The Festival of Lights is fast approaching and if you are as last minute as we are, we’ve found some places to go and celebrate, plus festive gifts to buy for your friends and family!
Diwali events
WTC Abu Dhabi
WTC Abu Dhabi will be celebrating the festival with exclusive prize giveaways and interactive roaming entertainment on Friday 25th October from 7pm-10pm
You’ll get the chance to feast on regional specialities, catch a live radio show presented by four popular DJs, win prizes, and enjoy the WTC vibrant atmosphere with roaming performances.
The action will take place from a dedicated stage in the main aisle of the mall on Ground Floor and surrounding areas. Lucky shoppers will be rewarded with lots of chances to win amazing prizes, culminating in a grand prize giveaway, 50 grams of gold which will be announced during the live Radio 4 (89.1 FM) show
For more information, visit :https://www.wtcad.ae/en/home
Diwali Night Market
Abu Dhabi’s Capital Park is being transformed into a sparkling festival of lights and colour as it hosts the first Diwali Night Market from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 October.
The three-day celebration will run every evening from 6pm to midnight as part of “Abu Dhabi Moments”.
The free event includes a variety traditional Indian food, live performances, festive music and endless shopping to entertain the whole family.
You’ll will also be able to browse the vibrant Diwali-themed bazaar with decorative candles, jewellery and gifts. Custom-made traditional arched entrances will greet you as you arrive along with a tilak and mala garland while tabla music is played in the background.
The main stage will be the focal point of the night market, with performances taking part throughout each evening such as kathak dancing, garba and bhangra, as well as a DJ and Bollywood dance workshops.
Children will be entertained with a puppet show, flower lamp making and Diwali greeting card craft stations. Giant floating dia lamps in the Capital Park pond will add to the festive ambiance, while food vendors serve up delicious savoury and sweet food from live cooking stations.
Diwali Night Market takes place at Capital Park from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 October from 6pm to midnight daily and is free to attend and open to everyone.
Festival of Lights at Ferrari World
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest Ferrari-branded theme park, is bringing back their Bollywood-themed Festival of Lights for an eleven-day extravaganza.
The park will host spectacular live shows, traditional Indian bites, and dedicated festival areas daily from 10AM-8PM, Thursday, October 24 until Saturday, November 2, 2019.
There will be world class entertainment including Roshanee, a show-stopping performance,where you can experience traditional Indian dance with an aerialist mix at the Red Theatre. A levitating Yogi, henna and caricature stations will also be dotted around in addition to the performances and activities available throughout the festival.
Street food carts full of traditional Indian dishes will be located just outside the Red Theater and you will also feel like royalty with the chance to sit on a throne ready for photo opportunities, while gifts unique to the event will be available at the Bollywood-inspired street.
Of course there are also all the rides to keep the thrill seekers adrenaline pumping after you’ve celebrated!
Ferrari World will be open throughout the Festival of Lights, with general tickets priced at Dhs295. For more information please visit www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com.
Yas Mega Mela at du Arena
Yas Island will continue the Diwali celebrations for the festival of lights at the Yas Mega Mela from 31st October to 2nd November at the du Arena.
Join the three-day festival with your friends and family to experience the best of Indian music, food, entertainment, and a firework extravaganza set to be the biggest Abu Dhabi has seen lighting up the Arabian night sky each evening.
Bollywood music sensations, Kanika Kapoor will kick-start the festivities on Thursday 31st October followed by Ankit Tiwari on Friday 1st November, who will be performing their hit songs. There will be back-to-back performances on the entertainment stage by the UAE-based engineer turned vocalist and guitarist, Fahmil Khan who will play Pop, Sufi, Retro songs; authentic ‘bhangra’ performances by Pure Bhangra, the most happening ‘bhangra’ crew in Dubai; and international DJ, DJ Shadab playing Bollywood remixes on the decks.
At the Chef’s Kitchen, you will see an incredible lineup of celebrity chefs who will be sharing their culinary techniques with live cooking demonstrations. The lineup includes Chef Vicky Ratnani, legendary celebrity chef and self-proclaimed gastronomic junkie; Chef Sandeep Sreedharan, one of the most sought-after chefs in Mumbai; and Chef Sanjay Thakur, a Guinness World record holder for creating and serving dinner to guests at the highest pop-up restaurant in the world, located at Everest Advanced High Camp.
Don’t miss out on the Taste India Experience at Yas Mega Mela, where you can savour dishes representing India’s diverse culture and giving people an opportunity to taste a range of flavours from the sub-continent. A culinary experience of its kind from fine dining restaurants to a wonderful array of food stalls serving the best of Asian food, sweets and treats.
Confirmed restaurants include Zaika; Kura Kura; Paprika; Indian by nature; Bikanerwala; Sandwich Square and Kulifilicious.
Throughout the weekend, there will be an authentic street market shopping experience at the Shopping Bazaar, health and beauty masterclasses, cricket coaching and challenges, and a dedicated kids’ zone for a celebration not to be missed.
Kids under the age of 16 go free. Tickets are on sale now www.yasmegamela.ae with priced at AED20.
For the ultimate VIP experience which provides exclusive access to the VIP lounge and two drinks vouchers prices start from AED75.
Yas Mega Mela Timings
31st October, Thursday - 4pm to 11pm | 1st November, Friday - 2pm to 11pm |
2nd November, Saturday - 2pm to 10pm
Diwali dishes
Sweet Suprises
Need a great Diwali gift? Head to Chhappan Bhog, who have recently launched their 24 carat gold covered Indian sweets (Mithai).
Choose from varieties including white chocolate, milk chocolate, classic cashew nuts and traditional pedas.
Prices start at AED10 per piece and from AED 220 per KG
Diwali Dinner
If you are after a Diwali meal, pop over to Indigo at Beach Rotana for 'Festival of Lights at Indigo'
From 27 - 29 October 2019, from 12.30 pm - 03.30 pm and from 06.30 pm - 11.30 pm, join them to celebrate Diwali with a special 4-course menu, priced at AED 295 per person.
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