dubai events and festivals

Dubai Events and Festivals

By Dom Bewley

Heading to Dubai this year and want to add a little festive spice to your trip? Check out our guide to the best events and festivals in Dubai!

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Dubai Shopping Festival

When: All of January to the first week of February

Where: Dubai Festival City Mall

If shopping is your jam, then you'll love this shopping-themed festival! Since it began in the mid-90s, shops all over the country have offered amazing deals on brands from the high and low streets!

Besides the bargains, numerous food-related events take place, as well as concerts, parades, game shows, ramp walks, and other activities. For you shopaholics, this is easily the best of Dubai's events and festivals!

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Dubai International Jazz Festival

When: February

Where: Al Sufouh

While it's labeled a jazz festival, the Dubai International Jazz Festival is more of a celebration of music in general. Many non-jazz mainstream performers like Duran Duran and Ricky Martin have taken the stage in years past, alongside jazz provocateurs from the past half-century. So even if you're not a jazz fan (which, to be fair, is an acquired taste), you might still get something out of it!

If you do attend, you'll be rubbing shoulders with nearly half a million people. Yes, it's that big, and you may not have even heard of it. It's also won awards. Who knew? Not you, that's for sure.

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Art Dubai

When: March

Where: Mina a'Salam

Art Dubai is a celebration of all art forms, giving both established artists and up-and-comers a platform to strut their stuff. Launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum back in 2007, it's one of the most diverse artistic events on the planet - drawing nearly thirty thousand collectors, curators, and museum representatives from all corners of the globe.

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Taste Of Dubai

When: March

Where: Dubai Media City Amphitheatre

Food lovers, rejoice! Dubi has its own fantastic festival just for you foodies. For the past 15 years, Taste of Dubai has brought chefs and eaters together for a one-of-a-kind celebration of the region's cuisine.

Every year the festival is visited by world-famous chefs and, if you're lucky, you might even get to see them put on a live cooking demo. Good luck, because these draw the biggest crowds at the festival.

On top of all that, you've got places to buy new and exciting ingredients, stalls to try delicious local cuisine, and Dubai's restaurants also offer huge discounts on some of their most popular dishes. What a time to be alive. If you want to try local culinary delights, the Taste of Dubai is easily the best of Dubai's events and festivals.

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The Dubai Marathon

When: March

Where: Dubai Creek Club St

Dubai even has its own marathon, if you can believe it. Mercifully taking place in the cooler, pre-summer month of March, it draws thousands of people to participate and spectate every year.

But it wouldn't be a Dubai Marathon without a little Dubai opulence. That comes in the form of the prizes on offer, with 1st place netting the winner a cool $250k. Not bad for a bit of jogging. And, if anyone manages to break a world record, they'll receive $1 million! That's a lot of paper.

So, what are you waiting for? Get practicing and see if you can make it home a millionaire!

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Dubai World Cup

When: March

Where: Nad Al Sheba Racecourse

Not to be confused with the soccer world cup that takes place every four years, the Dubai World Cup is all about horses. And, with a prize pool of $10 million, it's one of the richest races in the world.

Unsurprisingly, top jockeys, horses, and coaches flock to Dubai in March to try and win a piece of the pie.

So, if you're into horse racing and think luck is on your side, why not head there and play the odds?

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Swim the Burj

When: March

Where: Burj Al Arab

The Burj Al Arab is quite the sight to behold, and easily one of Dubai's most recognizable landmarks. Standing mightily on an artificial island, this fin or sail-shaped building is rather pretty.

And what does an artificial island have around it? Water. And what does that mean you can do around the Burj Al Arab? That's right, bright sparks, you can swim it! Every year, hundreds of sea runners take to that moat around this capitalist behemoth and attempt to beat each other in a race.

And you can watch, if you so desire.

