UAE Events

Dubai's most acclaimed restaurants show off their star dishes at Taste of Dubai, the ultimate open-air festival of food and drink held at Dubai Media City's amphitheatre. Celebrity chef Gary Rhodes considers it "the best Taste festival in the world".

Watch Michelin-starred chefs as they give live demonstrations in the Taste Chef Theatre and learn from interactive tutorials at the Taste Cookery School. The MMI Beverage Theatre is about mixology, the art of pairing unusual flavours to create a new wave of drinks, while visitors can enjoy the traditional Shisha in Arabian surroundings in the Taste Shisha Lounge.

The Colosseum, at Abu Dhabi's marina, is a quirky Roman-themed nightclub with stone-carved walls and a sunken, amphitheatre-style dance floor. Expect a different musical genre each night of the week.

Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque is an impressive montage of precious stones, including more than one million Swarovski crystals. Its splendid (and expensive) architecture gained the mosque three places in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The mosque holds its three records for: the largest chandelier (10x15 metres), the largest carpet, measuring 7x7 metres, and the largest dome of its kind (the mosque has 82, but the main one is 32 metres wide and 70 metres high).

The mosque, also known as the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque, can accommodate almost 41,000 worshipers at once and offers free guided tours to visitors.

4x4 and quad bike in the desert, Abu Dhabi. Courtesy of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority

Liwa Oasis, a few hours' drive from Abu Dhabi, is a hotspot for dune bashing. Experienced drivers take visitors on exhilarating rides across the desert, frequently referred to as "white-water rafting of the desert" or "sand surfing".

Rock formation in the arid desert, Abu Dhabi. Courtesy of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority

This vast, arid desert covers about 250,000 square miles and most of the Arabian Peninsula with dramatic undulating sand dunes and strange rock formations. The area is also home to the Bedu people, who are known for their warm hospitality, and you might see gazelles, oryx and sand cats. Tours out into the wilderness can be arranged from Abu Dhabi and a guide is essential.

The interior of the Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi. Courtesy of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority

The Emirates Palace Hotel, a no-expense-spared monument to prosperity, is one of Abu Dhabi's most popular landmarks. A programme of free daily tours, led by eager-to-please historians with plenty of local knowledge, ranks among the city's must-do attractions.

Rising from Abu Dhabi's desert sands, Al Ain is a garden city in the Buraimi Oasis and a settlement dating back to the 4th millennium BC. It is home to Jebel Hafeet, the highest mountain in the UAE.

Naseer Shamma plays at the Abu Dhabi Arts and Music Festival. Courtesy of Four Communications Group

the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival is a two week injection of art, education, culture and creativity to the heart of the Emirate. Catch ballets, Arabian contemporary classical music, art exhibitions, workshops and educational programs scattered across the city.

Make sure you get your ticket early (they usually go on sale in January after the programme is released), as many of the shows sell out as 9000 people and 500 artists descend upon the city to celebrate the arts.

The Dubai Boating Festival at Dubai Festival City's Festival Marina is full of activities for all ages. Celebrating Dubai's strong maritime heritage, the festival squeezes in a sailing competition, boat displays and even a samba parade.

Boat lovers at the Dubai Boating Festival can admire the yacht display and kids can participate in the model boat race or watch the dragon boats. If the demo of a fire-fighting boat and a helicopter rescue doesn't grab you, then sail on down to the 'Whatever Floats Your Boat' bottle boat race. Teams of four build and then race boats made out of plastic water bottles and other recycled materials, competing to raise awareness of recycling in the UAE. Of course everything is recycled after the race. The second annual floating wheelchair race raises money for children with special needs.

Other activities include the Charter Boat Cruise, dinghy racing and the Bottle Boat Parade. Please check the Festival Centre website for more details of the Dubai Boating Festival.

Second only to the frenzied bargain-hunting of the Dubai Shopping Festival in spring, Dubai Summer Surprises is an event which encourages visitors to shop, save and celebrate during nine weeks of entertainment. Just don't forget your credit card!

