Waterfront Market, Dubai’s largest fresh food destination, welcomes summer with the return of its much-anticipated Mangolicious Festival, a celebration dedicated to the king of fruits. Running from 15 May to 31 May 2026 from 10am to 10pm, the festival transforms the Market into a vibrant destination of flavour, family experiences, rewards, and seasonal discovery.

Bringing together a curated selection of mangoes from India, Thailand, Peru, South Africa, Kenya, Yemen, and Pakistan, the festival invites visitors to discover some of the season’s most sought-after varieties, including Alphonso, Nam Dok Mai, Osteen, Sabri, Ngowe, and the regional favourite Taimoor, with Pakistani varieties such as Chaunsa arriving later in the season.

Families can enjoy a vibrant mango-themed experience across Waterfront Market, featuring fun activities for all ages. Shoppers who spend AED 50 can participate in the Mango Guess & Win competition for a chance to win up to AED 20,000 in fresh produce vouchers, and receive a complimentary mango juice pop daily in collaboration with Barakat. During Eid Al Adha, visitors can also enjoy complimentary food tastings by retailers across the Market, adding to the festive atmosphere throughout the holiday period.

The Mangolicious Festival is a vibrant celebration of fresh food, global flavours, and Waterfront Market’s position as Dubai’s leading destination for premium produce and market experiences. As the UAE’s largest mango festival, we are incredibly proud to bring together an exceptional variety of mangoes from around the world, giving our customers a unique opportunity to discover, taste, and experience the richness of this beloved fruit all in one place. The festival reflects Waterfront Market’s commitment to strengthening Dubai’s fresh food landscape by connecting consumers with high-quality produce, supporting regional food trade, and showcasing the diversity and excellence of fresh products available through the market and our traders,” said Mohammad AlMadani, Associate Director Senior Centre Manager at Waterfront Market.

With over 800 traders and one of the widest selections of fresh produce in the UAE, Waterfront Market continues to evolve as a destination where retail meets culture and community. This year’s Mangolicious Festival brings together global mango selections, rewarding shopping moments, tastings, and family-friendly activations, inviting residents and visitors alike to experience mango season at its most flavourful time. The Mangolicious Festival runs daily from 15 May to 31 May 2026 at Waterfront Market, Deira.

A Seasonal Urban Journey Through Munich, Cologne, Berlin and Hamburg

Germany welcomes travellers from the GCC to experience a season of culture, discovery and family-friendly travel experiences, as its vibrant cities, green landscapes and immersive attractions offer the ideal setting for summer getaways and Eid holiday escapes.

From scenic waterfronts and blooming parks to interactive attractions and cultural landmarks, Germany presents a balanced travel experience where urban energy and nature exist in harmony. Spanning Munich, Cologne, Berlin and Hamburg, this curated journey highlights the diversity, accessibility and comfort that continue to make Destination Germany a preferred choice for GCC travellers.

Efficient public transport systems and high-speed rail connections allow visitors to seamlessly explore multiple destinations, while mild summer temperatures and longer daylight hours create ideal conditions for sightseeing, outdoor activities and relaxed family experiences.

Munich: Bavarian Heritage in Bloom

Munich presents a harmonious blend of Bavarian heritage, elegant architecture and contemporary experiences. Marienplatz remains the lively heart of the city, surrounded by historic landmarks and pedestrian-friendly streets, while the Frauenkirche continues to define Munich’s skyline.

Nymphenburg Palace and its landscaped gardens offer visitors a glimpse into Bavaria’s royal history, while green spaces such as the English Garden and Olympiapark provide tranquil settings for walking, cycling and outdoor recreation during the summer months.

Munich’s cultural institutions, including the Deutsches Museum and the Pinakothek galleries, add depth to the visitor experience, balancing outdoor exploration with enriching indoor attractions.

Families visiting Munich this summer can also discover Magic Bavaria, one of the city’s most engaging indoor attractions, offering an interactive experience that combines Bavarian culture, immersive illusion worlds and creative photography in a fun and highly visual setting.

Unlike traditional museums or static exhibitions, Magic Bavaria invites visitors to actively step into more than 30 imaginative photo worlds inspired by Bavaria’s culture, landmarks and traditions. Designed around shared family experiences, the attraction encourages movement, interaction and playful exploration, creating joyful moments for visitors of all ages.

Among the highlights are a slackline illusion suspended above Munich’s famous Marienplatz, an upside-down King’s Hall, an Infinity Ice Crystal Mirror Room and Munich’s largest ball pit. Each installation allows guests to become part of the scene through illusion-based settings and perspective tricks, resulting in unique holiday photos that stand apart from traditional travel imagery.

