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
End dinner with a complimentary dessert platter at ZEA
ZEA is celebrating Emirati Women’s Day with something sweet. On August 28, every Emirati woman dining at the DIFC restaurant will receive a complimentary dessert platter featuring a selection of the restaurant’s signature sweets.
The platter is designed for sharing and will be offered throughout the evening, alongside ZEA’s Mediterranean-inspired menu.
When: August 28
Where: ZEA Dubai, Level C, Emirates Financial Towers, DIFC
Price: Complimentary dessert platter for Emirati women dining at ZEA
Reservations: +971 56 402 6633
Join Dumpling Divas at MEI
Some of the best conversations happen over dinner and MEI is building an entire evening around that idea. Created for Emirati Women’s Day, Dumpling Divas brings together founders, artists and creatives for an intimate panel discussion exploring entrepreneurship, creativity, confidence and the value of women championing one another.
The conversation features Noora Sharafi, founder of Honestry, Emirati artists Aysha Al Shamsi and Faeza Mohamed, Layla Hajjaj, founder of Boho Salon and Diana Rysbaeva, Founder and CEO of SHI Hospitality Group. Guests will also take part in a self-expression workshop before sitting down to MEI’s signature dumplings and a handcrafted drink.
When: Emirati Women’s Day
Where: MEI, Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, Dubai
Price: AED 150 per person
Bookings: Here
Try Address Hotels’ rose-inspired Emirati Women’s Day dessert
Address Hotels + Resorts is marking Emirati Women’s Day with a limited-edition dessert inspired by a rose in bloom, combining orange blossom and strawberry. Available from August 20 to 28, the same creation will be served at three Dubai addresses, either on its own or as part of an afternoon tea.
At Al Bayt at Palace Downtown, the dessert is AED 70 à la carte, or comes complimentary with the AED 120 per person Afternoon Tea, served daily from 2pm to 6pm.
The Lobby Lounge at Address Downtown will serve the dessert for AED 70, while its AED 195 per person Afternoon Tea includes the limited-edition creation and soft beverages. It’s available from 3pm to 7pm.
Over at The Patisserie at Address Dubai Mall, the rose-inspired dessert is available all day for AED 70, so it’s also the easiest of the three to pop in for without committing to afternoon tea.
When: August 20–28
Where: Al Bayt at Palace Downtown; The Lobby Lounge at Address Downtown; The Patisserie at Address Dubai Mall
Price: AED 70 for the dessert; afternoon tea from AED 120 per person
Pamper yourself with a well-deserved reset
Emirati Women’s Day offers a great reason to clear the calendar and dedicate a few hours to yourself. Between work, family commitments and the endless responsibilities that fill an ordinary week, personal care can easily slip to the bottom of the list. This year, the celebration can take the form of a skin treatment, a full day devoted to wellness or a closer look at your long-term health.
Aesthetics by King’s College Hospital London’s Dubai Marina Clinic is offering 25% off non-surgical aesthetic treatments throughout August, with 3 + 1 packages on selected treatments and a 4 + 2 offer on laser hair removal.
Those who would prefer to devote an entire day to themselves can book a Well Cube day pass at Tranquil Wellness Tower in Dubai.
Blue Ocean Health also offers a more personalised way to mark the occasion through programmes centred on proactive health, wellness and longevity. Its approach considers individual needs and supports women in making informed decisions about their wellbeing over time. Emirati Women’s Day may last for a single day, but it can also provide the impetus to give your health and personal care a more consistent place in your life.
Build her a box of chocolates at See’s Candies
A box of chocolates is a classic for a reason, and See’s Candies at Al Jimi Mall gives you plenty of room to make yours personal. For an Emirati Women’s Day gift that will happily disappear by the end of the evening, See’s Candies at Al Jimi Mall has a lovely selection of chocolate boxes made for gifting. Choose from ready-made assortments or put together a custom box, hand-picking the chocolates inside to suit whoever you’re buying for.
Where: See’s Candies, First Floor, Al Jimi Mall, Al Ainn
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
Gift a piece from MARLI New York’s Cleo Collection
For those planning to mark Emirati Women’s Day with jewellery, the Cleo Collection brings together elegant jewellery and matching timepieces in a coordinated edit. The collection pairs clean lines with sculptural detailing, creating pieces that feel polished without being overly ornate. From understated everyday designs to more elevated statement styles, it’s a thoughtful option for anyone looking to give a gift with a little more permanence than flowers or chocolates.
Discover a new signature scent with Canéza
Canéza’s LUXE Women’s Set brings together a selection of fragrances spanning elegant florals, rich woods and warm spices, offering a scent for different moods and occasions. Beautifully presented and designed to make fragrance feel personal, the collection is a thoughtful Emirati Women’s Day gift for a mother, sister, friend or any woman whose individuality deserves to be celebrated.
The LUXE Women’s Set starts from AED 279 and is available at select stores across the UAE and online at caneza.com
