UAE residents join hands with Saudis and visitors to celebrate KSA National Day in Dubai

Gulf Today Report

This year’s KSA National Day celebrations in Dubai will once again welcome UAE residents, visitors and Saudi citizens to enjoy a packed line-up of family-friendly festivities, super sales and great promotions.

The 91st KSA National Day, held on 23 September, will take on even greater significance this year following the official reopening of land and air borders between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. A hugely popular and much-loved destination for tourists travelling from the Kingdom, Dubai will warmly welcome families and visitors arriving by car or plane.

With so many Saudi nationals calling the UAE home, the close brotherly ties that exist between the two nations will help create a wonderful festival of fun to mark this important day. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), all the malls, stores and landmarks taking part in the KSA National Day calendar of events will follow all of the important health and safety rules, including the wearing of masks at all times and social distancing.

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Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “This year’s KSA National Day is a cause for much celebration for UAE residents and Saudi citizens alike. Dubai is ready to welcome back visitors from KSA. The reopening of borders and transport links between the two nations has come at the perfect time.”

Here, DFRE outlines the key activities, promotions and more taking place across the city:

Events

Some of Dubai’s most famous landmarks will be lit up in the colours of the Saudi Arabian flag on 23 September in a celebration of unity. From 8pm onwards the Burj Khalifa will be illuminated with the KSA flag, while the Dubai Fountain will perform a specially choreographed show with water displays accompanied by the Saudi national anthem. The Burj Al Arab Hotel in Jumeirah will also host three-minute-long fireworks displays at 8:30pm and The Frame in Zabeel Park will be bathed in green light. The IMAGINE Show at Dubai Festival City Mall will stage a special performance for KSA National Day featuring projections, animations and more from 7:30pm onwards. The Palm Fountain at The Pointe on Palm Jumeirah will wow onlookers with its own display repeated every hour from 8pm. The outside of the Museum of the Future and Ski Dubai will also be illuminated in green.

To celebrate KSA National Day, entry to the Dolphin & Seal Show at Dubai Dolphinarium will be at half price from 23 to 25 September. Customers can use the promo code DTCM50 online to apply the savings.

Entire families in the UAE can soak in the Saudi National Day celebrations.

Visitors and residents eager to explore the great outdoors can take part in the Mantra X Hatta Race at Hatta Water Dam on 24 September. The race consists of an 800m swim, a 1.5km kayak, 15km hike/run, and a 30km bike ride. Participants can opt to compete on their own or in a team of four and must have a basic first aid certificate to take part. The race is suitable for novice and experienced adventure racers alike. Visit www.visitdubai.com for more information.

The UAE’s largest handmade art, fashion and craft event, the ARTE market, will visit Times Square Centre on 24 September as part of this year’s Dubai Home Festival and KSA National Day celebrations.

Fight fans are invited to the mixed martial arts event Matrix Fight Night taking place at Palazzo Versace Dubai's Como Garden on 24 September. The latest showdown will see talented fighters step into the ring for a series of thrilling MMA matches. Highlights include a women's fight between Puja Tomar and Jojo Rajakumari. The event will also see the undefeated Anshul Jubli take on Farhad Hazratzada. Buy tickets from www.visitdubai.com.

The world's biggest classical music show, the InClassica International Music Festival, will come to Dubai on 24 September. Russian cellist Alexander Knyazev will perform at the Coca-Cola Arena, alongside the Russian National Orchestra and the renowned British conductor Alexander Shelley.

The Junction theatre will stage Shakespeare in Love on 23 September. The romantic comedy tells the story of a young William Shakespeare who meets his muse, Viola, while working on a new play. Audiences will enter a world full of love triangles, mistaken identities, rival thespians and sword fights.

The international stage show phenomenon MAMMA MIA! will delight fans of timeless pop group ABBA on 25 September. The Dubai Opera will host the live concert, which is visiting Dubai as part of a worldwide tour celebrating 22 years since it was first premiered in London's glittering West End.

This KSA National Day, book an extraordinary holiday at Dubai’s most iconic resort, Atlantis the Palm. The hotel’s Rest & Play offer includes Dhs200 arcade credit at Wavehouse, an extra 30 minutes added to any 60-minute spa treatment, Dhs100 off every purchase of Dhs300 at Hamac and 25 per cent off all jewellery plus a complimentary amethyst stone with every purchase at Dhamani.

Mall activities

Nakheel Mall will welcome KSA nationals with exclusive offers at selected F&B and entertainment outlets. Customers are requested to present their IDs (passports/IDs) to receive the offers. The mall will also stage live entertainment, with oud players performing over the three-day celebration period.

The KSA flag will be raised inside the Dubai Aquarium as part of the unique underwater event.

Skywards members can earn 91 per cent extra miles when they shop at The Dubai Mall and upload their receipts using the mall’s app. A minimum spend of Dhs100 is required. Miles will be credited within one week from the receipt upload date. The promotion runs from 23 to 25 September.

Shoppers can earn 91 per cent extra U By Emaar points when using their U By Emaar app until 2 October. The app can be used at Dubai Marina Mall, The Springs Souk, Meadows Village and Meadows Souk.

The Dubai Mall will host a special KSA National Day Celebration at the Dubai Aquarium from 23 to 25 September. The KSA flag will be raised inside the Dubai Aquarium as part of the unique underwater event, with performances at 11:45am, 2:45pm and 4:30pm.