Looking for something to do to mark the UAE’s special day? We round up what’s happening around the city to help you celebrate…

IKEA gets patriotic with free activities such as henna, face painting, complimentary Arabic coffee, dates and sweets. Its restaurant will also serve Emirati cuisine for an authentic local experience. Until 5th December. Yas Island. Contact: 800 4532, ikea.ae

Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi invites residents to send pictures for its National Day Photo Competition. The theme must be UAE related and shared via Instagram with the tags #44SorbonneAD @SorbonneAD. Submission of entries closes on 5th December. For more information, contact: 02 656 9555, communications@psuad.ac.ae

Head off to Al Maryah Island promenade on 1st and 2nd December to enjoy family-friendly activities that pay tribute to the UAE’s culture and traditions. Free. From 5pm-9pm. Contact: 02 413 3465, almaryahisland.ae

Mafraq Hotel is teaming up with various local entities including Abu Dhabi Police, UAE K9, Zayed Higher Organisation, Red Crescent and Canadian Medical Center to offer activities for kids and families. 8th-9th December. Free. There’s also 44 percent discount on all hotel services from 1st-10th December. Off E11, near Mafraq Hospital. Contact:
02 659 6666, mafraq-hotel.com 

Give your nails the patriotic treatment at The Nail Spa. Choose from five burqa-inspired designs in the colours of the UAE flag: red, white, black and green. Go for plain polish or splash added sparkle with glitter and micro sequins. From AED 20. Various branches including World Trade Center Mall and Al Wahda Mall. Contact: 600 544 001, thenailspa.com

Want to experience UAE traditions? Then make your way to Marina Square on Reem Island for a day of fun and educational activities all rooted in the past. See a professional calligrapher, traditional dancers and Burqa maker and participate in Bedouin activities such as making rope from palm trees. The event is organised by Three60 Leisure. 1st December, 5pm-11pm. Sea Walk and retail area, buildings 1 and 2. Contact: three60.ae

Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort is looking for 44 volunteers from different nationalities to join its #44for44 challenge. What’s the catch? The participants will take turns walking on a treadmill over a 44-hour period, each person walking for one hour. Things kick off in the lobby at 5pm on 29th November and will finish at 1pm on 1st December. Free. Pre-registration needed. Contact: 02 677 3333, sabine.farah@sheraton.com

Get a taste of the UAE with a cooking class at Lana’s Partiperfect. Learn how to recreate traditional chicken machboos and lamb biryani, carrot soup and a date dessert. AED 350 per person. 5th December, Reservation required. Marina Village, Villa A56, behind Marina Mall. 10am-1pm. Contact: 02 681 0090, partiperfect.ae 

Make it a date at the main lobby of Emirates Palace for the Dates Exhibition, which starts on 2nd December and runs for a week. Bateel will prepare 44 varieties of dates for guests to sample. Free admission. Timings TBC. Contact: 02 690 9000

Poets and musicians will get together to salute the anniversary of the UAE’s founding through performances at Hekayah The Story at New York University Abu Dhabi. Leading the line-up is Emirati poet Afra Atiq, who will brandish her unique style of poetry mixed with comedy and social commentary. Free. 7th December. Saadiyat Island. From 7pm. Visit: nyuad-artscenter.org

Witness the evolution of Emirati art at this exhibition at the National Theatre. A Touch of Heritage is a compilation of artworks that highlights the environment’s richness and diversity. See photographs, traditional and digital paintings and drawings. Free. Until 2nd January. Sheikh Zayed bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street (between 15th and 17th streets). Contact: 02 621 5300