The city has come alive with a vibrant celebration for Ramadan in Dubai, uniting friends, families, and loved ones in a season of togetherness, community, and joy until 30 March. Residents and visitors can immerse themselves in unforgettable experiences that are unique to Dubai, from cultural entertainment and community iftars to dazzling weekend fireworks, bustling pop-up markets, and so much more. Organised by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), in partnership with Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) and public and private sector partners, this year’s festivities promise cherished moments for everyone. The city’s pleasant weather further elevates the season’s charm this year, creating a truly unique and memorable atmosphere for people of all ages and interests.

 

FIREWORKS, CITY LIGHTS, AND MORE

Enthralling light shows, mesmerising fireworks, and cultural entertainment are lighting up the city this Ramadan. A series of spectacular fireworks brought to you by Al Zarooni Group are painting the night skies every Saturday, including at Al Seef on 8 March, followed by Dubai Festival City Mall on 15 March, and ending with Bluewaters and The Beach, JBR on 22 March. Visitors at Global Village can catch the dazzling displays every Friday and Saturday at 10pm.

Stunning light and sound projections as part of Ramadan Reflections have illuminated Al Seef, Dubai Festival City Mall, and Ahmed Al Habbai Mosque in Al Khawaneej, offering an enchanting experience that captures the essence of Ramadan.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, enthralling cultural entertainment such as BuTbaila, as well as Oud and Qanoon performers, can be found every weekend at Al Seef, The Outlet Village, Bluewaters Island, Mirdif City Centre, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Festival City Mall, and Hatta Heritage Village.

 

VIBRANT COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES & OUTDOOR MARKETS

Ramadan night markets promise to be the perfect destinations to discover amazing must-have items and exclusive gifts for loved ones this season. The first-ever Ramadan at the Park at Zabeel Park Amphitheatre from 6 to 23 March brings a curated iftar and suhoor experience from food trucks and street food to Ramadan sweets and coffee shops, complemented by a live Ramadan cannon by Dubai Police on 6 March, retail pop-ups, immersive cultural showcases, mesmerising live performances, family-friendly entertainment, sports, games, special meet-and-greets with Modesh and Dana, and much more – all in a welcoming outdoor park setting.

The incredibly popular Ramadan Street Food Festival returnswith its highly anticipated 3^rd edition to once again transform Sheikh Hamdan Colony in Karama into a vibrant culinary and cultural hub from 6 to 23 March. Free-to-enter for all, a specially curated selection of more than 55 participating restaurants, spread across 5 sprawling zones, showcases a diverse mix of South Indian and Asian cuisine in a family-friendly festive ambiance bustling with live music, henna artists, calligraphy, caricatures, and roaming performers. The festival is open daily for all visitors, until 2am.

Hatta Ramadan NightsFestival, organised by Dubai Culture until 15 March,brings an outdoor experience for friends and families looking to explore outdoor, wellness, and nature experiences with a vibrant blend of traditional arts, shopping experiences, and exciting competitions set against the stunning backdrop of the Hajar Mountains. Open daily from 9pm to 11pm on weekdays.

Other must-visit markets include Hai Ramadan at Expo City Dubai until 27 March, Ramadan Wonders at Global Village, Ramadan District Market at Jumeirah Emirates Towers Plaza Terrace from 8 to 23 March, and the ever-popular Ripe Market at Academy Park in Umm Suqeim every Saturday.

 

FLAVOURS OF RAMADAN

Dubai’s gastronomy landscape has reached new heights this Ramadan, offering a feast of flavours from around the world with citywide dining outlets remaining open and operating as usual throughout the day. There are truly endless ways to enjoy iftar and suhoor for every budget across citywide restaurants and a stunning selection of dedicated dining tents.

Those looking to experience the magic of Ramadan in uniquely unforgettable settings can take their pick from a series of specially curated, only-in-Dubai dining experiences. An authentic Emirati Iftar under the stars at the Camel Uschi Farm until 30 March combines traditional Emirati hospitality with the breathtaking Dubai desert landscape, giving visitors the option to choose from dining under the star-studded desert sky or within specially designed Bedouin tents elegantly adorned with traditional Arabian carpets and plush cushions. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) is hosting a special cultural iftar programme until 28 March in the iconic Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, inviting residents and visitors alike to savour a traditional iftar, followed by a guided mosque tour, an immersive Bedouin and falcon experience, a rooftop gathering with board games and refreshments, and an exploration of the SMCCU Traditional House that has been designed to bring Dubai’s traditional culture and heritage to life. Another only-in-Dubai dining experience to look forward to is Frying Pan Adventures’ Dubai Souks Iftar Food Tour, taking foodies through the souks of Old Dubai where a communal iftar brings together 2,500 people every evening, followed by a stop at a local bakery in the heart of the Spice Souk, and concluding with an abra ride across the creek for a traditional family-style meal at an Emirati restaurant founded in the 1960s.

