UAE Resident Offers: Free Tickets, Deals & Things To Do Across the UAE (Updated October 2026)

There's a lot happening in the world right now, and I know many of us are feeling it deeply. My heart goes out to everyone affected. I hope you and your loved ones are safe, and I'm sending all the love and light I can from here. I put this together as a small reminder that good things are still happening around us, and good people are still showing up for this community. None of it is going anywhere. Whenever you're ready, it'll be here.

This is a regularly updated guide to UAE resident offers, free entry, and discounts across the UAE, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah, covering attractions, dining, beach clubs, arts and culture, wellness, and more. Prices, dates, and availability change, so always confirm before heading out.

Last updated: October 2026.

A quick note: Always check directly with the venue, their website, or their socials before heading out, as offers and availability may change.

Tours & Experiences

Wander With Nada: Old Dubai Walking Tours

If there's one thing I'd ask you to do with your time off, it's this. Four immersive hours through the oldest, most storied parts of this city, and every single stop earns its place.

We begin at Al Shindagha, where I'll bring to life how Dubai was actually built: the ancient trade routes, the pearl diving economy, the way families lived in wind-tower houses, and the rich cultural codes that still quietly shape life here today. Then we glide across the magnificent Dubai Creek on traditional abra boats, with sweeping views of the old town skyline that most people never slow down enough to take in. On the other side, we're deep in the Spice Souk, sampling our way through centuries of flavour and learning which saffron is worth every fils and which is dyed fluff in a fancy bag. From there, the dazzling Gold Souk, where you'll walk away knowing exactly how gold is bought, sold, and valued in one of the world's great trading cities. We end at the Coffee Museum, where Emirati coffee culture comes alive over a cup, and then sit down together for a deeply traditional Emirati meal. Dishes steeped in history, eaten communally, and never rushed.

Max 12 people. No scripts, no flags, no one herding you past the good parts. Just the real, living story of this city, told by someone who has called it home for over 30 years.

Book your Old Dubai tour here

Wander With Nada: Dubai Parents’ Day Out Tour

For the resident whose parents just landed and whose calendar did not get the memo. You have done the tourist circuit. They have not. I take them for the day, 10am to 6pm: the Spice and Gold Souks, an abra across the Creek, a family-run perfume atelier, Jumeirah Mosque, a private cruise in Dubai Marina and Souk Madinat Jumeirah. You meet them at the last stop in time for dinner (that part is on you).

See the Parents’ Day Out Tour

Attractions & Outdoors

Museum of Candy Dubai: Two Offers Running Now

Two ways to visit right now:

• 40% off all tickets for both adults and children. Book online to get the discount.
• Wednesday Wonders: 20% off on Wednesdays, plus an exclusive ice cream flavour available that day only. Worth timing your visit around.

Emaar: At the Top + Dubai Aquarium Package, AED 329

Burj Khalifa's At the Top (levels 124 and 125) combined with the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, on the same day. Both at Dubai Mall, flexible duration. Emaar also has a number of other packages and offers on their website worth checking. Browse all offers here.

Sky Views Observatory + Free Glass Slide: AED 89

General admission is AED 89 for adults aged 8 and over, AED 69 for children aged 3 to 8, and the Glass Slide is now bundled in rather than charged on top. That covers the observatory, the 46-metre glass walk, and one ride down the slide that wraps around the outside of the tower between levels 53 and 52. One slide per ticket, so decide who in the group actually wants it. Book at skyviewsdubai.com.

House of Hype, Dubai Mall: Tickets from AED 149

Twenty-five immersive worlds, live shows, and non-stop surprises at Dubai Mall. Three ticket options: General Admission at AED 149 per person (one ticket, unlimited access), the Family Pass at AED 449 for four (works out to AED 112 per person, better value for groups), or the Discover Pass at AED 225, which bundles House of Hype with AYA Universe for two full experiences on one ticket. Book at house-of-hype.com.

Beach, Pool & Staycations

Yas Island: Kids Go Free (Stay, Play and Dine)

Book a family stay on Yas Island and the kids come along for free. One child aged 11 or under stays, plays, and dines free for every paying adult, so two grown-ups can bring two little ones. That is a free place in your room, free unlimited access to the theme parks including Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld, and Yas Waterworld, and free meals on the same hotel plan as you. It runs across all Yas Island hotels and selected Abu Dhabi city hotels. Book by 30 October, with stays until 31 October. Book at Yas Island.

Aura Skypool: Currently Closed for Renovation (Reopening November)

Aura Skypool is closed for the summer. It will reopen on 24 November, renewed and reimagined. Worth bookmarking for when it's back.

Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort: Pool and Beach Day Pass, Fully Redeemable on F&B

AED 250 per person for pool and beach access, and you get the full amount back in food and beverage vouchers. So yes, entry is essentially free if you're eating. AED 100 for kids aged 6 to 12, and under 6 go free. Call +971 4 399 5555 to reserve.

Kaimana Beach Dubai: Free Sunbeds All Day, Monday to Friday

The Sunbed Society at Kaimana Beach is offering free sunbeds all day, every weekday. Just show up and claim your spot by the sea.

Nikki Beach Dubai: The Social Residency, Every Wednesday

Every Wednesday, Nikki Beach opens its doors to UAE residents for an all-day beach escape. Three drinks and a main dish for AED 175 per person, with a complimentary sunlounger included. Present one Emirates ID at reception and the offer covers your whole group. Children up to 12 are welcome at the beach for AED 75, covering a kids meal and a soft drink. A la carte menus are available alongside. Contact Nikki Beach directly to reserve.

Arts & Culture

Arte Museum Dubai: 50% Off All Tickets (5 New Worlds)

A multi-sensory immersive art experience in Dubai, where large-scale digital artworks inspired by nature fill the space with light, sound, and custom-crafted scents. Five new worlds have just opened, and to mark it Arte has put every ticket at 50% off, adult and child, while it lasts. No codes, no conditions beyond the usual exclusions.

• Adult: AED 74.50 (regular price AED 149)
• Child: AED 39.50 (regular price AED 79)

The discount applies automatically online and at the venue. Excludes Senior, Family Bundle, and Student Group rates; cannot be combined with other offers. Visit dubai.artemuseum.com to book.

Also worth knowing: a 20 AED upgrade gets you into the Arte Tea Bar after your visit, with a full-sized latte or ice cream and access to the Dubai-themed interactive digital art table.

Free DIY Workshops at the Coins Museum in Al Fahidi

Hands-on workshops at the Coins Museum in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood: pouch-making on Saturdays, coin-making on Wednesdays, and coins adornment making on Thursdays. In about 20 to 30 minutes you put together your own jute pouch using leather, rope and stamps inspired by the traditional carvings around the neighbourhood. Simple enough for kids, satisfying enough for adults, and a good excuse to get everyone's hands off their screens for a bit.

• Where: Coins Museum, Al Fahidi
• When: Pouch-making Saturdays, coin-making Wednesdays, coins adorment making on Thursdays, 8am to 5pm
• How long: 20 to 30 minutes, capped at 15 people
• Cost: Free

Movie Under the Stars: Open-Air Film Nights Across Dubai (11 September to 6 December)

Dubai Holding Communities is running an open-air cinema series that travels around its neighbourhoods from mid-September through to the start of December. Each evening runs from 4pm to 8pm and pairs craft stations, live art and interactive corners with a film screened outdoors once the light goes, plus freshly popped popcorn and picnic-style snacks.

Rather than sitting in one venue it moves around, taking in Dubai Science Park, Villanova, Liwan, Bluewaters, Sur La Mer, Meydan, Port de La Mer, Mudon, Al Furjan, Discovery Gardens, JBR, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Village Triangle, Jumeirah Village Circle and more, with each community getting its own date and a park or lawn as the venue. Worth a look to see which night falls nearest you. Full schedule at dubaiholdingcommunities.ae.

Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Museums: Combo Passes

Saadiyat Island's cultural district just launched new Museums Passes (valid from March 1). Full breakdown of each museum, what to see, and how to plan your visit in the Saadiyat Cultural District guide.

• Louvre Abu Dhabi + Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi: AED 120 (valued at AED 140)
• Louvre Abu Dhabi + Zayed National Museum: AED 120 (valued at AED 140)
• All three museums: AED 170 (valued at AED 210)

Free entry for under 18s, senior residents (60+), and People of Determination + companion. Discounted tickets for UAE university students.

Zayed National Museum: Free Guided Tours (With Your Entry Ticket)

Zayed National Museum runs a full calendar of guided tours, and the tours themselves cost nothing extra. The small print matters, though: every tour still needs a museum entry ticket, so read "free" as "no added charge" rather than "walk in off the street". Pair it with one of the Saadiyat passes above, or bring the under-18s and 60+ residents who get in free anyway, and the maths gets very kind.

A few worth knowing about:

• A Walk Through Our History: the 90-minute overview, and it runs every day. Weekdays at 2pm in English and 5:30pm in Arabic. Weekends at 11:30am in English, 5:30pm in Arabic, and a French tour at 5:30pm. It covers 300,000 years, so walk briskly.
• UAE History Tour by a Senior Emirati Museum Experience Expert: in Arabic, on the second Wednesday of every month, 4:30pm to 5:30pm, through the By Our Coasts and To Our Roots galleries. The country's story told by an Emirati, in Arabic, lands very differently from a wall panel.
• Archaeology: Traces of the Past: Sundays at 4pm in English, Tuesdays in Arabic, running until 29 October. Some sessions are already sold out, so do not leave it to the last weekend.

