Understand how major events affect housing, traffic, schools and best time to move
From the Dubai World Cup and tennis championships to Global Village, Dubai Shopping Festival, and world-class concerts—discover all the major events happening in Dubai throughout 2026.
Dubai hosts some of the world's most spectacular events year-round—from record-breaking fireworks and global sporting championships to vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations. For families relocating to the UAE, understanding the event calendar helps you plan visits, book accommodation early, and experience the city's unique energy firsthand.
This guide covers major confirmed and anticipated events from December 2025 through December 2026, giving you the full picture of what to expect during your transition year. Whether you're scouting schools during Dubai World Cup season or timing your move around peak festival periods, this calendar helps you make informed decisions.
Major events drive hotel rates and traffic. Time your house-hunting trip or school visits around quieter periods, or embrace the excitement during peak seasons.
Events define Dubai's rhythm—from Formula 1 excitement to shopping festival buzz. Understanding the calendar helps you tap into what makes this city unique.
Many expat families bond at sporting events, concerts, and festivals. These occasions provide natural networking opportunities for newcomers settling in.
Accommodation during major events books out months in advance. Knowing the calendar helps you secure better rates and availability for family visits.
Dubai hosts world-class sporting championships across motorsports, golf, tennis, horse racing, and rugby
The season-finale Formula 1 race at Yas Marina Circuit is one of the UAE's most anticipated sporting events. While technically in Abu Dhabi, many Dubai residents make the 90-minute drive for this spectacular twilight race.
Status: Confirmed
Official dates: December 4-6, 2026
The Middle East's longest-running endurance race, attracting international GT and touring car teams for a 24-hour motorsport marathon.
Status: TBC
Typically held in January – Dates TBC for 2026
World-class golf on championship courses
Venue: Emirates Golf Club
One of the European Tour's most prestigious events, bringing world-class golfers to Dubai's iconic Majlis Course.
Typically held in January – Dates TBC
Venue: Jumeirah Golf Estates
The season-finale of the DP World Tour, determining the tour champion with a multi-million dollar prize purse.
Typically held in November – Dates TBC
ATP 500 & WTA 1000 combined event
Venue
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
About
A prestigious ATP 500 and WTA 1000 combined event featuring the world's top-ranked male and female tennis players.
Status
Typically held in February/March – Dates TBC for 2026
The final major prep race before the Dubai World Cup, featuring Group 1 and Group 2 races. Super Saturday serves as the grand finale of the Dubai World Cup Carnival season.
Status: Confirmed
Saturday, February 28, 2026
The world's richest horse race featuring international thoroughbreds and a spectacular after-race concert.
Status: Confirmed
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Rugby Sevens and more world-class sporting events
Venue
The Sevens Stadium
About
Part of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, this three-day festival combines elite rugby with live music and family entertainment.
Status
Typically held in November/December – Dates TBC for 2026
World-class artists perform at Dubai's premier entertainment venues
Venue: Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk
Dubai's premier indoor concert venue hosting international superstars, comedy acts, and live entertainment throughout the year.
Year-round programming – Specific artists TBC
Venue: Hatta
Weekend concerts and outdoor entertainment in Dubai's mountain enclave, featuring regional and international artists.
Typically runs December–February – Dates TBC
Immersive cultural experiences, shopping festivals, and family entertainment throughout the year
Dubai's flagship retail and entertainment festival featuring mega sales, daily fireworks, concerts, prize draws, and family activities.
Citywide malls and venues • Typically runs December–January (6–8 weeks) – Dates TBC
The region's largest cultural and entertainment destination with pavilions representing 90+ countries, nightly shows, rides, and global cuisine.
Global Village, Dubai • Typically runs October–April – Dates TBC
A month-long celebration of Dubai's diverse culinary scene with celebrity chef events, food trucks, dining deals, and tasting experiences.
Multiple venues across Dubai • Typically held in February/March – Dates TBC
The Middle East's leading international art fair showcasing contemporary and modern art from galleries across the globe.
Madinat Jumeirah • Typically held in March – Dates TBC
A summer-long festival designed for families with indoor entertainment, retail promotions, and activities during Dubai's hottest months.
Citywide malls and indoor venues • Typically runs June–August – Dates TBC
Massive celebrations for the UAE's 55th anniversary featuring fireworks displays, air shows, concerts, parades, and patriotic festivities.
Dubai Festival City, Burj Khalifa, citywide • Confirmed: December 2–3, 2026
Track all major Dubai events from December 2025 through December 2026
✅ Confirmed: 5 December 2025 – 11 January 2026
Citywide shopping festival with retail promotions, concerts, fireworks, raffles and family entertainment across malls and outdoor venues.
Category: Shopping, Entertainment, Family
📅 From mid-December 2025 (weekly)
Weekly race meetings at Meydan Racecourse leading up to the Dubai World Cup, forming the backbone of Dubai's winter horse-racing season.
📅 31 December 2025
Large-scale fireworks, concerts and celebrations across the city including Burj Khalifa area, Palm Jumeirah, beaches, and Expo City.
✅ Until 11 January 2026
Final weeks of DSF with closing concerts, promotions and entertainment.
📅 Typically mid-January (exact 2026 date TBC)
One of the region's largest international road races, attracting elite and amateur runners on a citywide route.
