Dubai plays host to many festivals and events throughout the year. The following are just a few of the many events that attract visitors to this amazing city, there are just too many to mention!

January / February

Dubai Shopping Festival – Dubai is regarded as shopper’s paradise all year round with January being an excellent time to grab some bargains. Millions of people visit the city’s shops during the Shopping Festival which takes place throughout January. There are also firework displays, concerts and children’s entertainment which offer a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of the shopping frenzy.

Dubai Marathon – This is a charity fund raising event where participants pay a small entrance fee with the hope of winning a large cash prize. The event consists of three different races; the 3km fun run, the 10km road race for over 15′s and the 50km marathon for 18′s and over.

February / March

Dubai Tennis Championships – Consisting of an Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the Dubai Open is held at the Aviation Club, attracting the best tennis players from all over the world.

Dubai Desert Classic – This is one of the most popular golfing events held in the UAE. Held at the Emirates Golf Club, the event attracts some of the world’s top golfers who participate for the chance to win large money prizes.

Dubai International Jazz Festival – If you love your Jazz why not attend this annual festival on your package holidays to Dubai. Past acts have included Jamie Cullum, Robin Gibb, Toto and Stanley Jordan.

Nad Al Sheba Racecourse

March / April

Emirates World Series, The Dubai World Cup – With a six million US dollar prize, this is the world’s richest horse race. Attracting the best jockeys, trainers and horses from all over the world, all the action takes place at the state-of-the-art Nad Al Sheba Racecourse.

Dubai Desert Rock – An amazing two day music festival which has featured such artists as Iron Maiden, The Prodigy, The Darkness and Megadeth.

Dubai Art Fair – Attracting the world’s best artists who display their works at The Madinet Jumeirah.

April / May

The Bride Show – Held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, this wedding themed event attracts hundreds of exhibitors from all over the UAE.

Festival of Taste – If you love food, this is the event not to miss. Held at The Madinat Jumeirah, the festival runs for a whole week with the

Madinat Jumeirah

world’s top chefs preparing specialities for various social events whilst giving tips on cooking and presentation.

June / July / August

Dubai Summer Surprises – Designed to encourage tourists to visit Dubai at the peak of hottest part of the year. Spread over 10 weeks, the DSS (Dubai Summer Surprises) are split into different themes such as food, the arts, adventure and nature. Many of the hotels in the city offer special ‘shopaholic’ travel deals to attract more guests to Dubai.

September /October

Motexha Textile Show – Attracting exhibitors and visitors from across the region, this annual trade fair is the largest of its kind in the Middle East. Held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, the show features more than 500 exhibitors covering all aspects of the clothing and textile trade.

October / November

UAE Desert Challenge – Starting off in Abu Dhabi and finishing in Dubai, this rally is the last race in the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup. If you love fast cars this five day event is for you.

Desert Rhythm – A fairly new two day music festival where such artists as Kanye West and the British singer/songwriter Mika have introduced themselves to the UAE.

November / December

National Day Festival – Dubai’s National Day Festival is celebrated every year, marking the Emirate’s independence from Great Britain. The city puts on many special events for the public throughout the day.

Dubai Exiles Rugby Club

Dubai Rugby Sevens – Every year the Dubai Exiles Rugby Club plays host to the first round of the IRB Sevens Series. This three day event sees 16 International rugby teams compete for the series trophy. Shows and events for all ages add to the fun of this exciting event.

Dubai International Film Festival – Aimed at independent and art-house cinema, this festival gives them the chance to show their work to large audiences with special guests.

Dubai is to host UAE Ballooning Championship festival in December 2011. Taking place on occasion of the UAE’s 40th National Day, the festival will depict the UAE’s rich history and heritage. Over the three day event the hot air balloons will light up the Dubai sky like a mass of fireflies as they fly past Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Khalif.

UAE Ballooning Championship

In honour of the UAE’s 40th National Day the hot air balloons will take to the sky every morning and evening which will be an amazing sight to see on your direct holidays to Dubai. This event is the first of its kind to take place in the UAE, promising to be a fun-filled event with lots of entertainment and attractions.