There are plenty more on the calendar, from family workshops to a Quiet Morning, and every one is booked online. See the full list at zayednationalmuseum.ae.

The Courtyard Playhouse: Free Comedy Nights

The Courtyard Playhouse in Al Quoz is the UAE's original improv and comedy theatre, and entry is free. Spontaneous, unscripted, genuinely funny. Not your uncle's WhatsApp forwards. Grab snacks from their snack bar and enjoy the show. Check their schedule for what's on.

Food & Drink

La Perle by Dragone: Three Offers Running Now

Three reasons to finally book La Perle, the UAE's only permanent aqua-theatre show at Al Habtoor City.

• Groups of 4 or more: Up to 20% off tickets when you book together under the Endless Wonders offer. The kind of show that works better with company anyway.
• A Night at La Perle: Tickets from AED 159, with a complimentary popcorn and 20% off dining at the European and Italian restaurants at Al Habtoor City. A full evening sorted in one booking.
• Bring Your Kids, Tickets Are On Us: From AED 220 per adult, with one complimentary child ticket for ages 12 and under for every paying adult, plus 20% off at selected Al Habtoor City restaurants. Two adults bring two children free.

Book at laperle.com.

Bakerist: 50% Off Dine-In and Delivery After 4pm

From 4pm onwards, everything is half price, whether you're eating in or ordering delivery. Bakery, bread, drinks, desserts. Available across all three branches: Dubai Hills, Bluewaters, and The Palm.

Keeta: 50% Off Your First Order, Plus Free Delivery

Keeta, the food delivery app from Meituan that arrived in Dubai in September 2025, is giving new users 50% off their first order, with free delivery on top. The 50% is capped, so check the maximum discount in the app at checkout before you build a family-sized order around it. The welcome offer shows up once you download the app and sign up, and delivery coverage varies by area, so check Keeta reaches your address first.

Eugene Eugene, Kempinski Mall of Emirates: Two or Three Courses from AED 105

The business lunch at Eugene Eugene now runs seven days a week. Two courses from AED 105, three courses from AED 125, available Monday to Sunday from 12pm to 4pm, either in the greenhouse or on the garden terrace. Seasonal, carefully sourced. Book directly with the restaurant.

The Guild, DIFC: 50% Off Breakfast Daily

Every day in the Salon at The Guild, breakfast is half price from 8am to 11:45am. ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC. Book at theguilddubai.com.

Wellness & Self-Care

SensAsia Spas: Book 3 Signature Massages, Get 1 Free

The annual massage sale has wrapped, but there is a standing deal worth knowing: book three 60 or 90-minute Signature Massages and the fourth is on the house. If lymphatic drainage is more your thing, the same idea runs as a 5+1. Terms apply, so check which treatments and branches are included when you book via sensasiaspas.com.

For Your Furry Ones

Sprouties: 10% Off for First-Time Cat Grass Buyers

If you've been meaning to try cat grass for your cat, Sprouties is offering 10% off for first-time buyers. Visit sprouties.ae for more info.

Memberships & Passes

Fazaa: Free Discount Membership for Resident Families

In cooperation with the Ministry of Family and in line with the UAE Year of the Family 2026, Fazaa is granting free discount memberships to resident families across the UAE. The membership covers discounts across a wide range of categories including dining, education, healthcare, retail, entertainment, and more. Register and view the full list of discounts here.

Ulta Beauty: A Free Beauty Service Every Week for Aura Members

Since 11 September, Aura members get one complimentary in-store beauty service every week at Ulta Beauty, chosen from more than 30 including facials, manicures, brow shaping and makeup.

• Where: Ulta Beauty at Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall and Mall of the Emirates
• How to claim: Book through the Ulta Beauty app or website, activate the offer in your Aura app, then scan your membership at checkout
• Cost: Free. Aura membership is free too, and you can join in store or through the Ulta Beauty app

Aura is the loyalty programme behind Starbucks, H&M, Shake Shack, Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works and around 30 other Alshaya brands. If you bought the Aura Pass during its June to July sale, it keeps working until 31 December 2026: 30% off full-price items at participating brands, in store everywhere and online except H&M, Next, MAC and Jo Malone, with double points at Primark instead. The Pass itself is no longer on sale.

A big thank you to everyone who's been sending in tips and offers. So many of these made it onto this list because of you. Keep them coming. If you know of any others worth sharing, drop me a DM on @wanderwithnada. I'll keep updating this post as more come in.

Stay kind to yourselves and others. We'll get through this the way we always do, together.

Nada