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Dubai International Boat Show

When: March

Where: Dubai Marina

In a city known for its wealth and wealthy residents, it's hardly surprising to discover that Dubai has its own boat show. But the Dubai International Boat Show is one of the city's most prestigious events, drawing boat brands and boat lovers from all over the place. You'll see big boats, bigger boats, and the biggest boats you've ever seen. Boats!

But it isn't all boats. No siree. There's also a lovely art gallery to explore (that may be primarily focused on seafaring vessels), live music, and other entertainment to keep you, well, entertained. Are you not entertained? You will be.

Looking to be wowed by extravagance? The Dubai International Boat Show is easily the best of Dubai's events and festivals!

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Al Gaffal Dhow Race

When: September

Where: The ocean

Speaking of boats, let's talk about boats! But instead of the luxurious, opulent boats on display at the boat festival, we're talking dhows. What are dhows? Well, they're a traditional middle-eastern boat. And what is the Al Gaffal Dhow Race? Well, it's a race. A race with dhows.

Part historical homage, part marketing push to Dubai's original trade of pearl diving, if you like boats and races, then they don't get much more boat-racey than this boat race.

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Dubai International Film Festival

When: December

Where: Al Sufouh

The biggest of its kind in the region, the Dubai International Film Festival was first conceptualized as a way to encourage local filmmakers to bring their ideas to life on the silver screen. Since then, it has become somewhat of a haven for big-time actors, directors, and producers, who attend the show every year to find promising projects, or even more promising filmmakers, to work with.

Since 2006, the festival has shown over 500 Arab films, and was responsible for the creation of two-thirds of those. As such, it's a great success for Arab cinema and one definitely worth checking out!

And that's our guide to Dubai's biggest and best events and festivals! Looking for more fun for your vacation? Try Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want.

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Things to do in Dubai in Winter

