Anastasia Smith
With an event calendar that's full of seasonal celebrations, a trip to Dubai can offer holidaymakers the opportunity to experience a wide range of local events. From vibrant cultural festivals to exciting retail expos, here are the best local festivals to take part in during a getaway to Dubai.
This annual boating event, which takes place in the month of May, is organised to celebrate Dubai's proud pearl diving heritage. Dhows or traditional Emirati sailing vessels, which were once used by pearl divers and fishermen are employed during this race, which is one of Dubai's most popular sailing regattas, albeit of the conventional kind. All participants must be Emirati in origin to enter the Al Gaffal Dhow Race, which is scheduled to take place between the 26th and 28th of May 2024.
Whether one is based at the Avani Deira Dubai Hotel or any other Deira hotel in Dubai, an end-of-the-year getaway in the desert city would not be complete without attending the iconic Dubai Shopping Festival. Having wowed shopaholics since the festival was first launched in 1996; the Dubai Shopping Festival is a one-stop paradise for bargain hunters with a passion for branded goods. Apart from the mega sales and huge discounts available at nearly every mall and department store in the city, tourists can also witness the fashion shows, live concerts and street competitions that take place in conjunction with this city-wide event.
Cinephiles looking to time their holiday in Dubai should seriously consider heading to the desert metropolis in the month of April this year. Considered a red-letter day for entertainment industries across the Middle East, the Dubai International Film Festival is akin to the SXSW Festival in the USA for film fanatics. Complete with red-carpet gala evenings, film screenings and workshops, the festival draws some of the world's most famous actors, celebrities, film directors and producers.
Foodies bound for Dubai, however, will not want to miss the annual Dubai Food Festival, which dives headlong into the culinary heritage of the city. Deemed one of the world's largest Emirati food events, the Dubai Food Festival takes place across 2 weeks and showcases the best delicacies of the city. In addition to attending food-tasting sessions and digging into gourmet meals, tourists can also sign up for cooking demonstrations or wine and dine via food trucks that are set up in various locations across Dubai during the festivities.
Taking centre stage in the month of February 2024, the Dubai Jazz Festival is perhaps the most exciting musical event on the city's calendar. Celebrating 50 years of jazz music, the festival which was launched back in 2003, has grown exponentially to include legendary jazz artists and musicians from around the world. Attracting a whopping 500,000 jazz fans each year, the festival includes music workshops, live performances as well as meet and greets with jazz icons. Taking place over a 3-day period, tourists who wish to be a part of the Dubai Jazz Festival must purchase tickets online in advance.