Especially appealing to families travelling with children and teenagers, Magic Bavaria creates an environment where multiple generations can enjoy the same experience together at their own pace. Throughout the attraction, playful Bavarian fun facts and a complimentary family quiz available in English add another interactive dimension, allowing visitors to discover local culture in an entertaining and accessible way.

As one of Munich’s few fully air-conditioned and weather-independent attractions, Magic Bavaria is particularly well suited for summer visits and provides a comfortable indoor option during warmer days. The flexible 60 to 90-minute visit format also makes it easy to combine with shopping, sightseeing and other city activities.

Conveniently located next to the Olympia Shopping Centre and close to Olympiapark, the attraction also offers private one-hour bookings for families or groups seeking additional comfort and privacy. A separate meeting room can also be arranged as a prayer space upon request. Guests can further enjoy an on-site café and a boutique souvenir shop featuring Bavarian-inspired gifts, creating a relaxed and well-rounded visitor experience.

Cologne: Riverside Vitality and Historic Grandeur

Cologne’s welcoming atmosphere is reflected in its iconic skyline, centred around the magnificent Cologne Cathedral, one of Europe’s most recognised Gothic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During the warmer months, the Rhine promenade becomes a lively focal point where riverside walks, open-air cafés and scenic views create an inviting setting for visitors. The colourful façades and cobbled streets of the Old Town encourage leisurely exploration, while vibrant public squares offer a relaxed social atmosphere.

The city’s contemporary energy can be discovered in districts such as the Belgian Quarter, known for its creative spirit, independent boutiques and stylish cafés. Shopping destinations including Schildergasse and Hohe Straße further contribute to Cologne’s appeal as a dynamic city break destination.

Berlin: Culture, Creativity and Contemporary Experiences

Berlin offers a compelling blend of history, creativity and modern urban living. Landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag and Museum Island continue to reflect the city’s rich historical significance, while districts including Potsdamer Platz, Charlottenburg and Hackescher Markt showcase Berlin’s contemporary character through boutique shopping, cafés, galleries and cultural spaces.

During the summer season, Berlin’s parks and open-air spaces become vibrant gathering points. Tiergarten, the city’s expansive central park, offers a green escape for walking, cycling and relaxation, while seasonal markets and outdoor terraces add to the city’s welcoming atmosphere.

Berlin’s cosmopolitan spirit, diverse culinary scene and family-friendly attractions continue to resonate strongly with GCC travellers seeking a balance of cultural exploration and modern experiences.

Hamburg: Maritime Elegance and Cosmopolitan Charm

Hamburg’s identity is shaped by water, and during the summer months, its harbour, canals and lakes become lively centres of culture and leisure. The UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt, with its distinctive red-brick warehouses and intricate bridges, offers visitors a glimpse into the city’s maritime heritage, while neighbouring HafenCity showcases Hamburg’s contemporary urban vision.

The iconic Elbphilharmonie remains one of the city’s defining landmarks, with its panoramic viewing platform offering sweeping views across the harbour and skyline. Along the Landungsbrücken, boat tours provide an immersive way to experience one of Europe’s busiest ports.

Around the Alster lakes, walking paths, cycling routes and waterside cafés create a relaxed atmosphere ideal for families and couples alike. Elegant shopping districts such as Jungfernstieg and Neuer Wall complement Hamburg’s cultural attractions, including theatres, museums and the renowned Miniatur Wunderland.

A Season of Renewal and Discovery

Germany offers GCC travellers a well-balanced combination of cultural richness, outdoor experiences, family attractions and modern comfort. From Munich’s Bavarian character and Cologne’s riverside charm to Berlin’s creative energy and Hamburg’s waterfront elegance, each destination presents a unique perspective on Germany’s diverse tourism offering.

Yamina Sofo, Director of the Marketing and Sales Office at GNTO GCC, said:
“Germany continues to offer GCC travellers a diverse and enriching travel experience that combines culture, nature, family-friendly attractions and modern comfort. During the Eid and summer travel season, visitors can enjoy our vibrant cities, scenic green spaces and immersive experiences at a relaxed pace, while discovering the welcoming atmosphere and accessibility that make Germany such a rewarding destination for families, couples and groups alike.”

