The festival of lights is brighter than ever in the UAE.
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, lights up Dubai with meaning and momentum. The Festival of Lights returns on Sunday, 8 November 2026, ushering in five days of rituals and revelry that honour the triumph of light over darkness. Expect homes and courtyards aglow with diyas, vibrant rangoli at doorways, tables laden with festive feasts, and gifts shared with family and friends. From elevated tasting menus to designer sweets, here’s how to celebrate Diwali in Dubai.
Al Seef
Returning for its vibrant third edition, Noor: Festival of Lights takes over the historic waterfront for two days of immersive cultural experiences. The festival transforms the heritage destination with atmospheric charm and spectacular live performances by acclaimed acts such as Jasbir Jassi, the Bhangra Queens, and The Shams. Visitors can enjoy a rich tapestry of music, heritage, and celebratory festive flair.
Where: Souk Al Seef, Al Seef, Dubai
When: 7 and 8 November 2026 from 6pm to 11pm
Contact: https://noorfestivaloflights.com
Avatara
Dubai’s one-Michelin-starred Indian vegetarian restaurant presents an artful interpretation of plant-based dining for the Festival of Lights. Diners can choose between a 12-course lunch menu featuring inventive creations like Wasabi Greens with daikon and ghevar and Butternut with black lime, or an elaborate 17-course dinner journey. The evening experience delves deeper into ingredient-focused artistry with dishes such as Truffle with mushroom tart and Yoghurt with butter bonbon, concluding with desserts like sesame ice cream alongside a sweet Mithai course. AED 960 per person for non-alcoholic beverages and AED 1,260 per person for alcoholic beverages.
Where: Avatara, Dubai Hills Estate, Dubai
When: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Contact: https://avatara.ae
Creek Kitchen
Gather family and friends at Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek for a festive buffet celebrating traditional Indian favourites and international dishes. The feast includes vibrant papdi chaat, rich curries, and indulgent festive sweets like rasmalai. Alongside the dining experience, guests can explore a dedicated Diwali Market at Jewel of the Creek, featuring colourful diyas, traditional décor, festive clothing, and gifts. The festive buffet is priced at AED 165 per person.
Where: Creek Kitchen, Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek, Port Saeed, Dubai
When: Sunday, 8 November from 1pm to 4pm
Contact: www.creekkitchendubai.com
Global Village
Explore the bustling Diwali Mela in collaboration with the India Pavilion for traditional décor, thoughtful gifts, and festive treats, while little ones enjoy face painting, diya colouring, and rangoli making at the Kids Corner. The celebration at Globasl Village features musical gatherings, interactive games, and a drone show lighting up the night skies. Food lovers can enjoy regional specialities and street-food classics like pani puri, chaat, pav bhaji, and traditional mithai.
Where: Global Village, Wadi Al Safa 4, Dubai
When: 6 to 10 November 2026 from 4pm to 1am
Contact: www.globalvillage.ae
Gymkhana Dubai
Marking its very first Festival of Lights, the acclaimed DIFC dining destination brings its Diwali Tasting Menu to the city. For one day only, guests can experience an exclusive, thoughtfully curated tasting menu showcasing the depth and diversity of classical Indian cuisine. Highlights include Aloo Chaat, Amritsari Shrimp and Queenies, signature Chicken Butter Masala, and Beef Cheek Vindaloo, served alongside Saffron Pilau, Dal Maharani and Khameeri Roti. AED 495 per person.
Where: Gymkhana Dubai, DIFC, Dubai
When: Sunday, 8 November 2026 from 12pm to 2.30pm and 6pm to 1am
Contact: https://gymkhanarestaurants.com
ISHQ by Chef Bhatia
For an intimate, fine-dining celebration, ISHQ by Chef Bhatia invites guests on an exclusive 13-course culinary journey for Diwali in Dubai. Curated by acclaimed Chef Nimish Bhatia, the menu features dramatic, theatrical presentations across both vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus. Highlights include Madras Rasam Fizz & Jaipuri Okra, Coorg Roasted Duck Mousseline, and Kashmiri Lamb Gogji, ending with a playful Gulab Jamun Espuma. AED 799 per person with an optional beverage pairing for AED 500 per person.
