Families are invited to experience the excitement at MOTIONGATETM Dubai, the largest Hollywood inspired theme park in the region. With 29 exhilarating rides, attractions, and entertainment, visitors can take advantage of the latest offer; buy 4 tickets for the price of 3 for AED 885 and get 25% off on a bundle deal available from 15th March!

To keep the little ones entertained, each zone promises excitement and an array of adventures. In the DreamWorks Zone, brace for a wild ride on the Madagascar Mad Pursuit and take flight with Toothless on the Dragon Gliders. Meanwhile, the Lionsgate Zone offers pulse-pounding thrills with the Now You See Me: High Roller and a tribute to Hunger Games fans on the Capitol Bullet Train. Over in the Columbia Pictures Zone, embark on heart-racing experiences such as The Green Hornet: High Speed Chase or delve into supernatural battles with the Ghostbusters. Smurfs Village Zone awaits junior adventures, featuring whimsical attractions like the Smurf Village Express and tailored interactive play zones.

For something more relaxing, families are welcome to enjoy the crowd-favourite live stage show ‘Illuminate’, featuring breathtaking acrobatic performances and stunning visual effects that transport guests into a world of wonder. Studio Central hosts captivating street shows every Tuesday to Sunday, offering an immersive experience of New York City and Hollywood’s glamour. Guests can also enjoy meet and greets with beloved characters like Po, Shrek, and Toothless at the themed zones at MOTIONGATETM Dubai.

The park is open from 11 am to 8 pm from Sunday to Thursday and from 11 am to 9 pm on Friday and Saturday.

Tickets and showtimes are available for purchase on the park’s website or at the counter. For more information, please call 800-AMAZING (2629464).

Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi, announced today the development of two beaches at Yas Bay Waterfront, Abu Dhabi’s vibrant day-to-night destination on Yas Island. Complementing the existing lifestyle and leisure offerings at the destination, the beaches will span a length of 280 meters each and a combined total of 560 meters.

Located on the west side of the pier, the West Beach has been designed as a family destination and will feature beachside play areas for children, world-class dining outlets, food trucks, pedestrian walkways, as well as rest and recreation facilities. East Beach, located on the east side of the pier and just across the award-winning Etihad Arena, will feature outdoor fitness spaces and sports zones for beach football and volleyball. Open seating areas, coupled with a sunset lounge, will allow visitors to experience a variety of sports, entertainment, and music events.

Jonathan Brown, Chief Portfolio Officer, Miral, said: “We are pleased to enhance our leisure and lifestyle offerings at Yas Bay Waterfront with the announcement of two beach developments. These upcoming experiences are an extension of our vision to enrich the diverse and unique experiences available to visitors on Yas Island, positioning it as a top global destination for leisure and entertainment while further contributing to Abu Dhabi’s wider tourism growth.”

The beaches will serve as an exciting addition to iconic leisure and lifestyle experiences at Yas Bay Waterfront, home to over 20 al fresco restaurants and cafés, world-class nightlife concepts, a floating beach club, an award-winning concert arena, luxury hotels, and an expansive promenade. Both developments will be located minutes-away from Yas Island’s award-winning attractions and experiences, including SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi; CLYMB™ Abu Dhabi; Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi; and Yas Marina.

The Baby Expo, the Middle East’s first international baby, toddler and maternity event is set to redefine the parenting experience, offering expectant parents and families a one-stop destination for all things related to pregnancy and early childcare.

Taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre on May 24th and 25th 2024, tickets for the event are on sale now from https://tickets.virginmegastore.me/ae/family/23470/the-baby-expo with 10% of all ticket proceeds being donated to ‘Gaza in our Hearts’, a Ramadan initiative set up by The Baby Expo Charity Partner, Dubai Cares, to support children and families in Gaza by providing emergency relief such as meals, food baskets, and waterproof and fire-resistant tents.

The event will bring together over 150 premium global mother, baby, and early years’ brands, showcasing 1000s of products for parents and expectant parents to discover, try and purchase and an opportunity to access invaluable education from leading industry and healthcare experts. Spanning across 10,500 square metres, with more than 10,000 attendees anticipated over the course of two days, visitors can enjoy entertainment for all the family, take advantage of show-only exclusive discounts and special offers and engage with like-minded parents, while discovering new support networks for every step of the parenting journey.

Hosted by renowned entrepreneur, media personality and co-founder of The Baby Expo, Kris Fade, the event will welcome famous parents from around the globe including entrepreneur and social media superstar Joelle Mardinian and award-winning comedian Russell Kane alongside his wife Lindsey Kane and their age-defying supplement brand JOLT.

Kris Fade, entrepreneur, media personality, Co-founder and host of Baby Expo said: “I’m excited to host Dubai’s first Baby Expo, offering a unique platform for parents and parents-to-be. We recognise how overwhelming preparing for a baby can be, so we’ve curated a space that brings together industry experts, international brands, new parents and parent-to-be. This unique event provides parents with an immersive experience, offering them access to a comprehensive range of baby-related products and services, and the opportunity to freely ask questions, seek guidance, and confidently navigate their journey into early parenthood.”

