Every year on August 28, Emirati Women’s Day celebrates the women whose work, ideas and achievements continue to shape the UAE.
This year, there’s a lot happening beyond the usual celebratory lunch. You can learn about the history of oud before decorating your own piece with gold, make a floral arrangement, build a charm bracelet, book a spa afternoon with someone you love or work your way through a collection of jewel-inspired dim sum. Here are some of the best ways to celebrate Emirati Women’s Day in the UAE this year.
Learn the art of oud at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
One of the most interesting Emirati Women’s Day programmes this year comes from Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, which is hosting three days of complimentary workshops in partnership with Emirati brands Hind Al Oud and Reine de Roses.
Starting with the Hind Al Oud Karat Oud Workshop, where guests can explore the history of oud in Emirati culture, learn about different grades of oud and discover the art of fragrance layering. Then comes the hands-on part. Decorating authentic oud chips using gold paint and gold foil. There will also be a perfume discovery podium showcasing Hind Al Oud fragrances.
Three sessions will take place throughout the day and participation is completely free. Spaces are limited, however and advance registration is recommended.
When: August 28, 12pm–2pm, 3pm–5pm and 6pm–8pm
Where: Episodes, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
Price: Complimentary, advance registration required
Make your own floral arrangement at Emirates Palace
The celebrations at Emirates Palace continue over the weekend with Reine de Roses, an Emirati floral atelier taking over Episodes for two complimentary flower-arranging workshops.
Taking place on August 29 and 30, each hour-long session gives participants the chance to create their own premium floral arrangement and take it home afterwards. Complimentary dates and Arabic coffee will be served during the programme too.
As with the oud workshops, participation is free but places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
When: August 29 & 30, 3pm–4pm
Where: Episodes, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
Price: Complimentary, advance registration required
Create a charm bracelet at Novikov Café
Women dining at the café will receive a complimentary velvet box filled with sweet treats and a white rose, while The Charmerie will set up a one-day charm bar inside the restaurant. Guests can choose a bracelet and personalise it with charms that suit their style or carry a particular meaning, including the brand’s Sticker Meta Charms.
Prices start from AED 35, with bundle pricing available when purchasing multiple pieces. There will also be a Plinko Game open to all visitors, with every participant guaranteed a percentage discount before purchasing and the chance to score the top prize of 35 per cent off.
When: August 28, 1pm–10pm
Where: Novikov Café, Fashion Avenue, Dubai Mall
Price: Charm jewellery from AED 35
Book a facial and bring someone with you at Talise Spa
Talise Spa at Madinat Jumeirah is extending Emirati Women’s Day into an entire month. Book one of the selected 90-minute facials and the spa will offer a second treatment complimentary.
The selection includes Margy’s Monte Carlo treatments such as the Collagen Renewal Facial and Illuminating Stem Cell Facial, Swissline options including Swiss Lifting, Swiss Bright and Pro Recovery, and Ground Wellbeing’s The BIOME Facial. Guests can also receive 30 per cent off selected retail products during the promotion.
The offer is available to female UAE residents and UAE nationals upon presentation of a valid Emirates ID.
When: August 28–September 28
Where: Talise Spa, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
Bookings: +971 4 366 6818
Enjoy a massage followed by cream tea at Waldorf Astoria DIFC
For an afternoon that covers both spa time and something good to eat afterwards, Waldorf Astoria DIFC is pairing the two.
Its Summer Spa & Cream Tea Escape begins with a 30-minute massage at Waldorf Astoria Spa, focused on whichever area needs the most attention. Afterwards, head to Peacock Alley for its signature cream tea, including classic afternoon tea sandwiches and scones.
When: Daily, 9am–11pm
Where: Waldorf Astoria DIFC Spa and Peacock Alley, Dubai
Price: AED 500
Try China Tang’s jewel-inspired dim sum
China Tang Dubai is turning dim sum into gemstones for Emirati Women’s Day with Jewels of Her Strength, a limited-edition collection available for one week at The Lana Promenade.
There are six creations, each inspired by a different jewel and characteristic. The Pearl Garden Dumpling is filled with water chestnut, while the blue Sapphire Silk Dumpling contains assorted mushrooms. The Ruby Blossom combines its red, flower-shaped exterior with mixed vegetables, and the Imperial Jade Dumpling comes with scallop and shrimp. There’s also an Amber Crystal Dumpling filled with chicken and a golden interpretation of China Tang’s signature Xiao Long Bao.
Selected baskets are priced at AED 54, a reference to the UAE’s 54 years of unity.
When: August 24–31
Where: China Tang Dubai, The Lana Promenade
Price: AED 54 per selected dim sum basket
Get complimentary Pistachio Tiramisu at carine
The French-Mediterranean restaurant has created a limited-edition Pistachio Tiramisu, layering mascarpone cream with pistachio and classic Italian flavours. Women dining at carine during lunch on Emirati Women’s Day will receive the dessert complimentary.
It will also be available for AED 65 during dinner on August 28 and throughout the weekend.
When: August 28; available throughout the weekend
Where: carine, Emirates Golf Club, Dubai
Price: Complimentary for women dining at lunch on August 28; AED 65 during dinner and throughout the weekend
Try Coffeemania’s pink Emirati Women’s Day creations
Coffeemania is marking August 28 with two limited-edition additions and unlike some of the one-day specials on this list, you’ll have a whole month to try them.
The Pink Éclair is filled with custard cream infused with Bourbon vanilla, topped with a pink glaze and finished with hand-piped sugar blossoms. The Strawberry Matcha combines ceremonial-grade matcha, lactose-free milk and strawberry purée for a pink-and-green iced drink. Both launch on Emirati Women’s Day and remain available for a month.
When: From August 28 for one month
Where: Coffeemania, Dubai Hills Mall, Dubai
Shop an Emirati-founded jewellery edit at Piece of You
Fine jewellery brand Piece of You has curated four designs for Emirati Women’s Day, drawing on national symbols, heritage and individuality.
The edit includes the UAE Heritage Full Diamond Necklace, designed around national pride, and the UAE Falcon Enamel Necklace, which reinterprets one of the country’s most recognisable symbols in enamel and gold. The Trio Waves Diamond Earcuff features three flowing lines of diamonds, while the Timeless Essentials Cross Ring rounds out the collection as an everyday piece.
When: Available for Emirati Women’s Day
Where: Piece of You, online