📅 January 2026 (TBC)
Open-air cinema and cultural experience set in the Al Marmoom Desert.
📅 Typically mid-to-late February
One of the world's premier ATP and WTA tennis tournaments featuring top international players at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
📅 Weekly through February
Build-up race meetings ahead of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse.
📅 Typically February (TBC)
Outdoor food festival featuring top restaurants, live cooking demos and music at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre.
✅ Confirmed: 28 March 2026
One of the richest horse races in the world and Dubai's single biggest annual sporting and social event at Meydan Racecourse.
📅 Approximately mid-February to late March 2026 (moon-sighting dependent)
Cultural programming, night markets, special dining experiences and community events during the holy month.
📅 Typically mid-April
Leading international art fair showcasing contemporary and modern art from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia at Madinat Jumeirah.
📅 Typically April (TBC)
Major gaming, esports and youth-focused entertainment festival.
📅 March – May 2026
International theatre productions, concerts and performances at Dubai Opera before the summer slowdown.
📅 Typically late June – August
Summer shopping promotions, indoor entertainment and family activities during the hotter months.
📅 Throughout summer
Smaller-scale indoor events, exhibitions and shows.
📅 From October
Outdoor festivals and major events resume as temperatures cool.
📅 Typically October – November
Citywide initiative encouraging 30 minutes of daily fitness with free classes and events.
📅 Typically mid-November
Season-ending tournament of the DP World Tour featuring the world's top golfers at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
📅 Typically November
Regional design showcase featuring exhibitions, talks and installations at Dubai Design District (d3).
📅 Early December 2026 – January 2027
Annual retail and entertainment festival kicks off again.
📅 31 December 2026
Fireworks, concerts and large-scale celebrations across Dubai.
Practical insights for residents and families relocating during event season
Global Village generates the heaviest traffic impact. Thursday through Saturday evenings see significant congestion on Emirates Road between exits 37-43 and on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road near the venue. Budget an extra 30-45 minutes for evening commutes in this corridor from October through April.
Dubai World Cup weekend creates localized traffic around Meydan Racecourse. Dubai Shopping Festival increases mall parking difficulty citywide but does not significantly affect highway traffic. Tennis championships at Dubai Duty Free Stadium cause minimal disruption as the venue sits near the airport with good highway access.
Resident Tip: Use RTA's Nol Card for metro access to events. The Red Line connects to major venues including Coca-Cola Arena at Al Jadaf station. Careem and Uber surge pricing applies during major events.
Central Dubai: Downtown Dubai and Business Bay provide metro access to Coca-Cola Arena and proximity to Dubai Mall events. Higher costs but walkable to many festivals and activities.
Family Communities: Arabian Ranches, Dubai Sports City, and Motor City offer villa communities with international schools. These areas sit relatively close to major sports venues and Global Village while maintaining quieter residential character.
Dubai Marina and JBR: Beach lifestyle with good access to Dubai Autodrome and event venues via Sheikh Zayed Road. Popular with families who prioritize coastal living alongside easy event attendance.
International schools in Dubai follow British, American, or IB curricula. December brings extended winter break coinciding with Dubai Shopping Festival's launch and UAE National Day celebrations. Many schools organize trips to Global Village during term time as part of multicultural education programs.
Summer holidays (late June through August) align with Dubai Summer Surprises festival, designed specifically for families during school vacation. Indoor entertainment venues offer extended hours and special programming to accommodate holiday schedules.
Planning Tip: Book event tickets early during school holidays when family demand peaks. Many venues offer educational packages for school groups at discounted rates during term time.
Dubai World Cup: General admission AED 200-400. Premium seating with hospitality AED 2,000-10,000+. Includes all races plus after-race concert.
Global Village: Entry AED 25 per person (children under 3 free). Season passes available for frequent visitors. Budget AED 200-300 per family visit including food and activities.
Tennis and Sports: Dubai Duty Free Tennis daily passes AED 150-400. Rugby Sevens tickets AED 300-600 for weekend passes.
Shopping Festivals: No entry fees but DSF and DSS drive retail spending. Concerts at Coca-Cola Arena range from AED 200 to AED 2,500 depending on artist and seating.
Dubai offers the highest volume and variety of events in the UAE. The emirate excels in retail festivals, entertainment diversity, and year-round programming including summer events. Global Village provides a unique multicultural experience not replicated elsewhere. Families benefit from consistent weekend activities across all seasons.
Abu Dhabi focuses on premium sports (Formula 1, championship golf) and cultural heritage. For families prioritizing retail variety, food festivals, and entertainment frequency, Dubai provides more options. Both emirates remain easily accessible—the 90-minute drive allows residents to attend flagship events in either city.
Decision Factor: Choose Dubai if consistent family entertainment matters. Choose Abu Dhabi if you prefer fewer but more prestigious sporting events with less urban density.
Everything you need to know about Dubai's event calendar
Understanding Dubai's event calendar helps you plan your relocation timing and residential location. Explore our complete relocation guides covering every aspect of moving to Dubai:
Event dates can change year to year. This guide is updated regularly with official announcements from tourism authorities, venues, and event organizers.
Always check official event websites, Dubai Calendar, and Visit Dubai for the most current 2026 dates and ticket information.
This page is refreshed regularly as organizers announce confirmed dates and new events for 2026.