Residents and visitors to Dubai can expect a wonderful line-up of family-friendly cultural, F&B and community-focused experiences that will embrace the city’s heritage as well as its world-class retail and entertainment offerings. This year, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) has put together an extensive range of activities that perfectly highlight the family occasions, food and ambience that make Ramadan such a special time of the year.
Community Events
Dubai will come alive with traditional Ramadan Lighting installations across the city, including stunning 3D decorations and flags featuring everyone’s favourite characters and best friends, Modesh and Dana. Lighting up when the sun goes down, 150 palm trees will sparkle with beautiful ambient lights, while 20 eye-catching 3D structures will be installed across 12 key locations, including Deira Clock Tower, City Walk, World Trade Centre Roundabout and The Beach opposite JBR, and 370 flags on Al Maktoum Bridge, Al Garhoud Bridge and Business Bay Bridge will spread the message of Ramadan in Dubai.
This Ramadan, the Ripe Market will offer community members a place to come together for a unique and immersive local shopping experience each weekend. The popular marketplace will be transformed into a culture and heritage hub with live music, entertainment, an outdoor cinema, giant bouncy castles and much more. Running from 16th April to 8th May, from 4.00pm to 10.00pm at Academy Park, the alfresco market will host fresh food stalls and food trucks, arts and crafts stations, souvenir stalls, a henna artist, and a storyteller who will entertain the little ones with Ramadan stories, games and competitions.
City Walk’s Ramadan Market will feature 20 kiosks located near the fountain area, with lots of retail and F&B options for visitors to explore and enjoy throughout the Holy Month.
Charitable Initiatives
As well as being illuminated by stunning traditional Ramadan lights and decorations, La Mer, the beachfront lifestyle and F&B destination, City Walk and The Beach opposite JBR, will both support the spirit of the Holy Month by participating in the United Nation’s World Food Programme’s Share The Meal Initiative, which aims to provide poor students with regular school meals. Supported by Dubai Holding, the great fund-raising campaign will take place throughout Ramadan. Diners can contribute by scanning a QR code to make a donation online.
Hotels
During Ramadan, families and couples can escape to Polynesia right here in Dubai with Lapita Dubai Parks and Resort Hotel’s great package that includes complimentary breakfast, Iftar or Suhoor at Kalea restaurant and free access to the Dubai Parks and Resorts theme park.
Guests checking into the Ramada by Wyndham Downtown hotel can enjoy 35 per cent off the daily Iftar buffet at Kenza restaurant throughout Ramadan, the Carlton Downtown Hotel’s special Ramadan promotion will see guests enjoy a two-night, half-board stay in a Deluxe Room for AED 798, inclusive of Iftar and Suhoor meals for two people plus 20 per cent off F&B in the hotel.
The Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites has a two-night stay, including Iftar and a 25 per cent off F&B deal available during the Holy Month and the Occidental Dubai Production City’s Ramadan offer will see guests enjoy a two-night stay for two people for AED 750 with complimentary breakfast and lunch or dinner at the in-house restaurants, a cooking masterclass with a hotel chef and 25 per cent off F&B.
During Ramadan, guests at Raffles Dubai can escape with a staycation package priced at AED 1,630 for two people with breakfast or sohour, Iftar in Azur restaurant (on the day of the arrival), an Arabic cuisine cooking class, 3.00pm check-in and noon check-out.
Prices for Dukes the Palm Hotel’s Ramadan deal will start from AED 1,990 and include Iftar at GBR or Khyber restaurants and Suhoor (in-room dining).
The Ibis One Central has a Ramadan promotion that starts at AED 245 for a single room and AED 320 for a double room, with breakfast plus lunch or dinner at Entre Nous restaurant, an in-house foodie experience plus 25 per cent of F&B, while the Novotel World Trade Centre will invite guests to enjoy Ramadan with AED 295 for a single room or AED 385 for a double room as well as breakfast plus lunch or dinner at Entre Nous restaurant, an in-house food experience and 25 per cent off F&B.
Food & More
Festival Plaza in Jebel Ali will host a great Dine & Win offer that gives customers the chance to win a share of AED 40,000 in Festival Rewards cash credit on their Festival Rewards app, plus the mall will host a special weekly Iftar Dinner Series at participating restaurants. From 12th April and 16th May, customers who visit any F&B outlet in the mall will be in with a chance of winning AED 10,000 each week in Festival Rewards cash credit when they spend AED 100.
Families and friends can experience an authentic Iftar at Lapita Dubai Parks and Resort Hotel’s Kalea restaurant. Priced at AED 175 per person with Ramadan juices, coffee and tea, the Iftar will feature regional and international favourites alongside dishes prepared especially for the Holy Month. A great way for diners to experience the tastes and flavours of Ramadan, Iftar at Kalea will appeal to fasting and non-Muslim guests alike. Guests can enjoy a special ‘early bird’ offer with the Iftar available for just AED 99 per person, and 50 per cent off for children aged up to 12.
Diners visiting La Mer will be spoilt for choice when it comes to great F&B promotions, with regional and international outlets inviting guests to explore traditional Ramadan Iftars and more. Miyabi’s Iftar menu will include appetizers, a main course, dessert, water and mocktails for AED 125, the Mediterranean Kitchen’s Iftar, priced at AED 99, will feature a host of ever-popular traditional dishes. Kids aged 10 and younger can eat for free at Sugar Factory during Iftar time when accompanied by a paying adult on weekdays, Indian restaurant Masti will offer its own take on Iftar for AED 150 per person and Steakanji will host twoIiftar options, each with different dishes available, with the Gold Meal option priced at AED 99 and the Silver Meal costing AED 59. Aprons & Hammers will serve a four-course Iftar from sunset each night for AED 126 while diners at Iraqi restaurant Aghatti can enjoy an Iftar set menu for AED 79.
City Walk will invite foodies to visit the destination’s wide range of cafes and restaurants for the chance to win gold prizes. As part of the Iftar & Suhoor Reviews programme with Zomato, diners who share a review of an Iftar or Suhoor at City Walk and post it on the food website will enter a draw to win a 24K gold coin weighing 3gms each day of Ramadan. The best review will win the gold prize.
Thirteen of the best restaurants and eateries at The Pointe on Palm Jumeirah will host special Iftar and Suhoor deals throughout Ramadan. Venues include: Beirut Bay, Chicago Meatpackers, Hook & Cook, Samakje, Al Safadi, Fnajeen, Aiza, Cairo 30, Ibn Hamido, Rue Royale, Kazoza Le Pirate and Zor. Diners can also enjoy Ramadan decorations across the destination while the Dubai Fountain will perform a special show to mark the Holy Month.
Citywide Activities
Families can choose to cool off at Laguna Waterpark or explore the indoor rainforest at The Green Planet during Ramadan with great kids go free promotions. For every full paying adult at either venue, two children under 12 can enjoy the La Mer waterpark’s slides and rides or meet the exotic animals that call the Green Planet home for free. Movie fans can watch the latest films in style with Roxy Cinemas’ great Ramadan deal, that offers 40 per cent off all Platinum and Diamond packages throughout the Holy Month.
