Three markets, morning to night.
Diwali weekend has a market for each part of the day: the Ripe Market from 9am, the Design Week Marketplace in d3 through the afternoon, and the Diwali Mela at Global Village from 4pm.
Three placesChecked 5 November 2026Prices in AED
Three markets, three moods, one long weekend. Start early at Academy Park, where the Ripe Market is into its 15th season. Spend the afternoon among regional makers at the Design Week Marketplace in d3. Finish at Global Village, where the Diwali Mela runs every evening until Tuesday.
All three work with children. Ripe has pony rides and a petting zoo, d3 runs children's activities, and the Kids Corner at Global Village does rangoli, diya colouring and face painting.
Hours and prices change. Check with the venue before you go.
Academy Park, mornings
The Ripe Market
Homegrown brands, local farmers and street food under the trees at the Police Academy park, with live music and wellness sessions. On Saturday afternoon, the Next Gen market has stalls run by founders aged 8 to 17.
The facts
- Where
- Dubai Police Academy Park, Umm Suqeim
- When
- Sat 7 and Sun 8 Nov, 9am to 9pm. Every weekend to 2 May 2027
- Price
- AED 5 entry
- How to book
- Walk in. Enquiries on 04 315 7000. No pets
- Who it's for
- Families, and anyone shopping for local produce and small brands
d3, afternoons
The Marketplace
Regional makers selling homeware, jewellery, fashion and lifestyle pieces, with food, live performances and children's activities, on the closing weekend of Dubai Design Week.
The facts
- Where
- Dubai Design District
- When
- Sat 7 and Sun 8 Nov
- Price
- No charge
- How to book
- Walk in. Metro to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, then bus D03. Parking two hours at no charge, then AED 20 an hour
- Who it's for
- Gift shopping, and anyone furnishing a home
dubaidesignweek.ae (opens in a new tab)Open in Maps @dubaidesignweek
Global Village, evenings
The Diwali Mela
Diwali stalls with the India Pavilion for gifts, decorations and mithai, and the Indian Chaat Bazaar for pani puri, pav bhaji and chole bhature. On Sunday at 8pm, 700 drones fly a Diwali show above the Stunt Arena.
The facts
- Where
- Global Village, Dubailand, India Pavilion
- When
- Fri 6 to Tue 10 Nov, from 4pm. To 1am Fri and Sat, to midnight Sun to Tue
- Price
- Included with entry: AED 30 any day, AED 25 Monday to Thursday
- How to book
- Tickets at the gate or on globalvillage.ae. A Friday 6 Nov ticket also covers Saturday, for the first 3,100 who exchange it at the Information Desk
- Who it's for
- Families, and anyone after mithai and chaat
globalvillage.ae (opens in a new tab)Open in Maps @globalvillageuae
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
- The Ripe Market: @ripemarket
- The Marketplace: @dubaidesignweek
- The Diwali Mela: @globalvillageuae
