Diwali in Dubai, night by night.
Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November. Global Village marks it for five nights from Friday 6, and Noor: Festival of Lights takes over Souk Al Seef on the Saturday and Sunday.
Four placesChecked 30 October 2026Prices in AED
Two places carry most of Dubai's Diwali this year, and they suit different evenings. Global Village runs a five-night programme from Friday 6 to Tuesday 10 November: a seated music gathering on the first night, a drone show on Diwali itself and a food mela every evening, all covered by the park's entry ticket.
Noor: Festival of Lights is the other, now in its third edition. It fills Souk Al Seef on the creek with a Diwali procession, dance and live music on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November. It costs nothing, but you register first.
Below, the nights in order, with the times and what each one costs.
Hours and prices change. Check with the venue before you go.
Fri 6 Nov, music
A first baithak at Global Village
A baithak is a seated South Asian music gathering, and this is the park's first. It opens the Diwali programme on the Main Stage, presented with City FM.
The facts
- Where
- Global Village, Dubailand, Main Stage
- When
- Fri 6 Nov, 8pm to 9pm
- Price
- AED 30 any-day entry on a Friday
- How to book
- Included in Global Village entry: AED 25 Monday to Thursday, AED 30 for the any-day ticket, which you need on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Buy on globalvillage.ae
- Who it's for
- Anyone who would rather sit and listen than queue for rides
globalvillage.ae (opens in a new tab)Open in Maps @globalvillageuae
Sat 7 and Sun 8 Nov, by the creek
Noor: Festival of Lights
The third edition of a Diwali festival produced by Teamwork Arts with Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment. Expect a Diwali procession, dance and live music along the creekside souk.
The facts
- Where
- Souk Al Seef, Bur Dubai
- When
- Sat 7 and Sun 8 Nov, 6pm to 11pm
- Price
- No charge
- How to book
- Register on noorfestivaloflights.com before you go
- Who it's for
- An evening walk with friends, and anyone who likes their festivals outdoors and on foot
noorfestivaloflights.com (opens in a new tab)Open in Maps @noorfestivaloflights
Sun 8 Nov, Diwali night
600 drones over Global Village
On Diwali itself, 600 drones fly a Diwali show above the Stunt Arena and the Syria Pavilion. It is the centrepiece of the park's five nights.
The facts
- Where
- Global Village, Dubailand, above the Stunt Arena and the Syria Pavilion
- When
- Sun 8 Nov, 8pm. The park closes at midnight
- Price
- AED 30 any-day entry on a Sunday
- How to book
- Included in Global Village entry: AED 25 Monday to Thursday, AED 30 for the any-day ticket, which you need on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Buy on globalvillage.ae
- Who it's for
- Families, and anyone who wants Diwali night with a crowd
globalvillage.ae (opens in a new tab)Open in Maps @globalvillageuae
6 to 10 Nov, food and stalls
The Diwali Mela
Five evenings of Diwali stalls with the India Pavilion, and the Indian Chaat Bazaar for pani puri, pav bhaji, chole bhature and mithai. A Kids Corner runs face painting, diya colouring and rangoli.
The facts
- Where
- Global Village, Dubailand, India Pavilion
- When
- Fri 6 to Tue 10 Nov, from 4pm. Open to 1am Thursday to Saturday, to midnight Sunday to Wednesday
- Price
- AED 25 Monday and Tuesday, AED 30 Friday to Sunday. Food extra
- How to book
- Included in Global Village entry: AED 25 Monday to Thursday, AED 30 for the any-day ticket, which you need on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Buy on globalvillage.ae. Tuesday 10 Nov is for families, couples and ladies
- Who it's for
- Families with children, and anyone who mostly came for the chaat
globalvillage.ae (opens in a new tab)Open in Maps @globalvillageuae
Choosing between them
Noor is the better pick for an evening on foot by the water, and it is free. Global Village is the one for families, food and the drone show, and it rewards arriving early: gates close 30 minutes before the park does, and Sunday closes at midnight.
Doing both on Sunday 8 November is possible but tight, since the drone show at Global Village starts at 8pm and Noor runs at Souk Al Seef from 6pm to 11pm, at opposite ends of the city.
Before you go
Global Village asks visitors to cover shoulders and knees. Tuesday 10 November is a families, couples and ladies night there. Children under three, visitors over 65 and People of Determination with one companion go in free.
Visit Dubai's wider Festival of Lights runs from 2 to 12 November, with shopping offers and dining deals around the city.
How we checked
Every fact here comes from the venue's own website, menu, booking page or Instagram, or from the Michelin Guide and official listings. Nobody paid to be in this guide, and nobody knew we were writing it. If something has changed, write to [email protected] and we'll correct it. How we pick a place →
Photos
- Lead photo: @globalvillageuae
- A first baithak at Global Village: @globalvillageuae
- Noor: Festival of Lights: @noorfestivaloflights
- 600 drones over Global Village: @globalvillageuae
- The Diwali Mela: @globalvillageuae
