Camel parade at Expo City Dubai

Head to Expo City to see the parade of thoroughbred camels from March 3 to 5.

The parade, which will be held every day at 6:45 pm will kickoff the ‘Hai Ramadan’ celebrations taking place throughout the month of Ramadan till April 25. During the parade, children will receive sweets and treats – in true Hag Al Leila spirit.

Hag Al Leila celebrates the mid of the month of Shaaban – the month that precedes the month of Ramadan in the Islamic Hijri calendar. Traditionally, children go through their neighbourhoods singing special songs and are given goodie bags filled with treats from their neighbours.

Celebrations for Hag Al Leila are also currently taking place at the Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood till March 7. Activities that celebrate the Emirati heritage are being organised for the 12 day-long celebration, including Mkhawar Lounge, which displays locally-created products and Freej Feast held in cooperation between Dubai Culture and Dubai Municipality.

Visitors can also learn about the traditional henna designs, ‘al ghamsa’, ‘alqasa’ and ‘alruwaieb’, during dedicated henna design workshops.

There will be several drop-in workshops between March 2 and 5 , especially ones dedicated to children, such as lantern making – which will continue throughout the month of Ramadan. Another workshop is bag decorations where children can adorn their fabric bags with traditional fabrics and designs.

Dubai culture has organized special program for school children on March 6 and 7 in which students will be taken on a tour of the Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood, and will visit the Beauty and Adornment House where they will learn about local adornment traditions and traditional costumes. Their visit will also include a stop at the People and Faith house, where they will learn about the Emirati heritage and society. To learn about Emirati handicrafts such as Burqa sewing and Al Talli, school children will participate in workshops held at the Turath Centre for Traditional Handicrafts.

On March 4 and 5, children will get the chance to go on a 30-minute tour of Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood, holding their bags, known as “Khayrat’, singing songs, and collecting sweets.

On March 7, school students can also participate in a ‘treasure hunt’-style Mid-Sha’aban competition at Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and Hatta Heritage Village. Her, they will be given questions, and must find the answers by roaming the venues.