UAE’s 50th National Day: Events, promotions and deals

UAE gears up to celebrate this year’s National Day celebrations in the coming week. The UAE cabinet also announced a four-day holiday for the official holidays. December 1 is for commemoration day while the 2^nd and 3^rd December holidays are for the UAE National Day 2021. The holidays will start from 1st December till 3rd of December. The long National Day weekend is the perfect time to indulge in some well-deserved retail therapy. Here is a line-up of events, promotions, deals, offers, celebrations and announcements to look out for the year of the 50th across the emirates.

Retail promotions

The UAE’s 50th National Day celebrations will, as always, see Dubai’s shopping malls and retail destinations such as Majid Al Futtaim malls, Dubai Festival City Mall, The Dubai Mall and Dubai Outlet Mall offering lucrative savings of 50-70 per cent off selected items until 13 December.

Al-Futtaim IKEA, the region’s Swedish home furnishing retailer is giving shoppers an opportunity to enjoy special offers on selected lines. Starting from the 25th November to the 4th December, customers can avail a 50% discount on selected lines that includes some of IKEA’s top sellers. Other stores taking part in the exclusive National Day super sale include Chicco, which will offer parents up to 50 per cent off on baby items such as strollers and car seats. British shoemaker Clarks and home décor Muji will reduce prices by 40 per cent in stores across the UAE while luxury fashion retailer Bally will be slashing prices up to 50 per cent across all outlets.

Club Apparel will run a promotion across all the Club Apparel brands in Dubai and it is a points-back promotion, where Club Apparel members can earn CA Bonus Points from their Club Apparel app as Half Back of transaction value. From 30 November until December 4, shoppoers can buy jewellery as Dubai City of Gold adds glitter to the National Day celebrations with over 100 participating outlets. Organised by the Dubai Gold and Jewellery group, participating retailers in the Dubai City of Gold promotion will be offering great deals on making charges, along with free gifts with every purchase.

A staple store for younger girls, Claire’s will be running their ever Buy Three, Get Three Free promotion over the National Day Weekend. Lifestyle brand Bath & Body Works will see be running their famous Buy 3 Get 3 promotion while those shopping at Justice will receive a surprise gift on every purchase over AED400. Shoppers at Justice will be in for a surprise, as the store will be giving customers a free gift with every purchase of AED400.

Mall Activations

Mall of the Emirates will be hosting a series of exclusive events and showcasing exclusive products from brands that align with the theme of the UAE National Day. The mall will host an exhibition titled “Draped in Heritage”, drawing inspiration from the past to enlighten the present and illuminate the future. The showcase will feature seven outfits, each with accompanying audio- visuals of Shaikhas and other empowered women from the UAE. From 2 -5 December – visitors to the Crate and Barrel store in Mall of the Emirates will find an interactive mosaic wall featuring 50 traditional photographs taken by local Emirati artist, Abdullatif Badri. The brand has also collaborated with Demaithan and Lava to create a scented collection called ‘Trails of the Past’. Candles associated with much-loved scents such as oud, amber and rose will evoke memories of this nation’s rich history, designed to reflect the contours of the map, and represent the expansion of the UAE throughout the last 50 years.

City Centre Mirdiff will also be running a number of activations over a span of 14 days, from 21 November to December 4, such as the Rooted in the Future Outdoor Market, which will feature 50 stands supporting local & emerging designers to showcase and pride themselves with their country and hard work. There will also be performances, art exhibitions and a unique car show, which will feature over 250 vehicles owned by Emirati enthusiasts.

City Centre Deira, which is Majid Al Futtaim’s oldest mall, is an iconic retail destination and holds a special place of pride in Dubai’s cultural, traditional and commercial history. The mall will feature a historical activation titled “Heart of Deira”, which will showcase the authentic side of one of Dubai’s oldest neighbourhoods, linking the past to the future.

