The beauty of Emirati cultural features rivals the finest human landmarks and achievements. The delicious Emirati cuisine, enjoyable traditional dances, colorful traditional clothing, and vibrant festivals and celebrations all speak of a living authenticity, despite the tremendous development that has taken place in this part of the world. Enjoying cultural destinations and the most important events and national holidays in the UAE is among the finest cultural activities one can engage in while travelling.
This article takes a look at Emirati culture first, then highlights the most important occasions and celebrations that have set the UAE apart from other tourist destinations.
The Emirati People
Cuisine and food are among the characteristics that shape a people’s culture, to the extent that many countries have become famous for their signature dishes. Emirati cuisine is one of the richest cuisines in the East, and it is beloved by Westerners and other cultures alike, owing to its variety and the rituals that accompany cooking and dining.
Meat, fish, and rice are the basic ingredients of Emirati food, and Emirati dishes are distinguished by a variety of spices that lend the food a wonderful Gulf flavor of a uniquely Emirati character.
Emirati food is served in large, beautiful vessels that reflect the generosity of the Emirati people, and the Emirati table hosts many different types of food, especially when it is set before guests.
Rice is usually colored in various shades, including orange, brown, and saffron, which makes one eager to eat, and these colors come from the diverse spices that give the food an aroma that carries over great distances.
The Most Delicious Traditional Emirati Dishes
Camel meat, chicken fouqa, harees, kabsa, lentil soup, and ouzi are among the most famous traditional dishes in the UAE, while for desserts, dates in their various varieties, luqaimat, and khanfaroush are among the most delicious sweets that can be tried in the UAE.
Dance and Music in the UAE
Dance and music in the UAE also have a close relationship with folk and traditional culture. The musical rhythms may have been influenced by the movements and activities of fishermen and pearl divers in the past, when folk songs were sung and simple drums, tambourines, and collective clapping served as the music accompanying those songs, which governed the rhythm of those gatherings.
Among the Emirati folk dances, one can point to the Al Ayala dance, also known as the stick dance. This dance is one that Gulf television screens frequently feature.
Rows of men dressed in folk costumes form to perform this dance; each one holds a thin stick, which he moves in an organized and orderly motion upward, then places on his shoulder and shakes his neck.
One of the most captivating aspects of this dance is the precision with which the performers execute the movements in response to even the slightest changes in the music and melodies. The beauty of these folk dances is further enhanced by young girls wearing golden-colored hats and vibrant Emirati dress adorned with golden-colored ribbons. There are also other dances and forms of singing and dancing that can be discovered at the official festivals held in the UAE.
The Best Places to Enjoy Emirati Traditions
If you would like to learn about all the customs related to traditional culture in the UAE, such as dance, music, and Emirati cuisine, the National Day celebrations and cultural activities at heritage sites such as Al Fahidi Souq and the Heritage Village are ideal, as is the holy month of Ramadan, during which the importance of traditional customs is greatly amplified.
Other Aspects of Emirati Culture
It is difficult to enumerate all aspects of Emirati culture in a single article. There are other facets of Emirati culture worth mentioning, including Arab hospitality and coffee culture, falconry and saluki hunting culture, Arabic henna, maritime and traditional crafts such as pottery-making, weaving and embroidery, horse and camel breeding, and a culture of tolerance and coexistence.
Celebrations and Festivals in the UAE
The UAE is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the Middle East, having become a preferred venue for all manner of international activities. Because the city of Dubai is the largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates and is the tourist destination preferred by most visitors over the other emirates, this city hosts the majority of concerts and festivals. Celebrations in the UAE can be divided into two categories: those connected to Emirati culture, and those that go beyond a national framework to become global and wide-reaching in scope. We will mention below the most important festivals in the UAE.
UAE National Day Celebrations
The UAE National Day celebrations are among the most famous and beautiful festivals in the United Arab Emirates. The activities and festivities of this holiday are not confined to the streets and official centers in the UAE; the Emirati people also celebrate at home, where women prepare the most delicious dishes. As for the celebrations outside the home, cultural centers are usually the gathering places for people on this holiday, where folk rituals, dances, and various competitions are held in honor of the occasion.
Emiratis wear folk costumes on this day, and the Emirati dress looks especially beautiful on young girls, with outfits in various colors and a chain designed onto a golden-colored headpiece that adds to the festive splendor. As for families, some prefer to celebrate the day from their cars with family, waving the UAE flag, while others prefer to go to cultural centers to celebrate the holiday alongside fellow citizens.
Emirati cities become radiant and magical on the eve of this holiday, thanks to the fireworks that can be seen from the tops of the UAE’s city towers.
