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Ramadan is here, and Dubai has released its official calendar of events for the Holy Month, setting the tone for those long, after sunset evenings the city does best. Ramadan began on Wednesday, 18 February, and is expected to continue for 30 days, with Eid al-Fitr marking its conclusion in mid-March, as the city settles into its familiar seasonal rhythm. Days feel a touch quieter, evenings feel more social, and public spaces start to look as though they have been dressed for the occasion.
This year’s programme forms part of the Season of Wulfa, a cultural run that starts with Hag Al Leila and builds towards Eid Al Fitr. In practice, it means you will find events across neighbourhoods, malls, and waterfronts, with plenty designed to be easy drop-in evenings rather than formal, ticketed plans. Below is what has been announced so far, grouped into fireworks and drone shows, evening pop-ups and light installations, and the food experiences that tend to define Ramadan nights in Dubai.
Ramadan fireworks and drone shows
During Ramadan, daily fireworks will take place at Al Seef and along Dubai Creek. Al Seef has that mix of old Dubai character and modern comfort, and the creekside setting makes the whole evening feel softer. Even if you arrive with no plan beyond a walk, you will likely end up staying, watching families settle in, children pointing at the sky, and groups sharing sweets and coffee.
Festival Bay at Dubai Festival City Mall
Dubai Festival City Mall will host a dedicated Ramadan programme at Festival Bay throughout the month. The line-up includes a special edition of the IMAGINE light show, live performances, and scheduled drone displays, which makes it a simple choice when you want an all-in-one evening.
Evening events and pop-ups across the city
If fireworks are the headline, the real texture of Ramadan comes from what happens in neighbourhoods after sunset. Dubai’s calendar leans into that, with seasonal activations that are designed to be relaxed rather than rushed.
City Walk After Iftar
City Walk will host a post-iftar programme from Tuesday 17 February to Wednesday 18 March, featuring cultural activities, decorations, and special evening gatherings, which suits anyone already planning an evening around City Walk’s restaurants and open air spaces. The open-air layout makes it comfortable for a slow evening, especially if you are meeting friends and want the option to keep plans casual.
The Beach, JBR Waterfront Evenings
The Beach, JBR will run a similar waterfront schedule from Wednesday 18 February to Sunday 22 March, ideal if you want to build the night around the promenade, dining, and an easy sea breeze walk. Expect seasonal decorations and activations along the promenade, with the added bonus of a sea breeze that makes long walks feel effortless. City Centre Mirdif is set to become a major evening gathering space during Ramadan. This is the sort of option families often appreciate, because dining, shopping, and seasonal activities can happen in one trip, with less planning involved.
Hai Ramadan at Expo City Dubai
Expo City Dubai will host Hai Ramadan from Saturday 21 February, bringing together storytelling, markets, and cultural events in a dedicated setting. Expo City’s wide spaces and organised layout make it well suited to families, with enough variety to keep everyone engaged.
Ramadan Wonders at Global Village
Global Village joins the season with Ramadan Wonders from Wednesday 18 February to Wednesday 18 March, which pairs well with a wider night out if you already enjoy the atmosphere and entertainment there. The venue already blends food and cultural experiences, and Ramadan typically adds themed décor, performances, and dining options that can turn a casual visit into a full evening out.
Light installations and seasonal markets
Dubai’s Ramadan lighting is part of what makes the month feel distinctive. The city is showcasing A Symphony of Light, a series of installations planned for Al Seef and Dubai Festival City Mall, running until Monday 23 March. These pieces are designed to be encountered as you walk, which is why they work so well during Ramadan.
Souq Ramadan
Souq Ramadan has also returned, offering cultural activities, children’s entertainment, and a selection of handcrafted gifts and products. It is a good stop if you are looking for thoughtful items, or if you prefer markets that feel more personal than standard retail.
Food festivals, iftars, and majlis experiences
For many people, Ramadan nights revolve around food, but the best experiences are not only about what is on the plate, especially when you plan one evening around a standout iftar or majlis setting. Dubai’s calendar includes everything from street food to hotel majlis tents, which means there is room for both casual nights and occasions that feel more dressed up.
Ramadan Street Food Festival
The Ramadan Street Food Festival will transform the Sheikh Hamdan Colony from Wednesday 18 February to Wednesday 18 March. Expect a mix of vendors serving iftar options, alongside family-friendly activities that keep the atmosphere lively without feeling chaotic. Dubai Festival City Mall will also offer a purpose-built Ramadan market that pairs well with the nightly shows at Festival Bay. Browse first, pick up treats or small gifts, then head to the waterfront for the IMAGINE show.
Rooftop and DIFC Dining
In DIFC, ROOFLINE by DIFC will appear as a rooftop dining destination with a three-week CP Majlis, centred on rotating dining experiences, retail pop-ups, and live entertainment. Rooftop Ramadan venues tend to suit people who want a slightly more polished night out.
Jumeirah Emirates Towers Ramadan Majlis
The Jumeirah Emirates Towers Ramadan Majlis returns for 2026, running from Wednesday 18 February to Thursday 19 March. It leans into classic details, fragrance stands, live oud performances, Arabic coffee, and a dedicated Emirati iftar menu, which makes it a strong choice for larger gatherings.
Other major iftar tents are also back. Asateer at Atlantis, The Palm is known for scale and spectacle, while Majlis Under the Stars at Jumeirah Al Naseem offers a calmer open-air mood once the evenings cool down. Al Diwan at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab brings a sense of occasion that many people save for special nights.
What Dubai Says This Year Is About
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said Ramadan in Dubai is shaped by the way the city comes together each evening across neighbourhoods, destinations, and shared public spaces. He added that this year’s programme focuses on creating simple, welcoming moments that fit naturally into daily life, allowing residents and visitors to engage with the spirit of the month in ways that feel accessible, respectful, and meaningful.
That intention is reflected in the spread of events. There is plenty to do, but much of it is designed to be joined without pressure. Plan a show night at Dubai Creek, a market evening at Festival City, or a cultural visit to Expo City, then leave room for the quieter traditions, a late walk, coffee with friends, or an unhurried drive home through streets that look different under Ramadan lights.
If You Only Do One or Two Big Nights
If you are choosing just one or two evenings to do something bigger, the creekside fireworks at Al Seef are the most classic, while Festival Bay is the easiest to combine with shopping and dinner. For a slower, more cultural outing, Hai Ramadan is the one to watch, because the storytelling and market format makes it easy to spend a full evening there without feeling rushed. Note, a Symphony of Light runs until 23 March, which means you can still catch the installations as the month draws to a close and the city shifts towards Eid.
A Simple Tip for Visiting Souq Ramadan
For Souq Ramadan, go in with a browsing mindset rather than a shopping list. The best finds tend to be the small things, locally made pieces, simple gifts, and seasonal items that feel right for the month. It is also an easy option when you want to bring children somewhere that has entertainment built in, without turning the night into a long sit-down plan.
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