Diwali in Dubai is a true community celebration of food, family and friendship with record-breaking fountains, light shows, superb shopping and much more on offer across the city.

The festivities for Diwali are enticing visitors and residents to enjoy the perfect winter temperatures and explore the city’s most popular destinations, landmark venues and exciting attractions. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), this year’s programme celebrates the diversity, culture and traditions of Dubai’s eclectic mix of residents, citizens and visitors.

Global Village takes celebrations for the ‘Festival of Lights’ to the next level of fun with its India Pavilion offering the best representation of Indian traditions, culture and food in the UAE. Residents and tourists have the chance to shop for unique items and special gifts from more than 240 stalls selling the finest Indian handicrafts, homewares, souvenirs, accessories and artifacts while also enjoying spectacular cultural shows. Families and friends can indulge in delicious Indian flavours at a wide range of restaurants and kiosks, as well as vendors selling street food.

Highlights of this year’s festivities at Global Village, which follow all of the strict health and safety precautions set out by the Dubai government, include special Bollywood themed shows Absolute Bollywood, featuring a troupe of 16 dancers performing on the main stage, and Lights, Camera, Action, Bollywood! that takes audiences behind the scenes and reveals how the biggest and best Indian movies are made. Lights, Camera, Action, Bollywood! features spectacular effects and on-stage interactions between performers and the crowd, and will be held twice a day.

Fans of the Hindi language cartoon show, Chhota Bheem, can meet some of their best-loved characters alongside children’s favourites PJ Masks, Ben & Holly, Peter Rabbit, Octonauts and the Care Bears at the Kids’ Theatre, while a flash mob of Bollywood entertainers will pop up for surprise shows throughout Global Village.

A musical themed firework display will be held every Thursday and Friday from 9pm during the festival, while Global Village’s brand-new Fire Fountain Show is sure to wow visitors with three shows each day featuring the largest number of flames ever combined with a water display. The ever-popular Carnival funfair features more than 160 exhilarating rides, skills-based and arcade games and family attractions while audiences can get their thrills at the Stunt Show: Mission Speed’s mix of daring stunts and hair-raising tricks during the twice daily performances.

Visitors in search of authentic and tasty Indian dining options are able to feast on veg and non-veg meals at the Grand BBQ eatery, north Indian cuisine at Punjabi Village, street food from Chaat Bazaar, tasty breads and more at Everything Paratha and traditional desserts at Kulfilicious.

Dubai Festival City’srecord-breaking IMAGINE show leaves onlookers in awe with two magical shows created especially for Diwali. Festival Bay will be awash with colour, lights, sounds and more for a performance of ‘Hathi’s Garden’ and ‘Jai Ho’ each evening from 6.30pm until 21 November. The story of a baby elephant, Hathi’s Garden is a big hit with children and parents alike, with the tale brought to life through high-tech projections and state-of-the-art sound. Made famous by the blockbuster ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, Jai Ho is one of Bollywood’s biggest ever hits and the ideal track to get audiences in the mood to party and explore Dubai Festival City’shuge range ofDiwali activations, shopping deals and more.

This Diwali, La Perle also offers a great selection of ticket and staycation packages for families and friends eager to experience Dubai’s most spectacular theatrical and acrobatic stage show. Offers start at AED119 for two regular seats, rising to AED499 for two VIP seats, all including complimentary popcorn. Alternatively, guests can choose a staycation deal at the V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton that includes two show tickets, popcorn or nachos and soda plus a complimentary room and 25 per cent off at any of the hotel’s restaurants. Prices start at AED583 for the Bronze package, rising to AED943 for the VIP which comes with an upgrade to a hotel suite. La Perle is performed twice a day,at 6.30pm and again at 9.30pm.

For further details of Diwali events across Dubai, go to https://www.visitdubai.com/en/.