Category: What’s On

Dubai has unveiled a parking-linked retail incentive that will allow motorists to recover paid parking costs as cashback when they shop at participating neighbourhood businesses, in a move that blends urban mobility policy with support for smaller traders. The initiative, called Spots for Shops, is being introduced by Parkin, the emirate’s public parking operator, with the first phase due to go live on the Parkin app in early May 2026.Under the pilot, drivers will still pay the applicable parking fee

Dubai’s Al Mamzar Corniche development has moved into its closing stretch, with construction reaching 88% completion as the emirate pushes ahead with one of its most closely watched public beach upgrades. Dubai Municipality said the scheme is progressing in line with delivery schedules and is intended to open as a new coastal destination combining leisure, sport and community facilities. The project has drawn particular attention for including Dubai’s first women-only public beach, with controlled access and facilities for evening swimming.

UAE authorities are advancing a Dh6 billion federal highway project designed to ease chronic congestion on the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman corridor, pressing ahead with what officials describe as a strategic expansion of the national road network as population growth and commuting demand intensify. The scheme, reviewed this week by the UAE Infrastructure and Housing Council, centres on the Fourth Federal Corridor, a planned road of about 68 kilometres with six to eight lanes in each direction, 10 major intersections and four

Dubai International Financial Centre has rolled out a temporary package of economic support measures for businesses and retailers, offering flexible payment plans, licence-fee instalments and grace periods on selected administrative charges as the emirate’s financial hub seeks to cushion companies from a turbulent regional operating environment. The steps took effect immediately and were presented by the centre as a way to reduce short-term financial and operational pressure across its commercial community.The support package covers commercial and retail tenants and

Dubai’s public parking operator Parkin has launched “Spots for Shops”, a scheme designed to let motorists recover parking fees when they spend at participating neighbourhood businesses, in a move that links curbside parking more directly to street-level retail trade. Under the pilot, customers park in a paid Parkin bay, pay the normal tariff, make a qualifying purchase set by the merchant, and then have the fee validated through the Parkin app, with the cashback credited instantly to the customer’s Parkin

UAE residents could receive the longest continuous public holiday stretch of 2026 at the end of May, with astronomers and local media forecasts pointing to Arafat Day on Tuesday, May 26, followed by Eid al-Adha from Wednesday, May 27, to Friday, May 29. When combined with the Saturday-Sunday weekend on May 30 and 31, that would create a six-day break, while employees who take leave on Monday, May 25, could turn it into a nine-day run from May 23 to

Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi has secured five new industrial and logistics projects worth AED147 million across Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, adding more than 84,000 square metres of development space and an estimated 500 jobs as the emirate presses ahead with its manufacturing and supply-chain expansion plans.Four of the projects are earmarked for KEZAD Al Ain, where they account for just over 37,400 square metres, AED47 million in investment and about 200 jobs. The fifth and largest scheme

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has opened a new Al Mutakamela vehicle testing and registration centre in Al Qusais, adding fresh capacity to a part of the city with heavy residential and commercial traffic and extending access to licensing services for motorists in the eastern districts. The facility began operations on 6 April and is intended to ease processing for both private vehicle owners and business customers.The new branch is equipped with seven testing lanes for light vehicles and

Dubai Basketball’s Under-18 Elite team has won the 2026 Basket Cup Sarajevo title, beating Ras Beograd U18 69-53 in the final after an unbeaten run through the tournament in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The victory, secured in the side’s first appearance at the event, marks one of the clearest signs yet that Dubai’s push to build a serious youth basketball pathway is beginning to produce results beyond the Gulf.Played from 2 to 5 April in Sarajevo, the 14th edition of

 Al Hudayriyat Island has emerged as one of Abu Dhabi’s clearest statements of how urban expansion, tourism strategy and lifestyle planning are being fused into a single waterfront destination, as the emirate pushes to raise liveability, broaden its non-oil economy and create new high-value districts beyond its traditional city core.Developed by Modon, the island’s evolution has moved well beyond a beach-and-leisure concept into a much wider masterplanned project that combines housing, sport, hospitality, recreation and public realm. Abu Dhabi officials

Abu Dhabi’s cultural calendar for 2026 is being redrawn, with Abu Dhabi Festival now set to begin its main programme in October under a revised line-up that still includes Croatian cellist Hauser and Tunisian oud virtuoso Dhafer Youssef, while other large-scale music events in the emirate have also been pushed back amid regional disruption to travel and live entertainment logistics.The changes place several of the capital’s biggest ticketed events into the second half of the year, creating a denser

Staycations across the Northern Emirates and quieter destinations beyond Dubai and Abu Dhabi are gaining momentum as UAE residents rethink holiday plans amid flight disruption and wider uncertainty linked to the Iran war. Hotels in Umm Al Quwain, Hatta, Al Ain and parts of Fujairah have reported firmer domestic demand, with some properties saying residents are choosing short road trips over overseas travel during the Eid period and the weeks around it.That shift is unfolding against a broader shock

