Dubai, a city synonymous with opulence and grandeur, hosts some of the most amazing and interesting festivals across the globe. From shopping galas to cultural celebrations, the festivals in Dubai pull thousands of participants from around the world. This article highlights the best festivals in Dubai for 2024 with some important information and answers to often-asked questions.
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Best Dubai Festivals in 2024
Dubai Shopping Festival
The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is one of the most anticipated and thrilling festivals in Dubai. It was inaugurated in 1996 and is mostly set during the first three months of the year, particularly from early January until early February. DSF provides astonishing deals at every store in all the malls, regardless of the class the brand belongs to. Other than shopping there are food festivals, concerts, game shows, parades, ramp walks, and fireworks on a daily basis at Creek Park.
Major Attractions:
Mega sales
Live concerts
Street performances
Fireworks displays
Fashion shows
Food festivals
2024 Dates: December 8, 2023 – January 14, 2024
Dubai Food Festival
It is yet another 15-day celebration of the city's unique culinary scene. The festival rises to the occasion and celebrates the best of the best, from culinary stalwarts to hidden gems—truly a utopia for food lovers. It's also an excellent opportunity to explore the streets and tastes of Dubai.
Key Features:
Food tastings
Food truck events
Chef-led experiences
Gourmet dining events
2024 Dates: February 19 - February 23, 2024
Dubai Design Week
This is an annual event celebrating Dubai's creative community and how it plays a part in global design culture.
Design exhibitions
Panel discussions
Design installations
Learning workshops
2024 Dates: June 4 - June 6, 2024
Islamic New Year also known as Hijri New Year
This marks the beginning of an Islamic lunar year. Time for reflection, prayers, and family reunions. The date varies every year.
Celebratory Days:
Each of the major religious traditions has its own particular festive days, with their specific practices and observances. Special religious services are often incorporated into these days, though they can also include other public gatherings such as community events and family meals.
2024 Observances: July 6 - July 7, 2024
Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha
Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are both festive Islamic holidays around the world. Eid Al Fitr is a celebration after Ramadan, and Eid Al Adha is the remembrance of the willingness. It is also marked by special prayers, feasts, family gatherings, gift giving, and acts of charity.
2024 Dates:
Eid Al Fitr: April 9 - April 10, 2024
Eid Al Adha: June 16 - June 17, 2024
UAE National Day
UAE National Day is one of the patriotic holidays that marks UAE's independence and unity. The celebrations include parades, cultural events, fireworks, and a series of displays that showcase patriotism.
Highlights:
National parades
Traditional dances
Fireworks
Concerts
Cultural exhibitions
Date: December 2 of each year
Art Dubai
Art Dubai is an art fair with a global presence that occurs annually in March and presents new and masterful talent to the world of art; it draws more than 28,000 visitors—visionaries, collectors, curators, and patrons. The gallery is subdivided into Contemporary, Modern, and Residents sections and is the venue for the major Global Art Forum.
2024 Dates: March 1 - March 3, 2024
Dubai International Film Festival
The Dubai International Film Festival is one of the biggest film festivals in the Middle East. Usually, it's held in November-December and manages to squeeze a lot of academy-award-nominated movies.
Main Features
Film screenings
Red-carpet galas
Filmmaker workshops
Networking opportunities
2024 Dates: April 23 - April 27, 2024
Dubai International Jazz Festival
The Dubai Jazz Festival features award-winning talents, legendary musicians, critically acclaimed Jazz and Contemporary Music bands. The event is organized at different venues in the city and hosts over half a million music enthusiasts from around the world.
Please Make a Note That It Is an Annual Event, So Make Sure You Update the Viewer with Proper 2023/2024 Dates:
Jazz concerts
Musical jam workshops
Performer meet-ups
Food stalls and many more.
Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS)
Dubai Summer Surprises is the coolest summer extravaganza brought to you with not-to-be-missed shopping offers, mind-boggling entertainment, fantastic theme parks.
High points
Running of the sales
Children's entertainments
Performances
Concerts
Competitions
2024 Dates: June 29 to September 3, 2024
The Dubai Marathon
The most massive in the Middle East; more than 28 thousand people participate in the Dubai Marathon. The distance in the marathon is approximately 42.2 km; races for elite sportsmen, participants on wheelchairs, and running masses are held in separate categories.
2024 Date: January 7, 2024
Dubai World Cup
Since 1996, Dubai had been conducting the world's richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup, with a prize fund of USD 10 million. Held at the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, it draws the world's top jockeys, trainers, and horses.
2024 Dates: March 26 - March 31, 2024
Taste of Dubai
Taste of Dubai is an offshoot food fest that brings together celebrity chefs, live cooking shows, and the crème de la crème of Dubai's restaurants at a fraction of their cost.
2024 Dates: March 1 - March 3, 2024
Dubai International Boat Show
The Dubai International Boat Show showcases the best yachts and leading brands in the yachting sector. It also encompasses the Marina Art Gallery show.
2024 Dates: February 28 - March 3, 2024
Al Gaffal Dhow Race
The Al Gaffal Dhow Race marks the olden days of pearl diving in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates traditional boats "Dhows" race the waters, and all of its crew are Emirates nationals.
2024 Dates: May 26 - May 28, 2024
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is an annual event that gathers bibliophiles and authors alike. In effect, this includes author sessions, book signings, workshops, and discussions.
Literary Events:
Author panels
Book launches
Writing workshops
Poetry slams
Storytelling sessions
2024 Dates: January 31 - February 6, 2024
Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC)
Middle East Film & Comic Con celebrates pop culture, comics, movies, anime, manga, and gaming. It features celebrity appearances, cosplay contests, workshops and exhibitions.
Features:
Cosplay contests
Celebrity meet and greets
Panel discussions
Gaming tournaments
2024 Dates: February 9 - February 11, 2024
Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship
The event aims to present the splendor and rich history of Arabian horses. There are competitions, parades, auctions, and educational activities.
Key Features
Equine shows
Beauty competitions
Sales
Exhibitory material
2024 Festival Dates January 28 - January 31, 2024
FAQs Dubai Festivals Guide
Que : What time of the year should I visit Dubai for festivals?
Ans : The bulk of the main events occur from December to March. Hence, it is recommended to visit Dubai for festivals during this period.
Que : Are there free events in Dubai festivals?
Ans : Yes, most of the Dubai festivals have free events like parade, street performance, fireworks show and more.
Que : How can one get tickets for Dubai festivals?
Ans : Generally tickets can be bought online from the official websites of the festivals or from the venue.
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