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10 Most Popular Festivals in Dubai
Dubai is the most avant-garde Arab emirate in terms of tourism; in such a way, that it is the country of reference regarding the events and festivities that take place in the region and even in the world. All the celebrations are in keeping with the growth, luxury, lavishness, and category that characterize Dubai; in such a way that it is known as the city of events. The calendar of annual activities is very wide; however, most events take place when temperatures are cooler in the spring and winter seasons.
The extraordinary festivities and competitions attract large numbers of tourists from all over the world. Among the most attractive and surprising are the following:
Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF)
This festival shows how unique Dubai is. It has been held annually since its inauguration in 1996, in the first quarter of the year, during the first weeks of January and February. This event is characterized because attendees enjoy incredible discounts in shopping centers. The development of the festival is inclusive and anyone is part of the crowd that goes shopping.
The Shopping Festival in Dubai, in addition to shopping, is integrated by other activities such as food tasting, sports shows, parades, concerts, fireworks, and competitions. Most of the events take place in the shopping centers and assigned squares.
Art Festival in Dubai
This festival is held every year in March, with the assistance of new and world-renowned artists. In 2007 this event arose, sponsored by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of Dubai. The Dubai Art Festival is one of the most diverse celebrations with approximately thirty thousand participants from all over the world, including collectors, curators, patrons or sponsors, museum gallery owners, and institutions interested in art.
The exhibition center is divided into sections for contemporary, modern, and other artistic aspects. In addition, a series of conferences known as The Global Art Forum is held, relevant to the Gulf region. Artists, leaders, and writers from all over the world participate in this event.
Dhow Race
The Al Gaffal Dhow Race is an annual event commemorating Dubai’s historical and commercial past linked to pearl diving. Dhows are traditional boats used by fishermen in the past to search for pearls on the seabed, an activity that helped Dubai emerge as a commercial port. The nationalistic pride of the people of Dubai is recognized at this event, as all crew members on the Dhows must be Emiratis, and the crowd that gathers to watch them sail are nationals.
Dubai International Jazz Festival
The Dubai International Jazz Festival, held annually since January 2003, was presented at the Dubai Media City Amphitheater for three days.
Famous jazz performers have performed at this festival; Likewise, over time it has gained relevance, attracting more than half a million people worldwide. The Emirates airline Dubai Jazz Festival has won the awards as the best Music Festival, in the 2010 and 2018 nightlife awards.
Presentations by festival participants perform throughout the city of Dubai. They are all award-winning artists, legendary musicians, jazz and contemporary music groups, critically acclaimed. Tickets are available before the festivals, subscribing to the official website guarantees that you receive notifications from the festival.
Dubai Marathon
Starting in 2000, the Dubai Marathon began, establishing itself as an annual event that attracts thousands of participants. In 2008, it was designated the world’s richest marathon offering $ 1 million in prize money, to the marathoner who set the world record, and $ 250,000 for first-place winners in the men’s and women’s category. Similarly, it is the largest mass event in the Middle East with more than 28,000 participants from around the world.
Also, read The best way to celebrate the new year Dubai 2020
The marathon has a route of approximately 42.2 kilometers, the professional and wheelchair athletes leave the finish line at six in the morning and at seven the rest of the participants; the registration fee of 135 USD. Ten and four-kilometer races are also developed, starting at 9:00 and 11:00 am, respectively. Registration has a cost of 90 and 55 USD.
To participate in the marathon and the races, it is necessary to register online.
Dubai World Cup
The Dubai World Cup is one of the most sought-after horse races with a prize rate of over ten million dollars. This competition has been held annually since 1996 on the last Saturday in March, at the Nad Al Sheba racecourse.
During the cup, it is enjoyed the presence of experienced riders, trainers, and the best horses in the world. The facilities are state-of-the-art, it has an exceptional track where the runners develop their competence to the maximum, it is a unique and incredible place to celebrate the largest social event in Dubai.
