United Arab Emirates — Events
Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year)
July 31, 2010 - September 28, 2010
Celebrated throughout the Muslim World, the Islamic New Year or ‘Al-Hijra’ occurs on the first day of the month of Muharram which begins on Hijra in the Muslim calendar. Hijra occurred in 622CE and marks the occasion when the Prophet Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina to create the first Islamic state. It is not as big as the two main Muslim festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha and is more a time of reflection and contemplation.
Volvo Ocean Race
December 31, 2011 - January 14, 2012
The spectacular Volvo Ocean Race comes to the Middle East for the first time this year and to celebrate the stopover, the Abu Dhabi corniche ‘Destination Village’ will be putting on a fortnight of activities to celebrate the hosting. The site, which is the size of eight football pitches will be the focal point for the UAE capital as it welcomes the procession of yachts, sailors and more than 100,000 fans, with concerts, in-port races, and top-class evening events taking place throughout the city.
Abu Dhabi Shopping Festival
March 1, 2012 - March 31, 2012
Shopping seems to be the national pass time in the UAE, and as such shopping festivals are big business. The Abu Dhabi Shopping Festival, held every year in March, is one of the best. It attracts huge crowds to the city, with shoppers looking to find great bargains and all manner of special offers in the city’s luxurious air-conditioned malls. Gold jewelry, electronic goods, fashion clothes and perfumes are particularly popular.
