No doubt, Dubai is a city which is known for its vibrant culture and is famous for hosting events throughout the year. This is a city wherein you can enjoy your time in the best possible manner. No matter which month of the year it is, you will always get an opportunity to be a part of the ongoing events taking place every now and then. So, if you are also someone who likes to plan his/her year ahead, then this is the ultimate guide for you which will give you a sneak peek into the festivals and events that are supposed to take place in the year 2025.
Be it a shopping fest or art and cultural performances, you can enjoy different events year-round. So, without further ado, let us take a look at the events that you will get to witness in the year 2025 on a monthly basis.
Month-wise list of events and festivals in Dubai
January:
- Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) – Immerse in the month-long shopping festival wherein you will get to purchase items at a discounted price and witness some great entertainment shows, concerts, and raffles.
- Dubai Marathon– This international marathon takes place in mid-January and turns out to be a great event for athletes and new runners.
- Emirates Airline Festival of Literature- This festival takes place in the middle of January and concludes at the end of the month. It is a true celebration of books, literature, book signing, and other interesting workshops specifically curated for literature enthusiasts.
February:
- Dubai Food Festival- This is usually a 20-day food festival where you will get to be a part of the culinary events, savor delicacies at the food stall, and try out different cuisines.
- Dubai Design Week- This event celebrates design, innovation, and creativity at its best. Creators from different corners of the world come together to showcase their art and design.
- Dubai Jazz Festival- If you are a sucker for music, this is the perfect event for you wherein you can enjoy the performances of top international jazz music artists.
March:
- Art Dubai- This is a famous art fair in Dubai where you can visit galleries and watch live performances from international artists.
- Dubai International Boat Show- This Boat Show takes place in Early March and is counted as a prime event for the maritime industry. It showcases a wide selection of boats, luxury marine products, boats, and more.
- Dubai World Cup- Those who enjoy horse races can take part in this event wherein you will meet and greet high-profile racing lovers.
April:
- Ramadan (Variable dates)- This is the holy month during which Muslims around the world fast and pray. It is time when you get to go to Ramadan markets and Iftar tents to enjoy cultural activities.
- Dubai International Film Festival- This usually takes place in the first week of the month where you can be a part of the Middle East and Arab cinema festival, witness celebrity appearances, and other red carpet events.
May:
- Eid Al Fitr- Mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan by taking part in the Eid Al Fitr celebrations.
- Dubai Opera Performances- This goes on throughout the month and it is an event where you can enjoy different musical performances such as operas, ballets, and concerts.
June:
- Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS)- You can consider it to be the summer festival of Dubai wherein you can go to sale markets, enjoy discounts, and go to different entertainment areas and theme parks.
July:
- Eid Al Adha- During early July, you will get to witness the celebration of Eid Al Adha where there will be fireworks, shopping spree, and public celebration.
- Dubai Summer Surprise- In continuation to June, this summer festival takes place in the month of July as well.
August:
- Dubai Summer Surprise- This is the final month of the summer festival where you can enjoy shopping promotions, family events, and more.
- Dubai International Dance Festival- This dance festival in Dubai takes place in early August where you can witness some great performances from the international performers.
September:
- International Dance Festival Dubai- This continues in August as well as September wherein you will get to witness performances from top international artists.
- Dubai International Photography Festival- Get a chance to check out some great photography workshops, presentations, and exhibitions from world-known photographers.
October:
- Global Village Dubai– This is a multi-cultural festival where you can go to exhibitions, and food stalls, and watch live entertainment shows at a great level.
- International Motor Show Dubai- This event takes place every two years and is expected to take place in October 2025. The event showcases the latest cars electrical vehicles and more.
November:
- Dubai International Jazz Festival and Film Festival- A festival that celebrates international and Arab films. While the Jazz Festival is the perfect way to enjoy classical and contemporary Jazz Music.
- Dubai Design Week- This is the annual event that celebrates the innovation of design in different fields such as digital art, fashion industry, architecture, and more.
December:
- UAE National Day- On December 2, every year, it is a public holiday in the city and you will see everyone celebrating the foundation day of UAE. Enjoy parades, fireworks, and concerts across the country.
- Dubai Shopping Festival- This shopping fest begins in late December and you can be a part of major sales, events, exhibitions, and other events.
- New Year’s Eve- Celebrate New Year’s Eve by taking part in any ongoing event taking place across the city. Be a part of the parties or book a dinner date.
Summing up-
In this month-wise schedule for 2025, we have talked about the major events that will take place this year. In case any event is not listed here, you should check out our latest articles to know more about the same.
Ultimate Guide to Dubai’s Festivals and Events in 2025