THAT Concept Store: THAT Concept Store will host a series of exclusive events and showcasing exclusive products from brands that go with the theme of the UAE National Day. 26th November and 2nd December – experience complimentary henna in the brand’s Mall of the Emirates and City Centre Mirdif stores. Plus, the first 750 customers in both stores on 2nd December will receive a sweet treat in the colours of the UAE flag. As a driving force for creativity and self-expression, THAT Concept Store has collaborated with local Arab designers to create over 50 one-of-a-kind pieces in the colours of the UAE flag.

Dubai Outlet Mall will be abuzz with residents and visitors alike throughout this National Day weekend, as there will be a number of retail and F&B promotions along with live entertainment. Adding to the pzazz, Dubai Police will also be hosting a quiz show on stage on 1,2, and 3 December, starting at 5pm.

Shoppers at City Walk will have the opportunity to grab one of five Rove Hotel family staycations on spends of AED 150 and above. All they have to do to enter the draw is DM photos of their receipts to @citywalkdubai on Instagram and Facebook! The iconic Dubai location will also feature live performances, an Arabic majlis tent and even a flash mob throughout the National Day celebrations from 2 until 4 December 2021.

The Palm Jumeirah will feature a host of events and activations throughout the Golden Jubilee National Day weekend. Residents and visitors are invited to The Pointe to experience fountain shows celebrating the UAE from 27 November until 3 December from 6pm onwards. There will also be firework shows on 2 and 3 December at 8pm.

Those who enjoy adrenalin packed shows should head to Palm West Beach, where Red Bull will have two skydivers put on an amazing acrobatic performance, complete with a skydive holding the UAE flag on 2 December at 5pm. Nakheel Mall will also be showcasing an Art Exhibition from 27 November to 3 December

Souk Al Marfa, the waterfront wholesale souk and marketplace at Deira Islands will be hosting the Emirates Motor Festival as a part of the UAE’s 50th National Day Celebrations. With over 300 cars on display, along with a remote control car obstacle course and drifting challenge, it will be a must visit for car enthusiasts. There will also be roaming entertainment and children’s workshops from 2 until 4 December.

Bargain hunters will be ecstatic to find National Day activations at Dragon Mart, where there will be traditional foods, Hennah artists and an Arabic Majlis tent for residents and visitors to enjoy. Not to forget live entertainment and Instagrammable installations throughout the National Day celebrations, which will run from 2 until 3 December from 5pm onwards.

Ibn Battuta Mall will also feature an Arabic Majlis tent, complete with traditional food and drink, along with ever popular Hennah artists. There will also be live shows and roaming entertainment such as butterfly and flag dances at the mall throughout the National Day festivities, from December 2 until 4. Residents and visitors in JVC can head to their local Circle Mall to experience the best cultural activities the mall has on offer. There will be Arabic coffee and dates, traditional sweets lugaimat being prepared live, along with chebab and Hennah from December 2 until 4.

La Mer and The Beach at JBR will host a string of activities for all to enjoy during the National Day long weekend. There will be a 4 piece live band, along with a saxophonist at both locations from 2 until 4 December, offering live entertainment in both English and Arabic for residents and visitors alike.

Mercato Mall will be celebrating the UAE’s National day in style, with children’s workshops, face painting and live entertainment for the entire family to enjoy. Passers by can also admire the facade of the mall, which will be projecting the colors of the UAE flag.

Those heading to Al Khawaneej Walk will witness all of the following on 2 and 3 December, an Arabic Storyteller, a traditional Ayalla band and even an arts competition! As an additional treat, mascots Modesh and Dana will be making a special appearance at Al Khawaneej Walk on 2 December, to interact with visitors and residents alike from 3 until 9pm. Art connoisseurs can also enjoy an ongoing art exhibition taking place from 3 until 11 December at the popular destination.

