- Spectacular Public Celebrations: Global Village hosts a massive 600-drone Diwali show, while Al Seef lights up the historic riverside with the free Noor Festival of Lights.
- Cultural Landmarks & Temples: BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi holds Maha Annakut Darshan, and the Jebel Ali Hindu Temple welcomes devotees for Lakshmi Puja.
- Community Gatherings & Mall Activations: Dubai Holding brings rangoli and lantern festivals to 16 neighborhoods, while BurJuman Mall runs free musical baithaks and workshops.
- Fine Dining Feasts: From Jamavar’s collaboration with Good Earth to set menus by Chef Vikas Khanna at Kinara and festive banquets at Varq, the UAE’s dining destinations offer unforgettable celebratory spreads.
Diwali arrives in full splendour across the Emirates on Sunday, 8 November 2026. From riverside processions and immersive light universes to traditional temple prayers, neighborhood rangoli displays, and decadent festive dining, the celebration brings together vibrant experiences across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Here is your complete guide to all 16 major Diwali attractions, community events, and dining offers across the UAE, complete with direct links, timings, and official digital touchpoints.
Major Festivals, Drone Shows & Immersive Attractions
1. Dubai’s Festival of Lights (Citywide)
Spanning ten full days across the city, Dubai’s official Festival of Lights transforms public avenues into a vibrant celebration. Expect cultural folk dance performances, traditional craft workshops, exclusive shopping promotions, gold and jewelry deals, and curated dining experiences across key retail districts and landmarks.
- When: 2 to 12 November 2026
- Location: Citywide across Dubai
- Website: visitdubai.com
- Instagram: @visit.dubai
2. Diwali Celebrations & 600-Drone Show at Global Village
Global Village embraces the festival with a dedicated Diwali Mela, bringing bustling street food stalls, family rides, and traditional Indian handicrafts to life. Musical baithak performances take place on 6 November at 8:00 PM, leading up to an extraordinary 600-drone aerial light show on Diwali night, 8 November at 8:00 PM.
- When: 6 to 10 November 2026
- Special Dates: Baithak show on 6 November (8:00 PM) | 600-drone show on 8 November (8:00 PM)
- Location: Global Village, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai
- Tickets: Included with regular Global Village entry ticket
- Website: globalvillage.ae
- Instagram: @globalvillageuae
3. Noor: Festival of Lights at Souk Al Seef
Set along the historic waters of Dubai Creek, Noor: Festival of Lights is a vibrant, free-to-attend weekend riverside celebration. Families can enjoy a lively Diwali procession, traditional and contemporary music, intricate dance choreography, and illuminated market stalls lining the waterfront promenade.
- When: 7 to 8 November 2026 | 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Location: Souk Al Seef, Dubai Creek, Bur Dubai
- Entry: Free entry
- Website: visitdubai.com
- Instagram: @alseefdubai
4. AYA Universe Diwali Experience (Wafi City)
Step inside an ethereal, cosmos-inspired celebration of light at AYA Universe. Featuring 12 high-tech rooms combining kinetic soundscapes, glowing flora, and gravity-defying interactive effects, the immersive universe provides a futuristic, otherworldly way to mark the Festival of Lights.
- When: 2 November 2026 | 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Location: AYA Universe, Level 1, Wafi City Mall, Oud Metha, Dubai
- Price: Tickets starting from AED 135
- Website: visitdubai.com
- Instagram: @ayauniverse
Community Celebrations & Mall Festivities
5. Dubai Holding Community Diwali Celebrations (16 Neighborhoods)
Dubai Holding is bringing the warmth of Diwali directly to residential neighborhoods across the city. Each community hub will feature colorful rangoli displays, warm lantern installations, cultural live acts, children’s activities, sweet treat giveaways, and festive photo zones.
- When & Locations: (All timings 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM unless specified)
- Sunday, 1 November: Al Furjan, The Villa, Manazel Al Khor, Jumeirah Village Triangle, and Dubai Wharf
- Thursday, 5 November: Bay Square (1:00 PM to 5:00 PM)
- Friday, 6 November: Jumeirah Village Circle, Remraam, and The Executive Towers
- Saturday, 7 November: Shoreline Apartments (Palm Jumeirah), Masakin Al Furjan, Villanova, and Serena
- Sunday, 8 November: Liwan, Discovery Gardens, Dubai Land Residence Complex, and Jumeirah Islands
- Website: dubaiholdingcommunities.ae
- Instagram: @dubaiholding
6. Khushiyon Se Bhari Diwali at BurJuman Mall
BurJuman Mall invites families to celebrate with daily free cultural activities and live entertainment. Weekdays feature creative arts and crafts workshops, Fridays present soulful classical musical baithaks, Saturdays showcase a vibrant community talent show, and Sundays feature festive roaming dancers and musicians.
- When: Ongoing until 12 November 2026 | Daily from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Location: BurJuman Mall, Bur Dubai
- Entry: Free access
- Website: visitdubai.com
- Instagram: @burjuman
7. Festive Crafts & Henna at World Trade Center (WTC) Abu Dhabi
In the capital, World Trade Center Abu Dhabi is hosting interactive Diwali celebrations for shoppers and families. Visitors can take part in complimentary seasonal workshops, intricate henna application, and dedicated children’s craft zones upon presenting qualifying purchases from mall outlets.