When we think of winter, certain images may spring to mind; runny noses, driveways caked in snow, and the desire to wear all your clothes at once. Winter time isn't without its charms. After all, snow is pretty, and for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, Christmas takes place in the midst of the cold. But sometimes, the run-up to winter can be a bit disheartening. Vacation season is in the distant past, and if the roads aren't salted, you may be in for a bad time. But what if we told you there's a magical place where none of that is true? What if we told you this magical place is temperate all year round and the perfect winter vacation destination? Well, that's what we're telling you. That place is Dubai, and during peak winter, temperatures only drop as low as 70°F. With temperatures like that, you could do any number of things in Dubai in winter. So, in the spirit of winter, let's explore the fun things you'll find indoors, where even the sun won't harm your withered frame. Including: Ski Dubai IMG Worlds of Adventure Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo Wavehouse VR Park Dubai and more! Snow, but not as you know it If, for some reason, you miss the winter chill, why not carve some sick powder at Ski Dubai? As the world's biggest indoor ski center, you'll find slopes aplenty and even a ski lift to take you all the way to the top. Yes, it's that big. Whether your poison is skiing, snowboarding, or sledding, you'll find plenty to do at Ski Dubai. Even newcomers are welcome, with instructors on hand to show you the ropes. And all your equipment is included, so you needn't stuff your suitcase with appropriate attire. Oh, and every few hours, everything grinds to a halt. Why, you ask? Well, because that's then the freaking penguins turn up to tour the premises. Penguins? In Dubai? What sorcery is this? Theme park life From inside ski resorts to inside theme parks, Dubai has it all. Yes, even their theme parks are under-roof. Well, not all of them, but certainly IMG Worlds of Adventure. Oh, and it's also the biggest indoor theme park on the planet, because of course it is. Across 5 unique zones, you'll find rides of all shapes and sizes and featuring characters from the likes of Marvel. Now you, of all people, can join the mighty Avengers and help them stop the newest world-ending threat. To them, it's just a Tuesday. But to you, it's the chance to finally be that hero you tell yourself you can be. There are also spooky mansions to escape from, dinosaurs to outrun, and plenty of other mischief to be had. Glorious, and easily one of the best things to do in Dubai in winter. Another Dimension If the reality-bending winter weather in Dubai isn't mind-blowing enough for you, why not enter another reality entirely and see how you get on? Thanks to VR Park Dubai, you can do just that. Over the course of four wonderful hours, you'll enter seven worlds full of weirdness and whimsy. Well, some of them are less whimsical and more deadly, but you get the idea. If you have friends, they can join you as you enter virtual reality and dual it out with zombies, robots, or each other in a number of sports-related games. Do you have the brains, brawn, and other 'b' words to grind them to dust? Or will you lose, again, and never hear the end of it? There's only one way to find out, and that way is to go here and do the thing. Escape mediocrity A harsh winter can leave us feeling trapped in our homes. Snowed in with an empty fridge and no delivery drivers nearby is enough to bring tears to the eyes. If you miss that feeling while on your warm winter getaway, why not head to No Way Out escape rooms and get trapped all over again? With 10 spooky rooms on offer, including authentic offerings from the IT and Ring universes, you and up to 8 prisoners - sorry, friends - will battle the clock, devious traps, puzzles, and contend with creepy actors playing their parts as they try and scare you senseless. And if that wasn't enough, you can even stay after your game and sit down for a bit of interactive horror cinema. Each show features wind, water, and other special effects that will assault your senses as you watch. But, be careful. You never know when one of the actors will be creeping right behind your seat. If you have the stomach for it, No Way Out is definitely one of the best things to do in Dubai in winter! Surf's up Ever time traveled? We'd bet on no, but if you ever want to relive the glorious nostalgia of the 80s arcade scene, give Wavehouse in the Atlantis Hotel and good go. On top of the myriad arcade cabinets with old-school games and pinball machines, you'll find bowling alleys, a surf simulator, and even a stacked menu of American delights like burgers, pizzas, and hotdogs. You can even take your food and drink outside, if you dare face the unbearable 70°F sunshine. You brave soul, you. Beneath the surface In a place where water doesn't freeze, you may enjoy exploring the depths of the sea and making some new friends. Well, what are you waiting for? Go check out Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo and meet some underwater buddies! You'll explore a massive underwater tunnel, where you'll be immersed in sea life all around you. Make sure to snap some pics for your social media - if you dare to go nose-to-nose with a shark, imagine the flood of likes and dopamine that will come your way! Validation is the sweetest medicine, after all. Then, you'll enter the Underwater Zoo, stacked with tanks showing off specific species of exotic underwater critters. Water's never been so fun unless you're thirsty, in which case, drinking it is pretty awesome. And those were our picks for the best things to do in Dubai in winter! Looking for some sunny activities when the weather finally clears up? Check out Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want.
Dom Bewley
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Things to do alone in Dubai

