A 10-day programme of fun-packed, educational events dedicated to children’s and family entertainment has been announced by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). Under the title Abu Dhabi Family Week, the festival will run from 19 to 28 September and will include the Pinkfong Baby Shark Live Musical and the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Abu Dhabi 2019, the first time the globally renowned awards ceremony will be staged in the Middle East.
“Abu Dhabi Family Week‘s series of exciting experiences is geared to strengthen the reputation of Abu Dhabi as a global leader for family-friendly events, and as a destination that delivers the best in entertainment and activities to visitors and residents alike,” said Saeed Al Saeed, Destination Marketing Director at DCT Abu Dhabi.
“Bringing Viacom’s Nickelodeon, one of the biggest children’s brands in the world, here to Abu Dhabi is hugely significant; particularly with such high-profile international participants as Jason Derulo. This and the other events, from mall and dining activations to science fairs and musical performances, will prove to be unforgettable and will no doubt help boost visitor numbers to the emirate.”
Aside from the flagship children’s entertainment event that is the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, another highlight will be a fun-packed show by South Korean education company Pinkfong, which features the worldwide singalong smash Baby Shark, taking place from 26 – 28 September at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi Family Week will also see the return of Expo-Sciences International (ESI), which will run from 24 – 26 September at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The event will see more than 500 youths from the UAE, as well as over 2,000 from 68 other countries, taking part in science and technology programmes to encourage skill-building and creativity in aspiring young scientists.
In addition to these mainevents, the 10 days of Abu Dhabi Family Week will also feature touring shows, as well as retail, hotel and food offers from multiple partners across the emirate.
Taking place at ADNEC on 20 September, the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards will be the biggest, slimiest party of the year for kids in the region. It will be hosted by musical superstar Jason Derulo, who will also perform, alongside co-host Haifa Beseisso – better known as popular YouTuber Fly With Haifa.
With 15 billion streams worldwide and 17 multi-platinum singles, US singer and songwriter Derulo is a global superstar famed for chart-topping hits including Swalla, Stupid Love, Want to Want Meand his latest track Mamacita featuring Farruko. “I’m honoured to be hosting the first Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards in Abu Dhabi!” said Derulo. “We’ve got a thrilling show planned, and I can’t wait to be on stage celebrating with the kids. It’s going to be a great event, see you there!”
YouTube star and co-host Beseisso, who uses her channel Fly With Haifa to show her travels around the world and break cultural stereotypes, said, “Super excited to be on that stage, share some serious love, colour, slime and just have a fantastic time at the first Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in the Middle East! We’re going to have fun, Arab Style.”
In addition to featuring numerous musical and entertainment performances, the event will also give young fans the chance to vote for their favourite artists and talent in a wide range of categories. The awards, which have been secured to take place in Abu Dhabi for the next five years, will be accompanied by The World of Nickelodeon, a three-day exhibition at ADNEC from 19-21 September, where youngsters and their families can meet their favourite Nickelodeon characters.
The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Abu Dhabi 2019 will be recorded on 20 September at ADNEC and will air exclusively on Nickelodeon on OSN in KSA, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain* on 24 September at 16:00 KSA/17:00 UAE and will also be aired on Nickelodeon channels internationally.
“We are excited to announce Jason Derulo as host and Haifa Beseisso as co-host for the first Kids’ Choice Awards in Abu Dhabi. Jason, recognised for his many international hits, will engage young fans around the world and put a global spotlight on the event, while Haifa, one of the most important YouTubers in the UAE region, will energise local audiences from around the Middle East,” said Tracey Grant, Vice President Content and Channels for Viacom International Media Networks Middle East. “This show will combine the Arab entertainment world with the international Nickelodeon spirit and these two key elements are sure to make the first KCA Abu Dhabi a success.”
The World of Nickelodeon is the place to be for families and kids, to meet their favourite Nickelodeon characters and experience the real world of Nickelodeon in person. The World of Nickelodeon will feature a variety of play areas like a PAW Patrol branded area, PAW Patrol skills circuit, the Slime Zone, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles VR experience and pizzeria, SpongeBob museum, SpongeBob mini golf, SpongeBob arcades and Shimmer and Shine activities. Children can also interact with all their favourite Nickelodeon characters like Dora, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, PAW Patrol’s Chase and Marshall, and SpongeBob, as well as attend live entertainment shows and musical performances.
