By Harry Nara · Last updated
- Where
- Al Seef, Dubai Creek, and across Dubai
- Tickets
- Free
- Time of year
- October or November
- Dates
- Move each year with the lunar calendar
Friday 29 October 2027, on the Government of India’s list of holidays for 2027; some South Indian states, and Singapore, mark Deepavali a day earlier, on Thursday 28 October. Diwali is not a UAE public holiday. In recent years Dubai’s official programme has run for about ten days around it, with dates and fireworks times announced a few weeks before.
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Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, belongs to one of Dubai’s largest communities, and in recent years the city has marked it on a public scale: a programme of about ten days from Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, with fireworks over the Creek at Al Seef and at Global Village, concerts, and gold and retail promotions. It is not a UAE public holiday, so offices stay open, but Indian restaurants, sweet shops and the temple at Jebel Ali are at their busiest. The fireworks and street celebrations are free.
What Diwali in Dubai actually is
Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, and for many Hindu families it also opens the new business year. Homes are cleaned and lit with clay lamps and strings of lights, rangoli patterns are drawn at the door, and people dress in new clothes, visit the temple and share sweets with neighbours, friends and colleagues.
Dubai’s Indian community is one of the largest anywhere outside India, and the city has turned the festival into a public event. Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, with the support of the Indian consulate, has run a festival week in recent years, opening with fireworks over the Creek.
Gold is part of the custom, since a small purchase in the days before Diwali is held to bring good fortune, so the gold souk in Deira and the jewellers in the malls are busy, and city-wide sales usually run alongside.
Where to celebrate
- Al Seef on Dubai Creek. The heritage-style waterfront has hosted the opening fireworks and a festival of lights, with music and food stalls, in recent years. Get there well before nine for a place along the water.
- Global Village. Its India pavilion puts on Diwali shows, and the park has added fireworks on the weekend nights of the festival week.
- Bur Dubai and the temple at Jebel Ali. The lanes of Meena Bazaar fill with people buying lamps, sweets and clothes, and the Hindu temple in Jebel Ali is where the community prays. Visitors are welcome if they come respectfully and dressed modestly.
Tickets and what it costs
Watching costs nothing on the Creek, while Global Village charges its normal entry and the concerts are sold separately.
For a Diwali dinner, book an Indian restaurant a week or two ahead; the popular ones fill with family bookings.
Official information and booking: www.visitdubai.com/en/whats-on
Getting there
For Al Seef, take the Green Line to Al Ghubaiba or Al Fahidi, or an abra across the Creek from Deira. Global Village is a taxi ride out of the centre, and its car parks queue on festival weekends.
Late October afternoons are still in the mid-thirties, so the celebrations happen after dark, when the evenings are pleasant.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Expecting a day off
Diwali is not a UAE public holiday. Offices, schools and government services run as normal.
Arriving at Al Seef just before the fireworks
The waterfront fills early. Come ahead of time, or watch from across the Creek.
Leaving the dinner booking late
Indian restaurants fill with family bookings. Reserve a week or two ahead.
Bringing your own fireworks
Private fireworks are illegal in the UAE. Leave it to the official displays.
Other Dubai events
Frequently asked questions
When is Diwali in Dubai?
It follows the Hindu lunar calendar and falls in October or November; the dates card above shows this year’s. The city’s official celebrations run for about ten days around it.
Is Diwali a public holiday in the UAE?
No. Offices and schools keep their usual hours, and families celebrate in the evening.
Where can I see Diwali fireworks in Dubai?
In recent years at Al Seef on Dubai Creek and at Global Village, with times announced shortly before the festival week.
Can visitors go to the Hindu temple in Dubai at Diwali?
Yes, dressed modestly and respectful of worship. Expect long queues on the day itself.
Is Diwali a good time to visit Dubai?
Yes. The outdoor season is starting, the evenings are pleasant, and the festival adds free fireworks and a lively Bur Dubai to an ordinary visit.
Sources
- Gulf News, the city’s Diwali programme opening at Al Seef
- Gulf News, Diwali fireworks locations and times in a recent year
- Government of India holiday list for the coming year, as reproduced by StaffNews
Dates on this page are checked against the organiser’s own listing and confirmed through 2027. Written and maintained by Harry Nara.