What’s happening Feb 19 — March 1, 2026?
Ramadan’s here. And I have a lot of stuff for you.
So let’s not procrastinate anymore…
Ramadan Nights
If you haven't caught the daily fireworks at Al Seef yet, fix that tonight — they go off at 9:30pm through March 19, and the Creek reflections double the show. Completely FREE. Over at Festival Bay, you've got massive drone formations at 10:30pm every night, plus the traditional iftar cannon. Also FREE, and worth going.
Sheikh Hamdan Colony turned into a proper evening food destination through March 15 with the Ramadan Street Food Festival — vendors, cultural stuff, family activities, and post-iftar atmosphere. FREE entry. If you're in Abu Dhabi, Emirates Park Zoo is hosting Ramadan Nights with a Quran-inspired Animals Workshop for kids, animal encounters, an art corner, and more. The Family Iftar setup runs through Ramadan. It’s priced at AED 195 per person and includes zoo access, activities, entertainment, and Iftar.
The Ramadan Festival in Abu Dhabi opened Feb 20 and runs 8pm-2am daily across three locations — Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra. Purpose-built Ramadan neighborhoods in each spot with souq markets, Ramadan lanterns, food trucks, kids’ puppet shows, traditional storytelling, Al Ayala and Al Harbiyah folk dances. Lamat Ramadan takes place at Abu Dhabi Corniche Beach from Feb 27-March 9, featuring cultural programs and live entertainment under the lights. Prices from AED 20.
Hai Ramadan at Expo City runs Feb 22-March 17, with storytelling, markets, and community gatherings—family-focused (AED 150 onward). Global Village is hosting Ramadan Wonders from Feb 18-March 18, showcasing cultural performances and themed decorations across the pavilions. And if you want something more low-key, Terra at Expo City has Ramadan Nights every Saturday and Sunday from Feb 21-March 15, opens at 4pm. Not a formal tent, just a casual outdoor setup with gardens and games. AED 20 entry or AED 80 with a simple Ramadan meal — dates, laban, biryani. Chill community vibes.
Hatta Weekend
The Hatta Strawberry Farm is running daily 8am-10pm through May 1. Pick strawberries against the mountain backdrop near Hatta Dam. FREE entry, AED 35 for kids to pick, AED 55 for adults. The shop sells jams and fresh juice. Worth booking ahead. The Dubai-Hatta Express Bus makes this easy now — AED 25 each way from Dubai Mall to Hatta Bus Station, with every 2-hour service from 7am-7pm daily, a 90-min ride. Then hop on the Hop On Hop Off (bus) for AED 2 per stop and hit the Dam, Heritage Village, Hill Park, and Wadi Hub.
Old Dubai Hidden Gems
Old Dubai still has spots most people miss. The Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (Al Bastakiya) is narrow wind-tower lanes and sand-colored coral houses with art galleries in restored Persian merchant homes. Walk the maze for FREE. The Coffee Museum is on Villa 44, Al Hisn Street — shows coffee's journey through history, serves FREE Arabic coffee with dates. XVA Gallery is hidden in a wind tower house with a shaded courtyard, which people call one of Dubai's "hidden gems." Arabian Tea House does machboos and luqaimat in a leafy courtyard. The whole area is open 24/7, though galleries and cafes have their own hours. Five-minute walk from Al Fahidi Metro Station.
The AED 1 abra crossing from Bur Dubai to Deira on a traditional wooden boat lands you at the Gold and Spice Souks. That's how people crossed for decades before bridges. The Textile Souk nearby has stalls overflowing with colorful fabrics, shawls, and local crafts — haggling expected. Sheikh Saeed al-Maktoum House is the former ruler's residence, now a heritage museum with traditional regional architecture, ornate teak doors, high-beam ceilings, and a courtyard. Collections detail pre-oil Dubai. Al Fahidi area, AED 20 onward, 10am to 8pm; last entry 7pm.