Traveling solo to Dubai? Looking for some alone time when traveling with family and friends? You’re not the only one to seek out things to do alone in Dubai. Thankfully, there’s a great range of options out there if you know where to look. Here’s our guide to the fun things you can do alone in Dubai. Experience the pizzazz of downtown Dubai With so many record breaking structures on the cards in downtown Dubai, this portion of the city deserves more than a quick glimpse from a metro train window as it wizzes past. Safe – like all of central Dubai – to explore even without travel companions, it’s an area that glitters by day and glows by night. Its biggest attraction is the Burj Khalifa. Rising to a height of almost half a kilometer, the tallest building in the world is even more impressive in real life than in images of it, especially when seen from the dancing jets of Dubai Fountain. The only way to get a sense of just how tall it is would be to head to the At The Top observation decks on the 124th and 125th floors. They boast panoramic views from the Persian Gulf to the desert – and beyond. Slip through one of the entrances of the neighboring Dubai Mall and as well as a decent day’s shopping – visit each one of its 1200 retail stores for 5 minutes and you’ll need to have almost two weeks spare – you’ve got the opportunity to clip on a pair of skis or lock into a snowboard at Ski Dubai. Beginners are just as welcome to its slopes, rides and penguin encounters as those who’ve had years on the world’s pistes. Get lost in the deserts of Dubai If the views from the Burj Khalifa – and maybe your time at Ski Dubai too – leave you yearning for time in the desert, the good news is that you can go to Dubai’s desert alone, although we’d certainly recommend using a trustworthy tour operator if hiring a car sounds too much like hard work. A morning safari allows those on solo trips to Dubai to take in the dunes on the outskirts of its built up areas by 4WD before turning your attention to the traditional means of traversing its sands with a ride on a camel. You’ll also get the chance to give sandboarding a go before returning to the bright lights of central Dubai. Alternatively, you could opt to spend the sunset in the desert with a safari and BBQ dinner, watching how the shadows shift and colors change as the sun sinks beneath the horizon. But the fun doesn’t stop there, with a meal at a Bedouin camp incorporating henna painting, shisha pipes and belly dancing. Hit the beach In other destinations visiting the beach on your own can feel out of place. However, Dubai’s beaches are such that you’ll have no fears of this kind here. Some, including Marina Beach, even have lockers to shut up your stuff should you be worried about leaving it unattended as you hit the waves for a swim or a turn on a jet ski. Hotel pool terraces are another good option if your main aim is to relax with some sun followed by a quick dip, although you’ll then miss the chance of taking a dhow sightseeing tour of Dubai Marina. In addition to providing ample photographic opportunities of this area of Dubai’s waterfront, including views towards the Ain Dubai observation wheel, you’ll discover a little of its history with the onboard commentary. But to really relax, look no further than Dubai’s spas. Even the toughest of muscle knots will be smoothed out beneath the expert hands of their masseurs and masseuses. And what with the presence of wellness centers containing saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs you’ll soon forget your flying solo. The list of spas to choose between is almost endless, so you’re sure to find one that matches your exact needs. Make a day of it in Abu Dhabi Just a couple of hours from the hotels of downtown Dubai, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Sharing a friendly rivalry with Dubai, the state’s biggest city, solo travelers should consider making a stop here too, although it won’t lead to any more stamps in your passport. If you’re coming just for the day, the Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus tour takes all the stress out of sightseeing. Its two routes – red and green – link up top attractions including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, whose prayer hall has enough space for over 40,000 devotees. Other stops include one at the Abu Dhabi branch of the Louvre, with works spanning the centuries from 1000 year old works of Islamic art to the modern abstract paintings of Piet Mondrian. Nor do the delights stop there, with the Qasr Al Watan or Palace of the Nation providing a home for both the President of the United Arab Emirates and exhibitions celebrating the history of the country. Take a stroll around Al Fahidi One of the oldest parts of Dubai, the Al Fahidi neighborhood has an atmosphere that’s perfect for a solitary stroll. Its shady alleys give a good impression of what Dubai must have been like before the construction of attractions such as the Burj Khalifa. Its coral stone and gypsum buildings date back to the late 1800s, and now comprise a selection of heritage museums, tea houses and contemporary art galleries. If you’re concerned about getting lost between the high walls of its buildings, stick to the waterfront on Dubai Creek, where many of its most historic structures stand. You’ll also find yourself just a block or two away from Dubai’s only Hindu temple and Dubai Museum. Located within Al Fahidi Fort, it has a wide ranging collection, including prehistoric pottery shards and full-sized dhows. Traveling solo in Dubai doesn’t have to be a no-go There are a huge number of reasons why you might find yourself going solo. Take the opportunity to head out and you’ll discover there are also a huge number of things to do alone in Dubai. Whilst a partner in crime is entirely optional, you won’t want to forget your phone. That way, you can travel with Go City and save incredible sums on admission prices to many of Dubai’s top attractions!
Ian Packham
Dubai
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Lindsay Eagan

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