Dubai's Eid al-Fitr celebrations in 2025 promise an unforgettable blend of tradition, modernity, and entertainment, offering residents and visitors a remarkable experience. Here's a detailed overview of what to expect:

Dates and Public Holidays

Eid al-Fitr is expected to begin on the evening of Sunday, March 30, 2025, with public holidays lasting from Monday, March 31 to Wednesday, April 2 (subject to moon sighting). Work will resume on Thursday, April 3. The holiday marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal, celebrated with prayers, gatherings, and festivities.

Fireworks Extravaganza

Dubai's skies will light up with grand fireworks displays across multiple locations:

• Nessnass Beach: First day of Eid at 8 pm.

• Hatta: First day of Eid at 8 pm near the iconic Hatta Sign.

• The Beach opposite JBR and Bluewaters: Second day of Eid at 9 pm.

• Dubai Parks and Resorts: Fireworks on the first two days at 9:30 pm.

• Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain: Synchronized displays combining water, light, and fireworks.

These events are free to attend, offering scenic views and dining options nearby.

Cultural Experiences

Eid al-Fitr in Dubai highlights Emirati heritage through traditional performances:

• Eid Prayers: Held at dawn (expected around 6:10 AM), large congregations will gather at major mosques like Jumeirah Mosque, Al Salam Mosque (Barsha), and open prayer grounds across Dubai.

• Ayala Dance Performances: Traditional Emirati dance featuring bamboo canes performed in malls such as Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, Dubai Festival City Mall, and Ibn Battuta Mall. Additional performances will take place at Al Seef, Nakheel Mall, and Hatta Wadi Hub on subsequent days.

• Cultural Exhibitions: Explore Emirati art and history at venues like Etihad Museum, Al Shindagha Museum, and Alserkal Avenue.

Shopping Deals

Eid al-Fitr is a prime time for shopping with incredible promotions:

• Grand Prize Draws: AED 200,000 in prizes for shoppers at participating malls from March 15 through the third day of Eid.

• Jewelry Offers: Participating outlets offer 50% cashback on select diamond and pearl jewelry along with free gifts.

• SHARE Cashback: City Centre malls provide 10% cashback on purchases scanned into the SHARE app from April 1–6.

• Festival City Mall Gift Cards: Shoppers spending AED 300 or more can win a gift card worth AED 10,000.

Dining Highlights

Dubai offers a variety of culinary experiences during Eid:

• e& Beach Canteen: A food pop-up at Nessnass Beach featuring diverse dining concepts, live entertainment, and Chef’s Table experiences with renowned chefs like Kelvin Cheung (Jun’s) and Soleman Haddad (Moonrise). Events run from March 27 to April 13.

• Eid Brunches: Top locations for festive meals include Suq at Four Seasons Resort Dubai (Hyderabadi Biryani), Zenon at Kempinski (Australian Lamb Cutlets), Gaia DIFC (Seafood Pasta), Ce La Vi Dubai (Miso Black Cod), and Arabian Tea House (traditional Emirati dishes). Prices range from AED 150 to AED 850 depending on venue.

Family-Friendly Activities

Dubai caters to families with engaging activities:

• Dubai Parks & Resorts: Special packages for theme parks during Eid.

• IMG Worlds of Adventure: Indoor theme park offering extended hours.

• IMAGINE Show at Festival City Mall: Laser, light, and water projection show celebrating Eid nightly from 9 PM.

• Kids' Play Areas: Dedicated zones for children’s entertainment at Festival Bay’s outdoor market.

Desert Safari Experience

Celebrate Eid under the stars with an evening desert safari:

• Activities include dune bashing in a 4x4 vehicle, camel rides, henna painting, traditional dances, and a starlit barbecue dinner. The serene desert setting offers unforgettable moments for families or travelers seeking adventure.

Key Locations to Visit

During Eid celebrations in Dubai:

1. Downtown Dubai: Witness the Burj Khalifa light show or enjoy the Dubai Fountain spectacle.

2. Atlantis The Palm: Indulge in water rides or beach sports starting at AED 300.

3. The Green Planet: Explore wildlife exhibits for AED 140 per person.

4. Dubai Opera: Relax with live music performances priced around AED 350.

Dubai's Eid al-Fitr celebrations are a vibrant mix of spirituality, culture, entertainment, shopping deals, and family-friendly fun. Whether you're enjoying fireworks by the beach or savoring gourmet meals in luxury hotels, this festive season offers something for everyone. Make sure to plan ahead to fully immerse yourself in this extraordinary celebration!

