Dubai Events and Festivals

By Dom Bewley
Published: July 18, 2024
dubai events and festivals

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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One Day in Abu Dhabi for Tourists

Heading to the Emirates with Abu Dhabi on your list, but only have one day to explore? Check out our ideas for attractions and activities to enjoy if you only have one day in Abu Dhabi. Whether you’ve spent plenty of time in the Emirates, or this is your first visit to this spectacular part of the world, we hope our sample itinerary has some potential ideas you can incorporate into your own plans. This one-day itinerary includes: Morning Desert Safari Kayak Tour of the Mangroves Sunset Cruise in Abu Dhabi Save on Admission Looking to save on admission to these top Abu Dhabi attractions and activities? Pick up the Go Dubai® Card today and save up to 52% on combined admission! Spending more time in Abu Dhabi? Check out our 2-day (weekend) and 3-day itineraries for tourists visiting Abu Dhabi. Morning Desert Safari This is a great way to start off your one day in Abu Dhabi. Head out into the desert wilderness for an amazing opportunity to experience the sun and sand via this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Enjoy an exhilarating and active ride on a 4X4 vehicle, a camel ride, sand-boarding, and some refreshments, served at a desert camp evocative of traditional Bedouin culture. This safari takes about four hours, so it will be your entire morning. Getting In: Morning Desert Safari tickets are included with the Go Dubai® Card. Kayak Tour of the Mangroves After lunch, you’ll want to explore Abu Dhabi’s most beloved hidden gem – the Mangrove National Park. This gorgeous stretch of wilderness encompasses an unexpected wealth of plant and animal life, including turtles, flamingos, heron, several species of fish, and more. The chance to explore this beautiful expanse via kayak also gives you the opportunity to get a bit closer – and it’s an eco-friendly attraction option, too. Win-win! Your kayak excursions will take about two hours. Getting In: Kayak Tour of the Mangroves tickets are included with the Go Dubai® Card. Sunset Cruise For your last attraction of the day, you’re back out on the water. But this time, it’s no work and all play aboard this relaxing vessel. Tour Abu Dhabi’s inshore coastline for unbeatable views of Raha Beach, Samaliyah Island (including its traditional-style village), mangrove forests, and the ultra-modern skyline of the city itself. This cruise lasts an hour and a half and is the ideal way to end your one day in Abu Dhabi. Getting In: Sunset Cruise in Abu Dhabi tickets are included with the Go Dubai® Card. Don’t Forget to Save As you’re planning your one perfect day in Abu Dhabi, don’t forget to save on your activities. The Go Dubai® Card can help you save up to 52% on combined admission prices versus paying at the gate, and will cover these and other top Abu Dhabi and Dubai-area attractions. Be sure to check it out before your trip!
Katie Sagal
dubai in september
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Dubai in September

