Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (AL WATHBA)
Hundreds of families from diverse backgrounds chose to spend their New Year’s Eve in Abu Dhabi, particularly at the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, which aside from dazzling visitors with record-breaking celebrations, proved to be a family-friendly venue with a diverse range of entertainment activities for people from all age groups.
Aletihad spoke to Um Latifah, an Emirati mother from Al Ain. She was sitting with her husband and three daughters, who were excitedly waiting for the New Year’s fireworks to start, following a long day of play.
“We come here every year. The festival never fails to intrigue and surprise us with new experiences and fun activities for the girls to enjoy,” she said.
Um Latifah also noted that her day at the festival felt like a “world tour”, with pavilions featuring the respective cultures of different countries around the world. “We bought something from each pavilion we visited, and tried as many cuisines as possible,” she said.
Qusai is a Jordanian expatriate living in the UAE. He came to the Sheikh Zayed Festival for a “family-friendly” venue to enjoy New Year’s Eve.
“There’s just so much to do here; I think the kids loved it,” he told Aletihad, noting that one of the best things about the festival is that it makes an effort to ensure accessibility by offering visitors access to strollers and wheelchairs for a small fee.
“This also allows us to keep track of that mischievous little one who just started walking,” Qusai said, jokingly referring to his one-year-old son.
Qusai added that this is his third time visiting the festival; “it’s definitely getting better every year, especially in terms of organisation and entertainment options”.
Aletihad also spoke to Adam, a Sweden expatriate living in Duabi, who noted that his children “insisted” on spending New Year’s Eve at the Sheikh Zayed Festival, intrigued by the advertised celebrations.
“They can’t wait to brag to all their friends about how they got to see the fireworks and drones up close,” he said, adding that his children also enjoyed being introduced to various cultures at the international pavilions.
His seven-year-old son Astrid said that his favourite part about the festival is horse riding. “My wish for the new year is new toys, and to get taller so I can try the rides for the big boys at the festival’s amusement park,” he added.
Kareem Badr and his Ukrainian wife decided to celebrate the New Year in Abu Dhabi at the Sheikh Zayed Festival in particular, because it brings back so many “warm” family memories and to witness the anticipated record-breaking fireworks and drone formations. The couple first attended the festival around ten years ago with their children, who are now university students.
“Abu Dhabi is one of our favourite places in the world. It’s unique in so many ways. Its atmosphere and warmth can’t be found anywhere else,” he told Aletihad.
The Sheikh Zayed Festival featured a 40-minute fireworks display on New Year’s Eve, breaking three Guinness World Records. It also witnessed over 5,000 drones, which created dazzling formations in the sky, setting another record for the largest aerial logo.
The festival runs until March 9, 2024, with daily hours from 4pm to midnight on weekdays and until 1am on weekends and public holidays. It offers visitors a variety of cultural and entertainment events in vibrant settings that feature music concerts and culinary experiences from all around the globe, in addition to opportunities to learn about wildlife, enjoy rides suitable for all age groups at the amusement park, and much more.