Air Arabia, one of the UAE’s leading low-cost carriers, is set to launch a new direct route from Sharjah International Airport to Munich, Germany, starting December 15, 2025. This exciting development offers travelers an affordable gateway to one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, with one-way fares starting at just Dhs794 and round-trip tickets from Dhs1,393.

The timing of the launch is perfect for those eager to experience Munich’s famous Christmas markets, historic landmarks, and cultural highlights such as the English Garden, Oktoberfest festivities, and live football matches at the Allianz Arena. Munich, a key economic and cultural hub in southern Germany, is a strategic addition to Air Arabia’s expanding European network, which already includes destinations like Vienna, Athens, Milan Bergamo, Krakow, Warsaw, and Prague.

Air Arabia will operate daily non-stop flights using its modern Airbus A320neo aircraft, known for fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. The airline’s CEO, Adel Al Ali, emphasized that the new route underscores Air Arabia’s commitment to providing affordable, value-driven travel options while supporting long-term growth. He highlighted Munich’s appeal to both business and leisure travelers and expressed enthusiasm about welcoming passengers onboard for a seamless travel experience.

This new service enhances connectivity between the UAE and Germany, complementing existing routes operated by Emirates and Etihad to German cities including Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and Hamburg. Munich Airport officials have welcomed the route, noting its importance in strengthening ties between the Gulf region and Germany.

Passengers can book their flights through Air Arabia’s website, call center, or travel agencies, and enjoy onboard amenities such as the free SkyTime streaming service and the SkyCafe buy-on-board menu. The launch of the Sharjah–Munich route not only broadens travel choices but also supports tourism, business, and cultural exchange between the two regions, marking a significant milestone in Air Arabia’s European expansion strategy.

Turkish Airlines has expanded its complimentary “Touristanbul” program, offering international transit passengers with layovers of 6 to 24 hours at Istanbul Airport (IST) a unique opportunity to explore the city’s rich history and culture without leaving the airport experience behind.

Eligible travelers can choose from six different daily tours, each led by professional guides and including transportation by shuttle bus directly from the airport.

One of the highlights of the program is a visit to Bozdağ Film Studios in Beykoz, a sprawling 200-acre complex renowned for producing popular Turkish historical TV dramas like "Diriliş: Ertuğrul" and "Kuruluş: Osman."

This studio is the largest in Europe and the third-largest in the world, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at life-sized sets that recreate different eras of Turkish history.

Beyond the film studio, the various tour routes cover Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Blue Mosque, Dolmabahçe Palace, Hippodrome, Taksim Square, Grand Bazaar, and the Galata Bridge, with photo stops and guided commentary throughout.

Passengers can also enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine—such as fire-cooked soup and hand-pounded rice pudding—at local restaurants, and participate in cultural workshops like glassmaking and archery.

All meals, museum entrance fees, and transportation are included at no cost, and the tours are available every day of the year, with 19 different routes offered weekly. To participate, passengers must have a Turkish Airlines ticket with a layover of 6 to 24 hours, and must register at the Touristanbul desk at least 30 minutes before the tour begins.

The program is designed to ensure travelers return to the airport with ample time for their connecting flights, transforming what could be idle hours into a memorable cultural experience.

Etihad Guest, the loyalty program of Etihad Airways, has expanded its highly popular competition, The Extraordinary Challenge, by increasing the total prize pool to over 20 million Etihad Guest Miles following an unprecedented surge in participation.

Initially, the challenge offered 5 million miles to the first member to visit all 15 of Etihad’s newly launched destinations, with second and third place receiving 3 million and 1 million miles, respectively. However, due to overwhelming demand, Etihad has now added 12.5 million additional miles, opening the door for more than 200 winners in total.

The competition, which runs until May 25, 2026, is open to both new and existing Etihad Guest members. Participants must travel to or from 15 specific new year-round destinations, including cities such as Addis Ababa, Atlanta, Prague, and Taipei, within a 12-month period. The race is based on speed and dedication—the fastest members to complete all 15 routes win the largest prizes, while tie-breakers are resolved by the earliest registration date.