Deerfields Mall: Abu Dhabi’s community mall, is inviting residents and visitors alike to join in the fun at the 50th National Day celebrations between 29 November and 15 January 2022, when they kick-off their ‘From Sand to Stars’ campaign. They will honour the nation’s culture and traditions with a lineup of activities for all to enjoy, including Arabic cooking stations, arts and handicrafts, an outdoor souq, and Al Ayalah dancing located in the mall’s newly refurbished garden area with operating hours of 2pm – 10pm

Etisalat Beach Canteen

In line with the UAE’s 50th Jubilee celebration, Year of the 50th, the 2021 edition of the Etisalat Beach Canteen is a collaboration between Dubai Festival and Retail Establishment (DFRE) and creative partner Brag. Running from November 25 until December 11, the canteen will offer 17 days of gastronomical delights, live performances, and engaging activities for children of all ages. Touted as one of the most anticipated events, the city’s most popular beachside dining popup will take place at Jumeirah Beach, behind Sunset Mall. This year, residents and visitors will discover a place that is uniquely Dubai, this is one not to miss!

Events and announcements

Expo 2020’s Golden Jubilee celebrations: Running from 1-4 December, the site-wide celebration – taking each and every visitor to Expo on a journey of authentic Emirati experiences and stories – will include world-class ceremonies, exceptional musical showcases, meaningful cross-cultural conversations, culturally-fused performances and engaging exhibits. From 10 am on Thursday, 2 December, visitors are invited to Expo 2020’s UAE National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza, including the raising of the flag, high-level speeches and anthem performances by a children’s choir, concluding with an Al Azi Performance by Al Wasmi. This will also feature alongside horses of the Dubai Police and the UAE Ministry of Interior Marching Band in the ‘Colours of the World Parade’ . Simultaneously, a performance of ‘Al Azi’, where an Arabic poet leads a chorus that ‘answers’ his call, will take place  at Al Wasl Plaza in a truly authentic celebration of pride in the traditional Arab values of unity, solidarity and courage. An aerial performance by Dubai Police will follow shortly after, alongside a 30-minute musical showcase by Emirati singer Fatma Zahrat Al Ain, and a jaw-dropping flyover display by the UAE Air Force aerobatics team ‘Al Fursan’. Visitors are also invited to Expo’s Jubilee Stage and Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre (DMA) to watch a live broadcast of the UAE National Day Ceremony, broadcast from Hatta, from 5:30 pm.

Fireworks: The skies of Dubai will be set to light up with dazzling fireworks for two days to celebrate the Year of the 50th. At 8pm, 8:30 pm and 9pm on 2 and 3 December, residents and visitors can head to The Pointe and Atlantis at The Palm, Bluewaters, Etisalat Beach Canteen at Jumeirah Beach behind Sunset Mall, La Mer and even Burj Al Arab to view spectacular displays marking this momentous event in UAE history.

ENOC Group, the Official Integrated Energy Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, celebrated UAE National Day with a wide array of cultural activities highlighting the country’s rich history and spirit of the union.“On this momentous occasion, we extend our heartiest congratulations to the leaders of our nation. Under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE has made impressive strides globally and has set the standard for development and innovation. As we reflect upon the last 50 years and look towards the centenary, ENOC Group is committed to securing energy sustainably whilst also meeting the Emirates’ growing energy demands, as it has been doing for nearly three decades now. In an effort to build and promote a sustainable future, we will continue to work together with the UAE government and partners to deliver world-class sustainable and integrated energy along the entire value chain.”, said HE Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group Chief Executive Officer of ENOC. ENOC Group organised various cultural activities that aimed at further instilling the values of sacrifice, unity, tolerance, love, national heritage and corporate social responsibility among its employees.

Union Coop, the largest consumer cooperative in the UAE, announced 50 new job vacancies for Emiratis to be employed in its divisions, departments, branches and centers spread across the Emirate of Dubai, in celebration of the country’s golden jubilee. The announcement falls within the framework of attracting qualified Emirati talents – Experienced and Fresh Graduates, to support plans, strategies and Emiratization programs in the country. In detail, Ahmad Bin Kenai Al Falasi , Human Resources & Emiratization Director, Union Coop confirmed that as the nation celebrates its 50th anniversary, which is a precious occasion for everyone, Union Coop decided to have an exceptional initiative in addition to its societal contributions and promotional offers on the National Day, by delighting the Emirati talents who are looking for job and development opportunities. Union Coop allocated an ‘Open Day’ recruitment fair on November 29, at Al Warqaa City Mall from 10 am to 1 pm to recruit 50 male and female Emiratis in its various departments, branches and centers in the Emirate of Dubai.

