• Perfect for the entire family, this year’s national day celebrations kick off at Festival Plaza with beautiful roaming entertainment, photo opportunity with falcons, henna application, free coffee and dates, kids’ workshops and traditional dance performances

Dubai, UAE: Festival Plaza, the community mall part of Al-Futtaim Malls is the place to be this UAE National Day, encouraging friends and families to come together to partake in an array of cultural activities to commemorate the day.

Taking place from 1st – 4th December, Festival Plaza in Jebal Ali is introducing various activities that can be experienced by visitors of all ages to fully immerse themselves in the Emirati culture and traditions. Throughout the four days, children can take part in the kids’ workshops which includes arts and crafts and DIY projects while the whole family can enjoy complimentary light bites and henna painting in the Emirati style Majlis.  

Indulge in local beauty from talented artisans at Festival Plaza who will beautify visitors’ hands with intricate henna art which can also be custom designed as per customer preference. In the evenings, look out for the roaming parade celebrating the UAE National Day in the nation’s colours. While Khaleeji dancers and Ayyalah performers with percussion bands, as well as roaming parades with jugglers, stilt walkers and more take the floor at various times throughout the evenings, offering a full Emirati cultural experience.

Take home a memento of the 51st UAE National Day celebrations with a memorable picture with the falcon, UAE’s national bird and don’t forget to collect your National Day flags from the customer service desk next to Lulu Hypermarket on the ground floor.

Summary of details:

What: UAE National Day celebrations
Where: Festival Plaza, Jebal Ali
When:

Kids’ workshops

  • 1st – 4th Dec
  • 2-7pm

Coffee and dates, henna, photo with falcon

  • 1st – 4th Dec
  • 2-10pm

Roaming entertainment

  • 1st – 3rd Dec
  • 5pm, 6pm and 7pm

Khaleeji dancers

  • 2nd and 3rd Dec
  • 5:15pm, 6:15pm and 7:15pm

Ayyalah dancers and percussion band

  • 2nd and 3rd Dec
  • 5:25pm, 6:25pm and 7:25pm

-Ends-

About Festival Plaza

Festival Plaza is Al-Futtaim’s local community mall. The retail precinct covers 64,800 square metres and serves as a convenient and local lifestyle destination at the centre of the Wasl Gate community. Bringing to life and convenience to the South Dubai, the mall will appeal to communities including Jebel Ali, Al Furjan, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and commuters from neighbouring Abu Dhabi. Conveniently located off Exit 25 on Sheikh Zayed Road South bound or Exit 22 North bound.

The shopping destination is home to much-loved flagship stores including largest IKEA in the region, ACE, a new concept store from Lulu Hypermarket and the premium Al Futtaim’s health clinic – Health Hub & Lutetia. Adding to the community offering are the Volvo Mall Studio, Sedar, the Community Pharmacy along with new additions that will extend the existing portfolio including Champs the sports complex and Kavak, the international pre-owned car platform now in UAE. The neighbourhood destination is also host to the second and biggest IKEA store in Dubai, spread over a huge 30,000 square metres with an added focus on sustainability and an international training centre for IKEA employees.

These stores are joined by over an additional 120 others, as well as complimented by a 500-seat food court, over 40 dining and eating options, a Stay and Play offering and over 2,300 parking spaces. With a multitude of retail and dining options, Festival Plaza serves as a convenient and family lifestyle mall easily accessible from Sheikh Zayed Road, fifteen minutes from Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah and a few minutes away from RTA Energy Metro Station.

About Al-Futtaim Group

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and health; employing more than 33,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, we partner with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands.

Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organisation to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration, integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day. For more information visit: www.alfuttaim.com