One of the easiest ways to get into the spirit of Eid in Dubai is to simply wish people in the city an “Eid Mubarak,” which translates to “blessed Eid”. But beyond that, there’s plenty of opportunity to take part in the celebrations and join the community in marking this important Islamic holiday.

What is Eid?

First off, there are actually two Eid holidays during the year: Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. A hugely important date in the Islamic calendar, Eid Al Fitr – translated from Arabic as “the festival of breaking the fast” – is celebrated by Muslims all over the world as it marks the end of Ramadan and signals the beginning of Shawwal (the tenth month in the lunar Islamic calendar).

The second, Eid Al Adha, occurs later in the year following the Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj, and is considered the ‘Greater Eid’ of the two. It lasts for four days starting on the tenth day of Dhu Al Hijjah (the 12th and final month of the lunar Islamic calendar).

What happens during Eid in Dubai?

Families usually start the day with an early wake-up and morning prayers inside their home or at a nearby mosque. This is then followed by a lunchtime feast with friends and family to reflect on the previous month of Ramadan. It’s also customary to exchange gifts with your loved ones and donate to the less fortunate during this time.

Why spend Eid in Dubai?

While most Muslims tend to spend most of the first day of Eid at home or at the home of friends or family, during the following two days, Dubai comes alive as the city’s residents – both Muslim and non-Muslim – go out and celebrate.

The malls are packed, cinema seats are scarce, taxis are hard to come by and restaurants boast long queues throughout the holiday. On top of that, the city comes to life with exciting activities, traditional dance performances, live music and special shows in all the major public spaces across Dubai.

Dubai Hotels, and vacation rentals are in high demand throughout the Eid Holidays.