Where to Eat, Celebrate and Shop This Diwali in Dubai

Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November this year, and Dubai is ready to glow. The Festival of Lights is one of the city's most widely shared celebrations, and this season it spills out of homes and onto rooftops, parks and dining rooms, from a 600-drone light show at Global Village to one-day tasting menus at some of the city's most celebrated Indian kitchens. Whether you're planning a family feast, a free evening in the park or a box of mithai to take to someone's door, here are 12 ways to celebrate Diwali 2026 in Dubai.

1. Mausam

Mausam is celebrating Diwali with Flavours of India, an all-day set menu served on Sunday 8 November against the backdrop of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain. At AED 189 per person, it's one of the most accessible Diwali feasts in Downtown Dubai, with dedicated vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus. Vegetarians can expect Purple Potato Chaat, Bikaneri Paneer Tikka and Paneer Qasr-e-Pukhtan, while the non-vegetarian menu brings Murgh Bikaneri Tikka, Gosht Pasanda Kebab and a saffron chicken korma. Both end with Badam Halwa Tartlets with kulfi and Mawa Chandrika, a flaky pastry soaked in saffron syrup.

Where: Mausam, Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai

More info: Mausam

2. Avatara

For a Diwali meal that's entirely vegetarian and entirely inventive, Avatara, the one-MICHELIN-starred Indian restaurant in Dubai Hills, is serving two special tasting menus on Sunday 8 November. Lunch is a 12-course journey, from Wasabi Greens with ghevar to Aloe Vera with pomelo and kokum, ending with condensed milk, bal mithai and sugarcane. Dinner stretches to 17 courses, with highlights such as Truffle with mushroom tart and black garlic aioli, and Banana with raw banana varuval and curry leaf sorbet, before a final Mithai course. The dinner with a non-alcoholic beverage pairing is AED 960 per person.

Where: Avatara, Business Park 1, Dubai Hills Estate, Dubai

More info: Avatara

3. Global Village

Global Village is celebrating Diwali across five days, from 6 to 10 November, and the centrepiece lands on Diwali itself: at 8pm on Sunday 8 November, 600 drones will light up the sky above the Stunt Arena and Syria Pavilion in a Diwali-themed show. Earlier in the week, the park hosts its first-ever Baithak on 6 November, a sit-down South Asian musical gathering on the Main Stage from 8pm to 9pm, with games and prizes on 7 November. In between, the Diwali Mela with the India Pavilion brings décor, gifts and festive treats, little ones can try diya colouring, rangoli making and face painting at the Kids Corner, and the Indian Chaat Bazaar serves pani puri, pav bhaji, chole bhature and mithai. Everything is included in the standard Global Village entry ticket.

Where: Global Village, Dubai

More info: Global Village

4. Varak's Textile-Inspired Mithai

Dubai-born Varak, founded in 2019 by husband-and-wife duo Preet and Diva, turns to mithai only once a year. This Diwali's box pairs Almond Pista Lauj and Coffee Cashew Katli with Chocolate Mohanthal and a Yuzu Hazelnut Mysore Pak, made fresh to order with the sweetness deliberately dialled down. The packaging is half the gift: each box is printed with handmade designs inspired by Ikat and Patola weaving, Banarasi brocade, Jaipuri block printing and Kalamkari, made to be kept long after the mithai is gone. The Mithai Box is AED 130, with hampers such as The Yarn at AED 420 and The Heritage Keepsake at AED 850.

Where: Varak boutiques in Business Bay and Arjan, and online

More info: Varak

5. Gymkhana

Gymkhana, the restaurant founded in London's Mayfair in 2013 by siblings Jyotin, Karam and Sunaina Sethi, is marking its first Diwali in Dubai with a tasting menu for one day only. Inspired by the elite social clubs of India, the DIFC dining room is a fitting setting for a festive gathering. On Sunday 8 November, the Diwali Tasting Menu is available throughout the day for AED 495 per person. It opens with Aloo Chaat and Amritsari Shrimp and Queenies, before the signature Chicken Butter Masala and Beef Cheek Vindaloo arrive with Saffron Pilau, Dal Maharani and Khameeri Roti.