With the baby product market expected to grow by 71.4%, reaching US$168 billion by 2032, according to Global Market Insights1, there is huge demand for an event of this scale tailored to the mother, baby and toddler industry in the Middle East. Aiming to transform the industry in the region, The Baby Expo Dubai will provide a platform for the industry players to come together in Dubai every year, for networking, business development, shared learning and industry-wide collaborations.

For brands seeking to reach key players in the Middle East, the event will deliver a Hosted Buyers Programme, providing exhibitors with the opportunity to hold pre-scheduled meetings with key decision-makers from the region’s leading retailers, distributors, pharmacies, supermarkets, e-commerce platforms and nurseries.

Ashleigh Lloyd, Co-Founder of Baby Expo commented: “We’re excited to introduce Dubai’s first Baby Expo this May, uniting global industry leaders in the mother, baby and toddlers’ sector, especially considering the significant growth expected in the baby products market over the next decade. We’ve provided brands with a unique platform to showcase their latest products and innovations, engage in networking opportunities and initiate important discussions on future market trends. Baby Expo also presents an ideal setting to forge large-scale collaborations between like-minded brands and nurture the consumer-brand relationship.”

Celebrity Speakers
In addition to a line-up of high-profile, celebrity parents, The Baby Expo will provide two days of expert speakers, conferences and workshops covering topics ranging from caring for your newborn, life-saving first aid and sleep training to parent coaching, information and tips about giving birth and nutrition. Attendees will gain insights from experts and Mumpreneurs such as Julie Mallon, Kelly Marie Hodgkin, Amanda Jenner, Dr. Elena Andrioti, Dr. Tayara, Maysaa Fahour, Nicola Oliver, Lama Shamseddine and Mira Khleif, who will provide a wealth of information on entrepreneurial and parenting subjects.

Ultimate destination for parents
The Baby Expo will serve as an ultimate destination for parents. Providing a platform to compare products and specifications across various brands and seek advice from industry professionals, enabling informed decisions and potential savings, especially considering the significant expenditures parents make on baby products in the first year alone. More than 150 brands will offer attendees exclusive discounts and special promotions which are only redeemable during the show as well as unveiling new products, innovative technologies and brands tailored specifically for the region.

Fun for all the family
With an array of family-friendly entertainment lined up including Magic Phil, soft play areas, sensory activities, arts and crafts, baby massage sessions, face painting, and games, The Baby Expo has something to offer for all the family. Visitors can also look forward to mystery goody bags filled with vouchers and samples for bump, baby and mummy.

Business Breakfast
For the industry, The Baby Expo will host a business breakfast offering engaging content tailored to elevate the global mother, baby and toddler industry, featuring insights from global brands and the Middle East’s industry leaders from across the sector. Through keynote sessions, panel discussions and interviews the business breakfast aims to unite industry experts to explore future market trends, challenges, and innovations, whilst encouraging industry-wide collaborations.

In collaboration with leading brands in the baby, mother and toddler industries, Baby Expo presents an impressive lineup of partners including Platinum Sponsors Dabdub and King’s College Hospital Dubai; Gold Sponsors Stokke, Nabi, Bimbly and No More Lice; VIP Influencer Lounge Sponsor Cybex; Strategic Partner Fade Fit; Charity Partner Dubai Cares; and App Partner Qidz.

Tickets for The Baby Expo are now available through visiting www.thebabyexpo.com, https://tickets.virginmegastore.me/ae/family/23470/the-baby-expo or in-store at Virgin Megastores across the UAE.

Authorities in the UAE have announced the closure of all roads leading to valleys and mountains as the country braces for severe weather conditions this weekend. The closure will remain in effect until the foul weather subsides.

The impending weather system is expected to bring heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and hail across the country from Friday evening, March 8, until noon on Sunday, March 10. Areas are at risk of flooding, with strong winds potentially causing low visibility on roads, particularly from Friday midnight to Saturday midnight.

The weather is anticipated to begin affecting regions such as Al Dhafra and Al Ain before spreading to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and beyond. Residents have been advised to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, with motorists urged to park vehicles away from mountains, valleys, and water bodies.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has issued warnings regarding hailstorms, urging residents to take precautions to safeguard themselves and their property. Those found disregarding safety directives could face fines and penalties, including vehicle confiscation.

Disaster management teams in each emirate will determine whether to implement remote learning in schools and cancel outdoor events scheduled for the weekend. Emergency services, including police, rescue teams, and civil defense, are on high alert to respond to any emergencies.

Last month’s heavy rains and hail prompted widespread disruptions, with schools and offices transitioning to remote work as residents grappled with the aftermath of flooding and property damage. Authorities are urging residents to heed safety instructions and stay updated on the evolving weather situation.