Diwali is probably one of the most awaited festivals for Hindus. The festival is considered the celebration of the triumph of good over evil, marking the return of Lord Rama to his Kingdom of Ayodhya.
Expats and residents in UAE can look forward to various events and celebrations of Diwali in the Emirates. Here is all you need to know about the celebration of the Festival of Lights in the UAE.
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Diwali dates and calendar
For the year 2025, Diwali will be celebrated on 20 October.
The festival dates vary annually according to the Hindu Luni-solar calendar. Although it’s not an official holiday in the UAE, Diwali celebrations are very popular among residents.
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Diwali celebrations in the UAE
The Diwali celebrations in the UAE share many similarities with those of the rest of the world, albeit with some minor differences. Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists also celebrate the festival of lights.
The preparations begin with a tradition of cleaning every house corner one week before the festival. People start renovating their homes, discarding useless items, and purchasing new items like kitchen appliances, electronics, clothes, vehicles, etc.
The first day of Diwali is known as “Dhanteras”. Dhanteras is considered an auspicious day for buying special utensils in brass, silver, or gold. It’s a sacred day to shop for decorations, lights, sweets, and everyday items. Markets are bustling, sweet shops are busy, and people buy gifts for loved ones. The top places to visit for Diwali shopping are The Dubai Mall, Wafi Mall, Deira City Centre, Mall of the Emirates, and Bur Dubai Souk.
Earthen oil lamps are lit for the next five days and are meant to remove the darkness and dispel evil. The second day is also referred to as ‘Chhoti Diwali.’ A variety of Indian sweets and gifts are exchanged among friends and family.
The third day or the ‘Main Diwali’, is when most of the festivities take place. People wear their best outfits and offer their prayers to Lord Ganesh and Goddess Laxmi, the Hindu Gods of wealth and protection. Fireworks light up the sky, and people indulge in parties and special events like singing, dancing and card games.
Decorations like rangolis (an art form using colored sand, flowers, or other materials) are also popular ways to celebrate Diwali. The fourth day is primarily ceremonial, with many celebrations indicating the end of the harvest season.
The Diwali festivities end with the celebration of Bhai Dooj on the fifth day. This occasion celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, with the performance of rituals and exchanging of gifts.
This section discuss the celebrations that were in place for the previous Diwali season. Please note that we will update this section once we receive pertinent information on the events and celebrations for Diwali 2025.
Dubai Diwali celebrations and grand prizes
Dubai is celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights, with a variety of offers and prizes for shoppers and visitors from mid-October to the beginning of November.
From jewelry to cash, gold to vouchers, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Highlights include a chance to win up to USD 1,000 in shopping vouchers, raffle draws with 100 cash prizes worth USD 2,000, and a digital raffle with 20 gold prizes worth USD 3,000. Additionally, cultural and entertainment activities across the city include a light show on Burj Khalifa and events featuring Bollywood artists and performers were in place.
Shopping for gold
The tradition of buying and gifting gold during the Diwali season is not a new concept. Popular jewellery stores across UAE offer eye-catching discounts and promotions to their customers on their latest collections.
Shoppers purchase gold as part of the festival’s tradition and benefit from considerable savings of 30 to 75 percent.
Places to visit in Dubai during Diwali
Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) organized some special Diwali-centric events for the previous Diwali season in Dubai.
Al Seef
Al Seef was a “D” place to meet up with your friends and family for witnessing a grand firework show lighting up the sky.
The Noor – Festival of Lights was held at Al Seef from 25 October to 27 October. The three-day cultural fair featured lights, artistic expressions, interactive experiences, and performances, all set against Diwali décor and fireworks, with interactive activities like puppet processions, theater shows, poetry recitations, musical performances, stand-up comedy, painting and design workshops, traditional Indian delicacies just to name a few. Visitors also explored Al Seef’s traditional souk and alleyways offering restaurants, boutiques, and attractions.
Global Village
Global Village became the second destination in Dubai to witness the grand fireworks show during the previous Diwali season on 25 and 26 October and 1 and 2 November.
Global Village hosted Diwali festivities from 28 October to 3 November. The event featured Rangoli art, performances, and a Festival of Lights Market presented by the India Pavilion. Scrumptious dining options were available which included Indian street food and traditional restaurants.
Entry tickets were available via the Global Village mobile app on the Play Store and App Store, the website, or on-site ticketing booths.
DoubleTree by Hilton M Square hosted the Diwali Edit—Fashion & Luxury Exhibition, which featured fashion, jewellery, and home decor designers for those looking forward to adding glamour to their home decor last minute.
Coca-Cola Arena became the holy ground of endless laughter and joy when UK stand-up comedian Romesh Ranganathan put up a show filled with witty jokes on 25 October.
Dubai British School – Jumeirah Park invited theatre enthusiasts on 26 October to experience Meera: Echoes of Love, a show blending dance, theatre, and music, featured seventy local artists celebrating the strength of women and emotions tied to love.
Other festivities organized in Dubai for the previous Diwali season include the following:
Zabeel Theatre showcased Ashvin Gidwani’s Barff—a suspenseful drama on 8 November.
Bur Dubai: A famous Souq area for shopping and fireworks display during Diwali. The other places renowned for Diwali shopping in Dubai were the Dubai Mall, Wafi Mall, Deira City Centre, Mall of Emirates and Al Seef’s Diwali Mela.
Burj Khalifa: The tallest skyscraper in the world put up a show of lights and sound that sent the audience a heartwarming Diwali message.
Bollywood Parks Dubai: This place aired various shows, famous Bollywood movies, and concert performances by favorite artists.
Dubai Festival Mall: For everyone who visited the region, an exceptional performance that featured a complex display of laser, fire, water, and other projections were made.
Hilton Yas Island: Food enthusiasts were cordially welcomed at the Diwali Spice Market at Graphos Social Kitchen on 31 October and 1 November to celebrate Diwali with family and friends at the Hilton Yas Island.
On 1 November, Yas Bay Waterfront hosted a Candlelight Concert by Fever for the Festival of Lights, a free classical concert paying homage to epic Indian cinema music.