Howdy there, traveler! So you're planning a trip to Dubai, are you? This desert oasis draws visitors from all over, so you're in good company. But when do you plan to visit? Is September a good time to vacation in Dubai? Well, scroll down, browse our guide to Dubai in September, and see what you think! Including: Dubai weather in September VR fun Underwater adventure Spooky escape rooms and more! Dubai in September: What to Expect It's hot. Really hot. Surprising perhaps no one, September in Dubai isn't your typical fall month. Instead, it's merely the tail end of Dubai's long, long summer. But the tail end doesn't mean you're in for a cooler time. Not really. That's because temperatures in September reach highs of 100°F or more and lows of around 79°F. So prepare for extreme temperatures, or perhaps go another month where the heat is more manageable. However, if you insist on September, then there are certainly some things to bear in mind. Bring a big hat, pack a load of factor 50 sunscreen, and avoid direct sunlight at peak hours to avoid shriveling up like a toasted prune. With those caveats in mind, we've peppered our recommendations with both inside and outside fun. You are most welcome, friend. Dubai in September: What to Do Nighttime BBQ Shenanigans When temperatures are enough to cook eggs on your car, embrace your inner vampire and stick to the shadows instead. But why settle for small shadows when you can utilize the humungous shadow that is nighttime? With nary a ray of sun in sight, you'll be safe. And where better to explore in this newfound safety than the beautiful sand dunes outside the city? On this BBQ and entertainment trip to the desert, you'll do just that. You'll be escorted from your hotel in a plush, air-conditioned 4x4 to the dunes. Then, you'll reach a camp and be treated to a mouth-watering menu of BBQ meats and veg. And refreshing drinks, of course. Once you're full, the entertainment kicks off. Catch a belly dancing show, partake in some sweet shisha, ride a camel, and even get a henna tattoo. Not bad. Then, as things wind down, you'll get a lift right back to your hotel to sleep off all the success. This BBQ soiree in Dubai is perfect for those looking to make the most of the cooler September nights. Evening Landmark Adventure! One of the joys of vacationing in an exciting new place is exploring the region's landmarks. And you'll be thrilled to know that Dubai has heaps of awe-inspiring buildings all across its skyline. And, in the spirit of your newfound vampirism, why not go see those sighs at night on a magical evening bus tour? Be sure to snap pictures of the grand Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), Dubai Mall, the Burj Al Arab, Ain Dubai, and the city harbor. That way, you'll get enough snaps to show your colleagues around the watercooler, and dodge the worst of the sun in the process! Does that smell like a win? Because it sure smells like a win to us. Spooky Escapes Looking for any other excuses to escape the heat? Look no further than Dubai's terrifying escape rooms at No Way Out. Because when it's hot outside, nothing quite beats being chased around the place by an ax-wielding maniac in the comfort of air-conditioning. With 10 spooky rooms on offer, including authentic offerings from the IT and Ring universes, you and up to 8 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. Marvelous and cool, thanks to the aforementioned air-con. Explore sunny locales at a safe distance Another way to beat the heat is to simply travel to another realm. But how can that be? Aren't you firmly stuck in this reality? Well, not quite. Thanks to VR Park Dubai, alternate realities are just a headset away. Visitors, or adventurers, if you will, are welcome to immerse themselves in 7 games over the course of four hours. Suit up, slip your headset on, pick your poison, and play away. Can you make your way out of the VR Maze? Can you stop the robot uprising in Robocom? You can even challenge your friends or family to competitive games, including sports, platforming, and puzzle-solving genres. The perfect answer to an abrasively warm afternoon, explore virtual reality and see what all the buzz is about! Explore life beneath the surface And finally, let's end our cool list of sun-dodging goodness with perhaps the best escape of all - a journey beneath the oceans. And where better to find such an escape than at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo? You'll start your adventure in the aquarium's massive underwater tunnel, where you'll be able to see all sorts of aquatic species going about their day. Sharks, rays, and other exotic species will be swimming right above your head, and may even approach you if you're not too scary looking. Perfect for photo ops, as well as a strangely serene stroll, it's a one-of-a-kind experience in Dubai, and well worth a visit. After you've wandered along the tunnel, you'll reach the Underwater Zoo, where you can get up close and personal with tons of exotic fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic wonders. You'll meet spider crabs, otters, piranhas, penguins, and other colorful characters. Delightful, and a great way to escape September heat in Dubai! And that just about wraps our guide to Dubai in September! If you dare face the sun head-on and are looking for some outside activities, 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. Yes, even the shadeless bits for all you thick-skinned boys and girls!
Dom Bewley
A Christmas panorama at a Dubai mall
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How to spend Christmas in Dubai

