Things to do in Abu Dhabi this Eid Al Etihad 2025

Abu Dhabi is gearing up for a long weekend as the UAE marks the 54th Eid Al Etihad. If you are looking for things to do in Abu Dhabi to make the most of the break, here are the top events, celebrations and family-friendly activities taking place across the emirate - from heritage showcases and concerts to fireworks, cultural experiences and new openings.

MOTN “Out of This World” in Al Ain and Al Dhafra

MOTN is heading to Al Ain Square and Al Mugheirah Bay in Al Dhafra with an “Out of This World” festival from 28 November to 2 December, packed with carnival rides, live entertainment, fireworks, food pop-ups and plenty of Instagrammable moments.

- Dates: 28 November to 2 December

- Locations & timings:

  - Al Mugheirah Bay, Al Dhafra: 4 pm to 10 pm daily

  - Al Ain Square: 4 pm to 12 am daily

- Tickets: From AED 25

- Info & bookings: motn.ae

Eid Al Etihad at Abu Dhabi Children’s Library & Cultural Foundation

Abu Dhabi Children’s Library is marking Eid Al Etihad with a bilingual programme of workshops, storytime sessions and themed activities from 26 November to 2 December, all centred around the UAE, its heritage and values. Each evening, families can also catch a special Eid Al Etihad show at the Cultural Foundation’s outdoor amphitheatre, right next to the library.

Need to know

- Dates: 26 November to 2 December

- Location: Abu Dhabi Children’s Library & Cultural Foundation

- Tickets: Most activities are free or low cost; check the event listings on abudhabiculture.ae or visitabudhabi.ae for details and timings.

Heritage nights: Bait Al Oud, Heritage Village and Al Maqta’a

Bait Al Oud Eid Al Etihad Celebration

On 28 November, Bait Al Oud hosts a special Eid Al Etihad concert featuring traditional Emirati music, live compositions and classic melodies in an intimate setting at the Cultural Foundation. It is a lovely one for music fans who want something authentic but relaxed.

- Date: 28 November

- Time: 4 pm to 9 pm

- Location: Bait Al Oud, Cultural Foundation

- Tickets: Free entry, subject to capacity

54th Eid Al Etihad at Heritage Village

On 1 December, Abu Dhabi’s Heritage Village turns into a day-long celebration of Emirati identity, with traditional crafts like Talli, Sadu and Khous weaving, Ayyala performances, Emirati food stalls and a small souq featuring local entrepreneurs, plus family activities from henna to photobooths.

- Date: 1 December

- Time: 8 am to 6 pm

- Location: Heritage Village, Abu Dhabi Corniche

- Tickets: Free entry

Eid Al Etihad Show at Al Maqta’a

For one night only on 2 December, Al Maqta’a Museum hosts an outdoor Eid Al Etihad show that blends artistic performances, heritage and storytelling, set against the backdrop of the historic fort.

- Date: 2 December

- Time: 9 pm

- Location: Al Maqta’a Museum

- Tickets: Free entry; arrive early for a good spot

Al Ain heritage: Bait Mohammed bin Khalifa

If you fancy a day trip, Bait Mohammed bin Khalifa in Al Ain is hosting a warm community celebration on 1 and 2 December with heritage-led programming, family workshops and a horse parade in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Police. It is set in one of Al Ain’s historic neighbourhoods and has a very local, low-key feel.

- Dates: 1 and 2 December

- Location: Bait Mohammed bin Khalifa, Al Ain

- Tickets: Free entry

Saadiyat spotlight: MASEERA, Manar Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum

MASEERA at Manarat Al Saadiyat

Inspired by Abu Dhabi’s iconic car parades, MASEERA is a three-day showcase at Manarat Al Saadiyat from 1 to 3 December. Expect decorated vehicles, food trucks, a local market and a special lighting installation recreated from past Corniche decorations in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Municipality.

- Dates: 1 to 3 December

- Time: 2 pm to 8 pm

- Location: Manarat Al Saadiyat

- Tickets: Free entry

Manar Abu Dhabi

Running throughout December, Manar Abu Dhabi transforms the city into an open-air light art gallery, with installations by local and international artists across locations including Jubail Island, the Abu Dhabi Corniche, teamLab Phenomena and Al Ain’s Qattara and Jimi Oasis Trails.

- Dates: Throughout December (including Eid Al Etihad period)

- Tickets: Mostly free to explore; check visitabudhabi.ae for maps and specific experiences

Zayed National Museum

From 3 December, you can finally step inside Zayed National Museum, the new national museum of the UAE in Saadiyat Cultural District. The museum traces more than 300,000 years of history across themed galleries, with highlights including the Abu Dhabi Pearl and an 18-metre reconstruction of a Bronze Age Magan boat.

- Opening date: From 3 December

- Hours: Timed entry from 10 am, with last arrival currently listed around 6 pm

- Tickets: AED 70 for adults, with reduced rates for UAE students, teachers, military personnel and cardholders; free for children under 18, UAE-based seniors and People of Determination and their companions

- Bookings: Via the official Zayed National Museum link on visitabudhabi.ae

Qasr Al Watan: palace, manuscripts and Palace in Motion

Qasr Al Watan, inside the Presidential Palace compound, is leaning into the “United” theme with a special Eid Al Etihad programme. Expect musical performances, traditional Ayala dances, Falcon Experience sessions and Emirati hospitality in a traditional majlis with dates and Arabic coffee, all set inside one of the city’s most impressive buildings.

