Eid Al Adha is the big one – a long weekend that turns Abu Dhabi into one giant celebration of fireworks, family days out, cultural shows and seriously good food. Whether you are planning a full theme-park blowout or just want to know where to catch the fireworks, this is your guide to what’s on across the capital. This page is the evergreen home for Eid Al Adha in Abu Dhabi, refreshed each year with the current dates and events.
When Is Eid Al Adha 2026?
The UAE has confirmed the Eid Al Adha 2026 dates: Arafat Day falls on Tuesday 26 May, followed by the three days of Eid Al Adha on Wednesday 27, Thursday 28 and Friday 29 May 2026. The official public holiday runs 27 to 29 May, which lands against the weekend to give most residents a six-day break, and public-sector and school calendars stretch it longer. In short: clear your calendar for the last week of May.
Eid on Yas Island: Fireworks and Theme Parks
Yas Island is the centre of gravity for Eid in Abu Dhabi. All four record-breaking theme parks run special Eid programming from 23 to 31 May 2026, blending the usual rides with cultural touches:
- SeaWorld Abu Dhabi (Yas Bay, Yas Island) – a traditional majlis with sand art, henna and Arabic calligraphy, plus fishermen dancers and the eight marine realms
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (Yas Leisure Drive, beside Yas Mall) – henna, Arabic calligraphy, Sadu weaving and face painting alongside the rides, with Arabic coffee and sweet treats
- Yas Waterworld (Yas West, near Ferrari World) – lantern-lit walkways, a traditional majlis, live falconry displays and craft workshops between the slides
- Warner Bros. World (near Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld) – henna, calligraphy and craft workshops, character meet-and-greets and themed performances, all fully indoors and air-conditioned
All four parks book through Yas Concierge on +971 600 511115 (9am to 7pm) or their official websites. Over at Yas Bay Waterfront (southern Yas Island, by Etihad Arena), expect fireworks across the Eid evenings – typically around 9pm on the first nights of Eid – free to watch from the promenade; enquiries via yasbay.ae. And the Kids Go Free offer is the one to know about: book a stay at a participating Yas Island hotel and two children under 12 stay, play across the theme parks, and dine free with two paying adults. That offer runs right through to the end of October, so it is not Eid-only, but the Eid weekend is when families cash it in.
Mall Celebrations and Eid Shopping
The malls go all out for Eid, and they are the air-conditioned saviour when late-May temperatures climb:
- Bawabat Al Sharq Mall (Bawabat Al Sharq St, Baniyas East) – daily Eid celebrations from 22 to 31 May with magic shows, acrobatics, juggling and bubble shows for the kids. Tel +971 2 503 1400
- World Trade Center Abu Dhabi (Khalifa Bin Zayed the First Street, city centre) – a special Eid edition of its What’s On at WTC programme from 26 May; spend AED 150 or more to unlock the activity schedule including fitness classes, kids’ workshops and stage shows. Tel +971 2 508 2400
- Yas Mall (Yas Island, beside Ferrari World) – competitions and Eid offers at the heart of the Yas tourism hub, an easy pairing with a theme-park day. Tel +971 2 414 6373
- Marina Mall (Breakwater, Corniche Road, near Emirates Palace) – 400-plus stores and a bowling alley, a solid all-rounder for a family day out of the heat. Tel +971 2 681 2310
Culture and Heritage
For a more grounded, traditional Eid, the capital’s heritage sites lean into the occasion:
- Qasr Al Hosn (Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street, city centre, near the Cultural Foundation) – Eid Al Adha celebrations across 27 to 28 May at Abu Dhabi’s oldest stone building, with evening cultural programming. Tel +971 2 697 6400
- Heritage Village (Breakwater, Corniche, adjoining Marina Mall) – craft workshops, traditional demonstrations and dried-spice souvenirs; a calmer, screen-free way to mark the holiday with kids. Tel +971 2 681 4455
Vibe Check
Eid Al Adha in Abu Dhabi is hot, generous and family-first. Days are for the malls and indoor parks (it is the tail end of May, so outdoor anything before sunset is brave), evenings are for fireworks, majlis sweets and slightly chaotic theme-park queues. Book ahead, go late, and lean into the over-the-top hospitality – it is the one weekend the whole city is in celebration mode at once.
Where to Stay: Eid Staycations
Eid is peak staycation season, and the better packages sell out a week or two ahead. We have rounded up the strongest options separately – see our guide to the 8 best Abu Dhabi staycations for Eid Al Adha 2026, and for an all-meals-sorted option the all-inclusive staycation at InterContinental Abu Dhabi is a reliable family pick.
WOW Expert Tip: Theme parks and the Yas Bay fireworks promenade get packed on the first evening of Eid. Go on day two or three of the holiday instead – same programming, noticeably thinner crowds, and hotel rates often dip slightly after the first night. Book theme-park tickets online before you arrive to skip the gate queue in the heat.
Practical Tips for the Eid Weekend
- Plan around the heat. Late May runs 38-42°C by day. Save outdoor plans (fireworks, waterfront walks) for after sunset and keep daytime to indoor parks and malls.
- Eid prayer mornings are quiet. Many attractions and malls open a little later on the first morning of Eid – check timings before an early start.
- Book restaurants ahead. Eid brunches and dinners fill fast across the long weekend, especially anywhere with a view.
- Roads near Yas Bay get busy around fireworks time – arrive early or use the park-and-walk areas.
Venue details and event dates are confirmed for the 2026 edition and can change year to year – we refresh this guide each Eid. A quick call or website check ahead of your visit never hurts.
Arafat Day falls on Tuesday 26 May 2026, with Eid Al Adha on Wednesday 27, Thursday 28 and Friday 29 May. The official UAE public holiday runs 27 to 29 May, creating a six-day break with the weekend for most residents.
Yas Bay Waterfront on southern Yas Island, by Etihad Arena, is the main spot, with fireworks across the Eid evenings, typically around 9pm on the first nights of the holiday. It is free to watch from the promenade – arrive early as it gets busy.
Yas Island’s four theme parks (SeaWorld, Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World) run special Eid programming from 23 to 31 May 2026 with cultural activities and shows, bookable via Yas Concierge on +971 600 511115. Bawabat Al Sharq Mall runs daily kids’ entertainment, and the Kids Go Free offer lets two under-12s stay, play and dine free with two paying adults on a Yas Island package.
Yes. The UAE Cabinet confirmed a public holiday from Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 May 2026. Combined with the weekend, private-sector workers get a six-day break, while public-sector and school calendars run longer.
Qasr Al Hosn (Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street, city centre) hosts Eid Al Adha cultural celebrations on 27 to 28 May 2026, and the Heritage Village at Breakwater offers craft workshops and traditional demonstrations – the calmer, more cultural side of the holiday away from the theme parks.