Dubai Food Festival
The unofficial gastronomic festival of Dubai is one of the most sought after and enjoyable festivals in the Arab country. Its celebration began in 2007. The dishes of Dubai attract thousands of tourists from all over the world who come to taste the preparations of novice chefs and professional chefs.
In each gastronomic event that is held, you will find famous chefs doing cooking demonstrations that are fascinating for the crowd, a play area for children, and exclusive areas for shopping are also implemented.
Dubai International Yacht Show
The Dubai International Boat Show, Boat Show is one of the finest events in Dubai. Every year the world’s most luxurious yachts participate in this celebration, pavilions of prominent yacht trading brands are available. The Marina Art Gallery exhibition is open to VIPs attending the exhibition, the exhibition organizers select outstanding pieces from prestigious galleries around the world. This event takes place between 3:00 pm and 11:00 pm.
Dubai International Film Festival
This celebration is one of the largest and most attractive festivals in the Middle East. Currently, it is considered one of the best film festivals in the world. It was first presented in 2004, since then it has been held annually during December. The film festival attracts Arab, Asian, and world films. Some of the films that have been awarded Academy Awards have opened the festival. The projection of the films is done in elegant places in the city, it is an event that is very attractive for tourists, moviegoers, and celebrities of the show. Lectures, question and answer sessions, special presentations, and interviews are organized around the festival.
The film festival; Besides, being glamorous with a lavish red carpet, it is an event where the cultural exchange between moviegoers is latent because several of the films originate from different regions whose language and culture are different.
Burj Al Arab New Year Firworks
The Burj al Arab is one of the most fascinating and iconic buildings in Dubai, this building is widely used as a location for filming movies. This festival is held every year in March, swimming in the Burj is an event that allows participants to observe the Burj Al Arab. The competitions are in the categories of 1,600 or 800 meters and participants must be over 16 years old. All proceeds from the event are donated to charities.
Discover the beauty and customs of the desert on this desert safari from Dubai. Depart Dubai in a comfortable 4×4 with a guide and enjoy an exciting mix of traditional and modern desert adventures. Ride a camel, surf a sandboard through Dubai’s sand dunes, and relax in a desert camp as the sunsets. Get a henna tattoo, watch a folk dance ‘tanoura’ and complete your trip with a delicious barbecue dinner, including the shawarma station, and an exotic belly dancing show under the stars while you sit by the campfire. Enjoy views of the golden desert landscape while driving a guide Visit a camel farm in the heart of the desert and ride a camel Enjoy an exciting experience sandboarding through the desert dunes Get a henna tattoo on your hands or feet If you wish. Enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner under the Arabian stars while watching live belly dance and folk performances Why Travelers Choose This Tour Enjoy all the desert essentials, plus the option to select a private vehicle
Following are the links to book your Dubai Desert Tour
Evening Desert Safari Dubai
@
150 AED / $45 Per Person
Evening Desert Safari Dubai includes 45 minutes of Dune Bashing, Pick & drop, Camel Ride, Belly Dance, BBQ Dinner and Much more.
Morning Desert Safari Dubai
@
150 AED / $45 Per Person
Morning Desert Safari Dubai includes 45 minutes of Dune Bashing, Sandboarding, Camel Ride and much more.
Camel Trekking Dubai
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250 AED / $72 Per Person
Camel Trekking Dubai includes 45 minutes of Camel Ride, Sandboarding, Dune Bashing.
And much more.
Overnight Desert Safari @
350 AED / $96 Per Person
Overnight Desert Safari Dubai includes 45 minutes of Camel Ride, Sandboarding, Dune Bashing.
Overnight stay in desert camp, and much more.
Dune Buggy Ride Dubai@
350 AED / $129 Per Person
Dune Buggy Ride Dubai includes 45 Self Drive Dune Buggy Ride.
Sandboarding, and much more.