Extended weekend a perfect time for bonding, outdoor fun

Families flock to entertainment venues, beaches, cultural hubs to enjoy Eid Al Etihad holidays

- Nandini Sircar

Geetika Talwalkar and her group chose to have fun outdoors away from the city bustle.

It was a bright, breezy weekend across the UAE, and for many families, the extended holidays around National Day became the perfect excuse to embrace the outdoors, gather friends, and soak up a festive atmosphere.

With the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, December 1 and 2, extended by Monday and Tuesday as official holidays, the country has been enjoying a long, four-day break.

Parks have been buzzing, special events are underway, fireworks are lighting up the skies, and with discounts on offer, the vibe has been a heady mix of celebration, relaxation, and togetherness across the Emirates.

Countless families have flocked to beaches, cultural hubs, and entertainment venues to mark the Eid Al Etihad holidays.

For one expat mother, the weekend felt like a warm reunion at home. Kazakh resident Karina Shashkova, mother of three, described the scene as "a really warm, cosy gathering" when her circle of friends got together for a Secret Santa on Sunday at her place in Dubai Hills.