Eid holidays: family days out, theme parks and staycations in the UAE

Most attractions are now open but strict safety measures remain in place

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is set to welcome visitors from Wednesday. Victor Besa / The National

A woman at Mall of the Emirates reminds shoppers to observe social distancing after the shopping centre reopened in May. Reuters

Ski Dubai reopened to visitors on May 27. The National

A number of hotels around the capital have staycation offers thanks to the 'Rediscover Abu Dhabi' campaign. 

Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi reopens on Wednesday. Victor Besa / The National

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi will be open daily from 11am-8pm and Clymb will be open from 11am-9pm. Victor Besa / The National

Clymb, Warner Bros World and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will reopen on July 29 after being closed for months due to the pandemic. Victor Besa / The National

Eid Al Adha falls on July 30 and lasts until August 2 this year, giving most of the UAE’s workers a four-day weekend.

And with most attractions now open again, there are lots of options for residents and Emiratis on how to spend their spare time during the coming holiday.

Life is close to normal across much of the UAE but all public places and attractions need to adhere to strict safety measures.

Masks remain mandatory and social distancing is still required.

Here is a guide to what’s open in the country, whether you are planning a few hours out or are looking at short staycation deals.

What's open in Dubai?

In Dubai, malls, gyms, sports academies and fitness clubs, as well as cinemas have all reopened, with continued social distancing and regular disinfection.

Beaches, parks and swimming pools, both at hotels and inside residential communities, are also up and running, as are waterparks.

Entertainment centres and game arcades are once again welcoming children in Dubai, with strict precautions in place.

Attractions such as The Green Planet, Burj Khalifa, Ski Dubai, Dubai Aquarium and others are admitting visitors.

IMG Worlds of Adventure became the latest theme park to open in mid-July and is operating on a pay-as-you-go basis.

However, Dubai Parks and Resorts, which is home to Legoland, Motiongate and Bollywood Parks, remain closed.

Abu Dhabi cinemas are closed but theme parks to reopen before Eid

In Abu Dhabi, more attractions have reopened recently.

Warner Bros World, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Clymb will all welcome visitors back for the first time in months on Wednesday.

All three will operate at 30 per cent capacity, with stringent precautionary safety measures to ensure the safety of guests and employees.

That means everyone, including those with annual passes, must go online to book ahead.

The theme parks joined Louvre Abu Dhabi, and other museums, including Qasr Al Hosn, which opened for the first time more than four weeks ago since they were closed back in March.

Malls, gyms, public beaches and parks are also now open, in addition to restaurants both inside and outside malls.

Hotel swimming pools have also now reopened in the emirate, but are yet to restart in communities.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is still not open yet to visitors, and Al Ain Zoo also remains closed.

Cinemas are also not welcoming movie fans in Abu Dhabi, either.

But it is possible to visit the drive-through cinema at Yas Marina Circuit on Friday evening.

Weekend staycation options in the Northern Emirates 

Hotels and malls are open in the Northen Emirates.

Cinemas have also reopened in Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Ajman.

In Ras Al Khaimah, the Jebel Jais Flight, the world’s longest zipline is also operational again.

With hotels open, staycations are also an option.

Hotel occupancy rates in Abu Dhabi have risen by 3 per cent year-on-year since July 1, according to The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

But anyone entering Abu Dhabi requires a negative PCR test – a factor that people need to consider if they are looking to travel to the emirate.