Where: ISHQ by Chef Bhatia, Wafi City, Dubai.
When: Sunday, 8 November 2026 at 8pm
Contact: https://ishq.ae
Jamavar Dubai
The FACT award-winner teams up with India’s celebrated design house, Good Earth, to present ‘Diwali: A Feast in Chahar Bagh’. Transforming the regal dining room into a paradise garden of grand floral arrangements and richly layered tablescapes, Culinary Director Surender Mohan has curated a four-course tasting menu inspired by the four-fold garden. Expect refined reimaginings like Nazakat ke Bhalle and Dill Malai Jhinga, alongside generous signatures such as Old Delhi Butter Chicken and Achari Gosht, closing with Shahi Kala Jamun layered with pistachio, saffron and basundi. The tasting menu is priced at AED 395 for the vegetarian menu and AED 425 for the non-vegetarian menu.
Where: Jamavar Dubai, Address Residences Opera District, Downtown Dubai, Dubai
When: 29 October to 11 November 2026 from 12pm to midnight
Contact: https://jamavarrestaurants.com
Partner Listing: Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai
Give your dinner plans an Indian twist at CEZ, where Flavours of India brings contemporary takes on regional favourites to Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai. Start with Pani Puri Shots, Masala Lamb Sliders or Samosa Chaat before exploring tandoor dishes spanning meat, seafood and vegetarian options. For mains, choose Murgh Makhni, Jhinga Curry or a fragrant Chicken or Vegetarian Dum Biryani. Save room for Shahi Tukra, Bhapa Doi or Saffron Kulfi to round off the meal. Set in Downtown Dubai, the restaurant also offers direct access to Dubai Mall via Bloomingdale’s, making it a convenient stop after an afternoon of shopping. À la carte dishes are priced from AED 45.
Where: CEZ, Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai
When: Available daily from 6.30pm to 10pm
Contact: www.kempinski.com
Rohini Indian Restaurant & Bar
Celebrate Diwali at JLT’s popular dining spot, where Cluster Executive Chef Thirumalai Murugan presents vegetarian and non-vegetarian set menus. The vegetarian menu features dahi vada, sofiyani achari paneer tikka, tandoor-cooked malai ke phool, and continues with mains including paneer tikka masala, lasooni bhuna saag, 24-hour slow-cooked dal makhani, alongside vegetable biryani. The non-vegetarian menu offers murgh tikka, ajwani mahi tikka, seekh kebab alongside mains highlighting butter chicken, kashmiri rogan josh, dal makhani, hing dhania chatpate aloo, and chicken biryani. Both end with home-made rice kheer, gulab jamun, and malai ka motichur. A nightly Best Dressed contest will also reward one guest each evening with a surprise prize. AED 149 per person for vegetarian menu and AED 179 per person for non-vegetarian menu.
Where: Rohini Indian Restaurant & Bar, Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers, JLT, Dubai
When: 5 to 10 November 2026 from 12pm to midnight
Contact: https://rohinidubai.com
Varq
Step into the Festival of Lights at Varq, where traditional Indian flavours meet modern fine-dining elegance. Guests are welcomed with a complimentary drink before diving into an exclusive festive set menu. Starters highlight dishes such as Reshampatti Paneer Tikka and Chicken Kasturi Tikka, followed by mains including Paneer Darbari, Mutton Rogan E Nishat, Alleppey Prawn Curry, and overnight-simmered Varqui Dal. The meal progresses through a refreshing Lychee-Ginger Sorbet and closes with traditional sweets like Chenna Payesh and Baked Bhapa Doi. AED 275 per person.
Where: Varq, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
When: 30 October to 15 November 2026
Contact: www.exoticadubai.tajhotels.com