Dubai Municipality has unveiled a Dh150 million plan to install electric-vehicle supercharging facilities across 600 public parking spaces at parks, beaches and recreational sites, in a move aimed at widening access to charging beyond roadsides, malls and fuel stations. The scheme, announced on Friday, is being rolled out with Emarat EV Charging Stations Company, known as UAEV, and its first phase will bring 75 supercharging stations serving 150 parking bays within two years.Public leisure sites added to Dubai’s EV

Dubai has moved to shore up business confidence with a fresh set of fee deferrals and administrative easings under a wider AED1 billion support package, as the emirate seeks to protect cash flow, sustain hiring and cushion sectors exposed to regional disruption. The measures, announced this week and effective from 1 April, cover hotels, holiday homes and businesses across the wider economy for periods of three to six months.At the centre of the package is a temporary postponement of

 Dubai has added 13 new cycling tracks as the Roads and Transport Authority pushes ahead with a plan to turn the emirate into a far more connected cycling city, advancing a wider network that officials say is meant to reach 1,000 kilometres by 2030. The newly completed routes are part of a 15-track master plan spanning 162 kilometres and are intended to link residential districts, beaches, business areas and existing leisure corridors into a more integrated system.The latest package marks

Zomato has opened a free three-month District Gold offer for users in the UAE, waiving the usual Dh29 quarterly fee as it tries to deepen its foothold in the country’s dining and entertainment market through its District platform. The campaign gives users instant access to premium membership benefits tied to restaurant, events and leisure offers on the app.The promotion marks a sharper consumer push by the company in a market where it has rebuilt its presence around going-out services

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has awarded a contract to begin Phase I of a city-wide pedestrian infrastructure programme centred on Al Ras, marking a step in efforts to reshape mobility patterns in one of the emirate’s oldest commercial districts.Officials said the project forms part of the Dubai Walk Master Plan, a long-term initiative designed to expand walkability, improve connectivity between transit hubs and heritage areas, and encourage sustainable urban movement. The first phase will focus on Al Ras in

Public parks in Sharjah and Ajman were temporarily closed as authorities responded to unstable weather conditions marked by rainfall and strong winds, with officials citing safety concerns for residents and visitors.Municipal authorities in both emirates announced the closures after forecasts from the National Centre of Meteorology warned of a period of unsettled weather across parts of the United Arab Emirates. The advisories pointed to intermittent rainfall, gusty winds and reduced visibility in several areas, prompting precautionary measures in public spaces.Sharjah

A major expansion of Yas Waterworld on Yas Island is scheduled to open in April, marking a significant addition to Abu Dhabi’s leisure and tourism portfolio as developer Miral pushes ahead with plans to position the emirate as a global entertainment destination.Miral, which oversees the development of Yas Island’s attractions, said the upgraded waterpark will introduce a broad range of new rides, attractions and immersive experiences aimed at enhancing visitor capacity and extending the park’s appeal to both regional and

Primark is set to enter the Gulf retail market with its first store in Dubai scheduled to open on March 26 at Dubai Mall, marking a significant step in the British-Irish fashion retailer’s expansion beyond its traditional European strongholds.The Dublin-founded company, known for its low-cost apparel and homeware, will simultaneously establish a presence across three major shopping centres in the UAE over a two-month period. Following the Dubai Mall launch, additional outlets are planned at City Centre Mirdif in April

Heavy rain, strong winds and widespread dust are set to affect large parts of the United Arab Emirates over the coming days, prompting authorities to issue alerts and step up preparedness measures across key sectors.The National Centre of Meteorology has forecast a period of unstable weather driven by a combination of low-pressure systems and shifting wind patterns, with conditions expected to vary sharply between regions. Officials say rainfall of varying intensity could hit coastal, inland and mountainous areas, while strong

Starlink has begun offering satellite-based internet services in the United Arab Emirates, marking a significant expansion of low-Earth orbit connectivity into one of the Gulf’s most advanced digital markets. The rollout introduces a new alternative to established telecom operators, with residential plans starting from Dhs230 per month alongside a required upfront hardware purchase.The service, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, relies on a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites designed to deliver high-speed broadband with lower latency than traditional geostationary systems. The

Strong visitor turnout has marked the 43rd edition of Ramadan Nights at Expo Centre Sharjah, with organisers reporting sustained footfall as families prepare for Eid Al-Fitr, reinforcing the emirate’s role as a seasonal retail and cultural hub.The exhibition, running through the final stretch of the holy month, has attracted thousands of shoppers daily, driven by extended evening hours, promotional offers, and a broad mix of retail, entertainment, and food experiences. Officials at Expo Centre Sharjah indicated that participation has expanded