In addition to the top three grand prizes, Etihad has introduced "The Extraordinary Milestones" category: the first 100 members to visit five new destinations will receive 25,000 miles each, and the first 100 to reach ten destinations will earn 100,000 miles each. This expansion aims to reward both the most ambitious travelers and those making significant progress, with members able to track their journeys and standings on a live digital leaderboard.

Mark Potter, Managing Director of Etihad Guest, commented, “We’ve seen an amazing response across the globe since we launched The Extraordinary Challenge, and expect to see over 50,000 member sign-ups as more destinations come online. Having seen the desire and determination of so many, we wanted to reward Etihad Guest members even more by giving flight to their ambition with more prize miles and potential for 200 additional winners”.

Sohar International and its Islamic banking division, Sohar Islamic, have announced a new partnership with SalamAir, Oman’s prominent budget airline, to bring substantial savings to their customers on domestic travel. Under this collaboration, credit cardholders from Sohar International and Sohar Islamic can enjoy up to 40% off, while debit cardholders receive a 15% discount on SalamAir flights within Oman.

The offer covers popular routes such as Muscat to Salalah, Masirah, Duqm, and the newly introduced Sohar to Salalah flights, with bookings available from June 22 to August 31, 2025, for travel between July 1 and August 31, 2025.

To take advantage of these discounts, eligible customers must book their tickets through SalamAir’s official website, applying special promo codes provided by the banks and using their Sohar cards for payment. The partnership was officially launched at a signing event on June 17, 2025, at Sohar International’s headquarters, highlighting a shared vision to blend financial services with lifestyle benefits and support Oman’s national tourism strategy outlined in Vision 2040.

Bank officials, including Abdul Qadir Al Sumali, stressed that the initiative is designed to go beyond simple discounts, aiming to create a more integrated experience for customers by connecting banking with travel. Steven Allen, SalamAir’s Chief Commercial Officer, noted that the airline is committed to making domestic travel more affordable, especially during the busy Khareef season in Salalah.

SalamAir, which operates a growing fleet of Airbus aircraft and serves over 80 flights daily, is also investing in digital upgrades, such as a new WhatsApp ticketing service. The airline has introduced fixed fares for Omani nationals on key routes to further support local travelers.

This partnership not only delivers significant value to Sohar International and Sohar Islamic customers but also contributes to the wider goals of enhancing domestic tourism and strengthening collaboration between Oman’s banking and aviation sectors.

Air Arabia has launched a major summer mega sale, offering one-way fares starting from just Dh149 for select destinations across its network. The promotion is available for bookings made between June 30 and July 6, 2025, with travel permitted from July 14 to September 30, 2025—a period that covers the busy summer holiday season and is ideal for families and travelers looking for affordable getaways.

The discounted fares apply to a wide variety of routes from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Travelers departing from Sharjah can fly to Bahrain and Muscat for as low as Dh149, while fares to Dammam, Riyadh, Salalah, and Kuwait start at Dh199. Routes to Abha, Tabuk, and Yanbu are available from Dh298, Doha from Dh399, Jeddah and Medinah from Dh449, and Taif from Dh574.

For those heading to South Asia, Abu Dhabi to Chennai fares start at Dh275, Kochi at Dh315, Dhaka at Dh499, and Chattogram at Dh549. From Sharjah, travelers can book flights to Ahmedabad from Dh299, Delhi from Dh317, Mumbai from Dh323, Thiruvananthapuram from Dh325, and Kathmandu from Dh449. These special rates are especially appealing for the large South Asian expatriate community in the UAE.

Air Arabia’s summer sale comes as the airline reports strong financial growth, with a net profit of Dh355 million in the first quarter of 2025—a 34 percent increase year-on-year. The airline also saw a 14 percent rise in turnover to Dh1.75 billion and carried more than 4.9 million passengers in the first three months of the year, achieving an average seat load factor of 84 percent.

The airline is also expanding its network, with the resumption of direct flights between Sharjah and Damascus starting July 10, 2025, operating twice daily. All fares in the promotion are one-way and include surcharges, but airport taxes may not be included and are subject to change. Seats are limited and are expected to sell out quickly, so travelers are encouraged to book early to secure the best deals.

For passengers needing flexibility, Air Arabia allows modifications or cancellations of bookings online, via its call center, or at sales offices, though fare differences and terms may apply