Circle June 6, 2025 on your calendar! That’s when Eid al-Adha happens this year. The holiday starts from Thursday (that’s Arafat Day) till Sunday, giving us a nice 4-day weekend. Work starts back up on Monday, June 9.
What makes 2025 special? Eid falls on Friday - so regular Friday prayers and Eid prayers happen on the same day! Double special.
If you’re planning to attend Eid prayers, here’s when they start:
- Abu Dhabi : 5:50 AM
- Dubai: 5:45 AM
- Sharjah : 5:44 AM
- Ajman: 5:44 AM
- Umm Al Quwain : 5:43 AM
- Ras Al Khaimah : 5:41 AM
- Fujairah: 5:41 AM
What’s Eid al-Adha All About?
Eid al-Adha remembers when Prophet Ibrahim was ready to sacrifice his son because God asked him to. At the last second, God stopped him and gave a lamb to sacrifice instead.
During Eid, people:
- Go to morning prayers
- Sacrifice animals and share the meat
- Eat big meals with family
- Give presents
- Wear new clothes
- Visit family and friends
The UAE religious folks said both Eid prayers and Friday prayers will happen separately at their normal times in 2025.
How Dubai Celebrates Eid
Walk around Dubai during Eid and you’ll see the city totally transformed! Streets have colorful lights, malls are packed with shoppers finding deals, and there’s a happy buzz everywhere. Even the big buildings get special lighting for the holiday.
Top 10 Activities for Eid
Here are some popular ways to experience the desert during the Eid holiday..
1. Dune Bashing
Hold on tight! Your driver will take you up and down sand dunes in a 4x4. It feels like a roller coaster but on sand. You’ll scream, laugh, and probably get a little sand in your shoes!
2. Quad Biking
Drive your own 4-wheel bike across the dunes. It’s pretty easy to learn, and nothing beats the feeling of powering over sand hills by yourself. Just don’t go too fast on your first try!
3. Desert Photos
The desert looks magical around sunset when the sand turns golden and orange. Bring your phone or camera and take tons of pictures- they’ll make your friends jealous back home!
4. Henna Designs
Ladies, this one’s popular! Sit back while artists paint beautiful designs on your hands or feet using henna paste. The designs last about a week and look amazing in photos.
5. Sandboarding
It’s like snowboarding but on sand! Strap a board to your feet, stand at the top of a dune, and slide down. Don’t worry if you fall- sand is much softer than snow!
6. Camel Riding
These gentle giants give you a slow, swaying ride across the desert. It’s how people traveled for hundreds of years! The view from up there is great, but getting on and off can be tricky - hold on when the camel stands up!
7. Evening Shows
After dark, the camps come alive! Watch dancers spinning in colorful outfits, belly dancers with amazing moves, and brave performers playing with fire. The shows usually happen while you’re eating dinner.
8. Hot Air Balloon Rides
Early birds, this one’s for you! Wake up before sunrise to float peacefully above the desert. From up there, you can see endless sand dunes and maybe some desert animals. Bring a sweater - it’s cool in the morning!
9. Arabic Feast
You’ll be hungry after all those activities! Sit on cushions around low tables and enjoy grilled meats, hummus, salads, bread, and sweet desserts. There’s usually enough food to feed you twice over!
10. Overnight Camping
Why rush back to the city? Sleep in a tent under more stars than you’ve ever seen. The camps have proper beds, bathrooms, and sometimes even air conditioning. Wake up to a quiet desert sunrise- it’s worth staying for.
Best Eid Meals in Dubai
All that adventure is sure to work up an appetite! Let’s see where you can enjoy special Eid meals…
- Great British Restaurant offers its customary Eid lunch with British touches. Adults pay Dh159, kids 6-12 pay Dh79.50, and those under 6 eat free. It runs 1-3pm on June 6 at Dukes The Palm.
- L’ETO serves afternoon tea with pretty cakes and special teas like orange spice. Available at all their shops across Dubai.
- Mausam offers meat, seafood, and all the trimmings with a view of Burj Khalifa. On June 7, couples pay Dh249 or groups up to six pay Dh499.
- Gastro Kitchen has Arabic BBQ for the first three days of Eid. You can experience lots of grilled meats and Arabic dishes from 6:30-9:30pm. Adults pay Dh179 (includes soft drinks) and kids 6-11 pay Dh89.
- Punjab Grill has a buy-one-get-one deal if you book ahead. Three courses of Indian food for Dh350 per adult at their Dubai and Abu Dhabi spots.
- Sur.Dubai does a big Turkish breakfast with unlimited tea for Dh150 per person. You get bread, cheeses, eggs, and more.
Staycation Ideas
Dubai has many popular 5-star hotels for an ultimate luxury stay. It also offers many short term rental programmes to its visitors. Here are some common examples where you can stay during Eid days.
- FIVE LUXE, JBR lets you eat and drink as much as you want with their special package. Some rooms look out at Ain Dubai. They have restaurants serving everything from French food to Japanese.
- Queen Elizabeth 2 lets you stay on a real ship! Their Eid deal includes a room upgrade, breakfast and dinner, late checkout (2pm if available), and 20% off food and drinks. Valid June 6-10. The ship doesn’t sail but has interesting tours.
- JA Ocean View Hotel offers rooms with sea views from Dh650+ per night. Kids stay and eat free, and you get 20% off food when booking two or more nights between June 4-14.
- LEVA Hotel gives 30% off room rates with code GSTLV from May 30-June 6. Relax by the pool and see Dubai’s skyline.
Family Fun Spots
Dubai Parks and Resorts has Motiongate Dubai, Real Madrid World, and Legoland Dubai all in one place. Rides, games, shows, and nightly laser displays with fireworks at 9:30pm.