For those who want to discover the city’s best restaurants from the comfort of their homes, Zomato brings exclusive dining collections for iftar and suhoor from over 500 venues across the city and the chance to unlock discounts of up to 50 per cent off when dining in.

 

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS AND MALL ACTIVATIONS

Exclusive retail promotions are waiting to be discovered at markets and malls across the city this Ramadan – all remaining open during the day and operating until late into the night. Shoppers can instantly earn 10X cashback on the SHARE application and stand the chance to win a weekly prize of AED 50,000 SHARE points equivalent to AED 50,000 at Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, or City Centre Deira. Ramadan at Festival Bay in Dubai Festival City Mall brings together culture, entertainment, and shopping from 6pm to midnight every day, with retail-pop-ups, food trucks, live traditional entertainment, cultural activities like henna and calligraphy, the stunning IMAGINE Show, as well as a spend-and-win campaign to take home AED 10,000 in gift cards. Visitors to City Walk can experience captivating live entertainment twice-daily from Wednesdays to Sundays this Ramadan, starting at 9pm. Friends and families can also find unforgettable iftar, suhoor, and community celebrations across Dubai’s most enchanting destinations, including Al Seef, Al Khawaneej Walk, Boxpark, Bluewaters Island, and The Beach, JBR.

Making this Ramadan even more memorable are multiple chances to save big and win incredible prizes at citywide outlets. An exciting highlight for shoppers is the opportunity to become one of 40 winners to win a cumulative 4 million Skywards Miles and more this Ramadan, as well as the chance to earn 25 per cent bonus Skywards Miles when shopping at participating retailers. New users of the Skywards Everyday app can also enjoy four times the Miles on their first transaction when paying with a Visa card, and first-time shoppers at Skywards Miles Mall can earn 2,000 bonus Miles with their first Visa purchase.

 

GLOBAL BRAND ACTIVATIONS

Ramadan brings the opportunity to shop for exclusive collections and luxury gifts from some of the world’s best-known brands and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Dubai’s shopping districts and malls. Brands that are showcasing exclusive Ramadan collections this year include Tanagra, Fendi, Elemis, Make Up For Ever, L’Artisan Parfumeur, Penhaligons, Ghawali, Haze, Yeda, and L’Occitane.

 

ARTS, CULTURE, AND LIVE EVENTS

The city has come alive with events for all ages during Ramadan, presenting endless memorable ways to share time together. Theatre fans in Dubai should mark their calendars for the highly acclaimed Arabic comedy-drama Mjaddara Hamra that heads to Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on 7 March. Celebrated Lebanese playwright Yehia Jaber brings her thought-provoking one-woman play titled Chou Mnelbos to Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on 9 March to question societal norms and the choices that define us through tender comedy.

Arts lovers will not want to miss out on a record-breaking attempt to participate in the world’s longest ever painting created in the desert, inviting artists from around the world to make history with their brushstrokes at Camel Uschi Farm on 8 March from 2 to 7pm. Ramadan Nights at Jameel Arts Centre returns to the city for one weekend only from 14 to 16 March with a variety of engaging workshops, hands-on activities, specially curated art exhibitions, and the debut of the highly awaited Ramadan Souk. Poetry enthusiasts can witness the magic of rhythmic expressions at Ramadan Nights at Dubai Opera on 21 March, featuring renowned poets Faisal Al-Adwani, Mohammed Saakran and Nasser Alwobair. Fans of beloved anime characters must mark their calendars for Naruto The Gallery Experience at Dubai Outlet Mall until 6 April, which takes visitors along the young ninja’s iconic adventures through a carefully curated showcase of powerful visuals.

 

WELLNESS, FITNESS, AND SPORTS

Fitness and wellbeing is taking centre-stage this Ramadan as well, bringing all ages and abilities the chance to keep active during the Holy Month. Friends, families, and communities can come together for the SKECHERS Performance Run on 9 March, SKECHERS Inflatable Obstacle Run Race 2on 22 March, and many more action-packed competitions throughout Ramadan. Meanwhile, sports fans can witness high action at thrilling events like the highly awaited Dubai Racing Carnival, Dubai Basketball, and several other spectacular outdoor sporting events taking place during Dubai’s ideal weather for the season.

For more information, visit the Ramadan in Dubai website and follow @DubaiFestivals on Instagram and TikTok.