Diwali or Deepavali, the festival of lights, has different religious variations but the festive spirit binds everyone with a common thread of celebrations and happiness. Stores that sell special Diwali items are generally crowded ahead of the festival. The city’s prominent Indian designers exhibit extravagant, beautiful Diwali outfits. People throng shops to choose from a wide, colourful range of diyas, jewellery, clothes, candles, sweets, flowers, and wall or door hangings. Al Adil, Puranmal, Choithrams, Madhoor, Lulu Hypermarket, Bikanervala, and Kamat Shireen should tick all the boxes in your Diwali checklist. Get ready to make the most of non-stop festival fun, live entertainment and special deals.
Fireworks fun across the City
Diwali would not be the same without fireworks, and Dubai knows how to put on an unforgettable show. This year, there will be grand fireworks displays to celebrate the Indian festival of lights at Al Seef by the Creek, The Pointe at Palm Jumeirah, and Festival Bay at Dubai Festival City. Head over early to secure the best vantage point or make an evening of it by enjoying dinner at nearby restaurants such as Mitra – an Indian fusion bistro at the Heritage Zone of Al Seef, or Peppermill at Dubai Festival City Mall that presents prime waterfront views.
Fireworks: Place, time and date
Kite Beach at 8pm on October 18 Dubai Festival City, between 8 and 8.30pm on October 24 The Pointe by Nakheel at Palm Jumeirah at 9pm on October 26 Al Seef by Merass at 8.30pm on October 27
Festivities at Al Seef
Diwali Mela at Al Seef is the place to go. This place offers everything in one place. There is a diya lighting ceremony that illuminates the whole area symbolising good over evil. A Mela is also organised, where several stalls sell and showcase handmade diyas, decorative items, beautiful jewellery and traditional clothes. You can get henna designs on your hand, and make colourful rangolis. Al Seef also witnesses various Bollywood performances and concerts with lots of music and dancing that you can enjoy.
Festivities at Malls
Dubai Festival City Mall will host the first and largest Diwali celebrations in the Dubai with the launch its fourth record-breaking IMAGINE show, ‘Hathi’s Garden’ on Thursday, 24 October. This will include a huge fireworks display and Bollywood dance shows at 8pm free for the public. The first 5,000 guests on Festival Bay will receive free LED Wristbands. Virgin Radio, City FM and Al Arabiya will be broadcasting live from Dubai Festival City Mall with major prizes on the night starting from 4pm. For the first time in the Middle East, customers can experience the world famous Elephant Parade exhibition with 50 life-size baby elephant sculptures created to raise awareness for elephant conversation globally. From October 18 until October 27, visitors to The Pointe in Palm Jumeirah can enjoy a Surprise Box Dance show with dancers and a flash mob performance, fireworks display on 26 October, Indian-inspired dishes across restaurants, 25 per cent off at select stores, as well as 20 per cent off Careem rides to the destination.
Global Village Celebrations
Families from Dubai and around the world can also come together to celebrate the festival of lights at Global Village, which kicks off an illustrious 24th season starting October 29. This Diwali, the Indian Pavilion will offer more than 240 stalls including India’s best handicrafts and artefacts, cuisine spanning the southern and northern territories of India at a wide range of restaurants and spectacular Indian cultural shows taking place on the pavilion’s stage.
Diwali at La Perle
This Diwali, families and loved ones will have the chance to elevate the celebrations with Dubai’s one and only aquatic-themed show, La Perle by Dragone with a special upgrade on tickets booked for between October 17 and November 2. The exclusive package will allow spectators to discover a one-of-a-kind artistic live show and enjoy an unforgettable experience with Gold – the best seats in the auditorium. With shows taking place five days a week, La Perle has 65 artists perform breath-taking feats as they dive, dance, fly and defy gravity on motorbikes in the award-winning performance.
Shop & Win Promotion
Dubai Shopping Malls Group’s “Shop & Win” is a city-wide promotion giving people the chance to win big prizes this Diwali. For every Dh200 spent between October 18 and November 2 at participating DSMG malls, customers will be entitled to receive one raffle coupon to enter the draw to win prizes totalling a half kilogram of gold. With 28 winners expected, the raffle will be drawn on the last day of the promotion, November 2.
Raffles & Retail events
Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group will offer a range of special promotions at over 35 participating gold stores between October 18 and November 2. Furniture store Interiors is offering home lovers 30 to 50 per cent off exquisite furniture, while jeweller Jawhara will be offering gifts on purchases of Dh2,000 and above, as well as 50 per cent off on diamond and pearl jewellery. At American lifestyle brand, Hollister, customers can save Dh50 with a purchase of Dh400 or more, in addition to other special offers. Shoppers can take advantage of 25 to 75 per cent off items at K Corner, a Buy 2 Get 2 offer on selected fragrances at Mikyajy, as well as multiple promotions at Nayomi and Neal’s Yard Remedies stores. At City Centre Deira and The Dubai Mall, Sergeant Major is offering up to 60 per cent off, while shoppers can expect 30 to 50 per cent off on selected items at Occhiali Vision and 25 to 75 per cent off at Octave.
