Dubai’s 2026 calendar is ready to be one among its most bold but, marked by main milestones, international recognition and forward-looking innovation. The yr will see landmark anniversaries for flagship occasions such because the Dubai World Cup, Dubai Marathon, Artwork Dubai and World Village, alongside worldwide acclaim from Lonely Planet for Previous Dubai’s cultural meals excursions. Dubai will even strengthen its place as a worldwide hub for enterprise, know-how and sustainability, with main commerce reveals relocating to Expo Metropolis Dubai and the launch of totally electrical air taxis.
Six Senses The Palm
The hospitality and eating scene will develop considerably with high-profile lodge debuts, together with Six Senses, Baccarat and Gran Meliá, in addition to new eating places from globally famend manufacturers and cooks. Cultural points of interest, festivals and family-friendly experiences will run year-round, supported by the UAE’s designation of 2026 because the “Yr of the Household.”
Emirates Dubai 7s
Sports activities will stay a significant draw, with world-class golf, tennis, biking, basketball, horse racing and mass-participation occasions bringing worldwide athletes and followers to town. Collectively, these developments spotlight Dubai’s continued evolution as a main international vacation spot for tradition, sport, innovation and tourism in 2026. Dubai was voted as Middle East’s Leading Destination 2025 by the World Journey Awards.
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Heritage Categorical
Dubai milestones in 2026:
• Embarking on a cultural meals tour in Previous Dubai was named as one of many high international experiences for 2026 in Lonely Planet’s Greatest In Journey information. Showcasing Dubai’s numerous and distinctive culinary scene in older neighbourhoods resembling Bur Dubai and Deira, it’s one among Lonely Planet’s 50 important picks for 2026, made up of 25 locations and 25 experiences.
• The Dubai World Cup – famend as one among international horseracing’s most prestigious sporting and social events – will mark a historic milestone in 2026. Celebrating its thirtieth working because the inaugural race in 1996, followers and racing fans from throughout the globe can count on an unforgettable evening underneath the lights at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday 28 March 2026. On the day, horses and their riders jockey for prizes in 9 races, culminating within the World Cup itself – a mud race over 2,000m with a complete prize fund of US$12 million. Tickets start from £8 (AED40).
• The Dubai Marathon is one other sporting occasion celebrating a significant milestone in 2026 because it marks its twenty fifth silver anniversary version. The occasion continues to draw elite athletes, passionate amateurs and hundreds of spectators. The marathon on 1 February 2026 will highlight Dubai’s evolution as a premier sports activities tourism vacation spot.
• The twentieth anniversary version of Artwork Dubai can be held from 17-19 April 2026 at Madinat Jumeirah. Beneath the theme of ‘Future, Previous, Current’, the artwork honest will welcome greater than 100 trendy, up to date and digital displays from greater than 35 international locations.
• World Village’s landmark thirtieth season continues till Could 2026. It options 30 pavilions with 3,500 shows from international locations close to and much, the place guests can decide up conventional handicrafts and snacks from greater than 250 eateries.
• A few of Dubai’s largest commerce reveals and conferences will relocate to the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo Metropolis Dubai in 2026. Gulfood, the flagship meals trade occasion, will run throughout each DEC and Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 26-30 January 2026 and in addition gained World’s Leading Exhibition & Convention Centre 2025 by the World Journey Awards. World Well being Expo (WHX), previously Arab Well being, is relocating to DEC for its 2026 version from 9-12 February 2026. GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech and AI present, hosts a summit on 7 December 2026 at DWTC and a four-day expo from 8-11 December 2026 at DEC. Dubai was voted as World’s Leading Exhibition Destination 2025 by the World Journey Awards
• Dubai is ready to launch totally electrical air taxis in 2026, utilizing Joby Aviation’s eVTOL plane that carries a pilot plus 4 passengers at speeds as much as 320 km/h. Operated underneath a six-year take care of Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), the service will run from 4 vertiports: Dubai Worldwide (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai.
