Ramadan Arcade returns to Manarat Al Saadiyat

Head along for games, art and photography workshops, performances, shopping and food trucks, over two weekends this Ramadan

Ramadan Arcade is back for its second year. Courtesy Manarat Al Saadiyat

After a successful first event in 2018, Manarat Al Saadiyat's successful Ramadan Arcade will return for another year.

The event was established to "embrace cultural traditions in a contemporary setting", and aims to gather the community together to take part in cultural, social and entertainment activities.

In 2018, more than 8,000 people attended event, which is run by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

This year, a series of activities will be spread across five main zones. You'll find a mix of games, art and photography workshops, performances, shopping and food.

The arcade and gaming zones will house a selection of traditional and retro games, such as Jakaro and Barjees, as well as card and board game tournaments.

Classic arcade games will also be on offer, with the likes of Pac-Man, Street Fighter and Space Invaders, as well as a Fifa PlayStation tournament.

Outside in the garden, a host of food trucks will be serving food, and pop-up vendors will be offering shopping stalls. The stalls are run by Mirbad, a non-profit organisation founded by a group of young Emirati women who have come together to recreate a traditional souq experience with a modern twist.

A series of interactive workshops and talks will also be on offer for those who want to challenge their intellect with topics such as majlis traditions, tolerance and astrophotography. There will even be art sessions hosted by the Art Studio, which will include tile-painting, creating clay fanars and infinity mirrors.

Nightly showcases will also feature cultural performances and poetry.

Head of Manarat Al Saadiyat, Alia Khalid Al Qassimi, says she hopes the activities would "serve as a memorable way to enjoy the holy month with loved ones".

“At the heart of everything we do at Manarat Al Saadiyat is a sense of community, designed to bring us closer together, foster common understanding and create lasting bonds that result in a lifetime of special memories."

Ramadan Arcade takes place between May 9 and 12, 15 and 18, from 9pm to 2am. For more information, visit manaratalsaadiyat.ae