Author: Bilal Ahmed

Moving out of the UAE can feel like a fresh start. But between packing your entire life into suitcases, saying goodbye to friends and sorting out your final paperwork, it’s surprisingly easy to forget one of the most important parts of leaving: your finances. Bank accounts, credit cards, loans, utility refunds, your final salary and even your UAE phone number can all become a headache if you leave them until the last minute. The good news? A little planning can make the process considerably smoother. Here’s a 10-point checklist to work through before you leave the UAE for good. Can…

Dubai’s outdoor season is almost back, and that means some of the city’s biggest attractions are getting ready to reopen. After spending the hottest months of the year on their summer schedules, several major Dubai attractions are returning throughout October 2026. From theme parks and wildlife experiences to flower-filled gardens and Global Village, there’s plenty to put on your calendar. So, if you’ve been waiting for cooler weather before planning your next family day out, here are the Dubai attraction reopening dates you need to know. 1. Dubai Parks & Resorts – 7 October First up is Dubai Parks &…

Get ready for one of the longest cultural celebrations Abu Dhabi has ever hosted. The Sheikh Zayed Festival 2026/2027 kicks off October 30 and runs all the way through to March 14, 2027. That’s 136 days of festivities at Al Wathba, held under UAE presidential patronage, a scale that puts this firmly among the emirate’s biggest annual events. Here’s what’s actually inside it. What Makes This Festival Worth Visiting This isn’t a single-theme event. It’s a sprawling mix of heritage, culture, and entertainment, all layered into one location over nearly five months. Emirati traditions sit at the core. Traditional crafts,…

Yas Island’s about to get very, very hungry. Taste of Abu Dhabi has dropped its full 2026 lineup, and honestly, this year’s edition looks like it’s stepping things up a notch. Celebrity chefs, restaurant pop-ups, live music, brand-new experiences, the whole weekend is shaping up to be worth clearing your calendar for. Mark it down. Friday November 13 through Sunday November 15. Here’s everything worth knowing before you go. Celebrity Chef Workshops Some genuinely recognisable faces are taking the stage this year. Gino D’Acampo returns, joined by Irish TV personality Rachel Allen and British chef Thomas Straker. That’s a solid…

Apple has officially unveiled its biggest product refresh in years, and 2026 marks a major change for the iPhone lineup. Alongside the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple has finally entered the foldable-phone market with the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone. But the iPhone isn’t the only headline. Apple has also introduced AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, while its new Siri AI experience is rolling out with iOS 27. For UAE shoppers, Apple has already confirmed local pricing and availability for the new devices. Here’s everything you need to…

Sun’s out. Day off secured. Now you just need somewhere worth spending it. Dubai doesn’t lack for options here. Sun loungers, sea breeze, a cold drink within arm’s reach, that’s the baseline. Where you land depends entirely on what kind of day you’re chasing. All-day party energy? Bottomless drinks and ladies’ day chaos? Or something quieter, a stretch of sand where the only agenda is your tan? Whatever it is, there’s a beach club here built for exactly that mood. COVEBEACH Dubai This one’s moved around, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, then Bluewaters, now settled at JBR’s La Vie overlooking Ain Dubai.…

Dubai has no shortage of places to eat, but if you are looking for something different to do at night, you do not necessarily have to start with a restaurant. A growing indoor entertainment scene means you can build an entire evening around an activity instead. One option is to start with a free-roam VR experience, head out for dinner afterwards and then finish the night with PC gaming. For groups of friends, families, birthdays or even casual after-work plans, this gives you something to do together before sitting down for a meal and keeps the evening going well beyond…

Starlink is officially coming to the UAE, giving residents another option for high-speed internet powered by satellites. The service has secured a 10-year licence from the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), allowing Starlink to provide satellite connectivity to residents, businesses, government entities, maritime operators and the aviation sector. For residential customers, plans are priced at AED 300 per month with unlimited data, while hardware starts from AED 1,465. Starlink is also advertising speeds of up to 400+ Mbps. And if you’ve been waiting to get connected, pre-orders are now open. Here’s everything you need to know about…

Your furry friend could have more than just a name and a collar tag in the UAE. Dogs and cats can be given a unique identification number through microchipping and municipal registration, creating a permanent digital link between the pet and its owner. The system is designed to make it easier to identify pets, maintain important health records and promote responsible pet ownership across the UAE. What Is A Pet Microchip? A pet microchip is a tiny identification device implanted under the animal’s skin. It carries a unique identification number that can be scanned using a compatible reader. Unlike a…

Raksha Bandhan is almost here, and if you still haven’t bought your rakhi, don’t panic. Friday, August 28, 2026 is the big day, and Dubai has plenty of options for last-minute shoppers. Whether you want to order a rakhi from the comfort of your home or head out to browse festive stalls and shops in person, there are several places to check out across the city. You can also pair your rakhi with sweets, chocolates, gifts or a festive hamper to make the celebration a little more special. Here’s where to shop for your rakhi in Dubai this year. Shopping…