, magical.

Dubai Safari Park — Buy 2 get 2 free. Closes May 31. Last chance until October.

Mirzam Chocolate Factory — May 26–29. From AED 50/person. Tour the factory, taste the chocolate. Honestly, it’s more for the parents. I love this place, fyi. Ages: 8+.

Emirates Bio Farm — May 27–30, 10am–8pm. AED 50. Animal feeding, farm walks. Go early or after 5pm. Ages: 3–12.

Desert Jet Water Go-Karting — 10 laps AED 149 Eid offer. Ages: 8+ Great if you have a large fam/friends/group.

Magic Phil: Staying Silly at Sea — Masrah Al Qasba. May 27–30. AED 55. Shows 3pm and 6pm daily. Comedy, magic, full audience participation. The most underrated Eid pick on this list. Book before it sells out. Ages: 4–12.

Al Majaz Waterfront — FREE. May 27–30. Carnival rides, Musical Fountain, abra rides, live entertainment. One of the best free evenings in the UAE this week.

Land of the Pirates — Al Heera Beach + Khorfakkan Beach. May 27–30. AED 45. Both beaches go full pirate — workshops, games, roaming performers, themed food. Ages: 4–12.

Butterfly Release Experience — Al Qana. Daily 6pm–8pm. A live butterfly release — 10,000+ butterflies, climate-controlled domes, plus animal presentations including a two-toed sloth. Calm, beautiful, completely different from anything else on this list.

Abu Dhabi Circuit Splash Park — Luau Party — May 29–30, 4pm–7pm. Hula dancing, splash party — and every splash or skate ticket on all Eid days includes free access to the climbing wall and high ropes at Adventure Park. Ages: 5–15.

Bluey's Big Play — Deerfields Mall, May 27–29. Bluey and Bingo live on stage with a meet and greet after. If you have a fan under 6, this is the Eid plan. Book now. Ages: 2–8.

Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi — May 25–31. Drop-in workshops, storytelling, guided tours all week. Stan the T. rex is still there.

Peaksy at Yas Bay — Around the World in 5 Days. May 27: Turkey Day. Activities 1pm–7pm. A different kind of Eid lunch.

Sesame Street — Bawadi Mall, Al Ain. May 22–30. Elmo, Cookie Monster, live shows, and meet and greet. Ages: 2–8.

Yas Bay Fireworks — FREE. , etc Just show up.

Shrek 25th Anniversary — 4DX if you can. Ages 4+.

Mandalorian & Grogu — IMAX — Make it the big screen. Ages 8+.

Check VOX, Reel, or Novo for showtimes.

Eid Mubarak. Eat well, tell stories, connect with friends and family, and let’s be kind to everyone.

See you next week, Parves 🌙