Five things to do in the UAE this Eid

Since Eid Al Fitr is set to fall during the weekend this year in the UAE, private sector workers will have either July 17 and 18 (Friday and Saturday) or July 18 and 19 (Saturday and Sunday) as holidays for the occasion.

Hence it may be a good idea to celebrate Eid right here in the country where several deals are on offer.

Here’s five different ways you can unwind and enjoy this weekend.

1. Enjoy a sumptuous meal

Several restaurants have special Eid buffet packages offering an array of cuisines and dishes.

If you are an Instagrammer, head out to the stylish Cipriani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi which has a special social media offer this Eid.

On July 19, the Italian restaurant will offer a 50 per cent discount off your total bill if you snap a food selfie and upload the image onto Instagram tagging @CiprianiYasIsland #MyCipriani.

2. Relax at a luxury hotel

Hotels across the country have special Eid packages and for a good deal, visit sites such as Groupon or Cobone which have a plethora of offers.

If you have something more luxurious in mind, head to Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara in Abu Dhabi, where you can unwind in one of the hotel’s 64 rooms, suites and villas. Opt for an island tour to spot wildlife, go kayaking through the mangroves or dive to view offshore reefs. Alternatively, you can lounge at the poolside or unwind at the spa.

Rates start from Dhs 1,250 for overnight stay including breakfast for two.

3. Head to a concert for a good cause

Emirati singer Fayez Al Saeed, who has joined hands with mall operator Majid Al Futtaim for its ‘Make a Difference this Ramadan’ campaign, will hold a non-stop musical concert on the second day of Eid at City Centre Fujairah.

The campaign seeks to collect donations and everyday essentials for distribution to those in need across the region.

The concert, beginning at 8.30pm, will mark the end of the initiative for this year.

4. Go retro

If you are in a retro mood and unwilling to open the purse strings, head out to the screening room at A4 Space, Alserkal Avenue in Dubai where the B&W 1950 classic Sunset Boulevard will be showing on Wednesday and Thursday (July 15,16).

The movie, starring William Holden and Gloria Swanson, will be screened at 9.00pm and entry is free.

5. Unwind with a paddle

For a more outdoorsy weekend head to Surf House in Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Road and take a go at paddleboarding. You might work up quite a sweat if you attempt it during the day, but for a more tranquil experience, opt for a sunset paddle.

Easy for beginners as well, Surf House currently has a Ramadan promotion (which extends onto this weekend) with each board costing Dhs 50 per hour (instead of Dhs 75). If you go on a weekday, you also get a ‘buy one get one free’ deal this summer.