The following shows will take place at the Meydan Turf Lounge;

Night Glow
Late in the evening the hot air balloons will be grouped together in Meydan. The balloons will be inflated as if they are going to take off but they will not take to the sky but will be held down hence lighting up the sky like giant Chinese lanterns. This promises to be a spectacular sight as the balloons light-up the evening sky.

Mass Ascensions
Those taking part will be able to take to the sky in a huge group giving spectators an amazing view of all the balloons.

Sky Diving Display
The audience will be amazed by the sky diving display from one of the balloons.

Skylamps Release
At the Night Glow show the climax of the evening will be the mass release of all the balloons. This amazing spectacular will light up the evening sky and act as a symbol of Unity.

There are lots of package holidays available to Dubai throughout the internet so don’t miss this amazing event, book your holiday now and visit the UAE Ballooning Championship festival in December.

The Dubai Airshow takes place from 13th – 17th November at Airport Expo. The airshow is now in its 22nd year and is the fastest growing airshow in the world. Billed as the foremost aerospace event in the Middle East, the Dubai Airshow is also a key event on the international aerospace calender.

Taking place every two years, the Dubai Airshow is dedicated to connecting buyers and sellers of the aerospace industry’s leading companies.

Two weeks after the Dubai Airshow the United Arab Emirates celebrates its 40th Anniversary. This year the airshow joins in the build up to this historic celebration which marks the signing of the UAE constitution which took place on the 2nd December 1971.

Dubai Airports owns and operates both of Dubai’s airports, Dubai International and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International, the cargo only airport. Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International is due to start passenger services for direct holidays to Dubai in 2012.

The Dubai Airshow started life as Arab Air 1986 and was a small civil aviation trade show at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The first Dubai Airshow took place at Dubai International Airport in 1989. By 1991 the show had grown rapidly in size. Because of this rapid growth the purpose built exhibition centre Airport Expo was built in 1999 and has been the home of the Dubai Airshow ever since. Doubling its size in just eight years, the 2009 airshow hosted 890 exhibitors from 47 countries.

Dubai is a fascinating and luxurious destination with lots of late deals for holidays to this amazing country.

Exploring Dubai during the summer gives visitors endless days of fun and enjoyment. In June 2011 the Dubai Summer Suprises (DSS) event takes place for the 14th year running. This shopping fiesta and summer entertainment event will be held from the 22nd June to the 31st July. The event was started by the Dubai government to promote Dubai as a family holiday destination and has grown in popularity ever since its launch in 1998, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world.

Since 1998 visitors to Dubai have enjoyed the Dubai Summer Suprises including not only the beautiful golden sun drenched beaches, but also experiencing shopping , entertainment and the region’s biggest indoor edutainment venue, Modhesh World.

What is Dubai Summer Suprises?

The DSS event see’s the region’s best shopping deals, competions with millions of dirhams as prizes, top-class family entertainment and the Middle East’s best spas just waiting to spoil and pamper visitors.
About 50 luxury malls offer top shopping promotions while hosting shows, concerts and exhibitions. Shoppers are rewarded for shopping with chances to win prizes and gifts throughout the DSS.
The many spas offer reduced rates for a variety of health and wellness treatments including body scrubs, rasul mud baths, Moroccan baths, ayurveda treatments, Swedish and Thai massage, detoxifying treatments, reflexology sessions and numerous other therapies.
The mascot of the DSS is called Modhesh, this is an Arabic word meaning amazing, incredible and unexpected. Modesh World, located at Dubai International Airport Expo, is spread across 37,000 square meters and is one of the largest indoor edutainment venues in the region. Originally starting as an indoor entertainment venue for children in 2000, Modesh World has now grown to become a complete edutainment venue for the whole family. There are 45 enthralling zones, each zone with its own concept and theme, an amazing collection of unique games, a funfair and also stage shows including Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10, Hello Kitty and many more, too many to mention!
During the DSS there will also be a few fashion shows to show off the new fashion trends in Dubai.

The Dubai Summer Suprises gives Dubai a chance to share its culture, history and traditions to visitors who often book last minute holidays to the amazing Dubai and its surrounding Emirates.

Visitors can always be assured of a warm and friendly welcome and with many cheap holidays available to Dubai during the summer you will not be disappointed.