During the festival, also known as DSS, Dubai's vast malls get together to offer major reductions across a wide range of goods. The pull is irresistible; over seven million shoppers flash their cash at this event.

Live shows, children activities, competitions and courses keep the whole family happy while the shopaholics shop, and hotels offer a variety of discounted packages for those who want to make a holiday out of it.

Lara Baldi documents the final months of her father's life by photographing the residues of coffees sipped in different emotional states. Collectively called Diary of the Future, the photographs are revealed at Dubai's B21 Gallery in a vast installation.

Each individual work was meticulously photographed by the artist and when arranged together they depict beautiful lace-like or stained glass forms.

Inspired by the hints of fortune-telling that come with staring into a cup of coffee, Laura Baldi draws attention to the need for destinal understanding that arises when facing mortality.

The only international digital photography and imaging exhibition in the Middle East, PhotoWorld Dubai offers photography enthusiasts and professionals a complete view of the industry. Free daily workshops and seminars accompany the fair at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

For fast-track entry to the exhibition, pre-register your attendance at the PhotoWorld Dubai website.

The tangled mangrove forests of Saadiyat Island, meaning island of happiness, attract a wide range of nesting birds and marine life. The island has plenty of hidden nooks and crannies for wildlife watching along with a rich cultural programme.

Saadiyat Island is one of 200 located off the Abu Dhabi coast, which has recently been turned into a luxury resort complete with golf courses, hotels and marinas, all ecologically sensitive and linked to the mainland by two major highway bridges, including the Saadiyat Bridge (to be completed by September 2009).

It also boasts a Cultural District, featuring museums, art galleries and performing arts centres, such as the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi contemporary art museum designed by Frank Gehry, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, by French architect Jean Nouvel.

Vast sums have been spent on keeping the Corniche beautiful, and it shows. Strolling along this showpiece is an Abu Dhabi institution and, with paved walkways and flower-filled gardens, there are few better places to idly watch the waves.

The International Fine Art and Antiques Fair, held at Abu Dhabi's recently-opened exhibition centre, offers visitors the opportunity to see and buy some of the world's most exquisite and rare antiques and pieces of fine art. It is attended by top collectors and dealers from across the world.

Expect paintings, from Bruegel to Monet, and other masterpieces that reflect 5000 years of excellence in the world of applied art, as well as a programme of seminars by leading experts, exhibitions and other entertainment.

Embracing film in all its aspects, from finance to artistic endeavour, the Middle East International Film Festival (MIEFF) showcases international co-productions and offers room for debate on current production issues.

The festival launches in Abu Dhabi and while most venues are yet to be confirmed, the main location is set to be the world-famous Emirates Palace Hotel.

Please visit the offical website, contact Pyramedia or visit the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) website for the latest news of the event.

The UAE Desert Challenge in Dubai is a rally across some of the most dramatic and demanding terrain. Drivers from all over the world race their cars, trucks and motorbikes on a thrilling journey through the desert.

The event begins with a ceremonial start in Abu Dhabi and heads south into the desert. The race is based at the Moreeb Hill Bivouac, close to the Liwa Oasis, and special stages stretch out into the legendary Rub Al Khali or Empty Quarter, a perfect name for one of the largest sand deserts in the world. Nerves and endurance are crucial survival tools, as well as some hardcore driving skills.

The UAE Desert Challenge in Dubai is a rally across some of the most dramatic and demanding terrain. Drivers from all over the world race their cars, trucks and motorbikes on a thrilling journey through the desert.

The event begins with a ceremonial start in Abu Dhabi and heads south into the desert. The race is based at the Moreeb Hill Bivouac, close to the Liwa Oasis, and special stages stretch out into the legendary Rub Al Khali or Empty Quarter, a perfect name for one of the largest sand deserts in the world. Nerves and endurance are crucial survival tools, as well as some hardcore driving skills.

Camel racing is taken very seriously around here, and Dubai's Nad Al Sheba Racecourse fills to the brim during the winter months. Once they lift the multi-strand barrier anywhere from 15 to 70 camels battle for glory.

