Dubai upcoming events for 2026 - events calendar

In 2026, Dubai is planning marathons and other road races, tennis tournaments, horse racing events, art festivals, design week, concerts and large music events. On top of that, there are year-round attractions such as Global Village, various film screenings and smaller music festivals.

If you want to plan your trip step by step:

• start with a general guide to attractions in Dubai,

• check which Dubai 2026 events match your travel dates,

• then adjust your accommodation in Dubai or look at available organised trips to Dubai.

Winter 2025/2026 – Shopping Festival and Global Village

In winter, Dubai turns into one big shopping festival. It’s the time when the city attracts visitors from all over the world.

Dubai Shopping Festival – winter shopping festival

Between December and January, the Dubai Shopping Festival takes place – a huge shopping event with discounts, raffles, concerts and fireworks shows. It’s the perfect time to:

• take advantage of promotions in malls,

• head out in the evening to a show, concert or a walk around Burj Khalifa,

• combine shopping with classic sightseeing.

After a day spent in shopping centres, the perfect follow-up is:

• going up to the Burj Khalifa observation deck at sunset, or

• a yacht cruise in Dubai with views of the Marina.

Global Village – culture from all over the world

During the winter season, Global Village is also open – a huge themed park combining food, music and shopping from different parts of the world. In one evening you can stroll between pavilions representing countries from across the globe, watch shows and small concerts on outdoor stages.

It’s one of the most interesting cultural events in Dubai 2026 for families and for people who enjoy evening walks along illuminated alleys.

New Year’s Eve and New Year in Dubai

If you’re planning to be in Dubai for the turn of the year 2025/2026, make sure to also check the following articles:

• New Year’s Eve parties and events in Dubai 2026

• Where to spend New Year’s Eve in Dubai for free?

Sports Events in Dubai 2026 – Marathon and Road Races

What sports events will take place in Dubai in 2026?
The city is very active when it comes to sports, and the most important sports events in Dubai 2026 include:

• Dubai Marathon – an iconic marathon, one of the fastest in the world, held as a major celebration of road running;

• big side races (5 km, 10 km) with amateur runners from all over the world;

• Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships – ATP and WTA tournament featuring top-ranked players;

• Dubai World Cup – prestigious horse racing event;

• autumn Dubai Fitness Challenge – the popular 30x30 challenge, meaning 30 minutes of movement a day for 30 days.

Dubai Fitness Challenge turns the city into one big outdoor gym – beaches, boulevards and parks are filled with free classes, workouts and smaller Dubai 2026 events focused on health and fitness.

Cultural Events in Dubai 2026 – Art, Film and Design Week

Dubai is a paradise for culture lovers – from contemporary art and design to cinema.

Art and Design – Design Week and Art Festivals

The most important cultural events in Dubai 2026 related to art and design include:

• Sikka Art & Design Festival – a festival of local artists and designers in the historic Al Fahidi district,

• Quoz Arts Fest – an arts celebration at Alserkal Avenue, full of concerts, exhibitions and food trucks,

• Art Dubai – a major event bringing together galleries and artists from all over the world,

• World Art Dubai – a more “accessible” art fair, perfect for those who are just starting to collect art,

• Dubai Design Week – a key design week in the region, showcasing trends in architecture and product design.

These events are part of why Dubai is increasingly visible on the global map as a place where art meets cutting-edge architecture.

Dubai International Film Festival – international film festival

For many years the city’s flagship event was the Dubai International Film Festival – an international film festival attracting movie stars from all over the world. Currently, its format and schedule are being reshaped, so the 2026 calendar may still change.

This doesn’t change the fact that throughout the year the city hosts smaller film screenings, independent film showings and cinema-related events embedded in other festivals (for example at Alserkal Avenue). That’s great news for culture lovers who want to combine sightseeing with a dose of cinema.

Music Events in Dubai 2026 – Concerts and Music Festivals

What concerts will take place in Dubai in 2026?
The music scene doesn’t sleep either. In 2026:

• numerous music events in Dubai 2026 will take place at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai Opera, on the JBR beaches and in hotel beach clubs,

• major world tours are expected – from pop and rock to electronic music,

• smaller jazz, acoustic and DJ concerts are planned in rooftop bars with views over the city centre.

Large music festivals are also increasingly common in Dubai. After the success of events like Untold Festival in previous years, it’s very likely that similar festivals will return in upcoming seasons – it’s worth following announcements, as some events sell out within days.

How to Plan a Trip Around Dubai 2026 Events?

Where can I find the events calendar for Dubai 2026?
On Two Continents we regularly update guides and descriptions of the most important Dubai 2026 events, so you have – in one place – an events calendar, suggested itineraries and ideas for what to do on days when you’re not at a show or race.

A few practical tips:

• Accommodation – for the biggest events (marathon, Dubai Fitness Challenge, large music festivals), it’s worth booking accommodation in Dubai well in advance.

• Packages and organised trips – if you don’t want to deal with tickets and logistics yourself, consider ready-made organised trips to Dubai, especially if you’re planning to combine several events.

• Sightseeing between events – as a “filler” between events, classic attractions in Dubai work perfectly: Burj Khalifa, Old Dubai, desert safari, yacht cruises and many more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What events will take place in Dubai in 2026?

In the Dubai 2026 events calendar you’ll find, among others: Dubai Marathon and other road races, Dubai World Cup, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Global Village, Dubai Fitness Challenge, Art Dubai, World Art Dubai, Sikka Art & Design Festival, Quoz Arts Fest, Dubai Design Week, as well as numerous music events in Dubai 2026 – concerts, music festivals and smaller events in clubs and hotels.

2. What sports events will take place in Dubai in 2026?

The main sports events in Dubai 2026 are: Dubai Marathon, its accompanying road races, major tennis tournaments, Dubai World Cup horse racing, the grand finale of the golf tour and the Dubai Fitness Challenge initiative, which encourages residents and visitors to be active every day for a month.

3. What cultural events will take place in Dubai in 2026?

Among cultural events in Dubai 2026 you’ll find art and design festivals (Sikka, Quoz Arts Fest, Art Dubai, World Art Dubai, Dubai Design Week), film-related events building on the tradition of the Dubai International Film Festival – the international film festival, as well as numerous exhibitions, shows and performances.

4. Where can I buy tickets for Dubai 2026 events?

The safest option is to buy tickets via official links provided for each specific event and through trusted ticketing partners recommended in articles on Two Continents.