12 Brilliant Festivals in Dubai to Attend This Year

Ever wondered what festivals in Dubai are like? Here are the best events in Dubai for you to time your trip by…

There isn’t a bad time to visit the most famous city of the UAE, Dubai. This once upon a time gulf port is now the epitome of ultramodern architecture and development. Tourists that sport this city are in for a thrilling and stunning ride at any one of the Dubai events on offer.

Over the years, the city of Dubai has hosted thousands of travellers – amazing them with the culture, tradition, and not to mention the Burj Khalifa. Funding for air travel in Dubai has also seen good changes in recent years. The Emirates Booking On Cleartrip with its attractive prices and offers can make your journey worthwhile.

 Listed below are 12 festivals in Dubai that should not be missed if you are travelling there this year. 

12 must-see festivals in Dubai

All the best Dubai festivals to plan your trip by.

1. Light Festival

Dubai, the City of Gold, will be shimmering in lights to celebrate this festival. Get ready to get bedazzled in mid-March when the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall will be gleaming in lights with orchestrated shows and music to welcome the guests.

This is the most awaited Dubai event of the year – enjoy the fireworks paired with the water amusements and more.

Check out some other top festivals happening in March around the world too!

2. Festival of Taste

The Festival of Taste is a magnificent one-week food festival in Dubai that promises to unite all the gastronomes out there to the culinary excellence presented by world-class chefs. This delicious Dubai food festival has multiple events where scrumptious food will be served. Prepare your palate for the absolute treat of different cuisines under one roof and definitely one of the best festivals in Dubai.

3. UAE National Day

Dubai or UAE National Day is the most prominent and eventful day in the kingdom. It takes place every year on 2nd December.

This day is remembered throughout the country as the birth of the consolidated United Arab Emirates. All monuments and landmarks are decorated with lights featuring fireworks and merriment that cannot be missed.

4. Dubai International Film Festival

The DIFF is hosted once in two years to promote Arab Cinema and take it to the international level. Outstanding films not only from the Arab nations, but also from Asia, Africa, and the Western dominion, are all celebrated to be enjoyed by audiences and critics.

5. Dubai International Jazz Festival

This live music festival first started in 2008 and now attracts many musicians who take great joy in entertaining the millions of fans who show up for the event.

The Dubai Jazz Festival is well worth your time – many talented and famous musicians and singers show up for this festival to perform, and to light the Dubai skies with unmatchable fun and amusement. Artists such as Snow Patrol, One Republic, Lionel Richie and lots of others have played here.

6. Dubai Desert Classic

The Dubai sports calendar for 2023 is lit up by this highly-anticipated golfing event. The Dubai Desert Classic is the European Tour Golf tournament, played on the grounds of the UAE in Majlis and the Dubai Golf Club – with millions of dollars as prize money. The golfing facilities themselves are built with state of the art amenities – a treat for both the spectators, and passing tourists.

7. Dubai Shopping festival

Hop onto this year-end mega festival of shopping, fun, and merriment that carries into the following year too. You can pick up many branded products of electronics, perfumes, gold jewellery, and much more.

These products are all duty-free in almost 60,000 shopping outlets that celebrate this festival by availing to nearly 50- 60% off offers like never before.

8. Global Village Festival

Meet the world in this classic Dubai festival of amusement, multinational cuisine, and loads of fun your family can never miss. International stalls of food and products are featured from east Asian countries like Pakistan, Yemen, and Afghanistan. This is one of the best festivals in Dubai for families.

9. Art Dubai

Usually held in March, Art Dubai is a celebration of art (of course) in Dubai (of course). It’s a great festival to see contemporary and modern artworks, bringing together artists, collectors, galleries, and art enthusiasts from around the world.

There are lots of impressive institutions that take part in Art Dubai, such as Jameel Arts Centre, Ishara Art Foundation, Sharjah Art Foundation, Maraya Art Centre, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and many others. There’s also plenty on offer for children too, as one of the best family-friendly festivals in Dubai.

10. The Dubai Marathon

Imagine kickstarting the year by running a marathon among Dubai’s majestic landmarks and coast? Well that’s exactly what masses of people do every year. The Dubai Marathon is a prominent athletic event in the region. It’s an event with great energy and atmosphere, which starts and finishes in the middle of the city. You’ll pass the Burj Al Arab and Madinat Jumeirah as you soak it all in.

If you don’t fancy doing a full marathon, that’s fine too. There are 10k options and usually 4k fun-runs, meaning it’s a bit more inclusive for us non-olympians.

11. Dubai International Boat Show

The Dubai International Boat Show is considered to be the largest boat show in the UAE and the Middle East. It showcases hundreds of huge yachts, as well as boat accessories like tenders and toys.

It’s one of the best Dubai festivals for things to do too. It has lots of unmissable events, such as the Bored Ape Yacht Party, and watersports and marine-inspired fashion shopping to do. It’s a really big event, even for those who are necessarily boaters.

12. Dhow Race

Another of the best festivals in Dubai that involves boats. Except the Dhow Race isn’t about glossy superyachts but more tradition, history and competition.

Dhows are traditional wooden boats historically used for trade, fishing, and transportation in the Arabian Gulf. They actually date back to pearl diving, which was hugely popular in the region. Today, the Dhow Race sees these boats take to the waters, showcasing both their elegance and speed.

If you’re not there for the race, you can always sail the Dubai coastline on a Dhow cruise.

Festivals in Dubai

There’s no doubt that Dubai is the epitome of entertainment and fun, but if you time your trip with one of these fab festivals in Dubai you’ll feel it even more. So, what are you waiting for? Book a cleartrip ticket to Dubai and have the best time with your family, at a festival!

---

---