F&B Deals:

From 2 – 4 December – Carrefour will be serving free ice cream form its very own ice cream trucks to neighbourhoods across Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ajman. Delicious flavours representative of the colours of the UAE flag will include vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, and pistachio. Carrefour is also giving away Dh2.5 million in the run-up to National Day to over 5,000 Carrefour customers.

Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates has invited guests to discover the flavours of the GCC combined with the hospitality of the Levantine at Olea this National Day weekend, every evening from the 1^stDecember – 3^rd December, 7 to 11 pm. The five-star restaurant is celebrating cuisine from neighbouring countries for the ultimate GCC Culinary Weekend – taking taste buds on a gastronomic journey with a particular emphasis on recipes unique to the UAE and live cooking stations that honour Dubai’s heritage, the GCC Culinary Weekend offers a dining experience with a difference this National Day.

Dubai’s cloud kitchen Dum Pukht kitchen, from the house of Foodlink, has opened its third kitchen in the city in the vibrant neighborhood of Al Barsha.  Foodies can order the much loved slow cooked dishes online from their ordering portal  as well as from Zomato and Talabat. Art of Dum is the latest offering from the house of Foodlink, a leading F&B conglomerate with casual dining restaurants such as China Bistro, India Bistro etc. and luxury catering offerings across Dubai, India and Turkey. Launched earlier this year, the gourmet kitchen has become famous for its traditional Awadhi cuisine delivered in a modern avatar.

Dubai’s oldest F&B group SFC is celebrating the milestone National Day with 50% discount on all desserts at its three restaurants:  India Palace, Golden Dragon and at Sthan known for serving food from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.  During the 50th National Day long weekend, people can enjoy a 50% discount on all desserts at above mentioned three restaurants.

SAUCE, the newly opened homegrown 50’s themed American Diner in Dubai has curated their signature wagyu burger with a golden makeover and will also be offering a set seasonal drinks with local flavors. The burger is made of gold bun, patty, lettuce, onion, cheese and signature sauce. Keeping the gold theme in mind, SAUCE has also given a golden touch to their most popular apple pie, made with vanilla ice cream and some gold leaves around it. As a part of celebration, SAUCE will be offering 50% off on all the National Day drinks with every meal and specially baked cupcakes in the national day flag colors which will be offered free to all customers. The National Day celebrations will run from Wednesday 1st of December till Sunday 5th of December, 2021.

Yamanote, UAE’s homegrown Japanese bakery and café  has launched National Day specials that have been handcrafted using local ingredients that celebrates the culture of UAE such as Dates, Kunafa, Rahash and an exclusive Spirit of Nation Baumkuchen. The offerings is live from Thursday 25th November until Friday 3rd December at all Yamanote outlets and the items will be available for delivery at 800 Yamanote.

From now until 5thDecember – Uchi M’ioishi in Mall of the Emirates is launching special menu in celebration of UAE National Day. Guests will be able to enjoy delicious dishes inspired by the region such as the one-of-a-kind saffron waygu clay pot and UCHI kanafe.

UAE’s Homegrown Restaurant, Mohalla is all set to offer Indian delicacy of Chole Kulcha,  where the Kulcha will be curated with UAE’s flag colors.  The Amritsari Chole and Cheese Kulcha will be available from December 2nd  for lunch till December 4th  dinner. Head Chef Adwait Anantwar  has curated the dish which is a scrumptious mix of spicy chole and buttery kulche with a side of vinegar onion and mustard green chili.

Raffles the Palm Dubai, the opulent beachfront haven located on Palm Jumeriah’s West Crescent, is showcasing an enriched afternoon tea experience to embody the culture and traditions of the UAE at Blüthner Hall. Blüthner Hall offers a uniquely intimate, yet grand atmosphere complemented by the iconic handcrafted Blüthner Louis XIV Grand Piano. The UAE National Day afternoon tea will be served starting from Friday 25^th of November until the 3^rd of December, every day from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm, for only AED 220 per person.