- When: Ongoing until 8 November 2026
- Location: World Trade Center Abu Dhabi, Khalifa Street, Abu Dhabi
- Website: wtcad.ae
- Instagram: @wtcad
Sacred Temples & Spiritual Gatherings
8. Maha Annakut & Darshan at BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi
The hand-carved stone temple in Abu Dhabi welcomes visitors and devotees for an inspiring multi-day spiritual gathering. The programme includes traditional Vedic pujas, sacred devotional rituals, deepawali illuminations, and the grand Maha Annakut Darshan, featuring hundreds of vegetarian delicacies offered in devotion.
- When: 6 to 10 November 2026
- Location: BAPS Hindu Mandir, P6 Al Taf Road, Abu Mreikha, Abu Dhabi
- Important Note: Prior online registration is mandatory for all visitors to access the temple grounds.
- Website & Registration: mandir.ae/visit
- Instagram: @abudhabimandir
9. Lakshmi Puja & Diwali at the Hindu Temple, Jebel Ali
Located in Jebel Ali’s Worship Village, the temple serves as a central devotional home for Diwali celebrations in Dubai. Devotees gather throughout the day, with the primary Lakshmi Puja taking place during the auspicious early evening hours on Diwali day.
- When: Sunday, 8 November 2026 | Early evening prayers
- Location: Hindu Temple Dubai, Worship Village, Jebel Ali, Dubai
- Details: Check with the temple authorities for queue management and prayer timings before traveling.
- Instagram: @hindutempledubai
Festive Dining & Feasts
10. Designer Diwali Tasting Menu at Jamavar Dubai
Michelin-pedigree Indian restaurant Jamavar has joined hands with luxury design house Good Earth to present a bespoke culinary and aesthetic collaboration. Guests dine among royal botanical tableware while indulging in a multi-course festive menu celebrating regional recipes, slow-cooked royal delicacies, and heirloom sweets.
- When: 29 October to 11 November 2026
- Location: Jamavar, Address Residences Opera District, Downtown Dubai
- Price: From AED 395 per person
- Website: jamavarrestaurants.com
- Instagram: @jamavardubai
11. Chef Vikas Khanna’s Diwali Feast at Kinara (JA Lake View Hotel)
Curated by Michelin-starred Chef Vikas Khanna, Kinara presents a rich set menu that tells stories of Indian spice traditions and festive family feasts. Featuring elevated regional specialties, artisanal breads, and fragrant spice-infused desserts, it offers an elegant setting to toast the holiday.
- When: 7 to 8 November 2026
- Location: Kinara by Vikas Khanna, JA Lake View Hotel, Jebel Ali, Dubai
- Price: AED 350 per person
- Website: visitdubai.com
- Instagram: @kinaradxb
12. Royal Festive Dining at Varq (Taj Exotica The Palm)
Fine-dining destination Varq blends culinary heritage with artistic presentation for its fortnight-long Diwali showcase. Expect aromatic curries, delicate tandoori plates, and edible gold and silver accents on heritage sweet platters, all set against the tranquil waters of the Palm Jumeirah.
- When: 30 October to 15 November 2026
- Location: Varq, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai
- Website: visitdubai.com
- Instagram: @varqpalmdubai and @tajpalmdubai
13. Dhol Beats & Festive Dinner at Gastro Kitchen (JBR)
DoubleTree by Hilton’s Gastro Kitchen sets an energetic tone for Diwali evening. Alongside an expansive Indian and global buffet packed with live chaat and kebab counters, guests can enjoy pulsating live dhol drumming and traditional dance routines.
- When: Sunday, 8 November 2026
- Location: Gastro Kitchen, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai, Jumeirah Beach (JBR)
- Website: visitdubai.com
- Instagram: @gastrokitchenjbr
14. Bollywood Brunch & After-Party at SOBO (Nonya, Taj JLT)
For those looking to celebrate with vibrant music and daytime revelry, SOBO and Nonya team up for a spirited Bollywood-infused Diwali brunch followed by a high-tempo terrace after-party. Enjoy pan-Asian and Indian fusion bites, signature cocktails, and your favorite Bollywood anthems.
- When: Saturday, 7 November 2026 | Brunch: 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM | After-party until 8:00 PM
- Location: SOBO and Nonya, Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), Dubai
- Contact: Contact the venue directly for package options and reservations
- Website: sobodxb.com
- Instagram: @sobodxb and @nonyadubai
15. Grand Festive Buffet at LIV (W Dubai – The Palm)
Known for its bright, modern culinary stations, LIV presents a lavish Diwali buffet dinner on Palm Jumeirah. Feast on comforting regional curries, tandoori marinades, freshly baked naan, and a sprawling dessert counter brimming with traditional Indian mithai.
- When: Sunday, 8 November 2026
- Location: LIV, W Dubai – The Palm, West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah
- Website: visitdubai.com
- Instagram: @wdubaipalm
16. Utsav Diwali Buffet at Purani Dilli (Four Points SZR)
Celebrating the timeless street food culture and culinary heritage of Old Delhi, Purani Dilli hosts its special Utsav Diwali buffet on Sheikh Zayed Road. Indulge in slow-simmered biryanis, rich gravies, savory chaats, and classic warm jalebis with rabri.
- When: Sunday, 8 November 2026
- Location: Purani Dilli, Four Points by Sheraton, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
- Website: visitdubai.com
- Instagram: @puranidillidubai
Whether gathering with family for prayers at the temples, taking in the night sky during Global Village’s 600-drone show, or enjoying royal Mughlai curries in Downtown Dubai, the UAE offers a radiant backdrop for the Festival of Lights. Book your tables early, register ahead for temple visits, and enjoy the festivities!
