The Dubai Shopping Festival Office has lined up a host of colourful programmes including concerts, cartoon musical, fun fair, toys market, and fireworks for residents and visitors this Eid Al Fitr.

The DSF Office on Tuesday unveiled the calendar of events for the second edition of ‘Eid in Dubai’ 2009 that will begin with Eid Al Fitr just after Ramadan.

‘Eid in Dubai’ was first launched in 2008 as an initiative to promote Dubai as a destination to celebrate Eid festivities and witnessed an overwhelming response in its opening edition.

A spectacular array of highlights lined up for this year include concerts by renowned Arab and Persian artists, a cartoon musical featuring Barney, an Eid Fun Fair, a Toys Market, the ‘Eid Celebration District’ in Dubai Festival City, and city-wide shopping promotions in malls, said a top official.

To top it all, residents and visitors will be treated to brilliant fireworks and laser shows during the event along the waterfront at Dubai Festival City, said Yousif Mubarak, chief operations officer of Dubai Shopping Festival.

“The launch of the second edition of ‘Eid in Dubai’ comes after the overwhelming success that the first edition witnessed. It also comes as an additional step towards enhancing the position of Dubai as a festival destination all year round.”

'‘Eid in Dubai’ also emphasizes the fact that the diverse social and cultural fabric of Dubai is as significant as its dynamic economic growth.'

'Dubai hosts over 200 nationalities that coexist in exceptional harmony and despite different orientations and cultural backgrounds, residents and visitors in Dubai come together to share the celebrations that center around Eid,' he added.

Yousif also stressed the fact that the DSF Office has ensured that all events and activities in ‘Eid in Dubai’ will cater to all age segments and tastes and this would be a main factor in attracting visitors from all over the region to Dubai during Eid.

Barney, the popular fun-loving purple dinosaur cartoon character comes to Dubai for a debut show with the Barney Let’s Imagine Show and Experience.

To be held at the Airport Expo Dubai, the show will feature an exciting stage performance by Barney, BJ, Baby Bop, and Barney’s cousin Riff. The musical involves a stunning stage set-up and combines multimedia imagery, live actors and giant inflatable prop ups.

Additionally, an entire area at Airport Expo Dubai will be dedicated to Barney where children can find Barney merchandise, a colouring area, a Barney reading zone, a puzzle area, and also meet him after shows.

Besides this, there will concerts by some of the most renowned stars in the world of Arab and Persian music including Rabih Sakkar, Shereen, Saber Rubaih, Abdul Fattah Grini, Fares Karam, and the iconic Nancy Ajram. Popular Iranian singers Afshin, Hussain Tohi, and DJ Hooman will also take to the stage in an exclusive concert.

As a new addition to this year’s Eid Al Fitr celebrations, ‘Eid in Dubai’ presents an exciting world of fun, games, and exhilaration through the Fun Fair City at Airport Expo Dubai.

Dubai’s numerous parks and the Heritage and Diving Village host Eid events every year and in the first edition of ‘Eid in Dubai’, these venues will be additional great family venues through the Eid Celebrations.-TradeArabia News Service