Inside, you can visit the Qasr Al Watan Library and the House of Knowledge, home to Golden Ink: A Journey through Arab and Islamic Manuscripts, a flagship exhibition running from 7 October 2025 for six months.

Stick around for the Horse Marshal display at 5.45 pm and the Military Music Show at 4 pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, then end your visit with Palace in Motion, the nightly projection show that tells the story of the UAE’s past, present and future across the palace façade.

Need to know

- Tickets: General admission from around AED 65 for adults and AED 30 for juniors aged 4 to 17; children under 3 go free.

- Bookings: qasralwatan.ae

- Extras: Palace in Motion tickets are an add-on to general admission; check the official site for the latest timings and bundles.

Yas Island: fireworks, Yas Mall fun and theme park culture moments

If you are staying on the island side, Yas has stacked the diary with things to do in Abu Dhabi for Eid Al Etihad.

Fireworks and heritage journey at Yas Bay Waterfront

Yas Bay Waterfront will host Eid Al Etihad fireworks at 9 pm on 1 and 2 December, with the promenade split into zones that take you through the UAE’s past, present and future. Look out for the Flag Garden with 54 flags, a Traditional Courtyard with crafts and henna, a Vintage Promenade with classic cars and retro arcade touches, an Imagination Yard for kids and a Local Flavours Market showcasing Emirati bites and artisans, finishing at a Future Plaza with interactive installations.

- Entry: Free with online registration

- Info & registration: yasbay.ae

Family festivities at Yas Mall

Town Square at Yas Mall will come to life on 1 and 2 December with cultural performances, live entertainment, gahwa and dates, plus mascot meet-and-greets for little ones. It is an easy add-on if you are already in the area.

- Dates: 1 and 2 December

- Location: Yas Mall Town Square

- Info: yasmall.ae

Emirati heritage across Yas theme parks (1–6 December)

From 1 to 6 December, Yas Island’s theme parks are layering in cultural experiences alongside their usual rides and shows:

- Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi: Ayala dancers, live drumming and, on 1 and 2 December, hands-on calligraphy, henna and face painting.

- Yas Waterworld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi: Fisherman dance routines, character appearances, pottery, basket weaving, calligraphy and falcon encounters, plus a decorated majlis area.

- Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi: Cultural welcomes, creative stations and a majlis tent with henna and Sadu weaving, alongside all the usual WB rides.

- SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi: Ocean-themed Eid Al Etihad with sand art, fisherman dancers, storytelling and heritage crafts.

- CLYMB Yas Island, Abu Dhabi: Ayala dancers, coffee and dates at the entrance on 1 and 2 December.

Standard park entry tickets apply; check each park’s website for offers and opening hours.

Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental: “Living Artifacts” hologram

Under the Grand Dome at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, you will find “Living Artifacts”, a free holographic installation created with Image Nation Abu Dhabi and inspired by the History of the Emirates docuseries.

The multi-sensory experience reimagines key archaeological discoveries such as the Marawah Houses, Shasha Boat, Marawah Vessel and the Abu Dhabi Pearl, plus the Temple of Shamash and the UAE flag, bringing 125,000 years of history and heritage to life in 3D.

- Dates: 1 to 3 December

- Time: 12 pm to 8 pm

- Location: Under the Grand Dome, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental

- Tickets: Free, no booking required, first come first served

Jamal Al Etihad at Sheikh Zayed Festival, Al Wathba

Over at the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, A. R. Rahman will debut “Jamal Al Etihad”, a new musical tribute inspired by the UAE’s values of unity, coexistence and hope. The concert takes place on 29 November at Layali Al Wathba Theatre, with the song performed live alongside band sets and dance performances, followed by a three-minute fireworks display at 10 pm.

- Date: 29 November

- Time: Concert from 9.30 pm; fireworks at 10 pm

- Tickets: Sheikh Zayed Festival entry is AED 10; the concert is free for festival ticket holders

- Location: Sheikh Zayed Festival, Al Wathba

- Info: zayedfestival.ae

Al Ain Zoo: wildlife, culture and The Heritage Show

Al Ain Zoo is joining the 54th Eid Al Etihad celebrations with two days of special programming on 1 and 2 December, including Ayala and Harbiya performances, roaming entertainment, live stage shows, creative workshops (calligraphy, henna, pottery, embroidery and clay pot making), a heritage souq, traditional games, an open-air cinema and more.

Stick around for The Heritage Show, a projection-mapping display lighting up the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre at 6.30 pm, telling stories of culture, nature and conservation.

- Zoo hours: 9 am to 7 pm daily

- Admission: AED 31.50 for adults, AED 10.50 for children aged 3 to 12, free for under 3s

- Info & tickets: alainzoo.com

Watch the official 54th Eid Al Etihad ceremony

On 2 December, the official Eid Al Etihad ceremony will be broadcast live from Abu Dhabi to locations across all seven emirates, including majalis, community venues and cinemas nationwide. In Abu Dhabi, screenings will take place in areas such as Khalifa City, Al Falah, Al Shamkha, Madinat Zayed, Liwa Oasis and more.

You can also watch from home via local TV channels, the official Eid Al Etihad YouTube channel and eidaletihad.ae, where you will also find downloadable celebration guides, playlists and ideas for community-based activities.

For the full 54th Eid Al Etihad programme, head to eidaletihad.ae, and for more ideas on what to see and do around the emirate, check visitabudhabi.ae.