Planning Begins For Major National Day Weekend Celebrations

PARADES, FAMILY FUN, CONCERTS, DHOW RACES AND FIREWORKS ON THE DRAWING BOARD

Abu Dhabi, UAE. Sunday, 15th September, 2013: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) is finalising a mega activities programme which will bring the emirate alive during the 42nd National Day weekend running November 28 – December 2 this year.

Abu Dhabi's stunning Corniche will burst with activity for the whole of the weekend with attractions and challenges for all – residents and visitors while women's-only activities will run on Al Bateen Beach. Additional celebrations are being planned for the emirate's heritage heartland of Al Ain and its Al Gharbia Western Region with concerts and fireworks on the drawing board for Delma Island and Madinat Zayed.

“We are in close co-ordination with our stakeholders to pull together a National Day weekend calendar which we will release in October and which will incorporate all the activities of government and private organisations,” explained Faisal Al Sheikh, Director Events Bureau, TCA Abu Dhabi.

“People can anticipate an action-packed weekend to satisfy the tastes of residents and visitors alike and which will undoubtedly make Abu Dhabi the place to be for the 42nd National Day. Visitors to the emirate will leave with lasting memories of celebrations which will have a distinctly traditional and Emirati flavour with most of the activities being free-to-attend.”

On the drawing board are two mega firework displays along Abu Dhabi Corniche running for 10 minutes each at 8pm on December 1 and 2nd.

“We anticipate those stakeholders with Corniche-focussed operations will be able to package around this and look forward to hearing their ideas,” added Al Sheikh.

Also in the pipeline is a huge car parade for December 2nd to be held on Yas Leisure Drive on Abu Dhabi's entertainment district of Yas Island.

“The parade is scheduled to begin at 5pm but the fun will start much earlier – at 2pm – with the car park around Du Forum being thronged with fun activities for all the family,” explained Al Sheikh.

Over in Al Ain, the National Day weekend will also see aviation enthusiasts and families gather for the 10th Al Ain Aerobatic Show.

“Again we are planning a show which will have an anniversary and Emirati feel,” said Al Sheikh. “There's tons of choice throughout the whole emirate this year for all to join in the National Day celebrations.”