Community spirit and good bargains take centre stage at the night markets that pop up during the holy month. Here are our top picks.
Ramadan and Eid Festival 2015
Where: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
When: June 17 to July 16
Time: 8pm to 2am
The annual festival is back with entertainment for the entire family, stalls showcasing everything from consumer items to local customs, and Arabic food and indoor games.
• Visit www.adnec.ae
La Loupe 103 – Ramadan Caravan & Gourmet Majlis
Where: Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara, Abu Dhabi
When: July 2
Time: 10.30pm to 1.30am
At this one-day, pop-up market, visitors can browse and buy a range of items, from freshwater-pearl jewellery by Pearl By S, yoga wear by Hot Box Kit and kaftans by Caftan Al Andalos. The food stalls are hosted by Anantara, plus there’s a majlis and music to set the mood.
• www.facebook.com/laloupeauh
Ramadan Night Market
Where: World Trade Centre, Dubai
When: July 2 to 11
Time: 8pm to 2am
The 10-day shopping fiesta just before Eid won’t have you scrambling for last-minute gifts for the family. The market will have five pavilions sellingitems including clothes, beauty products, food and electronics. Kids can be left in the play area to try their hand at sand art while you spend the evening stocking your trolley.
• www.ramadannightmarket.com
Ramadan Souq 2015
Where: Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi
When: July 1 to 6
Time: After evening prayers
Twenty small and medium businesses will be showcasing products, artworks and handicrafts. Ten per cent of profits will be donated to charity, in coordination with the Red Crescent Authority.
Ramadan at Impact Hub Dubai
Where: Downtown Dubai
When: Sunday to July 13
Time: 7pm onwards
Tickets: From Dh40
This year, the tech-savvy have their own intimate hangout, which will be home to a pop-up shop by Dubai-based Emirati fashion designer Fatma Al Mulla, a poetry corner by Dubai Poetry slam, plus there will be a movies and board-games night. Every Sunday during the holy month, creatives can enjoy brainstorming sessions at Hub Iftar, while on Majlis Mondays you can participate in art and cultural events.
• www.facebook.com/ImpactHubDubai
Eventra Ramadan Fair
Where: Sunset Mall, Dubai
When: Wednesday, June 24 to June 28
Time: 8pm to 1am
Local and international designers will display high-end, one-off pieces at this fair organised by Emirati Basma Al Fahim. The line-up includes Meena Rose (who has dressed Kim Kardashian), Dina Zaki, Fatma Al Mulla, Elham Al Arif, Julea Domani by Zeena Zaki and designers from The Fashion Vault.
• m.facebook.com/Eventra
Shop the Night, Ramadan Delight
Where: Tom & Serg, Dubai
When: Until July 17
Time: 7pm to 10pm
The Corner Shop has teamed up with Tom & Serg to create an off-the-beaten-track shopping destination. At the popular cafe, diners can enjoy the new Rule The Roast 2.0 Ramadan menu and browse the booths set up by local vendors on the second floor, which will be devoted to different brands each night, including men’s label Remy Rue, women’s line 2Birds, scarves by Charlotte Hudders; and selections from the affordable-art shop Object and Elements.
• m.facebook.com/thecornershopme
Wafi Mall Bazaar
Where: Wafi Mall Nile Area, Dubai
When: July 9 to 16
Time: 5pm to 11pm
Arabic cuisine and fashion are in the spotlight at the mall market. The mall is also hosting Layal Exhibition (June 30 to July 4), a showcase of Arabian fashion for women that doubles as a charity event – proceeds go to Emirates Down syndrome Association.
• Visit www.wafi.com
aahmed@thenational.ae
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE