Dubai is all set to celebrate the country’s 45th National Day with an exciting lineup of events and activities that will offer its residents and visitors the opportunity to experience the “Spirit of the Union” and reflect UAE’s solidarity across its culturally diverse community.

The citywide celebrations on this joyous occasion are being organised in collaboration with the partners of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) and includes shopping malls and retailers, featuring family-centric social, cultural and entertainment activities, as well as events aimed at showcasing Emirati culture and customs. Malls, in particular, will be transformed into entertainment centres with free-to-attend concerts featuring Arab music icons.

An exciting addition to Dubai’s retail calendar and this year’s National Day celebrations is the National Day Super Sale from 1-3 December 2016, offering opportunities to buy sought-after items at significantly reduced prices. Fabulous promotions will be provided by a wide range of Dubai’s retailers, offering shoppers with 30 – 90 per cent discounts on a range of merchandise from apparel to electronics, and much more.

Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), said: “On this happy occasion, we express our deepest gratitude to our wise leadership, The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, and the rulers of all the other emirates, their Highnesses, the Crown Princes and residents of UAE.

“National Day celebrations are a reflection of the UAE’s national pride and enhance the spirit of patriotism and loyalty to the leadership and homeland. In Dubai, the world-class events, activities and retail promotions would help create a festive environment that will focus on UAE’s rich heritage and help bring together people of different nationalities in a celebration of the country’s cultural diversity.”

Calendar of events

1. National Day Super Sale

December, participating malls and retail outlets in Dubai

The National Day Super Sale is a new retail initiative launched on the joyous occasion of the country’s 45th National Day. The sale will feature participating malls and retail outlets offering shoppers mega discounts of between 30 to 90 per cent on selected items from a range of home-grown and international brands, featuring a diverse range of merchandise. For more information, visit www.nationaldaysale.com

2. Shop and Win

City Centre Deira, City Centre Me’aisem and City Centre Shindagha, three malls of the Majid Al Futtaim Properties, will run fabulous promotions to celebrate National Day. At City Centre Deira, from 24 November 2016 to 3 December 2016, everyone is a winner, as visitors can shop and win instant prizes. A special customised vending machine allows shoppers to withdraw gift cards and vouchers and will also allow them to take a National Day themed selfie that will be printed and also posted on social media. From 1-4 December 2016, shoppers spending AED 200 at City Centre Me’aisem and AED 150 at City Centre Shindagha have the chance to win two iPhone 7 at raffle draws every day.

3. Fireworks Shows

2 December, THE BEACH opposite JBR

Join in the National Day celebrations and watch the festivities take to the skies over Dubai, thanks to a dazzling display of fireworks at 8:30PM at THE BEACH opposite JBR. Whether it is an increasing number of photography experts and enthusiasts capturing the breath-taking display on cameras or men, women and children of diverse backgrounds relishing the visual festive treat it will be a spectacle to remember.

4. National Day Concerts

Local and regional music icons will perform live at various free-to-attend concerts to celebrate National Day. Top Arab music superstar Hussain Al Jasmi, Balqees and other artists will be in action at Burj Park on 2 December 2016 at concerts sponsored by Emaar Properties. On the same day, the renowned singers Abdulla Bel Khair and Aryam will perform at Dragon Mart 2 while highly popular regional singers Mohammed Menhali & Walid Ibrahim will perform at Global Village.

In a separate series of Emirati Young Artists Concerts, families visiting malls can enjoy melodious hits from UAE stars including: Mohammed Al Shehhi (1 Dec, City Centre Mirdif);  Shamma Hamdan (1 Dec – Dubai Festival City Mall);  Mohamed Al Menhali (1 Dec, Mall of the Emirates), Faisal Al Jasem (1 Dec – THE BEACH) and Hamad Al Amri (1 Dec, Ibn Battuta Mall).

5. National Day Carnival

29 November – 4 December 2016, CITY WALK

A colourful event featuring roaming artists, entertainment shows, souq, parades and educational activities to celebrate National Day.

6. Grand celebrations in malls

Traditional Bands (UAE & GCC)

Malls in Dubai, 1-3 December 2016

Traditional bands from the UAE and other GCC countries will perform in malls across Dubai, highlighting one of the vibrant aspects of the region’s rich heritage. The bands will stage traditional song-and-dance performances at Dubai Festival City Mall, Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, Ibn Battuta Mall, Dragon Mart 2, THE BEACH, BOXPARK, CITY WALK and Outlet Village.

Dubai Festival City Mall

Visitors to Dubai Festival City Mall can experience the UAE heritage through activities that will give an insight into falconry, and a UAE 45th National Day Special Projection Show and Ben 10 show for the young visitors to enjoy.

Mall of the Emirates

National Day excitement is in store for shoppers at Mall of the Emirates with special activities aimed at spreading the sense of national pride and joy such as The Unity Stand from 25 November  – 3 December 2016. At this activation, shoppers can participate in constructing a massive unique monument and have their names instantly engraved on small blocks with colours of the UAE flag and then place it on the wall as a symbol of unity and togetherness. Other activities at Mall of the Emirates include The Desert Tale, a stage show that will focus on Dubai and UAE’s history and culture, ‘Speed Painter Artist’ and ‘Iconic Arabic Statues’.

Mercato

Mercato has drawn up an exciting programme of activities for shoppers, families and children including story-telling, children’s interactive workshops, creating a mosaic of a giant UAE flag, Bubble Show and the National Day Cake Cutting ceremony.

7. Uptown National Day Celebrations

1-2 December 2016, Uptown Mirdiff

Uptown Mirdiff will celebrate National Day through various activities featuring the culture & tradition of the UAE.

8. Other attractions

Enjoy an adventurous journey with the Hatta Hiking event on December 2, while family entertainment destinations will abuzz during National Day including Global Village, Dubai Parks and Resorts and IMG World. Global Village will host an exciting array of festivities to mark the UAE National Day. In addition to a live concert by renowned regional singers Mohammed Menhali & Walid Ibrahim on 2 December 2016, Global Village activities include the “Emirate: Land of Peace” operetta from December 1 to 6, the Shabiaat Cartoon with Globo Show from 2-6 December 2016 and cultural bands performing traditional dances. From 2-3 December 2016, Riverland Dubai of Dubai Parks and Resorts will host traditional activities including heritage village featuring a Majlis and serving of Arabic coffee to visitors, henna designing and display of falcons.