Category: What’s On

Families heading to Global Village are being welcomed by a child-focused programme that blends large-scale play, character encounters and evening spectacle, as Wonderers’ Kids Fest runs from January 9 through February 15 with access included in the venue’s entry ticket. Operating daily between 4pm and 10pm, the festival has been positioned as a centrepiece of the winter calendar for households seeking structured, screen-free entertainment alongside the destination’s broader cultural and retail offerings. A playful season for young visitors is how organisers

Dubai’s offshore sailing calendar moves into gear this weekend as Dubai International Marine Club stages the third leg of the Dubai 43-foot Sailing Race, marking the first competitive fixture of the club’s 2026 season and signalling an early test of crews ahead of a packed winter programme. The race, hosted at Dubai Marine, is expected to draw a broad cross-section of established teams and newer entrants, underlining the continued appeal of the one-design 43-foot class that has become a mainstay of

Dubai World Trade Centre has confirmed plans to host 71 events during the first half of 2026, underscoring the emirate’s position as a regional hub for global exhibitions, conferences and large-scale trade gatherings. The schedule reflects a familiar rhythm for the venue, with activity slowing during Ramadan before resuming after Eid. According to the centre, the post-Eid calendar will open with the Dubai International Pharmaceutical and Technologies Conference and Exhibition in March, followed by Middle East Energy in April, two of

Yas Marina Circuit will stage the opening rounds of the new Emirates Drift Championship season this weekend, drawing leading regional drivers to Abu Dhabi for tightly fought door-to-door battles that organisers say will push technical precision and crowd engagement to a higher level. The championship’s return to the capital’s flagship motorsport venue signals a renewed focus on competitive depth, youth participation and international exposure for a discipline that has grown steadily across the Gulf. The opening event at Yas Marina Circuit

Dubai’s metro and tram network will operate around the clock over the New Year period as authorities move to manage heavy holiday demand and ensure safe, continuous mobility across the city during one of its busiest travel windows. Services on the Red and Green Metro lines will begin at 5.00 a. m. on December 31 and continue without interruption until 11.59 p. m. on Thursday, January 1, providing nearly two full days of continuous operations. The Dubai Tram will follow an

A dramatic concept video portraying a proposed “Dubai Air Hotel” by Emirates has ignited global attention, depicting a full-scale Airbus A380 mounted atop a 580-metre, 125-storey tower in Dubai. The vision, priced at an estimated $3 billion, imagines an aviation-themed landmark that would combine ultra-luxury hospitality with a striking architectural statement, reinforcing the city’s reputation for headline-grabbing development. The footage shows the double-deck superjumbo positioned like a crown at the summit of a needle-slim skyscraper, its fuselage transformed into suites, lounges

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has opened an eight-kilometre alternative road that gives direct access to tourist camps in the Al Awir area, easing movement for visitors and service providers and diverting heavy seasonal traffic away from internal desert tracks. The new corridor connects Al Awir Road with clusters of licensed camps, reducing travel time and improving safety during peak desert activity periods. Officials said the alignment was designed to accommodate buses, four-wheel drives and logistics vehicles while maintaining clear separation

Expo City Dubai has rolled out a structured graduate development initiative aimed at preparing UAE nationals for long-term careers in real estate, urban development and city management, as the post-Expo district accelerates its transition into a permanent business, residential and innovation hub. The programme, branded Exposure, sits within Expo City Dubai’s Real Estate and Development division and targets fresh Emirati graduates at the start of their professional lives. Designed as a two-year pathway, it combines on-the-job placements, structured learning and mentorship

Mall of the Emirates has embarked on a $1.36bn expansion programme that will add 20,000 square metres of retail space, introduce about 100 new stores, and significantly broaden its dining and entertainment offering, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global retail and lifestyle hub. The project, announced by owner and operator Majid Al Futtaim, represents one of the most substantial investments in the mall since it opened in 2005. Once completed, the expansion is designed to strengthen the centre’s focus on

Dubai is preparing to expand its seasonal cultural calendar with a large-scale Ramadan Souq planned for 2026, an initiative expected to transform Souq Al Ras in Deira into a focal point for heritage retail, family entertainment and night-time tourism during the holy month. City officials and organisers say the project is designed to blend commerce, culture and community, reinforcing Deira’s position as a historic trading hub while aligning with broader tourism and placemaking strategies. Ramadan Souq 2026 is scheduled to take

Nikken Sekkei has unveiled an architectural vision for Trump Tower Dubai that signals a renewed push to blend global branding with locally grounded urban design, positioning the project as a high-profile addition to the city’s luxury real-estate landscape. The proposal introduces a vertically articulated tower intended to integrate hospitality, branded residences and curated public spaces, reflecting Dubai’s continued appeal to international developers and design houses. The Japanese firm, known for large-scale urban projects across Asia, the Middle East and North America,

