As the UAE marks the 54th Eid Al Etihad, Dubai has prepared a citywide programme that places national unity, heritage and public participation at the centre of the celebrations.
The Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) has set out a schedule designed to bring residents and visitors together through fireworks, parades, cultural moments and community-led activity that reflects the values of the union and the role of the city in shaping shared national identity.
Speaking to Lana in an exclusive interview, Suhaila Ghubash, Vice President of Events and Festivals at DFRE, outlined the scale of the preparations and the collective effort behind this yearโs programme.
A citywide programme grounded in heritage and public engagement
Ghubash described this yearโs Eid Al Etihad event as a โrefreshed citywide programme designed to elevate the family experienceโ. She said the celebrations bring together fireworks, parades, cultural experiences, outdoor entertainment and coordinated promotions across Dubaiโs hotels, malls and attractions.
According to DFRE, the intention is to provide residents and visitors with multiple access points to national-day programming, ensuring that events unfold across districts rather than being limited to a single main venue.
The line-up includes fireworks, a student art competition in collaboration with KHDA, special dining concepts and new retail initiatives. A free-to-attend experience in Hatta will also form part of the weekendโs schedule.
Ghubash highlighted the Dubai Burger initiative as one of the new additions, noting that restaurants will serve limited-edition items inspired by Emirati flavours. She said this concept aligns with DFREโs wider work with gastronomy partners across the festival calendar.
“The long weekend truly brings together the very best of Dubai across all key destination pillars, making it an unmissable celebration for families across the city,” she added.
The long weekend also coincided with the 3 Day Super Sale (3DSS), which began with the first-ever 24-Hour Sale at Dubai Festival City Mall on November 28. Ghubash said the retail component โfurther elevates the festivitiesโ by offering a major incentive for families during the holiday.
DFREโs programming model draws on heritage and the intention to present national culture in a way that connects with multi-generational and multinational audiences.
“Our approach is rooted in celebrating the UAEโs traditions while presenting them through contemporary, interactive formats that resonate with todayโs audiences. We work closely with cultural entities, homegrown brands, and creative partners to ensure authenticity, while incorporating modern storytelling, digital experiences, design-led workshops, and family entertainment. Whether it is a heritage performance, an art installation, or a childrenโs activity, each experience is curated to honour Emirati identity while offering something fresh, inclusive, and engaging for residents and visitors of all ages,” Ghubash added.
DFREโs planning team mapped expected visitor flows across the long weekend to ensure that activities are distributed across the city. The aim is to allow residents and visitors to choose from indoor, outdoor and heritage-based options without congestion.
Fireworks, drone shows and citywide parades
Fireworks will be held across several locations and over multiple nights, giving families various opportunities to attend.
On December 2, displays will take place at Dubai Festival City Mall and Hatta at 8pm. Additional shows will follow at Souk Al Seef, Bluewaters and The Beach, JBR at 9pm. Global Village will host fireworks and drone shows at 9pm from December 1 to 3.
Parades will also be a major part of this yearโs celebrations. Ghubash said the parades are โelevated this year with more performers, enhanced visual storytelling, and a larger community presenceโ.
The Eid Al Etihad Parade was held on December 1 at City Walk at 4pm in collaboration with Dubai Police. DFRE confirmed that the parade included over 1,000 participants from Dubai Police, KHDA students and other government partners.
These public events “will come together for a dynamic showcase of unity, creativity, and community pride,” she added.
Key districts and destinations hosting celebrations
DFRE has coordinated activities across major malls, parks, cultural venues and outdoor destinations. Ghubash said โall leading malls, outdoor destinations, cultural venues, hotels and leisure attractions across Dubai will play a central roleโ. Core hubs include:
- Dubai Festival City Mall
- Hatta Heritage Village
- Global Village
- Dubai Frame
- Childrenโs City
- Mushrif Park
- Dubai Safari Park
- Magic Planet
- Dubai Dolphinarium
- Major malls across the city
Hatta will offer one of the weekendโs flagship experiences, providing a free public event in a mountain setting. The KHDA student art collaboration, featuring the character Modesh, will be displayed as part of the wider programming.
“We encourage residents and visitors to explore these locations for themselves and fully immerse in the cityโs unified celebration of heritage, culture, and community,” she explained.
Retail and hospitality partners will run coordinated offers as part of Dubaiโs integrated Eid Al Etihad weekend.
โWe work closely with our partners across malls, hotels, gastronomy, and retail to deliver an integrated citywide programme that maximises value and accessibility for families,” Ghubash said adding that this includes:
- Exclusive staycation packages
- Dining promotions
- Thousands of retail offers across the 3 Day Super Sale
- Launch of the 24-Hour Sale at Dubai Festival City Mall
“These partnerships ensure a seamless, connected celebration that reinforces Dubaiโs position as a premier destination for family-friendly entertainment and festive experiences,” he said.
Raffles and major consumer prizes
Several retail-linked raffles will operate during the Eid Al Etihad celebrations.
One of the main promotions is the โUltimate Win with ENOCโ, which offers instant vouchers and the chance to win cash, iPhones and Nissan cars. DFRE has described this as a central raffle experience of the season.
During 3DSS, shoppers will have the opportunity to win a Toyota Urban Cruiser. City Centre Deira will also run a โShop & Winโ campaign linked to its 30th anniversary. The promotion will offer daily prizes of 30,000 SHARE points and a grand-prize JAECOO J8 SUV.
DFRE said these initiatives are designed to support retail engagement across the long weekend.
Aside from this, Dubaiโs demographic diversity is reflected in DFREโs festival design, Ghubash emphasised adding that Eid Al Etihad programming is developed with inclusivity in mind.
“Diversity and inclusivity are at the core of all DFRE programmes, offering experiences that celebrate the UAEโs heritage while welcoming more than 200 nationalities that call Dubai their home. Every element of our programming is designed to be family-friendly, accessible, and community-centred. In fact, the majority of Eid Al Etihad experiences are free to attend, ensuring that families across all age groups and backgrounds can participate,” she explained.
DFRE noted that most activities are free to attend, ensuring broad public access. The distribution of events across districts is intended to reduce crowding while enabling families from different neighbourhoods to participate.
The planning process also includes assessments of transport patterns, accessibility requirements and the publicโs interest in indoor and outdoor options during long weekends.
Ghubash described the planning process as a long-term collaboration involving public and private partners. โA celebration of this magnitude would not be possible without the support of our valued partners,” she said, adding that planning begins months in advance and focuses on curating experiences that are โmeaningful, engaging and seamless across the cityโ.
“We look closely at how families move through Dubai during long weekends, ensuring there are memorable experiences in every district โ whether indoors, outdoors, or across key attractions. It is a collaborative effort centred on showcasing the spirit of the nation and delivering exceptional moments for residents and visitors,” she concluded.