Dubai’s Rental Disputes Center has launched a joint digital platform with Dubai Police aimed at streamlining rental litigation and improving enforcement efficiency, marking a further push towards integrating judicial and law enforcement services through technology.The system, unveiled at the centre’s headquarters, is designed to connect case management procedures at the Rental Disputes Center with Dubai Police’s operational framework. Officials said the integration would accelerate dispute resolution timelines, reduce administrative burdens, and strengthen enforcement of judicial rulings linked to tenancy disagreements.Senior

Dubai Police reopened key airport-bound roads after a disruption linked to a fire incident near Dubai International Airport forced temporary closures and traffic diversions, easing congestion that had built up across surrounding districts and arterial routes.Authorities said precautionary measures were introduced early Monday after reports of a fire in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport, prompting swift action from emergency services and traffic management teams. Access roads leading to Terminals 1 and 3 were partially restricted as firefighters and civil

Community volunteers, disability advocates and families gathered in Abu Dhabi for a Ramadan Iftar organised by Wajeb Volunteering Association, an initiative aimed at celebrating inclusion and strengthening social support for people of determination. The event, held in cooperation with Zayed Authority for People of Determination and the “We Are All with People of Determination” Association, brought together participants from across the capital in an atmosphere that blended the traditions of Ramadan with a message of civic engagement.Organisers described the gathering

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi will stage the second edition of the Ghaitah Al Ain Festival from 20 to 27 March 2026, expanding a family-oriented cultural celebration that blends entertainment, heritage and community activities at ADNEC Centre Al Ain. The eight-day event forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen the city’s cultural calendar while reinforcing Al Ain’s position as a leading tourism and leisure destination in the emirate.Running each evening at the outdoor area of

Al Habtoor Polo and Jehangiri Polo have secured places in the final of the fourth Dubai Polo Challenge Cup after winning their respective qualifying matches at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club in Dubai, setting up a decisive clash in one of the region’s prominent mid-handicap tournaments.The competition, staged at the sprawling polo grounds on the outskirts of Dubai, features four teams with handicap ratings ranging from eight to ten goals. Organisers describe the event as an important fixture

Dubai’s flagship horse-racing spectacle will go ahead as planned despite geopolitical tensions linked to attacks involving Iran, ensuring that the Dubai World Cup meeting remains one of the most lucrative and closely watched fixtures on the global racing calendar.Organisers have confirmed preparations for the 2026 Dubai World Cup night at Meydan Racecourse are continuing, with the event retaining its reputation as the richest evening in the sport. The meeting features nine elite races and a total prize purse of about

Dubai has retained its position as the world’s cleanest city for a sixth consecutive year, strengthening the emirate’s global reputation for urban management and environmental standards as international rankings continue to highlight its sustained focus on municipal services, waste management and public hygiene.Recognition comes through the Global Power City Index, an annual assessment issued by the Institute for Urban Strategies at Japan’s Mori Memorial Foundation. The index evaluates leading metropolitan centres on their ability to attract people, capital and enterprise,

Abu Dhabi will host the 2026 Modon World Triathlon Championship Series event on 28 and 29 March as scheduled, organisers confirmed, reinforcing the emirate’s growing status as a global hub for endurance sport and international competition.Officials from Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the governing body World Triathlon said preparations for the season-opening race are progressing as planned, with elite athletes from across the world expected to compete on Hudayriyat Island, a purpose-built sports and leisure destination on the capital’s coastline.

Travellers navigating uncertain flight schedules through Dubai are being offered a new support system as visa consultancy firm Visa Services launches a Safe Travel Concierge programme designed to help passengers identify operating flights, manage visa requirements and arrange accommodation during complex travel itineraries.The service, announced by the Dubai-based company, aims to assist passengers departing from or arriving in the emirate who face sudden changes to travel plans or difficulty securing confirmed routes. Aviation disruptions, shifting visa rules and high passenger

Tourism activity across the United Arab Emirates is continuing under established regulatory frameworks as authorities monitor developments linked to wider regional security concerns. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism said hotels, resorts, cultural landmarks, shopping centres and other visitor attractions remain open and are receiving guests as normal, while relevant authorities maintain oversight of evolving conditions.Officials indicated that tourism establishments across the federation are operating according to directives issued by national and local authorities. The ministry noted that government bodies

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have issued a nationwide alert after fraudulent emails began circulating that falsely claim to request emergency registration details from residents, prompting officials to warn the public against sharing personal information through unofficial channels.The Ministry of Interior said the messages impersonate government communication and urge recipients to provide sensitive details under the pretext of registering for emergency alerts or civil protection programmes. Officials stressed that such requests are part of a phishing attempt designed to