Where: Gymkhana, DIFC, Dubai

More info: Gymkhana

6. Diwali in the Park, JLT

For a free, easy-going way to mark the day, Jumeirah Lakes Towers is turning JLT Park into a Diwali gathering for the whole neighbourhood. Diwali in the Park runs on Sunday 8 November from 5pm to 9pm, celebrating the Festival of Lights and the many cultures that call JLT home. Entry is free and pets are welcome, so bring the family (four-legged members included) and make an evening of it. The celebration is part of the new JLT Calendar, which follows Diwali with a free Fitness Hub in the same park from 9 to 15 November.

Where: JLT Park, between Clusters P and Q, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

More info: JLT Calendar

7. Haldiram's Diwali Hampers

For the classics, Haldiram's has been part of Diwali celebrations since it began in Bikaner, Rajasthan, in 1937. Its Dubai gifting collection starts with Mithai Boxes of 9, 15 or 25 pieces, from Amritsari Pinni and Kaju Laddoo to Badam Burfi and Motichoor Laddoo, for AED 25 to AED 72. Sweet platters run from AED 35 to AED 199, dry fruit and nut gifts from AED 75 to AED 150, and festive hampers combining mithai, nuts and savouries from AED 110 to AED 199, with customisable platters available to pre-order.

Where: Haldiram's stores in Karama, Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Silicon Oasis

More info: Haldiram

8. Diwali Feast at Rohini, Mövenpick JLT

If one night isn't enough, Rohini at Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers is celebrating for six, from 5 to 10 November. Its Diwali set menu opens with dahi vada, then moves through tandoor favourites such as achari paneer tikka or murgh tikka, mains including butter chicken, Kashmiri rogan josh and a 24-hour dal makhani, and ends with kheer, gulab jamun and malai ka motichur. The vegetarian menu is AED 149 per person and the non-vegetarian menu AED 179, served in two-hour seatings. Dress up: each evening, one guest is named Best Dressed, with a surprise in store for the winner.

Where: Rohini, Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

More info: Rohini

9. VEGO's Diwali Collection

For a gift with a sense of humour, VEGO's 2026 Diwali collection plays with the season's card-night traditions. Casino-inspired Diwali Delights include a saffron cashew Gold Coin, an almond burfi Poker Chip and a Fire Cracker, with boxes from AED 26, while Mahjong Mithai stamps flavours such as Kesar Dragon and Chocolate Bamboo with Mahjong motifs, from AED 60. There are French-style Mithai Bars, including Besan Hazelnut and Paan Gulkand, from AED 60 for five, chocolate-dipped Mithai Cookies from AED 24 and refined sugar-free Guilt-Free Mithai from AED 16. Hampers run from the AED 95 Festive Trio to the AED 405 Royal Tray.

Where: Delivery across Dubai

More info: VEGO

10. Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek

Over on the Creek, Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek is hosting a Diwali buffet at Creek Kitchen, with papdi chaat, Indian curries, international dishes and festive sweets including rasmalai. It's AED 165 per person, served for dinner on 4 November and for lunch on 1 and 8 November, with indoor and outdoor seating. Make time for the Diwali Market at Jewel of the Creek too, open daily from 2 to 7 November between 4pm and 10pm, with stalls of colourful diyas, traditional décor, clothing, festive gifts and treats.

Where: Creek Kitchen and Jewel of the Creek, Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek, Port Saeed, Dubai

More info: Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek

11. Old Dubai at the Gold District Hotels

To celebrate where Dubai's story began, head to Deira. Throughout November, the Dubai Gold District and Dubai Deira cluster of hotels is serving Diwali feasts from AED 75 per person, steps from the Gold and Spice Souks and the Creek. Choose from The Spicery at Novotel Dubai Gold District, Farmstead at Mercure Dubai Deira, World of Curries at Aparthotel Adagio Dubai Gold District and Lilly's Garden at ibis Styles Dubai Deira, each with Indian-themed buffets, chaat counters, traditional Diwali sweets and festive décor.

Where: Novotel Dubai Gold District, Mercure Dubai Deira, Aparthotel Adagio Dubai Gold District and ibis Styles Dubai Deira

More info: Novotel Dubai Gold District

12.Purani Dilli

Purani Dilli is celebrating Diwali with Utsav, a special dining experience featuring an Indian buffet, colourful rangoli displays, and live chaat and jalebi stations. Priced at AED 129 per person, the evening offers a festive setting for family and friends to come together over classic Indian flavours.

Where: Purani Dilli, Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai

When: 8 November, 6:30pm–11pm

Price: AED 129 per person

Reservations: +971 56 414 2213