Diwali in Dubai 2026 will be at its height on Sunday (8th Nov) with celebrations throughout the city between the dates of 2nd-12th November. Dhanteras Dubai 2026 falls on Friday (6th Nov) and will be the biggest night for purchasing gold. We have outlined some of the best Diwali events taking place in Dubai, tips for the Gold Souk, and best places to celebrate.
Diwali Date UAE 2026
The Diwali date in the UAE 2026 is Sunday, 8 November. Dhanteras opens the festival on Friday, 6 November. Govardhan Puja follows on Monday, 9 November, and Bhai Dooj on Tuesday, 10 November. Diwali is not a public holiday in the UAE, so offices run as normal. A Sunday Lakshmi Puja means most families need no leave.
Dhanteras Dubai 2026
Dhanteras Dubai 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November. Families buy gold or a small coin to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The Gold Souk in Deira sees its busiest evening, with queues stretching past sunset. The puja window in Dubai is roughly 6:06pm to 8:03pm. Most souk shops open on Fridays from 4pm, so plan around that.
Diwali Gold Offers Dubai: The Gold Rush Draw
The headline among the Diwali gold offers Dubai shoppers will see is the Diwali Gold Rush. It is run by Dubai Jewellery Group at more than 150 participating stores. Spend AED 1,500 and scan the QR code for one raffle entry. Prizes total 1kg of gold: five Dhanteras winners take 100g each, and one grand winner takes 500g. The grand draw is on 12 November.
Campaign: Diwali Gold Rush, Dubai Jewellery Group
Dates: 24 October to 12 November 2026
Entry: One raffle entry per AED 1,500 spent on jewellery
Dhanteras Draw: Purchases to 6 November. Five winners, 100g each
Grand Draw: One winner, 500g. Draw on 12 November
Smart move: Buy by 6 November so your receipt counts toward both draws
Extras: Many jewellers add making charge discounts, old gold exchange and free gifts
Gold Rate and VAT: What to Check Before You Pay
Before you chase Diwali gold offers Dubai jewellers advertise, check the day's rate. On 22 October, 24K was AED 493.75 per gram, below last Diwali's AED 512.25. By 3 November, it traded near AED 470 to 478. Ask for the making charge separately. Check the hallmark. Jewellery carries 5% VAT. Bars and coins of 99% purity are zero-rated.
24K on 3 November: About AED 470 to 478 per gram across rate trackers
22K on 3 November: About AED 436 to 442 per gram
Best for tradition: 22K suits bridal sets, bangles and earrings
Best for diamonds: 18K is stronger and suits stone settings
Small budget: A light piece or a small gold coin still honours Dhanteras
Deira Gold Souk Tips: Timings, Transport, Bargaining
Gold Souk is located on Sikkat Al Khail Road in Deira. You can take the Green line to Al Ras or take an abra across the creek from Bur Dubai. Most are open until around 10pm from Saturday to Thursday. They are open from around 4pm on Fridays. The price they charge for making will be negotiable but the actual price of gold will not.
Where: Sikkat Al Khail Road, Deira
Metro: Green Line, Al Ras station
Hours: About 10 am to 10 pm Saturday to Thursday.
Friday: From about 4 pm. Confirm with the shop
Entry: Free
Nearby: The Spice Souk is a short walk away
Noor Festival of Lights at Souk Al Seef
Noor is the headline act among Diwali events in Dubai this year. The third edition runs on 7 and 8 November at Souk Al Seef, beside Dubai Creek. Each evening opens with a procession of illuminated puppets and dhol drummers. Bollywood dance and live music follow. Entry is free. Register online first.
Date: Saturday, 7 and Sunday, 8 November, 6 pm to 11 pm
Where: Souk Al Seef, beside Dubai Creek
Price: Free, with online registration at noorfestivaloflights.com
7 November acts: Jasbir Jassi, plus Ashu Ali and Saif Hayat of The Shams
8 November acts: Jammers and Sooraj Santhosh
Also on: Rangoli workshops, stand up comedy and traditional drumming
Global Village Diwali: Drone Show and Mela
Global Village runs five days of Diwali programming from 6 to 10 November. It counts among the main Diwali celebrations Dubai has planned this year. A 600 drone show lights the sky at 8 pm on Sunday, 8 November, above the Stunt Arena and Syria Pavilion. Everything is included in the entry, priced at AED 25 on weekdays and AED 30 on weekends.
