Diwali in Dubai to light up the city with exhibitions, deals and entertainment

Dubai: Diwali in Dubai, the beloved festival of lights, kicks off today and runs until October 28 with a wealth of promotions, Diwali markets and exhibitions, exciting live entertainment, thrilling competitions and prizes, and more to be enjoyed across the city.

Across Dubai, shopping malls, retail outlets and brands are organising their own special Diwali celebrations, with festive markets, experiences and offer popping up across the Emirate.  

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) has curated a list of some of the best Diwali promotions, markets and exhibitions at leading malls and locations across the city. From festive accessories and lights to decorate the home, to special celebratory outfits, gold and gifts for family and friends – there is everything to make this Diwali in Dubai a celebration to remember. 

DIWALI BAZAARS AND MARKETS 

Head to Dubai Festival Plaza until 23 October to enjoy its Diwali Bazaar, open Thursday to Sunday from noon until 10PM. Visit the cultural shows from 4 PM onwards on Saturday and Sunday, with extra roaming performances on Sunday, 23 October, and art and craft workshops for children from Thursday to Sunday that same weekend. A Rangoli competition will also be held on the Sunday, with cash prizes of up to AED 3000 to be won. 

Celebrate Diwali with BurJuman Mall until 30 October. The mall offers unmissable festive offers, fantastic decor, live entertainment, mini fashion shows and delectable Diwali food. By spending over AED 250 at BurJuman Mall, shoppers have the chance to enter a raffle to win one year of rent-free living in a one-bedroom apartment located in the heart of Dubai Creek, sponsored by Al Ghurair Real Estate. Don’t miss the Diwali Bazaar running until 30 October every day from 12PM to 10PM on level three of the mall. 

Check out the Diwali celebrations at Oasis Mall, which in addition to live entertainment, workshops and a Diwali market until 24 October, has a special Spend & Win promotion. There are sales and reductions in the mall offering as much as 75 per cent off, and shoppers spending at least AED 200 from 14 to 24 October will be entered into a draw, with four prizes of AED 5,000 up for grabs. 

From 15 October to 24 October, the Waterfront Market at Deira Corniche has a beautiful Diwali celebration in store for visitors. Experience live Indian-inspired cooking stations and recipes shared by the Market’s executive resident chef Christos Lymperis. With vibrant Bollywood-themed performances, a giant Rangoli, and Diwali-inspired workshops for kids, this is set to be an enriching Diwali celebration.  

That’s not all, visitors can also enjoy the outdoor market, Vibes by the Bay, featuring an array of Instagrammable offerings including a variety of tantalising street food trucks, diverse new marketplaces and a must-see aquatic experience performed by the Fontana Circus. The first travelling water circus in the Middle East offers breathtaking artistic performances, special effects and much more. 

DIWALI EXHIBITIONS 

The Riwaaz India Fashion Carnival is a special Diwali event taking place on Saturday 15 October at the DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel in Bur Dubai from 11AM to 8PM. The carnival features more than 60 selected exhibitors, offering clothing, jewellery, skincare products, gifts, Diwali décor, and more. Entry is free, and there is free valet parking. 

Shoppers can also visit the Wow Diwali Utsav shopping experience on the same day at the nearby Grand Hotel Excelsior in Bur Dubai. In the Dhow Ballroom, there will be many small businesses offering festive saris, suits, jewellery, handcrafted diwali décor, kids ethnic dresses and much more, with prizes and gifts to be won. Again, entry is free, with complimentary valet parking. 

Close to the Al Nahda metro stop, across the Creek in Deira, Al Bustan Centre & Residence will host the Diwali Festival Exhibition from JA Events on Saturday 15 October Running from 1PM to 11PM. Visitors can explore clothing, jewellery, shoes and handbags, food and handicrafts, with a longest hair competition for women, and a Rubik’s challenge for kids, among other entertainment. 

Head back to this part of the city on Sunday 16 October for the Diwali Fiesta 2022 at the Holiday Inn Bur Dubai. Open from 10AM to 9PM, a long list of exhibitors awaits, with fashion, home decor, designer wear, diwali items, sarees, accessories, designer jewellery, delicious food, giveaways, and much more, on show. Come and let’s celebrate. 

RETAIL PROMOTIONS 

Special Diwali offers can also be found at branches of Lulu Hypermarket, from 14 to 28 October. All of the décor, sweets, gifts and accessories needed for the festive season can be found in-store, as well as themed gift cards. There will be fashion shows, Bollywood dancing and competitions, with a buy-two-get-one-free offer on sarees and churidars. 

Branches of Bath & Body Works across Dubai will also be helping shoppers to decorate their homes for Diwali or find the perfect gift. An offer running until 27 October sees an exclusive three-wick Diwali candle available, made with essential oils, for the special price of AED 65. Diwali Dubai Celebrations Entertainment

No celebration of lights would be complete without some sparkly jewellery offers from local retailer Damas. On the weekend of 29 and 30 October, be sure to drop into one of its stores to collect a free 1g 22k gold coin with every diamond purchase of AED 2,500; or two coins when spending AED 10,000 or more on diamonds. There will also be no making-charges on selected 22k gold jewellery; with gift vouchers of AED 100 presented for every AED 10,000 spent on it. Shoppers can try their luck in the raffle draw to win a diamond jewellery set, with a coupon for every AED 500 spent, and enjoy zero deduction on the gold exchange rate. Diwali Dubai Celebrations Entertainment

With Skywards Everyday, earn Emirates Skywards Miles while shopping for glittering gifts for loved ones. Shoppers can earn 1 mile for every AED 3 spent at participating jewellery partners including 1915 by Seddiqi & Sons, Roberto Coin, Fiori Jewellers, Kalyan Jewellers and Farah Jewellery. Diwali Dubai Celebrations Entertainment

Stay on top of the festivities and celebrations this Diwali in Dubai – visit Visit Dubai and @CelebrateDubai and @StyledbyDubai on social media channels for more information.