• The UAE has introduced 2026 because the “Yr of the Household”. This nationwide initiative coincides with the worldwide journey development of multi-generational journeys the place households of all ages journey collectively to create shared recollections.
Mileo The Palm
Resort openings in 2026:
• Six Senses The Palm, Dubai would be the first Six Senses property within the metropolis. When it opens its doorways in 2026, it can supply simply 61 rooms and 162 branded residences alongside a non-public stretch of seaside on Palm Jumeirah’s West Crescent. The resort will even have a signature Six Senses Spa, social and wellness membership, eating places, a library and swimming pools.
• Reopening in early 2026 after in depth renovations, The Meydan Resort’s terraces look out onto the world-class Meydan Racecourse, host venue of the Dubai World Cup horse race. Different sporting pursuits for lodge company embody a nine-hole golf course, padel and tennis courts, and a dynamic nightlife scene.
• Scheduled to open in Q1 2026, Kimpton Dubai marks the model’s debut within the emirate. A part of IHG Accommodations & Resorts, the boutique property on Enterprise Bay Canal will function 280 rooms, three eating ideas, a rooftop swimming pool, plus a spa and health centre.
Moxy Dubai Al Barsha
• Opening in Jumeirah in 2026, the five-star Gran Meliá Dubai is a double-fronted property that boasts a 140m personal seaside and panoramic views of Port de La Mer Marina. It is going to be house to the primary Novikov Seaside venue in Dubai.
• InterContinental Resort Portofino, situated in The Coronary heart of Europe on The World Islands, is an Italian-style resort with 466 rooms and suites. The property is ready to launch in early 2026.
• Côté d’Azur Good Resort is one other Mediterranean-inspired property set to open in 2026 at The Coronary heart of Europe. The Côte d’Azur Resort undertaking can have 4 five-star boutique inns named after well-known coastal cities within the south of France: Good, Monaco, Cannes, and St. Tropez.
• The UAE’s first Baccarat property – Baccarat Resort & Residences Dubai – will launch in Downtown Dubai in 2026. The design of the 2 towers (Le Rouge and Le Noir) is impressed by crystal, paying homage to Baccarat’s 18th-century roots.
Ciel, Vignette Assortment
Dubai was voted as World’s Best MICE Destination 2025 by the World MICE Awards
Casablanca Seaside Membership pool space Atlantis The Palm
Restaurant openings in 2026:
• Following its venues at Atlantis, The Palm and Nobu by the Seaside at Atlantis The Royal, legendary Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa will open his third Dubai-based location in January 2026. The brand new restaurant, Nobu One Za’abeel, can be located on ground 24 of The Hyperlink at One Za’abeel.
Woohoo
• Originating from London, well-liked Spanish tapas restaurant model Barrafina will make its worldwide debut at DIFC Gate Village 01 in early 2026. Count on basic Spanish tapas dishes resembling croquetas, grilled prawns, and tortilla.
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Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai Wasl Tower
• Osaka Nikkei is bringing its signature mix of Japanese and Peruvian aptitude to town, situated on the thirty fifth ground of the Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai.
• Greek and Turkish restaurant AVLU will open its doorways on Palm Jumeirah in 2026. It would deliver a recent twist to conventional Aegean dishes.
• Hospitality manufacturers The MAINE and Canary Membership will launch two new side-by-side venues – The MAINE Palm and Canary Seaside – at Membership Vista Mare on Palm Jumeirah.
Orfali Bros Three Bros
• Abra Restaurant is ready to open on the Etihad Museum in Jumeirah. Led by chef Sahar Parham Al Awadhi, who was awarded finest pastry chef on the 2022 World’s 50 Greatest MENA Awards, the restaurant can be a celebration of Emirati culinary heritage, providing a recent tackle regional flavours.
