DIWALI CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE UAE
Diwali, the Indian festival of lights is just around the corner (it falls on October 19 this year) and let’s face it – you’ve probably already snuck into the mithai boxes. Luckily, the UAE has plenty of Diwali celebrations to keep you entertained and on your feet, so you’ll be able to have fun as well as burn a few calories and slip into those brand-new festive outfits.
Bollywood Parks
is going big with their Diwali celebrations, which run until October 21. The park will be decorated with lights, it will have a market selling snacks, dance performances, and fountain and light shows every evening. Train your eyes to the skies above Rajmahal Theatre for a fireworks display. On October 20, a free concert by Bollywood singer Mika Singh (TBC) will be held at the park. Dh95 per person; visit dubaiparksandresorts.com.
BurJuman
is celebrating Diwali with its Indian Festival until October 21 (right). There’ll be India-themed games and giveaways at a colourful tent in the mall’s atrium from 4-10pm; traditional dances will be performed from 6-8pm. You can also give artistic activities like pottery painting and diya decoration a go while you’re there or check out outfits from Indian labels such as Fab India and Ritu Kumar.
Al Bustan Shopping Centre
in Al Qusais has a Diwali shopping fiesta today. Kiosks by local and international brands will feature clothes, jewellery, home décor and arts and crafts; free gifts will also be handed out at the venue. While mums get their hands painted with henna, the kids can get their faces painted. Free entry; from 10am-1pm. Call 050 4858762.
City Centre Al Shindagha
is hosting celebrations until October 22 with a bhangra dance troupe doing daily performances in rickshaws, handing out bangles to visitors (above). Rangoli artists will create patterns on the floor from 4-8pm daily and guests will also have the opportunity to have their hands painted with henna. There will also be diya- and lantern-making workshops for kids.
Gulf Photo Plus
and foodie tour experts Frying Pan Adventures (run by Friday’s food columnist Arva Ahmed) have a Diwali Unseen Trails tour of Bur Dubai on October 19. Budding photographers can discover how Dubai’s vibrant Indian expat community celebrates the festival as the neighbourhood turns into a kaleidoscope of colours and lights, and stop at Bur Dubai’s best street eats and restaurants. Dh595 per person; the five-hour tours start at 6pm and 6.30pm. Contact info@unseentrails.com.
Holiday Inn
in Bur Dubai is where you’ll find WoW Diwali Utsav, an indoor market with 60 exhibitors selling festive products such as clothes, jewellery, home décor and candles. The event will also feature a food corner with chaat, sandwiches, kulfis and more. Free entry; from 10am-9pm. Call 050 7556078.
Splash n Party
is swapping fireworks for water guns on October 19, when kids and an accompanying adult can party in the waterpark with stilt walkers, dancers, jugglers and a DJ. From 4-8pm; Dh100 per child. Call 04 3883008
The Mall at World Trade Center
Abu Dhabi (WTCAD) is celebrating Diwali on October 20 with a performance by Bollywood singer Neha Bhasin (above). Also watch out for performances of traditional dance forms such as Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Bhangra, Dandiya, and Laavni. Those with an artistic bent can get their hands dirty and colourful at the rangoli making competition. From 5pm-10pm.