DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL (DSF)
With crazy sales running throughout the month across all stores, the Dubai Shopping Festival is first up on our list of the biggest annual events in Dubai. Dubai is known to be a shopper’s paradise and DSF brings to life every shopper’s dream of discounted prices, in stores across all of the best malls in Dubai. This is one of the yearly festivals in Dubai, that sees over two million people visit from all the other emirates, to take advantage of all the bargain deals along with concerts, children’s entertainment, firework shows and more!
STANDARD CHARTERED DUBAI MARATHON
Considered to be one of the richest races in the world, this is one of the most anticipated annual sporting events in Dubai. Taking place every January, with three types of races which includes a 3 km fun run for beginners, a 10 km and 50 km marathon for 18-year-olds and over, the Dubai Marathon is one of the biggest annual events in Dubai that sees thousands of participants, with numbers growing every year.
DUBAI JAZZ FESTIVAL
Held at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, the Dubai Jazz Fest is another one of the most anticipated music festivals in Dubai. The event has seen big names from the Jazz community such as Duran Duran, John Legend, and Ricky Martin Mariah Carry and more perform their hits in Dubai, with line-ups getting more interesting every year.
DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
This one is for all the tennis lovers visiting and living in Dubai! The Dubai Duty Free Championships is another one of the annual sporting events in Dubai, that has brought some of the biggest names in tennis to compete in the city. This is one of the yearly events in Dubai that has been taking place since the past 25 years during the cooler months of February to March, allowing tennis fanatics to watch their favourite players while enjoying the weather.
DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC
Dubai is known to host some of the best sporting events in the world, and the Dubai Desert Classic, which is the most popular golfing event in the UAE, is just that. Held at the famous Emirates Golf Club, this event has seen some of the world’s leading gold champions return every year for a chance to play for the grand prize money. This annual professional golf tournament has been part of the European Tour schedule since its inauguration in 1989.
DUBAI FOOD FESTIVAL
The Dubai Food Festival is one of the annual festivals in Dubai is known for its amazing discounts at fine dining restaurants. To all the foodies, this is one of the yearly festivals in Dubai that should be on your calendar. The annual Dubai Food Festival is one of the most exciting annual festivals in Dubai with main events such as the flagship Etisalat Beach Canteen, Dubai Restaurant Week and Taste of Dubai returning, to give visitors a chance to enjoy amazing discounts at restaurants, meet their favourite celebrity chefs and see some amazing cooking demos.
DUBAI WORLD CUP
Held for the first time in 1996, the Dubai World Cup is a horse racing event that is one of the biggest annual events in Dubai. With a prize of US $10M, the Dubai World Cup is known to be the world’s richest horse race and is one of the most prestigious annual events to take place in the city. The event is the largest social event in Dubai and is also well-known for its statement hat competition, where women compete by wearing the most extravagant hats.
DUBAI SUMMER SURPRISES (DSS)
The Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) is a six-week sales extravaganza that takes place right after the schools close for the summer break. Parents get to take advantage of unbelievable deals on clothes, accessories, electronics as well as back to school discounts on school supplies. The ever-popular mascot for the DSS, Modesh comes to life and numerous activities for kids in Dubai take place through the six-week event ensuring entertainment for the whole family. Some of the most popular activities that take place for the DSS include the 12-hour mega sale on the first day of the festival and the Deal of the Day discounts.
DUBAI DESIGN WEEK
Our next feature is one of the most famous annual events in Dubai, that is aimed at celebrating Dubai’s creative community through art installations, exhibitions and events throughout the city; including Dubai Design District (d3) which is home to the Bayut office! The previous year’s event witnessed more than 60k visitors and is one of the most anticipated events in the design community.
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (DIFF)
For all the movie buffs, the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is one of the yearly festivals in Dubai that aims to provide a platform for showcasing original films from the region, highlighting Arabic culture and honouring local talent. The event is also known internationally and has seen several Hollywood A-listers in the past, including George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Morgan Freeman and Ben Affleck, walk the red carpet.
DUBAI RUGBY SEVENS
Known to be the longest-running annual sports event in Dubai, the Dubai Rugby Sevens, is an annual social event that sees 16 international teams competing over three days for the prestigious trophy. This is another one of the yearly events in Dubai that attract fans of the sport from across the world to visit to watch the nail-biting action at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai.
NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS
Held on the 2nd of December, the event commemorates the UAE’s independence and is one of the annual festivals in Dubai where the city is lit up with decorations featuring the colours of the UAE flag. Special events take place throughout the day to celebrate, with parades, fireworks and more!
