
The vast city of Dubai has plenty of festivals all year round. Emiratis celebrate almost anything, and such events attract participants from far and wide. The United Arab Emirates, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the Middle East, is home to a wide variety of religious and cultural celebrations you should experience while on vacation in this magnificent city.
Let’s look at some intriguing festivals and celebrations in Dubai.
Dubai Shopping Festival
This shopping festival is one of Dubai’s most thrilling events. Since its inception in 1996, the Dubai Shopping Festival has been an annual shopping event held between the first week of January and the first week of February. All stores and malls offer incredible deals throughout the festival. DSF gives everyone a chance to shop, regardless of how fancy the brand is.
The joys don’t stop with shopping, as some other celebrations and events occur throughout the city. In addition to the numerous food-related activities, every mall hosts game shows, concerts, parades, ramp walks, and many other activities. Throughout the festival at Creek Park, firecrackers are set off every night.
No festival could be celebrated in a grander manner than this one.
Art Dubai
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum established Art Dubai in 2007. Every March, Art Dubai, recognized as one of the most internationally diversified art fairs, showcases established and up-and-coming artists. It draws around 28,000 guests from all over the world, including patrons, museums, and other institutions, as well as art collectors and curators.
Three categories, Contemporary, Modern, and Residents, define the gallery. The Global Art Forum, the most significant art conference in the Gulf, is also held there. As the conference’s name suggests, participants worldwide are welcome to attend.
Art Dubai has played a vital role in bringing together the unique mix of artists, curators, and art enthusiasts in the city, resulting in the development of a burgeoning market for original works of art and local talent.
Dubai Marathon
The Dubai Marathon is an annual event that draws thousands of participants. The event, which started in 2000, was dubbed the world’s wealthiest marathon event in 2008. It offered a million dollars to anyone who set a new record and gave a $250000 prize for winners in the men’s and women’s categories. It is the greatest mass gathering in the Middle East and draws well over 28,000 people from the area and throughout the world.
The marathon course is around 42.2 kilometers long. The race starts at 6 am for the top and wheelchair competitors and at 7 am for the public. To participate, you require a USD 135 admission fee. They also hold a 10 km race with an entry fee of $90 from 9 am. The 4 km one starts at 11 am and requires a $55 entry fee. One must register online for the marathon and other races, which are held in January.
Dubai International Jazz Festival
Dubai Jazz fest is an annual music event in Dubai. It’s among the most attended Dubai Music Festivals. The first iteration of this fest was held in 2003, where famous jazz artists performed at the Dubai Media City Amphitheater. Over the years, the festival has expanded to draw more than 500,000 visitors worldwide. The TimeOut Nightlife Awards’ 2010 and 2018 Best Music Festival Awards went to the Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival.
The festival, which spans more than 50 years of musical history, is organized throughout the entire city of Dubai and includes Grammy Award winners, legendary musicians such as Robin Gibb, Toto, Jamie Callum, Stanley Jordan, and some highly regarded jazz and contemporary music ensembles. The festival is held between February and March.
Dubai World Cup
Since 1996, Dubai has hosted one of the richest horse races in the world, with a USD 12 million prize pool. The world’s top jockeys, trainers, and horses compete at the Meydan Racecourse event. At the biggest social event in the city, racegoers enjoy an outstanding and one-of-a-kind setting thanks to the cutting-edge facilities and fantastic track. Every year on the final Saturday in March, the event takes place.
Taste of Dubai
This unofficial food fest, which started in 2007, is one of the most anticipated festivals in the UAE. Visitors from the world over come to sample dishes prepared by experienced chefs.
Taste of Dubai is geared toward culinary enthusiasts and is held at the Dubai Media City Amphitheater. The top restaurants in the UAE, internationally renowned chefs, and regional artisan producers showcase their most delectable specialties during this three-day festival. Even presentation and cooking guidelines are provided.
Additionally, there are shopping sections and a special children’s area. The greatest restaurants in Dubai offer distinctive meals for a small portion of the original cost at this festival held between April and May.
Dubai International Boat Show
The Dubai International Boat Show is the most prestigious and long-running boat show in the UAE and the Middle East. It’s the ultimate event for luxury and lifestyle, whether you want to purchase a boat, learn about super yachts and luxury boats, discover the newest diving and aquatic technology, or ride the waves.
Co-located with Dive MENA Expo, it’s the only event devoted to the community of divers in the Gulf Catering Community(GCC) and the UAE.
Dubai International Film Festival
Dubai International Film Festival started in 2004, intending to celebrate films from the UAE and beyond. It was held annually until 2018 when DIFF announced that it would take place once every two years. It is held in three to four upscale venues throughout the city and draws many interns, volunteers, spectators, and celebrities.
DIFF distinguishes itself from other film festivals by offering red-carpet glitz and a chance for cinema enthusiasts to interact culturally since the films are from diverse places with various languages and cultures. The film festival has also attracted special guests such as Morgan Freeman and George Clooney.
UAE National Day Festival
UAE National Day Festival is an annual event held to commemorate the day Emirates gained independence from British rule. The festival, held on 2nd December, is characterized by fireworks, vehicle parades, and dancing performances. UAE flags are also hung in shopping malls to celebrate this important day.
Celebrations in Dubai
Dubai’s culture is deeply embedded in Islam. In this regard, there are many celebrations in the Islamic calendar that residents of Dubai celebrate.
Some religious celebrations include;
Ramadan – The ninth holy month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan, is when Muslims commemorate the Holy Koran’s revelation. During this period, Muslims fast from daybreak to dusk. They refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and having sex.
Eid Al Fitr – At the conclusion of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr (the “Feast of Breaking the Fast”) is observed. The feast starts after morning prayers and runs for three days. Family and friends also exchange gifts during this period.
Eid Al Hadha – On the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, Eid Al Adha (the “Feast of Sacrifice”) commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son under God’s direction. A camel and a cow are sacrificed during the four-day celebrations.
Final Thoughts
There’s a festival in Dubai every month, though some draw more visitors than others. If you find one that you would like to attend, plan your trip to coincide with it. You will enjoy the experience.

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