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Dubai Fountain
Sights:
• Dubai-based hospitality group Jumeirah has launched Jumeirah Eco Village, a sustainability-focused vacation spot at Madinat Jumeirah designed to teach and encourage accountable residing. The expertise showcases Jumeirah’s work in biodiversity safety, meals safety, and marine conservation by means of interactive storytelling and hands-on reveals. Guests can discover beehive installations, a hydroponic farm, coral and turtle rehabilitation initiatives.
• Prepare for an evening of feel-good moments at As soon as Upon a Time in Dubai, a musical comedy which is staged throughout the backdrop of Dubai’s skyline and captures town’s true spirit. Staged till 6 February 2026 at The Agenda in Dubai Media Metropolis, the present fuses humour, ambition and cultural variety in a narrative of goals and second possibilities.
• Dubai Miracle Backyard’s 14th season continues till 31 Could 2026. Amongst its high points of interest, the spotlight stays the life-sized Emirates A380 floral set up, one of many backyard’s most iconic landmarks. Guests also can get pleasure from vibrant floral tunnels, arches, and themed walkways designed with greater than 150 million blooming flowers. The adjoining Dubai Butterfly Backyard provides one other distinctive expertise, housing hundreds of butterflies in climate-controlled domes. Coronary heart-shaped floral passages are particularly well-liked for photographs, whereas night visits are enhanced by particular lighting that transforms the backyard right into a magical illuminated wonderland.
• Indoor golf and leisure firm 5 Iron Golf is launching a brand new venue in Enterprise Bay. Set to open in Q1 2026, the house will function 5 Trackman golf simulators, augmented-actuality video games and F&B choices. It’s designed for each informal hangouts and company occasions – ultimate for golf lovers and non-golfers alike.
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Dubai Purchasing Pageant (DSF)
Festivals and cultural occasions:
• The thirty first version of the citywide Dubai Purchasing Pageant (DSF) ends on 11 January 2026. Filled with spectacular procuring experiences, promotions, prizes and household leisure, the competition’s well-liked points of interest embody the DSF Drone Present, e& DSF Nights at Dubai Pageant Metropolis Mall, DSF Auto Season, and the e& MOTB outside market. Dubai was voted as World’s Leading Shopping Destination 2025 by the World Journey Awards.
• Going down at InterContinental Dubai Pageant Metropolis from 21-27 January 2026, the Emirates Airline Pageant of Literature is the area’s largest celebration of the written and spoken phrase. Together with homegrown expertise taking centre stage, the competition provides guests of all ages the possibility to work together with their favorite authors, attend literary debates and take part in workshops.
• Sikka Artwork & Design Pageant is again with its 14th version from 23 January to 1 February 2026. Held in Al Shindagha Historic District, the competition comes alive with exhibitions, installations, poetry nights, musical performances, workshops and movies.
• Quoz Arts Fest returns to Alserkal Avenue from 24-25 January 2026. Wander by means of spacious warehouses that includes eclectic galleries stuffed with works by artists from around the globe, or catch a present at Cinema Akil. There are additionally loads of actions to maintain the little ones entertained and an array of meals vehicles.
• Co-founded by Dubai Design District (d3) and the Arab Style Council, Dubai Style Week (DFW) is a premier occasion that has cemented Dubai’s place as a worldwide style hub. Held bi-annually, DFW options each the Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer time collections, attracting high designers, fashions, and style fans from around the globe. The following version – Dubai Style Week AW26-27 – is from 1-6 February 2026 at d3.
• Style of Dubai returns from 6-8 February 2026 at Dubai Media Metropolis Amphitheatre. That includes tasting periods, cooking workshops and dwell music, guests also can get pleasure from pop-ups from eating places together with Leña, Duck and Waffle, Akira Again, Demon Duck, Lowe and Khadak. The star-studded line-up consists of Masterchef Australia decide Matt Preston and TV chef Rachel Allen.
• Topic to the sighting of the moon, the dates for Ramadan fluctuate from yr to yr, however in 2026 it can begin in mid-February. A time of reflection, generosity, and togetherness, Ramadan in Dubai blends non secular serenity with neighborhood pleasure. Town lights up with evening markets, heritage experiences, particular iftar and suhoor menus, and considerate retail provides. Marking the top of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr celebrations comply with with family-friendly festivities, reward promotions, and decorations throughout the emirate.
