Events calendar United Arab Emirates

Since 1996, the Dubai Shopping Festival has quickly become the ultimate event for all shopping enthusiasts who find something to satisfy their craving. Charters are chartered from all over the world to get there. Everywhere the windows take on a festive air and the shops offer irresistible tax-free sales, especially in the large shopping centres. There are even 12-hour flash sales with discounts of up to 90%. Every year, the festival is accompanied by fireworks.

On the occasion of this festival, thousands of racing camels from all over the Middle East compete in daily races. Next to a village, hosts all the local traditions and markets of the region. Folklore, handicrafts, gastronomy welcoming a crowd composed of Emiratis, residents and tourists alike. A unique opportunity to discover the local customs in the Bedouin village. To go there rather in the afternoon.

In the middle of the dunes, not far from the Wadi Al-Batha, lies the Al-Labsa camel racetrack. During the winter, on Thursday and Friday mornings, the desert comes alive with the frantic gallops and the passion of the spectators. A great moment. The multicolored camels are presented in their most beautiful light. Then it's time for the race, the animals over six years old run around the ten-kilometre ring in eighteen minutes. Ninety percent of the dromedaries are females, reputed to be better runners. The race is followed from a distance by the owners.

Camel racing is part of the country's heritage and is very popular with the royal families and the emirates. Today, robot jockeys have replaced the children who once rode the camels. The owner follows the race in a car on a circuit parallel to the camelodrome and controls either the whip or the tension of the reins from a distance. To attend, don't look for the schedule, it doesn't exist! Go early in the morning on Fridays between November and March!

Organized by the emirate's Ministry of Culture and Information in 1993, and now by the Sharjah Art Foundation, under the direction of Hoor Al Qasimi, President and Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation, the Sharjah Biennale has, over the years, found its place among the best-known biennales, such as those of Berlin and Venice. It is an opportunity for this emirate with its reputation for rigorism to demonstrate its openness to all the arts. In 2023, the ^15th edition of this biennial was held under the theme "Thinking historically about the present".

More than 15 days of automobile passion celebrations: jewelry exhibitions on 4 wheels at the Motor Village (on Meydan), events (like the Grand Parade of Collection Cars), races-demonstrations with big names of the car (Vettel was part of 2014) and happenings of all kinds (including the "Supercar Taxi" which consists of a free service of 10 taxis on some of the most beautiful cars in the world). Everything is completed by the Dubai International Rallye. If you're an aficionado of steaming engines and rounding bodies, this is the perfect time to come to Dubai!

The biggest pop culture festival in the Middle East is a big hit with tens of thousands of visitors every year. In addition to meetings with artists from the world of comics, manga and cinema, the festival organizes concerts, previews, a cosplay competition, and offers many workshops. The festival takes place at the Dubai World Trade Center during 2 days. A colourful and very popular festival.

For the past ten years, One Communications and Marketing Group has been organising Taste of Dubai, which has been a foodie's dream with tastings, cooking classes with renowned chefs, children's activities as well as international music bands within Dubai Media City. In 2020, Taste of Dubai organised the largest outdoor ladies night. This event is in line with the city's commitment to showcase international gastronomy, the richness of its restaurants and the diversity of its offerings.

Since 2000, the city of Sharjah has hosted the final race of the Formula One World Championship on the Corniche in late December. The boats, driven individually, are launched at full speed on the waters of the Khalid lagoon, which allows the large crowd that comes every year to watch the competition from the huge corniche, in complete safety. A unique and exciting sporting event despite the decibels of the machines.

Jazz, blues, rock, pop and world music are all on offer at the three-day Dubai Jazz Festival every year. Sting, Toto, John Legend and Santana are among the long list of artists who have already participated in this event. The event has been held every year for over 17 years in the Dubai Media City area, which is easily accessible by metro. The festival is the largest music event in the region.