Wild Wadi Waterpark has over 30 water slides and pools. The Jumeirah Sceirah slide is super fast! Between rides, watch dancers, listen to DJs, see bubble shows, and meet characters. Adults pay from Dh199, kids from Dh179.
The Green Planet Dubai feels like a real rainforest with over 3,000 plants and animals inside. For Eid, they’ll have free henna, face painting, music, movies, and animal encounters. Entry starts at Dh129.
Middle East Destinations for Eid
If you’re thinking about using that 4-day weekend to explore beyond Dubai, here are some nearby options worth considering.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Riyadh goes all out for Eid with events at Boulevard World, Boulevard City, Wadi Al Reem Festival, and The Zone. It’s a mix of old traditions and new celebrations in a city that’s changing fast.
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Just down the road from Dubai, Abu Dhabi offers both religious and fun activities. Join prayers at the huge Sheikh Zayed Mosque, then head to Yas Bay Waterfront, Disney Jr. Live shows, or cool museums. Great for families!
Doha, Qatar
Doha mixes old and new during Eid. Check out the Eid Al-Adha Trade Fair, special events at Doha Festival City, Lego Shows, and cultural activities at Katara Village. Don’t miss the Old Port area.
Muscat, Oman
Want a more laid-back Eid? Muscat keeps things traditional. Visit Sultan Qaboos Mosque, shop at Muttrah Souq, explore old forts, and take sunset walks by the water. Day trips to Nizwa show you even more Omani culture.
Salalah, Oman
Beat the heat in Salalah! It’s cooler than other Gulf cities in summer. Enjoy beach celebrations, shop for frankincense, and explore green valleys with streams and waterfalls- yes, in the Middle East!
Al Ula, Saudi Arabia
This new tourist spot offers Eid celebrations among ancient rock formations. Explore the old mud-brick town, see shows at the mirror-covered Maraya Concert Hall, or join festival events under the stars.
International Holiday Ideas
Ready to use that time off for something more adventurous? Here are some international options if you’re thinking bigger.
New York City, USA
The Big Apple never sleeps! Climb the Empire State Building, walk through Central Park, cross Brooklyn Bridge, and visit Lady Liberty. With so many Muslims in NYC, you’ll find halal food and maybe even Eid prayers.
Tokyo, Japan
Experience the mix of super-modern and ancient in Tokyo. Visit the Imperial Palace, eat fresh fish at Tsukiji Market, find peace in city parks, and discover old temples. It’s completely different from a typical Eid- in a good way!
Athens, Greece
Walk where ancient Greeks once did, then cool off at the beach! See the Acropolis, amazing museums, and still have time to swim in the Mediterranean. It’s a short flight from the UAE but feels worlds apart.
Maldives
Treat yourself to paradise! Stay in those famous over-water bungalows, swim with whale sharks, snorkel coral reefs, or just relax on perfect beaches. The Maldives is Muslim-friendly and absolutely beautiful.
No-Visa Destinations for UAE Citizens
If you have a UAE passport, you’ve got even more options for easy travel! Here are places you can visit without the hassle of getting a visa.
- Sri Lanka packs so much into one small island. See mountains in Ella, colonial buildings in Galle, climb the ancient rock fortress at Sigiriya, surf at Hikkaduwa, or spot leopards in Yala National Park.
- Armenia surprises visitors with mountains and history. Explore Yerevan’s cafes, relax by Lake Sevan, enjoy “Armenian Switzerland” in Dilijan, or visit old churches. Just a short flight away!
- Jordan takes you through Bible history. Wander through Amman, see the incredible ancient city of Petra, swim in the Red Sea at Aqaba, float in the Dead Sea, or camp in the desert at Wadi Rum.
- Georgia sits where Europe meets Asia. Enjoy Tbilisi’s charming old town, Black Sea beaches in Batumi, ancient churches in Kutaisi, or healing mineral waters in Borjomi.
- Morocco awakens all your senses. Get lost in Marrakech’s markets, learn in ancient Fes, take photos in the blue city of Chefchaouen, or relax by the sea in Essaouira.
- Malaysia feels familiar yet exotic. See Kuala Lumpur’s tall towers, relax on Langkawi’s beaches, enjoy cool mountain towns in the Highlands. Halal food and mosques everywhere make it easy for Muslim travelers.
- Indonesia celebrates Eid in a big way as the world’s largest Muslim country. Experience Bali’s beauty, ancient temples near Yogyakarta, perfect beaches on the Gili Islands, or see real Komodo dragons!
Travel Tips for Eid
Book Early
Eid means high prices! Book flights and hotels 2-3 months ahead to get good deals. Consider travel insurance for trips abroad, and double-check visa rules - they change sometimes!
Desert Safari Advice
Book desert trips weeks ahead - they sell out fast during Eid! Wear light clothes for day activities but bring a jacket for cool desert nights. Drink lots of water, use sunscreen, and respect local customs.
International Travel Help
Make sure your passport won’t expire within 6 months of your trip. Download maps and translation apps before leaving. Tell your bank where you’re going so your cards keep working. Pack for your destination’s weather, not Dubai’s! Get to the airport extra early - Eid means crowds.
Cultural Tips
Learn about how Eid works in your destination- it’s different everywhere! Dress modestly at religious places (cover shoulders and knees). Respect prayer times when shops might close briefly. Small gifts are nice if visiting local families during Eid.
Wrapping Up
Eid al-Adha 2025 gives you four whole days to make memories- whether you’re screaming on a dune bashing ride, relaxing at a beach resort, or exploring a new city.
With a bit of planning using these tips, you’re all set for an amazing Eid break. Remember that Eid is about both spiritual meaning and having fun with people you care about.
Wherever you end up for Eid al-Adha 2025, take time to enjoy special moments and create stories you’ll tell for years to come.
Eid Mubarak!