Swap the snow for the sands and the insulated jackets for the T-shirts, it’s Christmas in Dubai! The festive season is embraced by the emirate not for its religious importance – since only 14% of residents are Christian – but for its cultural significance. With 200 nationalities living, working and visiting Dubai at Christmas, there’s a vast miscellany of events to put you in the festive mood, from ballet performances to Christmas markets – and all with the sort of weather you probably won’t be getting back home until late spring or early summer. Keen to discover what Dubai is like at Christmas? Take a look at our favorite ideas! Getting into the Christmas spirit Christmas begins to take hold in Dubai from around the second week of December and continues well into January. Interestingly, the big day itself isn’t a public holiday, so you’ll see plenty of people heading to work as usual. This doesn’t stop anyone getting into the Christmas spirit. If you’re staying at one of the grander hotels that dot the cityscape, Christmas will probably kick off with an all singing and all dancing tree lighting ceremony. Christmas trees at many of the best-known names in accommodation soar from their lobbies up multiple stories, dazzling even the most hardened individuals. Catch the unveiling itself and you’ll be treated to some of Dubai’s finest voices, alongside complementary bites to eat and glasses of something special. Failing this, the shopping malls also spare little expense in providing their December visitors with fitting decoration. Head to the Dubai Mall, and as well as checking out the residents of Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, you can also admire the world’s largest bauble, weighing more than a ton! Explore the Christmas markets As you might expect from one of the world’s best shopping destinations, Dubai has plenty of opportunity to splash the cash on unique gifts and keepsakes with a Christmas market never far away. On the southern side of the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Harbor – the outer extent of Dubai Marina – is packed full of seasonal treats. Not only are there the stalls that make it a marketplace, but also a snow zone and ice rink. For further wintry wonderlands, head to Ski Dubai. Besides pitting yourself against the world’s largest indoor ski park, Santa stands by waiting to give out goodie bags to the kids whilst more sedate visitors can sit back and enjoy a Christmas movie at the snow cinema. Elsewhere, Fort Island’s Souk Madinat Jumeirah combines the traditional feel of an Arabian marketplace with a little extra Christmas sparkle. The food and drink options are particularly top-notch here, but there’s also plenty to keep the kids entertained as you soak up the ambience. Book tickets for a show With the Christmas weather in Dubai dominated by temperatures of around 25°C, even if the sun does disappear behind a cloud you’ll have little reason to head indoors. However, you may well want to, given the range of shows. For a traditional Christmas treat visit Dubai Opera. Sometimes overshadowed by its proximity to the observation decks of the Burj Khalifa, it is all the same a concert venue hosting the best comedians, music and performances of the moment. Come December, look out for tickets to the Nutcracker – a ballet set on Christmas Eve – and other seasonal favorites. Or satisfy your nosiness with a behind the scenes tour of the venue instead. The Theatre in the Mall of the Emirates also does all it can to welcome in the spirit of Christmas, putting on live performances of family-favorites such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. One of the newest destinations in Dubai, the QE2 floating hotel and venue has another stellar schedule of modern Christmas tunes and even traditional British pantomimes. Eat, drink and be merry Since the three wise men came from the east, it’s entirely possible their journey contained a stop at the small coastal settlement that Dubai would have been at the birth of Christ. You can get a feel for life in the desert with a safari and BBQ dinner, combining authentic cuisine and hospitality including belly dancing with more contemporary desert adventures. These include sand boarding after topping the dunes by 4WD. But for a full regional culinary experience turn to the Al Hallab restaurant, whose chefs lean on hundreds of years of cookery and recipes to bring you mezze, meat platters and sweet dishes packed full of flavor. If it’s a turkey dinner and all the trimmings you’re after, Dubai won’t disappoint either. There are plenty of restaurants open on December 25 and the surrounding days, with specially prepared seasonal menus listing no end of picks that will take you right back to your childhood. Take advantage of Dubai’s coastal location Anyone used to the frigid water temperatures of North America and Europe at Christmas might first baulk at seeing people in Dubai lounging on its beachfronts just as Santa is heading off on his epic present-giving extravaganza. But the fact is, with sea temperatures equal to those on land in the middle twenties Celsius, there are limited excuses for failing to switch to your swimwear. Drifting along the historic heart of Dubai on a traditional dhow made by craftspeople by hand is just as easy, and a great way to discover the areas of Bur Dubai and Deira, both of which relied on sea trade for centuries for their growth and wealth. An alternative way to take in the area is with a sunset kayak tour, putting you in control of your own vessel whatever your experience and skill level. Visit Dubai at Christmas and save! There’s no doubting Christmas is a good time to visit Dubai. The climate is amenable to getting out and about whether you aim to discover Dubai Creek or the dunes of the desert, whilst the festive offerings come thick and fast. Christmas markets, nights at the theater and food, glorious food are all part of what makes Christmas in Dubai special. But if you needed one more reason, that’s going to be Go City. Travel to Dubai with one of our passes and you’ll discover the magic of huge reductions on attraction admission to many of Dubai’s best things to see and do at Christmas.
Ian Packham

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