Held from November 3 to 8, the six-day event combined recreations of old shops, classic arcade games, a vintage taxi display and entertainment programming with contemporary retail and food offerings. It was organised in collaboration with the Cultural Foundation, a cultural centre under the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi.

Everyday scenes from the 1990s

Among the recreated shopfronts were a toy shop, photography studio and cassette shop, reflecting routines that were common before online shopping, digital photography and music streaming became widespread. For older visitors, the displays recalled activities such as arranging family portraits at a studio or buying music on cassette tapes.

A gold-and-white vintage taxi, similar to vehicles once seen on Abu Dhabi’s streets, was also displayed at the venue. The event further recreated the former El Dorado Cinema, which opened on Electra Street in 1970 and was a familiar destination for residents before modern multiplexes became common.

Families shared the arcade experience

The children’s arcade was one of the central attractions, offering classic games associated with a time before mobile gaming. Parents could revisit games from their childhood while children encountered them for the first time, creating a shared activity across generations.

The programme also included themed film screenings and live performances at a dedicated amphitheatre, bringing elements of 1990s entertainment into the event.

Modern brands alongside nostalgic displays

While its setting looked back at the decade, The RAGE 90s also hosted 20 retail brands and 20 food and beverage brands. The mix placed modern shopping and dining options alongside reminders of how leisure, entertainment and everyday errands have changed over the years.

By bringing together visitors of different ages, the event used Abu Dhabi’s 1990s streetscape and pastimes to highlight experiences that remain recognisable across generations.