Events

EVENTS IN DUBAI

Religion, sport and shopping all loom large in the Dubai events calendar. With its virtually year-round sunshine and dazzling Gulf backdrop, Dubai makes a fitting stage, whatever the occasion. Remember that Thursday and Friday are the Dubai weekend!

February

The month of the famous Dubai Shopping Festival – this comes with concerts, street performers and sports activities. A whole area is dedicated to the Global Village, packed with replica buildings representing countries from around the world, Shopping malls have big sales and there are prize draws, as well as massive fireworks displays each night. Another February highlight is the Dubai Jazz Festival, now extended to no less than nine days.

March/April

Throughout this period are held the widely popular local camel races – not to be missed. Early-March features Great British Day – an annual charity event celebrating all things British, finishes with a fireworks display. The International Jewellery Dubai Exhibition gives the public a chance to view rarely-seen gems and an incredible array of jewellery. And at the March Dubai Men’s and Women’s Tennis Open, you can watch top players at closer quarters than at other tournaments, with no danger of rain! The annual Dubai Desert Classic Golf Tournament attracts some of the biggest names in golf. Late-March also brings the Dubai World Cup, an international event with one of horse-racing’s richest purses. March ends with Moulid al-Nabi, the Muslim holiday celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

August

August is the time for the Dubai Summer Surprises – a family-oriented event rather like a smaller-scale Dubai Shopping Festival. All activities are normally held indoors. Bargains and raffles abound, and shows and concerts draw crowds.

October

Ed Al Fitr is the three-day celebration following the end of Ramadan. It’s a festive and happy occasion – a time to be thankful and generous.

November

The UAE Desert Challenge, a popular desert car, truck and motorcycle rallying event, starts and finishes in Dubai this month.

December

National Day Festival is marked by cultural activities throughout Dubai city – with concerts, music competitions, fireworks, exhibitions, camel- racing, a carnival, and traditional markets, cuisine and crafts. Later in the month the Gulf News Overnighter Fun Drive a two-day 4×4 off-road jamboree from Dubai to Fujairah, popular with residents and visitors alike. December also sees Eid al-Adha, an important date in the Muslim religious calendar, marking the pilgrimage to Mecca.