By Erika Blazeviciute-Doyle, Founder & CEO of Drink Dry

There is a moment that happens more often than people realise. You sit down at a beautiful restaurant in Dubai. The lighting is perfect, the menu is thoughtful, the service is polished. Your friend orders a glass of wine. The waiter turns to you and asks what you would like to drink, and you say you are not drinking alcohol that evening. And then there is a pause. You are offered water or maybe a soft drink. If you are lucky, a mocktail that sounds like it belongs on a children’s menu. In that moment, the experience drops slightly. Not dramatically, but enough to notice. You feel like you have stepped out of the occasion, rather than being part of it. I have had that experience many times.

And then, on the other hand, I have also had the opposite. I remember going out for dinner recently with a friend and the waiter handed us both the drinks menu without hesitation. There was a dedicated alcohol-free section. Proper options. A 0.0 sparkling wine, a non-alcoholic beer, a few well-thought-out cocktails built with alcohol-free spirits. The waiter asked me what I usually enjoy drinking and recommended something that paired with the food I ordered. It felt exactly the same as ordering wine. No compromise, no awkwardness. Just part of the experience. That is the difference we are starting to see now. And it is changing the way people host, entertain and socialise altogether.

The new rules of hosting are not really about removing alcohol. They are about expanding choice. Whether it is a dinner party at home or a night out, people are becoming far more intentional about what they serve and what they drink. Hosting is no longer about simply opening a bottle of wine and calling it a day. It is about creating an experience that works for everyone at the table.

I see this a lot in real life. Friends inviting people over will now often ask in advance who is drinking and who is not. There will be a couple of bottles of wine on the table, but next to them there will also be a good quality alcohol-free alternative. Not hidden away, not treated differently, just part of the same set-up. And the interesting part is that even the people who do drink alcohol will often try the alcohol-free option as well. Not because they have to, but because they are curious. This is where the shift is really happening. It is no longer a binary choice between drinking and not drinking. It is about having flexibility. A glass of wine followed by a non-alcoholic alternative. A completely alcohol-free evening without feeling like you are missing out. That sense of freedom is what is driving the category forward.

For hospitality, this presents a very real opportunity. The UAE has one of the most advanced dining scenes in the world. The level of detail that goes into food, interiors and service is exceptional. But for a long time, the non-alcoholic drinks offering has not kept up with that same standard. And the reality is, consumers have moved on. People are no longer satisfied with sugary mocktails that do not complement the meal. They want something that feels considered. Something that matches the quality of the food and the overall experience. I always say that a non-alcoholic drink should not feel like a compromise, instead it should feel like a choice.

The venues that understand this are already seeing the benefits. They are not just adding one or two token options to the menu. They are investing in the category. They are training their teams, thinking about food pairings, presenting the drinks properly. And most importantly, they are not segregating the experience. If a guest orders a non-alcoholic drink, the service should feel exactly the same as if they ordered a glass of wine. Same level of attention, same storytelling, same confidence. That is what elevates the experience because ultimately, this is not just about what is in the glass, it is about how people feel. If someone walks into your venue and feels like they are part of the occasion regardless of what they are drinking, you have done your job properly. If they feel like an afterthought, you have missed an opportunity.

But even more importantly, it is an opportunity commercially as much as experientially. There is a large and growing audience that is either not drinking at all or choosing to drink less. If you are not catering to them properly, you are simply leaving revenue on the table. What is often overlooked is that this is not about replacing alcohol sales, it is about adding to them. A guest who is not drinking alcohol is still sitting at your table. The question is whether they are spending on a premium drink or defaulting to water or a soft drink. When venues get it right, they are able to increase their average spend per guest without increasing footfall. A well-priced alcohol-free sparkling wine, a crafted 0.0 cocktail, or a premium non-alcoholic beer all carry strong margins when positioned correctly. Multiply that across a table of four, or across a full service, and it becomes very real, very tangible revenue.

I have seen this firsthand with our hospitality partners. The moment they move from offering “an option” to offering a proper selection, the numbers follow. Guests stay for another round. They order a second or third drink. The occasion extends, and so does the spend. And importantly, this does not cannibalise alcohol sales. More often than not, it complements them. One person at the table might still order wine, while another orders a premium alcohol-free alternative. Both contribute to the bill. Both feel equally part of the experience.

We are still early in this journey, especially in this region. But the direction is very clear. Hosting is becoming more thoughtful. Social occasions are becoming more inclusive. And the definition of what makes a “good drink” is expanding. Alcohol is no longer the default, it is simply one of many options. For me, that is a very positive shift. It does not take anything away from the experience. If anything, it adds to it. Because the best kind of hosting has never really been about what you are pouring. It has always been about how you make people feel when they are sitting at your table.