Falcon Racing will begin tomorrow at the Liwa International Festival 2026, bringing together elite falconers, heritage practitioners and spectators in the Empty Quarter’s oasis region for one of the Gulf’s most closely watched traditional sporting events. Organised under the festival’s heritage and cultural programme, the competition is expected to draw participants from across the UAE and neighbouring countries, reinforcing Liwa’s standing as a focal point for desert sports and falconry traditions. The event will feature trained falcons competing in speed and

Mercato has opened its doors to a season of themed festivities with the unveiling of its Winter Spectacular, positioning the Jumeirah-based shopping mall as a key seasonal attraction during the December holiday period. Running from 11 to 25 December 2025, the programme transforms the Italian-style mall into a winter village designed to draw families, residents and visitors seeking an immersive festive experience that blends retail, entertainment and community engagement. The Winter Spectacular centres on an Italian-inspired setting, with the mall’s interiors

Paramount Skydance’s decision to bring three Gulf sovereign wealth funds into its $108 billion hostile bid for Warner Bros Discovery has highlighted a rare convergence of interests among Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Qatar, as the states accelerate efforts to secure influence across the global entertainment industry. Paramount said the Saudi Public Investment Fund, Abu Dhabi’s L’imad Holding Company and the Qatar Investment Authority have agreed to support the proposed takeover, a move that significantly strengthens the financing base of a

Abu Dhabi’s drive to deepen its role as a global financial and technology destination accelerated with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and cross-border payments firm YeePay announcing the establishment of YeePay’s regional headquarters and technology hub in the emirate. The collaboration, unveiled at Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025, positions the new base to serve the Middle East and Africa while bolstering digital payment links between the UAE, China and other international markets. The announcement underlines Abu Dhabi’s strategy to

Families are being invited to a vibrant seasonal celebration as Town Centre Jumeirah prepares to unveil “Magical Moments”, a three-day programme designed to turn the community mall into a festive showcase from 5 to 7 December. The event is positioned as an immersive experience aimed at drawing families, children, and neighbourhood visitors into an atmosphere of creative play, entertainment, and traditional holiday indulgence. Organisers have outlined a schedule that places family interaction at the heart of the festivities, with the mall

The Central Bank of the UAE confirmed that the Digital Dirham — its central-bank-issued digital currency — is poised for phased rollout, following the nation’s first government-level payment settled in Digital Dirham. The transaction, processed in under two minutes via the mBridge multi-CBDC platform, involved the Ministry of Finance and the Dubai Department of Finance, underscoring readiness of infrastructure and institutional coordination. This marks a transition from pilot tests to operational use. The CBUAE’s July policy paper outlined the phased

Crowds are heading to Fort Island at Madinat Jumeirah as one of Dubai’s most anticipated seasonal attractions opens its doors for the Christmas Market 2025, offering a mix of entertainment, dining and festive installations through December. The annual celebration has grown into a prominent feature of the city’s winter calendar, drawing families, tourists and residents to its waterfront setting with activities designed to appeal to a wide range of visitors. A towering Christmas tree measuring about 36 feet forms the centrepiece

Dubai has unveiled a major overhaul of bereavement services, aiming to simplify and digitise all procedures linked to the death of a family member, the Dubai Health Authority said. The move is part of the government’s wider City Makers initiative and is designed to offer faster, more humane support during what officials described as one of the most difficult periods for families. Under the new system, named Jabr, each bereavement case will be managed by a dedicated Government Service

A fully digital escrow service for vehicle ownership transfers has been introduced through a partnership between SlashData and the Integrated Transport Centre, marking a significant shift in how transactions between buyers and sellers are executed in the UAE. The rollout of the platform known as Shary signals an effort to reduce paperwork, lift administrative burdens, and strengthen confidence in a market where used-car transactions continue to expand. Officials involved in the project described Shary as the first government-backed digital escrow mechanism

Iraq’s Oil Ministry has launched a formal process to invite a handful of major US oil companies to directly negotiate the takeover of the 75 percent stake in the West Qurna-2 oil field — currently held by Lukoil — following international sanctions imposed on the Russian company. The ministry’s announcement emphasises that transferring control to a US operator would support global market stability while preserving Iraq’s vital oil output and revenues. The ministry has refrained from naming specific firms or stipulating

Colife, a property management firm operating in Dubai, is advertising that apartments under its portfolio are leased out in an average span of 12 days, claiming landlords using its services earn 20–25 per cent more income compared to traditional rental routes. The company markets this as a “no downtime, no extra fees” model, promising direct bookings, continuous tenant flow, and full-service property management — from marketing and check-in to cleaning, maintenance and financial reporting. Since its launch in 2018, Colife has

Prepare for an evening where history comes to life. This December, the iconic Dubai Opera will become the epicenter of the musical universe as it hosts a once-in-a-lifetime convergence of talent. The legendary tenors José Carreras and Plácido Domingo will reunite for the “Stars of the Century” gala — a performance destined to be remembered for years to come. Scheduled for December 22, 2025, at 7:00 PM, this spectacular event marks the pinnacle of Dubai Opera’s tenth anniversary festivities. Joining these giants

