Many tourists come to Dubai to explore some of its main attractions like Burj Khalifa or the famous Palm Island. But if you’re staying longer than a couple of days, it might also be a great idea to attend one of the events that are constantly being held in the emirate.
Shopping Festival
Shopping is one of the most popular activities in the city, and the Dubai Shopping Festival is designed to celebrate that. It is a month-long period of significant discounts in stores and boutiques all around the emirate.
The festival starts on the 6th of December and finishes on the 12th of January. If the time of your trip is limited, the best option to benefit from deals and promotions would be to visit the famous Dubai Mall, where you can get everything you need in one go.
Dubai Marathon
Another major event held in the emirate in winter is the Dubai Marathon. It would be hard to imagine the athletes running outside during any other season, as the temperatures would make the race dangerous.
The event takes place over the course of 26.2 miles or 42.2 kilometers, starting near the Madinat Jumeirah and finishing next to the Dubai Police Academy.
The marathon will be held on the 7th of January, and you can both come to spectate the celebration of top-performing athletes or participate in the race yourself if you’re an enthusiast.
Food Festival
Dubai is one of the world’s largest tourism centers with a very diverse cultural mix. Such a configuration allows for a vast selection of cuisines in the city, and there is an entire event to celebrate it. You can read more about the incredible food scene in Dubai in our previous article.
Much like the shopping month, the Dubai Food Festival is not a single centralized event. Instead, it is virtually a holiday celebrated by food lovers all across the emirate.
It starts closer to the end of February and lasts up until March with dozens of major and numerous smaller events you could attend.
The festival includes food truck parades, beach canteens, various tasting sessions for foods and drinks, shows from professional chefs, and many more.
International Boat Show
Visitors and residents of Dubai love boats, and it’s impossible to judge them: the crystal clear waters of the Persian Gulf and the stunning views of the futuristic city’s skyline are very captivating. Read more about the range of water sports available in Dubai in our previous article
With that in mind, you would not be surprised that Dubai is also the location for one of the world’s largest boat shows. It takes place over four days starting on the 19th of February and features more than 1,000 exhibitors with more than 200 boats available on display.
Aside from the vessels themselves, you will be able to visit classes and lectures on various topics starting with diving and ending with boat handling. Of course, you will also meet a lot of like-minded people, so if you’re an enthusiast, the Dubai International Boat Show is definitely a must-see event for you.
Dubai World Cup
The Dubai World Cup also known as the Dubai Racing Carnival is a massive celebration for all the horse racing fans. If you’re into the sport, you can attend a total of 16 race meetings throughout the year, but the biggest event takes place in the middle of March.
The races are held at Meydan Racecourse, one of the most prestigious venues in the world. As it is common for these events, there are many other additional activities you can indulge in aside from watching the races themselves.
Art Dubai
Art Dubai is the largest art fair in the Middle East, and it showcases works from all around the world. It includes both contemporary and modern art, making it universally appealing for enthusiasts with any preferences.
The fair takes place in spring and includes both exhibitions and various additional events such as press conferences with artists, master classes, and lectures.
The next year’s Art Dubai has been announced for the 18th of April, but we recommend checking up with the official sources to see if there have been any updates.
Musical Events
Music lovers will also get a lot of opportunities to spend quality time in Dubai. The city is home to some major regular events like the International Dubai Jazz Festival, and there are numerous concerts you can attend all year round.
If you’re not opposed to traveling to Abu Dhabi, the neighboring emirate hosts even more musical events. No matter which time of the year you decide to visit the UAE, you will easily find concerts and other musical shows, although it is always better to check the schedules and book the tickets in advance.
GITEX Technology Week
Geeks and other fans of futuristic gadgets can have a blast at the GITEX Technology Week. It is a special festival, where companies and inventors from all around the world showcase their latest achievements.
The Technology Week is hosted in the Dubai World Trade Center, which is easily the most appropriate place in the city for this kind of event. It takes place every year in October and usually lasts for four to five days.
Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF)
Established in 2004, the Dubai International Film Festival is now one of the most respected events of this kind in the Middle East. Even though it is far from the festival held in Cannes, it is still an interesting opportunity to discover new movies.
The DIFF takes place in December, and aside from cinema screenings, it also offers Q&A sessions with actors and producers. You can find the lineup and the exact schedule on the festival’s official website.
Dubai International Motor Show
If you’re a car lover, you will also find a couple of events you might want to attend in Dubai. First of all, there is the Dubai International Motor Show, where manufacturers from all across the globe showcase their concept cars.
It is a massive event with almost 1,500 exhibitors from the United States, China, India, and other regions. You will be able to witness some of the most powerful sports cars, some of the most efficient electric vehicles, and some futuristic models that are not on the market yet.
The show is hosted once every two years, and it usually takes place in December or November. It is situated in the Dubai World Trade Center, and you can check the relevant and updated schedule on the official website of the venue.
The Dubai Autodrome
The Dubai Autodrome is another place you might be interested in if you’re into cars. Unlike the famous Motor Show, it operates all year round, and there is always something going on there.
The venue hosts some major world-class races such as the NGK Series, the 24H Series, the UAE Pro Cup Championship, the FIA F4 UAE Championship, and many others. You will find the relevant schedule as well as the tickets on the website of the autodrome.
Even in case there are no races planned for the dates of your trip to Dubai, you can still visit the venue and have an amazing time there. They offer various services starting with karting for kids and ending with piloting a Formula 1 class car on the track.
Dubai Expo
Similarly, if you’re up for an educational experience, you should check out the event schedule of the Dubai Exhibition Center when planning your journey.
It is mostly known for being the home of the Dubai Expo, but it works as a venue for smaller events all year round. You will find various lectures, meetings, master classes, and other interesting gatherings in this complex that is designed to accommodate up to 30,000 people at once.
Global Village
Global Village is a popular attraction in Dubai that represents the cultural diversity of the emirate. It is essentially a theme park with installations featuring the iconic attractions of different countries from all around the world. Do you want to discover more of Dubai’s attractions? Read more about the top spots to visit in Dubai in our previous article.
There, you will be able to discover tons of interesting facts about all these different cultures that have blended together in this emirate. Of course, you will also have an opportunity to purchase various souvenirs in dozens of stores scattered all around the park’s territory.
The best part is that Global Village is not a time-limited event. It operates from October to April, meaning you will very likely have a chance to visit it during your trip.