DIWALI IN DUBAI: THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS IN NUMBERS

• For the Festival of Lights, 162 winners take home AED900,000 worth of gold and cash prizes
• More than 100 brands participate in seasonal promotions
• 10 mega events and concerts held with eight Diwali markets and bazaars across the city

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 27 November 2023: Following an exhilarating two-week calendar packed with events, an expansive array of retail exclusives, raffles, prizes, and culinary experiences, Diwali, the Festival of Lights, has drawn to a close in Dubai, leaving behind a legacy of lasting memories for families and friends across the city.

Diwali in Dubai, organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), united Dubai’s diverse community of over 200 nationalities to enjoy the best live entertainment, explore the city’s malls for deals on new clothes, gifts, gold, and more, and relish authentic Indian flavors at some of the finest citywide restaurants.

From unbeatable offers, and thrilling raffles to vibrant Diwali bazaars and engaging events, this Diwali in Dubai was a memorable experience for all.

PRIZES AND RAFFLES

In total, 162 winners took home prizes this Diwali in Dubai, collectively worth almost AED 900,000. Various promotions across the city led to remarkable wins, including BurJuman Mall’s raffle, where 10 fortunate shoppers won AED 100,000 worth of gold. The Idealz Grand Prize, a staggering 1kg of gold, was claimed by one lucky winner, while the Dubai Jewellery Group’s Diwali Campaign produced 30 winners securing jewelry vouchers worth AED 5,000 each, while City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif saw 34 shoppers winning significant prizes, including a gold coin worth AED 1,000. Dubai Festival City Mall continued the winning streak with two shoppers taking home 100 grams of gold. Zomato also crowned winners in its promotions giving away AED 30,000 and stunning gold coins, while the Damas Diwali Promotion saw 12 winners walk away with 22k gold coins, with one lucky winner taking home a diamond jewellery set. The Dubai Shopping Malls Group Shop, Scan, Strike Gold promotion awarded 20 winners a treasure trove of 24-karat gold coins, collectively valued at AED 100,000.

RETAIL DEALS AND  PROMOTIONS

A total of 108 brands ran Diwali retail promotions, offering unbeatable bargains and special offers on jewellery, gold, gifts, and fashion. Mega promotions included the Dubai Jewellery Group, providing savings of up to 50 percent on unique Diwali jewellery selections. City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif offered shoppers an extra 10 times the SHARE bonus points on their purchases, while The H Dubai and Homebox stores across the city extended exclusive Diwali promotions to enhance the festive spirit. Arrow branches provided an irresistible deal, allowing shoppers to buy three items for the price of two during the Diwali celebration.

MARKETS AND BAZAARS

Eight markets and bazaars were staged across Dubai during Diwali, offering unique experiences and great deals on cultural goods, food, desserts, handmade crafts, jewellery, gifts, household items, and other ethnic products. They included the unique Dhanteras Diwali Mela at the Grand Excelsior Hotel in Bur Dubai, and the Diwali Fiesta 2023 at DoubleTree by Hilton, M Square Residence & Hotel, Bur Dubai. Meanwhile, Global Village’s mega Diwali celebration saw family and friends gather to sample Indian delicacies and pick up authentic crafts, gold, souvenirs, and more at the India pavilion.

EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES

Citywide, 10 mega events were staged to mark the Festival of Lights. They included the Shoppers Paradise Exhibition at Al Bustan Centre Banquet Hall, Al Qusais, featuring a range of apparel and accessories from renowned labels. The Diwali Dhamaka Festive Exhibition brought together exhibitors from the UAE and India, offering an array of exquisite apparel, intricate imitation jewelry, radiant diyas, vibrant torans, Diwali decor, stylish handbags, and more. The Deepavali Utsav 2023 was the perfect evening out for families, featuring Rangoli, traditional games, folk dances from various Indian states, and mesmerizing performances by artists at the Etisalat Academy.

Dubai also dazzled with a remarkable array of events and activities to celebrate Diwali this year. From mesmerizing musical performances to side-splitting comedy acts, this year’s Diwali in Dubai had it all. Artists and entertainers included acclaimed musician Sanjay Subrahmanyan, renowned Indian musician Vishal Mishra, comedy powerhouses Sapan Verma, Varun Thakur, Rahul Subramanian, Actor RJ Vijay and RJ Vigneshkanth, and renowned mentalist Aathi,  and much more.

GASTRONOMICAL DELIGHTS

This year, more than 20 restaurants ran Diwali-themed menus and culinary promotions celebrating the rich flavors and cuisines of India. Residents and visitors indulged in a delectable array of Diwali dining experiences, from traditional Indian street food to Michelin-acclaimed cuisine. They included an immersive Diwali in Dubai Food Tour in the historic Bur Dubai neighbourhood and dining experiences at The Crossing at H Hotel, Punjab Grill Dubai, PINCODE, Dhaba Lane Restaurants, Aamara Restaurant at voco hotel, Varq, Palm Kitchen

Emperor Lounge, Amal Restaurant, The Restaurant, Address Fountain Views, Republic Adda, Jaffer Bhais, Bombay Borough, Carnival By Tresind, Yummy Dosa, Kamat Restaurants, Magnolia Bakery, Asha’s Restaurant, Khyber Restaurant and Atrangi.

For everything you need to know about festivals and happenings – visit Visit Dubai and @CelebrateDubai and @StyledbyDubai on social media channels.