When: 6 to 10 November
Where: Global Village, Dubai
Price: AED 25 weekdays, AED 30 weekends. Carnaval rides cost extra
Friday, 6 November: First ever baithak, Main Stage, 8 pm to 9 pm
Saturday, 7 November: Games and prizes
Sunday, 8 November: Drone show at 8 pm. The park closes at midnight.
Food: Indian Chaat Bazaar for pani puri, pav bhaji and mithai
Neighbourhood, Mall and Theme Park Celebrations
Beyond the big venues, Diwali events in Dubai reach your neighbourhood. Dubai Holding Communities hosts free events in 17 areas, including Jumeirah Village Circle, Al Furjan and Discovery Gardens. BurJuman runs Khushiyon Se Bhari Diwali until 12 November. Bollywood actress Tamannaah appears at City Centre Deira on 6 November at 7:30pm. Dubai Parks and Resorts holds Diwali Dhamaka from 6 to 8 November.
Community events: Free. Dates vary. Call 800 DubaiCM
BurJuman: Workshops and baithaks until 12 November
City Centre Deira: Tamannaah on 6 November, 7:30 pm. Spend AED 300 for a Jaecoo J8 draw until 8 November
Shop. Scan. Win: Spend AED 200 at participating malls to enter for one of two Soueast cars
Dubai Parks and Resorts: One park AED 99, two parks AED 149, 6 to 8 November
Temples: Jebel Ali and BAPS Mandir
For prayer, start at the Hindu Temple in Jebel Ali's Worship Village. It draws large crowds on Lakshmi Puja night. The muhurat on 8 November runs from 5:58 pm to 7:56 pm, so expect early queues. BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi marks Diwali from 6 to 10 November. Entry is free, but you must register in advance. Walk-ins are not allowed. It is the quietest of the Diwali celebrations Dubai offers, because you leave the emirate for it.
Jebel Ali Hindu Temple: Sunday, 8 November, Worship Village. Free
BAPS Mandir: 6 to 10 November, Abu Mureikhah, Abu Dhabi. Free with registration at mandir.ae or the Mandir Abu Dhabi app
Open on Monday: The Mandir opens on 9 November, though it is normally closed Mondays
Bring: Emirates ID or passport. Cover shoulders and knees
Watch from home: Dhanteras Pujan webcast on Friday, 6 November at 8:30 pm UAE time
Crowds: About 60,000 visitors came over Diwali last year
Meena Bazaar and Karama: Outfits, Diyas, Mithai
Meena Bazaar in Bur Dubai is Dubai's Little India. It runs mostly along one lane between Al Fahidi Street and Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road. Buy lehengas, diyas, string lights, and rangoli colours here. Tailors are swamped, so book your fitting now. For mithai, head to Karama. Pre-order by phone, because premium boxes can reach AED 400 a kilo.
Meena Bazaar: Community shopping hub since the 1970s
Snack stops: Kailash Parbat for chaat, Royal Sweets for grab-and-go boxes
Karama sweets: Bikanervala, Puranmal, Chappan Bhog, Shree Gangour Sweets
Haldiram's: Mithai boxes from AED 25 to 72 in Karama, Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Silicon Oasis
Budget hack: Build your own hamper with dry fruits from the Deira Spice Souk
Diwali Dinners and Brunches Worth Booking
Book early. Ziya at Anantara Downtown serves a vegetarian Swad Mahal menu for AED 99 per person until 8 November. Mausam at Dubai Mall offers a set menu for AED 189 per person on 8 November. Kinara by Vikas Khanna charges AED 350 per person on 7 and 8 November. Gymkhana in DIFC sells a one day tasting menu for AED 495 per person.
Radisson Blu Deira Creek: Greenhouse Social Brunch, 7 November, 1pm to 4pm, from AED 199
Purani Dilli, Bur Dubai: Buffet on 7 and 8 November, AED 125
Bombay Borough, DIFC: Tasting menu 6 to 11 November, AED 295 plus fees
Avatara: 17 course dinner on 8 November, from AED 960
Kinara hours: 6 pm to 10:30 pm, with live entertainment and a sweet box
Our Pick: A Weekend Plan for Diwali in Dubai 2026
Our pick for Diwali in Dubai 2026 is a split weekend. Buy a small gold coin from a Gold Rush jeweller by Friday, 6 November. Spend Saturday at Noor in Souk Al Seef, which is free and sits on the Creek. Do puja at home on Sunday, then take the family to the drone show. Pick one venue per night, because Dubai traffic punishes anyone who tries two.