City streets that normally teem with early-morning traffic transformed into vast running lanes as the seventh edition of the event drew a record turnout. More than 307,000 participants took part in the event, surpassing the previous year’s figure of 278,000. The highly inclusive free event offers both 5 km and 10 km distances and is open to people of all ages and fitness levels. The race commenced early at 06:30 on the prominent thoroughfare adjacent to the major landmark, and included

The U. S. Commerce Department has authorised the export of advanced artificial-intelligence semiconductors to two Middle Eastern firms, granting licences for each to procure up to 35,000 units of Nvidia’s Blackwell chips. The approvals apply to G42 of the United Arab Emirates and Humain of Saudi Arabia, representing a significant shift in America’s technology-export policy. The licences impose stringent conditions: both companies must adhere to rigorous security and reporting protocols, as stipulated by the Bureau of Industry and Security. Each

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange has marked its 25th year, standing today as one of the world’s top 20 stock markets by market value. Founded in 2000 with just 12 listed companies, the exchange now hosts more than 200 securities, carries a market capitalisation in excess of AED 3 trillion and counts 1.2 million investors drawn from over 200 nationalities. This milestone comes as the ADX embarks on an upgraded platform designed to support the emirate’s ambition to become a

Abu Dhabi based investment firm Lunate has escalated its global ambitions after deploying roughly US$13.5 billion and signalling plans to raise even larger funds for 2026 launches. Founded in 2023 and backed by the emirate’s investment ecosystem, Lunate raised about US$17 billion in 2024 for its flagship funds and has invested around 80 per cent of that amount, according to individuals familiar with its operations. The firm now aims to raise significantly more for its next fund cycle, underscoring its

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced the holiday for the private sector in observance of Eid Al Etihad, aligning with the cabinet’s decision to recognise official public holidays. The holiday will offer employees in the private sector a designated time off to mark the festive occasion. The Eid Al Etihad holiday typically reflects national pride and unity, as it is celebrated across the country, highlighting the importance of social and cultural traditions. Government employees, in particular, have long

The Middle East's aviation market is poised for an extraordinary expansion, according to Airbus's Global Market Forecast 2025. The region, currently experiencing rapid economic growth and a surge in travel demand, is expected to see its in-service fleet more than double over the next two decades. The forecast reveals that the fleet will increase from 1,480 aircraft in 2024 to 3,700 by 2044, driven by both the region's burgeoning economy and its strategic geographic location as a global travel hub. Airbus's

A groundbreaking performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto by the renowned St. Petersburg Opera will soon grace Dubai’s Zabeel Theatre. Known for its lavish productions and exceptional vocal talent, the company, under the direction of acclaimed Russian director Yuri Alexandrov, brings a fresh and daring interpretation of this iconic opera. This marks the company’s return to Dubai after their successful appearance at Expo 2020, where they garnered international acclaim for their unique approach to classical music theatre. The St. Petersburg Opera, founded

Dubai’s ambitious urban landscape is set to evolve with the debut of Palm Jebel Ali, a new palm-shaped island poised to transform the city’s skyline and luxury real estate market. Located just off the coast of Dubai, Palm Jebel Ali is part of the broader expansion of the city’s coastline, reinforcing its reputation as a global hub for innovation in both architecture and tourism. The first beachfront apartments with terraces, situated in the heart of Palm Central, are now available

Jumeirah, renowned for its luxury hotels including the iconic Burj Al Arab, has ventured into fashion with the launch of its first-ever capsule collection. The move marks a bold step for the Dubai-based hospitality group as it explores ways to blend its longstanding heritage with contemporary trends. The collection, designed by Dubai-based fashion label Bouguessa, takes inspiration from the distinctive architectural and cultural elements of Jumeirah's luxury properties. The partnership with Bouguessa, a brand known for its modern, modest designs, is

US and London-based educational technology company, DataCamp, has acquired the UAE-based AI-native learning platform, Optima, in a move designed to enhance its offerings in personalised and real-time learning. The acquisition will see Optima’s technology fully integrated across DataCamp’s existing platforms, bolstering its data science and analytics services with cutting-edge artificial intelligence features. The deal, however, did not include the financial terms, leaving the acquisition value undisclosed. Following the transaction, Yusuf Saber, the founder and CEO of Optima, will join DataCamp as

How Visarun.ai is using AI-first approach to capture enterprise clients in the fragmented visa processing industry While giants like VFS Global and BLS International process millions of visa applications annually through legacy systems, a Dubai-founded startup is betting that AI-native infrastructure can carve out a lucrative niche in the $13.87 billion global visa services market—projected to hit $55 billion by 2034 at 16.6% CAGR. Visarun.ai, founded in 2024 by Vladimir Indjikian and Alena Iakina, just closed a $700,000 pre-seed round from Swiss