If you’re headed to Dubai this year and wanna know what’s happening when you’re in town, this is the place for you. From literature festivals to loads of polo and really, really, big boats, here’s a bunch of Dubai events for 2025.
January
Polo, lit fests, and art and design
16th Jan to 1st Feb
Silver Cup
A prestigious event within the world of polo, this is the opening event of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series, followed later by other major tournaments like the Gold Cup and Dubai Challenge Cup. Matches are played at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club, a state-of-the-art facility in Dubai known for being mega on the luxury scale, with some very picturesque polo fields to boot. It draws polo enthusiasts, alongside celebs and ‘high-profile’ individuals – oo-er – making it a proper glam social affair. A fun day out for all, we reckon. Bring your gladrags!
29th Jan to 3rd Feb
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
Founded in 2009 and now a cornerstone cultural event, this is one of the largest and most prestigious literary festivals in the Middle East. Think world-renowned authors, poets, thinkers, and book enthusiasts cosying up together from across the globe. Previous participants include big names like Malala Yousafzai, Jeffrey Archer, Jo Nesbø, and Elif Shafak. Events are hosted at The InterContinental Dubai Festival City, where you can expects author talks, panel discussions, and workshops.
31st Jan to 9th Feb
Sikka Art & Design Festival
An annual celebration of art, culture, and creativity, showcasing the work of emerging and established artists from the UAE and the wider Gulf region. The word “Sikka” actually means alleyway in Arabic, which is pretty fitting, considering the festival’s location in the charming Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, a maze of traditional Emirati houses and narrow lanes. Many of the artworks are site-specific installations, transforming the historic buildings and alleyways into a living gallery. Also expect live performances, film screenings, and pop up shops and markets – perfect for a unique trinket to take home.
February
Food, big boats, and tonnes of tennis
14th to 16th Feb
Taste of Dubai
Celebrating the city’s vibrant culinary scene, Taste of Dubai is held at venues like Dubai Media City Amphitheatre – a lush, open-air location that with a lively and laid-back atmosphere. With a line up that features Dubai’s best restaurants, you can sample their signature dishes at a fraction of the usual price – now we’re talking! Past participants have included Indego by Vineet, Nobu, Ronda Locatelli, and loads more. There’s live cooking demonstrations, masterclasses, and Q&A sessions, and chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Gary Rhodes, and Vineet Bhatia have all showed up here in the past.
5th to 22nd Feb
Gold Cup
Part of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series, this annual event, like the Silver Cup held in January, is a highlight on the international polo calendar. As with the Silver Cup, matches are hosted at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club. A social event as much as it is a sporting competition, it’s where luxury meets athleticism.
19th to 23rd Feb
Dubai International Boat Show
Now, this is one of the Dubai events you really don’t wanna miss – launched in 1992, the Dubai International Boat Show has grown into one of the most significant marine events globally, and is hosted at Dubai Harbour, a state-of-the-art waterfront location offering stunning marina views. A centrepiece of the show is the jaw-dropping display of luxury yachts and superyachts from renowned manufacturers like Sunseeker, Azimut, Gulf Craft, Ferretti, and Benetti. Marine equipment and tech are also on display, with exhibits showcasing the latest advancements in navigation systems, sustainability, and smart boating solutions.
16th Feb to 1st Mar
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
One of the premier tennis tournaments in the Middle East and held annually in February or March at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, it was stablished in 1993 and it features both ATP (men’s) and WTA (women’s) events, attracting top-ranked players from around the globe. Past champions include legends like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Venus Williams. Plus, it’s not alllll about tennis – there’s also the Tennis Village with food stalls, live entertainment, and activities, making it one of the must-do Dubai events for sports enthusiasts and families alike.
March
Polo, Ramadan, and Eid Al Fitr
1st Mar to 9th Mar
Dubai Challenge Cup
Another event in the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series, this is another big moment on the Middle East’s equestrian calendar. Hosted, as usual, at the luxurious Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club.
1st Mar to 31st Mar
Ramadan
31st Mar to 2nd April
Eid Al Fitr
April
Horses for courses, classical bops, and contemporary art
5th April
Dubai World Cup
One of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world, it’s held annually at the iconic Meydan Racecourse. Established in 1996 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, it’s now the richest horse race globally, with a prize pool of a whopping $12 million – no wonder all the top racehorses, jockeys, and trainers come galloping from across the globe. Think thrilling races with a vibrant social atmosphere, including live entertainment, fashion shows, and gourmet dining experiences. An absolute jewel of Dubai’s sporting calendar.
6th April to 21st April
InClassica International Music Festival
Featuring some of the world’s most celebrated musicians, orchestras, and conductors, this festival spans several weeks of mega performances that highlight timeless works alongside contemporary compositions. Hosted at prestigious venues like the Dubai Opera, it attracts classical music enthusiasts from around the globe.
17th to 20th April
World Art Dubai
An annual art fair that brings together a massive collection of contemporary (and affordable!) art from around the globe. Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, is about creativity in all its forms, showcasing works from emerging and established artists, galleries, and independent creators. With an emphasis on accessibility, it offers art lovers and collectors an opportunity to purchase unique pieces, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and digital art, at loads of different price points.
May
Last chance for Global Village
11th May
Global Village ends
A blend of international pavilions, shopping, live performances, and cuisine from around the globe – basically a world tour in one destination, where you can explore cultures from more than 90 countries. The sprawling outdoor venue is mega family-friendly, mixing fun with some learning – all within a festive atmosphere. In 2025, Global Village will run from 24th October, 2024, to 11th May, 2025 – the perfect winter-season attraction to enjoy Dubai’s mild weather.
November
Golf galore
13th to 16th November
DP World Tour Championships
The DP World Tour Championship is the prestigious season-ending tournament of the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour), held annually at the spectacular Jumeirah Golf Estates – Earth Course. As the finale of the Race to Dubai, it sees the top 50 players from the tour’s rankings competing for one of the largest prize pools in golf, with a winner’s share of millions of dollars – cha-ching!
December
National party time
2nd December
UAE National Day
Celebrated every 2nd of December, this annual super spectacle is all about marking the unification of the 7 emirates into one nation. Fireworks. Parades. Ceremonies. Basically a really big party you won’t be able to miss if you’re in town.