Timing of the UAE National Day and the Best Suggested Venues
The second of December is the UAE National Day. The Global Village in Dubai, the Dubai Fountains, the fireworks at the rear section of the Burj Al Arab, and Zayed Sports City Stadium are among the most important venues that host UAE National Day celebrations.
The UAE National Day celebrations are the best way to learn about Emirati culture, its customs, and its folk and traditional practices deeply rooted in the past.
Music Festivals in Dubai
One of the most popular activities in Dubai, enjoyed by most tourists who choose Dubai as a travel destination, is concerts. The Tomorrowland Dubai celebration is one of the most famous international music events in Dubai, where one can witness magnificent stages with luxurious and modern designs that dazzle with their beauty, as well as thousands of people enjoying this massive festival.
The Jazz Music Festival is another festival held in Dubai. Jazz music lovers gather from various parts of the world to take part in this festival. In addition to the festivals mentioned above, which are held annually, Dubai also hosts a variety of concerts from different cultures. Tourists can search online for the schedule of their favorite artist’s concerts in Dubai and the rest of the UAE’s cities and book a seat to attend.
Attending concerts by Arab singers is one of the most beautiful evenings that can be experienced in the UAE, where the venue is designed to Arab taste, and one can meet fans of their favorite artist from different parts of the world.
The Dubai Shopping Festival
The Dubai Shopping Festival is an event eagerly anticipated by many people in the UAE, especially tourists. This massive festival features wonderful promotional offers on goods across all of Dubai’s markets and most of the other emirates. The festival runs for five weeks from December to January.
Markets, commercial centers, and malls are packed with people during the festival days, many of whom prefer to buy the clothing and goods they need for a period of time, or even for an entire year.
The Shopping Festival has its own special charm: numerous music festivals are held during those days, and cultural centers in the UAE become more active, presenting on the sidelines of the markets aspects of the traditional and folk culture specific to the UAE.
Timing of the Dubai Shopping Festival
The festival is held annually during the winter season and lasts several weeks, with its official dates announced on the official Dubai events calendar. This celebration is one of the most important opportunities to encounter famous international personalities, as well as to participate in competitions and receive gifts and discounts on merchandise.
The Dubai World Cup Horse Race
The Dubai Shopping Festival is an event eagerly anticipated by many people in the UAE, especially tourists. This massive festival features wonderful promotional offers on goods across all of Dubai’s markets and most of the other emirates.
The finest horses of exceptional and unparalleled beauty from various parts of the world participate in this festival, and there are many horse enthusiasts who prefer to attend this festival for the purpose of watching the most beautiful horses compete on a single racetrack.
This festival ranks the finest horses at various levels: some are ranked best in racing and others best in beauty.
Because the princes of the UAE and Arab countries have a special relationship with horses, one may catch a glimpse from a distance of UAE princes or their descendants in their designated area, and they may come down to present the prizes.
When one sees the female horse owners who have chosen to follow the races from a distance, and even the women who have come to enjoy watching this festival wearing summer hats adorned with flowers, one feels as though attending a royal party.
Because the princes of the UAE and Arab countries have a special relationship with horses, one may catch a glimpse from a distance of UAE princes or their descendants in their designated area, and they may come down to present the prizes.
When one sees the female horse owners who have chosen to follow the races from a distance, and even the women who have come to enjoy watching this festival wearing summer hats adorned with flowers, one feels as though attending a royal party.
Date of the Dubai World Cup Horse Race Festival
The Dubai World Cup horse racing festival is held annually, and its date and evening details are announced on the official Dubai events calendar.
The Dubai Marathon Festival
The Dubai Marathon is considered one of the most beautiful other festivals in Dubai. Given Dubai’s interest in sport and health, this international competition is held annually in Dubai in the month of December.
This festival is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and more than twenty years have passed since this festival began. This festival is not exclusive to professional athletes; rather, all people — both professionals and non-professionals — from around the world can participate in it.
Do not forget that registration is required to participate in this festival, and the winner of this race receives a prize of one million dollars.
This festival is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and more than twenty years have passed since this festival began. This festival is not exclusive to professional athletes; rather, all people — both professionals and non-professionals — from around the world can participate in it.
Do not forget that registration is required to participate in this festival, and the winner of this race receives a prize of one million dollars.
Date of the Dubai Marathon
The Dubai Marathon is held annually, and its date is announced each year. You can visit the Dubai Marathon website to obtain more information on the subject.
Other Festivals in the UAE
We have attempted above to highlight the most important festivals in the UAE and Dubai that are recommended for tourists to attend, but there are other festivals we will simply name: the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in February, the Dubai Food Festival in May, the Dubai Art Season in February and March, the Bride Show in February, and Dubai Design Week in November.