There is always something happing in Dubai...

Throughout the year a huge range of events takes place in Dubai, providing plenty of additional attractions that can be included in meetings, conferences and incentive programmes.

The choice is enviable. You can watch spectacular traditional sports such as camel racing and dhow regattas. Or view exciting major international events, such as the World Offshore Powerboat Championships or the world's richest horse-race - The Dubai World Cup.

So, from the thrills of rally driving in the desert to the calmness of a quiet round of golf, there really is something for everyone in Dubai.

It is important for newcomers to the Middle East to understand that Islamic dates are not fixed, rather they depend on the sighting of the new moon each month. For example, Eid Al Fitr is only known the evening before, thus everyone must watch the evening news or read the morning paper to know whether the next day will be a working day or Eid. This can be a source of anxiety for newcomers as in many parts of the world holidays are known way in advance and plans can be made for traveling, etc.

Dubai Tennis Open (ATP Tennis)
Dubai Jet Ski Race
Dubai Desert Classic Pro Am Golf
Dubai Shopping Festival: One of the biggest events of the year, electrifying the city with concerts, art exhibits, street performers and sports activities. Shopping malls have big sales and discounts, and there are rides and shops everywhere. There are massive fireworks displays each night. Book hotels and flights well in advance as everything fills up rapidly. There are nearly 2.7 million visitors annually. Phone 600-545-5555. Concludes mid February

Camel Races. Wildly popular local races, not to be missed. Wednesday-Friday 7 am and 3 pm. Check local newspapers for more details. Free admission. Nad al-Sheba racetrack, Nad al-Sheba. Continues through late April

Horse Races. The Dubai World Cup brings horses, jockeys, trainers and owners from all over the world to compete for one of horse racing's richest purses. Nad al-Sheba racetrack, past Oud Metha Road, Bur Dubai. Phone 332-2277.

Horse Races. The Nad al-Sheba racecourse hosts races on Thursdays and some Saturdays, usually starting around 7 pm. General admission and parking are free. Dubai Racing Club, Nad al-Sheba. Phone 332-2277. http://www.dubairacingclub.com. Continues through late April

Dubai Formula F4 Circuit Race (powerboat racing)
Arabian Travel Market (tourism exhibition)
Middle East International Boat Show
Moulid al-Nabi. Muslim holiday celebrating the birth of the prophet Muhammad.

Dubai Sevens Rugby Tournament
Arab Health Exhibition

National Day Festival. Cultural activities throughout the Dubai city area celebrate this public holiday. The program includes concerts, music competitions, children's theater performances, fireworks, exhibitions, camel racing, a carnival, and traditional markets, cuisine and crafts. Various venues. For schedule and show information, contact the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. Phone 223-0000.

Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive. This two-day, four-wheel-drive, off-road jamboree from Dubai to Fujairah is popular with residents and tourists alike. Each day involves about four hours of driving, with marshals providing help and expertise. A wonderful opportunity to see the changing face of the desert and to spend the night at a desert campsite with great food and entertainment, including belly dancing. Ends at Le Meridien Al Aquah Beach Resort in Fujairah. Only 750 cars are allowed, so booking and car rental (if required) must be arranged well in advance. For information, phone the sponsor, Gulf News, at 344-7100.

2 Dec: National Day. Public holiday.

Free of tax, many top brand-name products are cheaper in Dubai than in the countries of their origin. Bedouin jewellery, he or she will find it at the right price in Dubai, or at Dubai Duty Free.

Deira City Centre
Deira City Centre is the largest mall in Dubai. Here you'll find the Magic Planet activity area for children, alongside the French hypermarket chain Carrefour, IKEA and Woolworth's.

Bur Juman Centre
This four-floor mall features top designer shops and the intriguing fountains at the base level which amuse onlookers.

Wafi City
The distinctive pyramid-roofed Wafi shopping mall is part of a complex that includes restaurants, a spa, and a family entertainment centre called the Encounter Zone - a real test of physical and mental skills, and available for private corporate hire.

Lamcy Plaza
The nearby Lamcy Plaza, set in open plan concession-style, draws shoppers with its wide range of competitively priced goods. For further entertainment, the Lamcy Cinema is attached to the Plaza. Dubai's reputation for exceptional shopping has been enhanced by the annual Dubai Shopping Festival, a joint initiative between the government and the private sector, and usually held in March/April.

This may be your only opportunity to view a unique sport which is an integral part of the heritage of the UAE.

Camel racing takes place during the winter season (Thursdays and Friday mornings, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., from October to March) at special tracks around the country. The atmosphere is electric, especially during public holidays when major races for considerable prize money are held. There is no admission fee.

Al Wathba Racetrack is about 45km east of Abu Dhabi. Al Ain Racetrack is situated approximately 25km from Al Ain on the Abu Dhabi road. Nad al-Sheba camel track, which has an impressive grandstand in the shape of a billowing bedouin tent, is located on the outskirts of Dubai city behind the Metropolitan Hotel. Sharjah, Ajman, Ra’s al-Khaimah and Fujairah also host camel racing but the camel racetrack, located between Falaj al-Mualla and Umm al-Qaiwain city, is one of the more simple and attractive of UAE racetracks.

Dubai 2003 was established by a decree in 2000 as the organising body for Dubai to host the 2003 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund. H H Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum,Deputy Ruler of Dubai,Minister for Finance and Industry is the chairman of the event. It is being organised by the UAE Government, in conjunction with the Government of Dubai.

The Meetings are held once a year to discuss the work of the respective institutions. More than 10,000 people attend the Meetings, including approximately 3,500 delegates from member countries, journalists, and guests from the business community and non-governmental organisations.

The UAE and Dubai Governments, through the Dubai 2003, welcome the task of ensuring the success of this prestigious event.

Ramadan is the month during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, and it is in poor form to eat, drink or smoke in public. If a Muslim friend offers you tea or coffee during the daytime in Ramadan, Ms Manners would suggest that you politely refuse. Alcohol is not served publicly at any time during Ramadan, but those with a liquor license can purchase it for consumption at home. At sundown, the feast begins.

Daily Life During Ramadan

Muslims generally eat two meals each day : the first (sahoor) is usually eaten about an hour before dawn and must finish before first light, the second (iftar) immediately follows sunset, which in some places is announced by the firing of a cannon. Once the sun goes down, Muslims usually break their fast following the example of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) by eating a few dates, offering prayers, and sitting down to dinner.

In many Muslim countries, labor laws stress that Muslims may be required to work a maximum of six hours daily. Offices, shops, and other places of employment adjust to the reduced working hours. Restaurants close and food may not be consumed openly during the day by non-Muslims or Muslims who are not fasting.

Night turns into day with prayer and family life being the focus of activities. In the UAE, shopping centers are open late into the night, the streets are crowded with people, and television offers special late night viewing for the entire family.

Allowances should be made for a marked slowing down of daily life and it may take longer than normal to transact business. More care should be taken in traffic as the level of concentration might lessen due to fasting and lack of sleep. When making appointments, allow for more flexibility than would normally be required.

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