Distances vary between four and ten kilometres, depending on the race. Morning races feature camels owned by sheikhs, whereas the afternoon races are open to all. Apparently sheikhs have been known to buy camels from owners who have won the afternoon races, offering large sums for the victorious camel.

Camel racing has faced controversy lately because of the use of under-age jockeys, but the UAE government has recently issued a ban on child jockeys less than 15 years old. All jockeys are required to carry government issued ID cards, which are acquired after passing exams by specially appointed doctors to ensure racing age.

No cameras are allowed on the racetrack, but binoculars are a must.

Enjoy an evening of excitement and glamour at Meydan Racecourse, home of the world's richest horse race, in Zabeel district. The racing season starts in November and attracts horse lovers and stylish socialites who lead the fashion parade.

Children's City is Dubai's interactive science and cultural centre for children. The three-storey building in Creekside Park houses themed zones which look at applied science, the human body, space exploration, nature and the environment, as well as international culture.

More than 50 educational exhibits have been created for this "infotainment facility" - including hi-tech interactive computer displays, audiovisual exhibits, 3D animation and slide projections. There are also daily educational workshops throughout the year, a planetarium and a special area for children under five.

The Dubai Dance Festival, held at the Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre, is packed with enough events to give anyone dance fever. On offer are shows to inspire, workshops to learn and parties to practice all those funky moves.

Student and professional live shows feature performances by some of the city's finest dance companies and there are more than 20 hours of workshops where participants can practice favourites like belly dancing, tap, African dance and hip-hop. In the evenings, parties entertain the crowd further and everyone gets to bust a move.

Coinciding with Art Dubai, the Bastakiya Art Fair fills the historic Bastakiya District and its charming wind-tower houses with Middle Eastern contemporary art. Russian, Lebanese and Pakistani artists exhibit alongside national and international galleries, like B21 Gallery and Saatchi Online.

The immaculate green course at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club is the setting for the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. The tournament, sanctioned by the European Tour and the UAE Golf Association, has a US$2-million prize fund.

A starting field of 120 players will battle it out to take the 'Falcon' trophy away from current champion Paul Casey, from England. The championship is played in 4 rounds over 72 holes.

The spectator village offers distractions for kids such as bouncy castles and miniature golf, while adults can try their hand at the golf simulator and take advantage of free lessons.

Tickets can be bought online from the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship website.

The Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, at the Yas Marina Circuit, is the final race of the Formula One season. Watch cars race at 200mph around the floodlit track.

Built at a cost of more than US$1bn, the Yas Marina Circuit was opened in 2009 and is one of the most state-of-the-art circuits on the racing calendar. Rising out of the sands of the Arabian desert, it is a truly atmospheric setting to watch Formula One motor racing.

Formula One is one of the most glamorous sports on Earth. State-of-the-art cars costing millions race at speeds of up to 200mph (320kmh), and teams are followed all over the world by a faithful band of rich and famous jetsetters.

Other highlights of the racing calendar include the Monaco Grand Prix, set on the roads of Monte Carlo, and the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where you can expect passionate support from Ferrari's fanatical fans (known as tifosi).

The Emirates Film Competition is held every year at The Cultural Foundation, the hub of Abu Dhabi's cultural activity.

Proud to be the first film competition in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, which include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrein, Quatar, Oman, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates, the festival focuses on short films and documentaries with genres such as animation and experimental films on the programme.

The Big Boys Toys Super Show takes over the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, showcasing the most desirable gizmos money can buy. Gadget freaks can watch live demos and get hands-on with technology even James Bond doesn't have yet.

With 482 exhibitors from 42 countries at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is becoming the largest bookstore in the region.

Book worms participate in discussions, meet authors and watch European poetry and literature performances.

Although the fair caters to the Arabic speaking world, it also attracts many international publishers, as almost three quarters of the population in the United Arab Emirates are foreigners and predominantly English speakers.