Dubai Health Problem
Sports activities occasions:
• Dubai Basketball, town’s skilled basketball franchise, is taking part in within the EuroLeague within the 2025-2026 season. With house video games held on the Coca-Cola Enviornment, the membership will tackle European giants resembling Actual Madrid, FC Barcelona, Olympiacos and Fenerbahçe. Dubai Basketball’s multicultural squad options standout gamers from the UAE, the Philippines, the US, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Jordan, Türkiye, Latvia, Italy, Bosnia, and France.
• A part of the DP World Tour’s Worldwide Swing, the Dubai Invitational is scheduled to happen from 15-18 January 2026 on the Dubai Creek Resort. Rory McIlroy, a five-time main champion, has confirmed his participation within the occasion.
• It’s a landmark yr for horse racing within the metropolis, with the thirtieth working of the Dubai World Cup. Earlier than the massive race on Saturday 28 March 2026, Meydan Racecourse will host a sequence of Dubai Racing Carnival conferences, together with function race days resembling ‘Style Friday’ on 23 January 2026 and Emirates Tremendous Saturday on 28 February 2026.
• Hosted on the championship Majlis course at Emirates Golf Membership from 22-25 January 2026, the Hero Dubai Desert Basic stands as one among Dubai’s most esteemed sporting occasions. A Rolex Collection occasion on the boys’s golf DP World Tour, the 2026 version will see Staff Europe’s Ryder Cup-winning stars Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Viktor Hovland be part of the world-class subject. Spectators can absorb {the golfing} motion from the spectator areas or in type from the consolation of the hospitality lounges.
Dubai Experience Dubai Health Problem
• L’Etape Dubai by Tour de France on 25 January 2026 brings the joy of the long-lasting biking race to Dubai. Open to all ranges, the occasion encompasses a 101km aggressive race, a relaxed 50km experience, a 20km household experience, and children’ races. Cyclists will get pleasure from closed-road routes by means of Dubai’s skyline and desert landscapes. With a full of life fan village, Tour de France legends, and leisure, it’s a must-attend biking weekend.
• Attracting hundreds of runners and spectators yearly, the Dubai Marathon is a significant occasion on town’s sporting calendar. In addition to the 42.195km marathon distance, many individuals select to compete within the 10km highway race and 4km enjoyable run. The 2026 occasion, on 1 February, would be the twenty fifth version.
• The route for the favored Burj2Burj half-marathon on 8 February 2026 is mapped by skilled runners, stretching from the towering Burj Khalifa to the magnificent Jumeirah Burj Al Arab. Stay music, a supportive viewers and unrivalled views of the cityscape will maintain runners energised all through the 21.1km distance.
• The sixteenth version of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Problem on 15 February 2026 can be a UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2026 qualifying occasion. Beginning and ending at Expo Metropolis Dubai, the race provides novice cyclists an thrilling journey by means of Dubai. Previous to the primary occasion, the ultimate build-up experience will happen on the Al Qudra cycle observe on Sunday 4 January 2026 (85km). On Saturday 14th February 2026, there will even be household run rides and junior rides.
• An important fixture on the WTA and ATP excursions, the Dubai Obligation Free Tennis Championships will entice top-ranking feminine and male tennis stars from around the globe for the 2026 version from 15-28 February. The occasion provides distinctive alternatives for meet and greets with gamers and prime views of the tennis motion from the devoted Dubai Obligation Free Tennis Stadium.
• Now coming into its fifth yr, the Dubai Esports and Video games Pageant from 8-24 Could 2026 will function tournaments, expos, cosplay championships, and academic initiatives. The competition appeals to avid gamers, tech fans, and households alike, with main activations on the Dubai World Commerce Centre and different venues within the metropolis.
For extra info go to www.visitdubai.com