Outdoors Stuff
Mushrif Park's 10km FREE hiking trail winds through 70,000+ ghaf trees, 15 minutes from Dubai. Open 5:30am-7pm daily with multiple difficulty levels, bridges, wooden stairs, rest areas with desert views. Kids 12-15 allowed with an adult. AED 10 per car entry. Mirdif area. The Square at Nad Al Sheba Gardens is open 5:30pm-2am daily for open-air dining — FREE entry, FREE parking, playground (check for fee), cycling areas, and padel courts. Homegrown restaurants like Public, Kokoro, Home Bakery, and Omar Odali. Lush greenery, water features, koi pond.
Al Qana in Abu Dhabi has a 2.4km waterfront promenade with designated walking and running paths, 4 bridges, and landscaped gardens. Marina views and Grand Mosque sightlines. FREE. Plus 95+ dining outlets, National Aquarium, Butterfly Gardens, if you want to make a day of it.
Fujairah
A reader asked me for a few things to do in Fujairah. Here you go.
Fujairah Adventure Park covers 20 hectares and has mountain biking trails by difficulty (green, blue, red), hiking, wall climbing, kayaking, and camping platforms. Gear rental available. Near Haam Dam, with the Hajar Mountains as a backdrop. It’s 2 hours from Dubai via E84. Umbrella Beach is the family beach with shallow water, padel tennis, volleyball, water sports, and a jungle play area for kids. Food trucks, cafes, restaurants. Well-maintained, quieter than the Snoopy Island beaches. FREE entry, parking available. And if you're driving that way, Masafi Market is a bustling traditional market open daily, even though it's called "Friday Market." Fruits, vegetables, carpets, bargains. Can't miss it on the central street.
RAK Beach Opening
BDP Beach in Ras Al Khaimah opened Feb 8 on Hayat Island in Mina. French Riviera beach club vibes, Mediterranean restaurant, pool, white sand, beach loungers. BDP Sunsets run Sunday through Friday, Ladies' Day on Mondays, Sunday brunch, and Rosé Piscine Fridays. Reserve in advance.
Concerts & Shows
Wu-Tang Clan hits Coca-Cola Arena on Sunday, March 22, for The Final Chamber tour. Tickets start at AED 368. Big Time Rush is on Thursday, March 26, from AED 250. Josh Groban plays on Friday, March 27, Gems World Tour, from AED 349. Mary Poppins is at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi through March-April, 26 performances, first UAE run.
FREE
Jumeirah 1 Beach reopened 50% bigger at 1,400m with play zones and FREE WiFi, smart lockers. Heritage Village in Al Shindagha has traditional houses, pearl-diving demonstrations, and pottery — all FREE. Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park is 24/7, lit at night, with an 850m kids course with road signs, FREE. Al Masar Garden in Abu Dhabi is on the Zayed National Museum grounds — 600m walkway, ghaf trees, 12 animal sculptures, falaj irrigation, FREE. Al Qudra Lakes is a 35-minute drive with flamingos and desert wildlife. Bring your BBQ setup, FREE.
In The Know
A new UAE rule caps school bus rides at 60 minutes each way — affecting route planning for the 2026-27 school year. Abu Dhabi was named the world's safest city for the 10th consecutive year. Container-style mobile gyms are launching soon in Dubai parks and beachside locations. Blue Waters Art Festival is returning for its second edition; dates TBA (April 2026). Oman Air announced a new direct Dubai-Salalah route launching July 3, 2026.
Coming Soon
Big Bad Wolf Book Sale runs Feb 26-March 8 at Sound Stages in Dubai Studio City — 2 million+ books from AED 2, open 10am-midnight, FREE entry. Shakira headlines OFFLIMITS Festival at Etihad Arena on April 4. Spoilt for choice…guess who’s playing the same day? Amr Diab at the Coca-Cola Arena.
Phew.
I did my part. Now, your turn.
Ramadan Kareem.
-Parves
PS: I spend days curating the best items I find. It would mean the world to me if you could share the newsletter with parents and other families who could benefit from the content. Thank you in advance!
