Read the July issue of What's On Abu Dhabi magazine
Inside this issue, we've rounded up the best free indoor activities to help you escape the soaring temperatures without spending a dirham. From cultural escapes to cool entertainment spots, we've got plenty of options that prove fun doesn't have to come with a price tag.
We're also gearing up for one of the capital's biggest sporting events of the year, UFC returns to Abu Dhabi, and we've got the lowdown on what to expect, who's fighting, and how to get in on the action.
Plus, whether you're staying in the city or planning a road trip, we highlight the top things to do across the UAE this month, so you never run out of ways to explore, eat, play, or relax.
The July issue is your ultimate guide to summer in the capital — curated by the city's best insiders and totally free to read.
> Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Mixed use developments gaining traction in UAE real estate
In recent years, the UAE has witnessed a significant surge in mixed-use developments, reshaping the urban landscape across cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These integrated spaces — combining residential, commercial, and recreational elements — are redefining how people live, work, and socialize. Driven by rapid urbanization, evolving lifestyle preferences, and a push for sustainable city planning, mixed-use projects are becoming central to the nation's real estate strategy. From waterfront communities to vertical urban hubs, these developments are not only enhancing convenience and connectivity but also contributing to economic diversification and long-term urban resilience in the UAE. Sobha Realty is one of the major realtors embracing this trend. 'A live-work-play community is no longer a distant vision of luxury; it's the new standard for discerning residents and professionals,' Francis Alfred, Managing Director of Sobha Realty, told Khaleej Times in an interview. Excerpts: 1. Live-work-play communities are more than a trend — they're becoming an expectation. How is Sobha designing its mixed-use developments to meet the lifestyle needs of modern residents and professionals? As demand for mixed-use developments grows, we are not just keeping the pace but leading the way. Rooted in our legacy and 'Art of The Detail' philosophy, we consistently evolve to meet the expectations of modern residents, offering a holistic living experience in one place. Sobha Hartland which was launched in 2014, is Sobha's pioneering master development which now showcases a tried and tested model of a mixed-use development, testing the appetite of investors and homeowners alike. Even more recently, Sobha Central was unveiled, a landmark residential community on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, which brings the live-work-play vision to life by placing everything essential – and more – within walking distance. Similarly, our mega projects in Umm Al Quwain - Sobha Siniya Island and Downtown UAQ | Sobha Realty - are envisioned as self-sustaining communities where sophistication meets functionality, creating a well-integrated environment for its growing population. These are not just places to live; they are immersive experiences that elevate how people live, work, and play in today's fast-paced world. These developments are also being viewed as resilient investments. How do you see their built-in diversification playing out in the UAE's evolving economic and real estate landscape? Mixed-use developments are inherently more resilient than traditional projects. Their built-in diversification, across asset types, attracts broader range of resident profiles and generates multiple income streams, making them a lucrative conduit for long-term value creation. At Sobha Realty, this is evident in our flagship developments. A prime example is Downtown UAQ | Sobha Realty, our strategic joint venture with the Government of Umm Al Quwain. Spanning over 25 million square feet, it integrates residential, retail, hospitality and public spaces within a single master-planned ecosystem. The market response speaks volumes; over 50% of units in the first three towers were sold within the first week of launch, highlighting the strong appetite for this model. As the UAE real estate market continues to diversify, mixed-use communities are gaining prominence in meeting the evolving needs of modern residents. At Sobha Realty, we pair this trend with a strong focus on quality through our Backward Integration model; overseeing design, architecture, contracting, and construction to ensure every project delivers lasting value. The collaboration with the Government of Umm Al Quwain for Downtown UAQ | Sobha Realty is significant. How does this partnership reflect changing governmental attitudes toward integrated urban communities beyond Dubai? Our strategic partnership with the Government of Umm Al Quwain reflects a shared vision for future-ready infrastructure, economic diversification, and the creation of self-sustaining, integrated communities. Our two flagship masterplans in the emirate; Sobha Siniya Island and Downtown UAQ | Sobha Realty, are thoughtfully designed around smart-city principles and will eventually host more than 150,000 people. The government's proactive role, from facilitating approvals to supporting key initiatives; signals a strong and clear intent to position UAQ as a competitive emirate on the GCC map, providing reassurance on the partnership's progress. With a focus on economic diversification, ease of doing business, and visionary governance, UAQ is emerging as a promising destination for sustainable growth and attractive returns. Are there specific nationalities or investor profiles leading the trend around mixed-use properties? From Jan 2024 to May 2025, Indian buyers drove ~17% of qualified sales in our mixed-use developments, while Europeans across ~35 nationalities contributed ~19.3%. This reflects a strong and sustained interest in lifestyle-driven communities that offer both residential and commercial appeal. British investors have also shown steady growth, rising from 5% in 2023 to 6% in 2025, while American and Iranian buyers each contributed around 5%, with a slight uptick observed in the American segment this year. These patterns highlight the sustained demand from globally mobile investors who value the convenience and connectivity of integrated developments. The growing interest among Indian and British nationals, in particular, points to rising confidence in the UAE's real estate market and in the long-term value of mixed-use communities designed for future-ready lifestyles. Tokenization has entered the real estate conversation in Dubai. How do you foresee digital asset models like tokenization shaping investment in mixed-use projects? Tokenization is a groundbreaking initiative that broadens access to real estate by enabling more investors to enter the market with greater ease and confidence. While the tokenization approach in mixed-use projects is still maturing, the model allows investors to diversify their holdings and exposure across multiple asset classes within a single development, offering flexibility, liquidity, and access to traditionally high-barrier opportunities. As the regulatory and technological framework continues to evolve, tokenization is poised to reshape investment strategies and unlock new value in the mixed-use real estate space. Going ahead, does Sobha Realty consistently see mixed-use developments as the central focus of its portfolio across the UAE? Absolutely. Mixed-use developments have always been a central pillar in Sobha Realty's long-term portfolio strategy across the UAE, especially after being rigorously tested and developed through the initial model of Sobha Hartland. As buyer preferences evolve, today's homebuyers and investors are no longer just looking for standalone residences; they are seeking complete ecosystems that seamlessly integrate their entire lifestyle of living, working, and leisure in an all-encompassing home. Sobha's master-planned communities are purposefully designed to meet this shift, combining residential, commercial, and lifestyle components within a single, cohesive environment. A testament to this is Sobha Siniya Island, which recorded a 20-22% price appreciation within its first year, demonstrating not only market demand but also growing confidence in the mixed-use mode. With over five decades of experience in developing master communities, Sobha Realty has evolved through different market cycles, always staying ahead of the curve. Today, governments increasingly view us as a trusted partner in shaping future cities; ones that not only well-built, but thoughtfully integrated and future-ready.
Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Holidays in UAE: Your guide to summer camps for children across Abu Dhabi
From AI and entrepreneurship to art and athletics, Abu Dhabi's new summer camp season during the long break offers something for every student. The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) has launched its most comprehensive summer camp programme yet, offering more than 60 camps across Abu Dhabi from July 1 to August 29. Building on the success of previous editions and incorporating parent feedback, the School Break Camps span Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, delivering hands-on, project-based learning across diverse interests while maintaining dedicated programs for Students of Determination. "We believe that learning never stops," said Dr Bashaer Al Matrooshi, Executive Director of Adek's Talent Enablement Sector. "Adek's School Break Camps reflect our deep commitment to nurturing students' growth in every sense – physical, emotional, and intellectual. Through project-based learning, our summer camps not only keep students meaningfully engaged during the break but also help cultivate a love for learning that lasts a lifetime." The programme features expanded partnerships with leading universities and organisations. Creative offerings include Culinary Arts by ICCA, Art Explorers by Brainy n Bright in collaboration with Kenaz, Transformative Journalism by Storm, and Arabic Heroes by Beit Arabi Center. Sports enthusiasts can choose from specialised camps, including a five-day Multi Sports Camp by Haraka Fitness offering touch rugby, tennis, netball, cricket, badminton, and dodgeball, alongside the Football Camp by Pass Academy and Wrestling Camp by the UAE Wrestling Federation. A standout addition this year focuses on future-readiness skills, with new camps including Young Business Leaders by Storm, Financial Literacy by Zoud, and Future Careers by Pole Position in collaboration with Hashtat, directly addressing 21st-century skill development. High school students benefit from advanced AI and technology training through university partnerships. These include Build What's Next Camp by Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Ektashef Camp by Khalifa University, Future Tech Explorers Camp by Abu Dhabi University, and Energy & AI Bootcamp by IIT Delhi – Abu Dhabi. UAE University in Al Ain offers specialised programs, including Innovate in 3D: Design for Impact, Data Science & Visualisation, and Prompt Engineering camps. Meanwhile, 42 Abu Dhabi provides intensive peer-to-peer boot camps, covering AI Summer Camp, Discovery Piscine - Python, and Generative AI & Prompt Engineering. Parents can browse from 33 additional camps delivered by industry leaders, with registration fees applying throughout the program period. Parents can find more details on the different camps and registration on the Adek website.
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
July Rewards Galore: Big Ticket's Cash Prizes and Luxury Car Draws
Summer has officially landed, and with it comes longer days, travel plans, and for some lucky winners, it may come with a new opportunity to become a millionaire. Whether you're dreaming of a millionaire lifestyle, craving weekly cash prizes, or eyeing your next luxury car, this July brings more opportunities than ever to make it happen. Big Ticket's July promotions are packed full of rewards from start to finish. Topping the list is the Dh20 million grand prize, which will be announced live on August 3. But that's not all, six more winners will walk away with Dh50,000 each during the same draw, making it a night to remember for more than just one. Recommended For You But you don't have to wait until August to get lucky. Every Thursday this month, Big Ticket is hosting weekly e-draws, giving four winners a chance to claim Dh50,000 each. That's four draws, sixteen winners, and Dh800,000 in cash rewards, all to continue the momentum before the grand prize even hits. For those feeling bold, the Big Win Contest adds another layer of excitement. Anyone who purchases two or more cash tickets in a single transaction between July 1 and 24 will be automatically entered. And because Big Ticket is always rewarding people above and beyond, four participants will be chosen to attend the grand draw in Abu Dhabi, where each will be guaranteed a prize between Dh20,000 and Dh150,000. Finalist names will be announced on August 1. Car fans, your moment's coming too. Big Ticket's luxury car series continues with a Range Rover Velar draw on August 3, followed by a BMW M440i on 3rd September. And to make July even more rewarding, a special ticket bundle offer is running all month long: Buy 2, get 1 free (online only) Buy 2, get 2 free (Big Ticket) and Buy 2, get 3 free (Dream Car) at Zayed International Airport and Al Ain Airport counters. If you're looking for a sign to take a chance this summer, this is it. Thanks to Big Ticket, July is stacked with reasons to say yes: yes to bold moves, big dreams, and maybe even becoming a millionaire. Tickets are available online at or at counters located in Zayed International Airport and Al Ain Airport. For all the latest news and updates on upcoming draws, everyone is encouraged to follow Big Ticket's social media platforms. The weekly E-draw dates: Week 1: 1st – 9th July and Draw Date – 10th July (Thursday) Week 2: 10th – 16th July and Draw Date – 17th July (Thursday) Week 3: 17th – 23rd July and Draw Date- 24th July (Thursday) Week 4: 24th – 31st July and Draw Date- 1st August (Friday)
