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24-hour countdown: Not just tailors or salons, even garages join last-minute Eid rush
'We are seeing more customers coming in for quick checks before heading out on short road trips to places like Hatta, Fujairah or even desert camping,' an auto technician said
- PUBLISHED: Wed 18 Mar 2026, 3:01 PM
As residents across the UAE wait for the official Eid announcement, businesses are preparing for a rush that could begin within hours — from salons and tailoring shops to garages and tyre centres.
For many businesses, the final 24 hours before Eid are no longer about steady planning, but about staying ready for two possible scenarios and reacting instantly when the date is confirmed.
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Salons prepare for late-night rush
Salons across the UAE are bracing for an Eid rush, with teams on standby to work until early morning.
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“Right now, it looks calm. But once the announcement comes in the evening after Maghrib prayer, everything changes within minutes,” he said. “People start walking in even at 2am or 4am in the morning. Some come straight after hearing the news,” said Rizwan Sheikh, owner of Mish Mash saloon in Karama.
Rizwan said extra hours have been scheduled, and supplies have been stocked in advance. “We don’t know if the rush will be tonight or tomorrow night. So we prepare for both.”
Henna artists work round the clock
For henna artist Asiya Raheem, the lead up to Eid is one of the busiest. She has appointments almost back to back for the next 48 hours, sometimes extending from 7am in the morning to Fajr prayers the following day.
"Since henna is such a seasonal activity, I try to make the best use of the days leading up to Eid," she said. "Most days I sleep just two or three hours. The day after Eid, I take a nice long nap."
Asiya has been spending her time going from one house to another, focusing on group bookings. "There are usually about 5 to 10 people in each house," she said. "Many of my customers have been my regular clients for several years now and I am almost like a part of their family."
Garages see unexpected rush
But this rush is no longer limited to clothes and celebrations. Mechanics in the UAE are preparing for a different kind of demand and that is one shaped by changing travel plans this Eid.
“Because of the current situation and flight disruptions, many people are choosing to stay within the UAE,” said Imran Qureshi, a senior technician at Toronto Auto works in Qusais.
“We are seeing more customers coming in for quick checks before heading out on short road trips to places like Hatta, Fujairah or even desert camping.”
He said services like oil changes, brake checks and battery inspections have picked up in the last few days. “It’s mostly small repairs, but urgent. People want their cars to be in good condition before they travel.”
According to him, the rush is building even before Eid is confirmed. “Normally, we get this closer to long weekends. But this time, with fewer people flying out, more are planning to drive. So they are coming in now itself.”
Tyre shops and car wash centres on standby
Near by the workshop, at Al Fawzan Tyres and Wheels, stacks of tyres are lined up, ready for quick replacements.
“Tyre change is something people delay, but before Eid, they don’t want to take risks,” said Usman, the store supervisor. “We have already seen more inquiries in the last two days.”
Next door at Shine Car Wash, workers are adding extra shifts. “The moment Eid is announced, people come in large numbers,” said Hadi Ferozi, the supervisor. “Everyone wants a clean car for the day.”
“It’s not planned. It just happens suddenly,” said Hadi.
Tailors race against time for last-minute fittings
At Al Ameen Tailoring in Rolla, Sharjah, the mood is tense but focused. Inside the small shop, unfinished kandooras hang neatly, tagged with delivery times.
“We have customers calling every hour asking, ‘Will it be ready if Eid is tomorrow?’” said Naseem Ahmed, the shop owner.
“Some bring urgent alterations like sleeves, length, small fixes but they want it within the same day.”
He added that the uncertainty of moon sighting makes planning difficult. “If Eid is announced suddenly, tonight becomes our busiest night. We may work till early morning.”
“Some customers who had placed orders late have to get ready at their homes and wear the new outfit at our shop and head straight to the mosque,” added Ahmed.
Bakeries step up overnight production
Many bakeries across the UAE are already working at full capacity as Eid approaches, with orders steadily coming in even before the official announcement.
“We don’t wait for the announcement to start,” said Abdul Rahman from Al Shamsheen Bakery. “People have already begun placing orders for cakes, pastries and Arabic sweets. Today is usually our busiest day.”
He said that while some items are prepared in advance, the real pressure builds closer to Eid. “Our ovens will be running all night if the moon is sighted today. We increase production and keep extra staff ready because once Eid is confirmed, last-minute orders also come in.”
According to him, the challenge is not starting work, but keeping up with demand. “It becomes non-stop. From early morning until late night, we are baking, packing and dispatching continuously.”
One announcement, one shift
Across all these businesses, one thing remains common — everything depends on a single announcement.
“We don’t celebrate Eid the same way as others,” said Rizwan from the salon. “For us, Eid starts when the announcement comes, and that’s when the real work begins.”
SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.