Dubai’s 10-day Diwali celebrations began on Friday, October 17, with the ‘Noor: Festival of Lights’ at Al Seef. The launch featured a dazzling fireworks display and cultural performances, highlighting the city’s multicultural spirit and strong ties with its Indian community.
Dubai’s city-wide Diwali 2025 celebrations commenced on Friday, October 17, with a spectacular launch event at Al Seef on the banks of the Dubai Creek. The opening of the three-day ‘Noor: Festival of Lights’ marked the beginning of a 10-day period of festivities, featuring fireworks, cultural performances, and major retail promotions across the emirate.
The festival was officially inaugurated by Mohamed Feras, acting vice president of retail calendar and promotions at Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), and Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai. They participated in a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolising the essence of the festival of lights. The event is organised by DFRE, under the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), in partnership with the Indian Consulate and Teamwork Arts.
Hundreds of residents and tourists gathered to witness the vibrant celebrations. A highlight of the evening was a three-minute fireworks display that illuminated the historic quarter. The festivities also included a grand procession with Indian drummers and dancers, alongside a special performance by the Dubai Police band, who delighted the crowd with a rendition of the popular Bollywood song “Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jana Sanam.”
The event drew a diverse audience, from tourists to long-time residents. “It’s wonderful to see the Indian community celebrating their festival here,” said Victoria Fedorianova, a tourist from Russia. “A lot of colourful performances and vibrant music. We are loving it.”
Many members of the Indian community, which makes up a significant portion of Dubai’s population, attended in traditional attire. Heena Saran, who came from Al Ghusais, expressed her gratitude for the grand celebration. “Diwali is our biggest celebration and we are away from our families. But thanks to Dubai, we get to enjoy the festivities just like back home,” she said. This sense of community is a key reason many expatriates seek long-term residency options like the UAE Golden Visa.
In his address, Mohamed Feras highlighted the broader significance of the event.
“We’re not only here to celebrate the festival of lights, we’re also here to celebrate the vibrant diversity of cultures that make our city Dubai so special,” he stated.
He also noted that the 10-day celebration includes extensive retail promotions with “prizes up to half a million dirhams just during the Diwali period alone.”
Consul General Satish Kumar Sivan lauded Dubai’s inclusive environment, emphasizing the strong partnership between the UAE and India.
“Diwali is incomplete without fireworks. We have that also here. So we have everything which makes us feel connected to our culture,” he said. “Nowhere else in the world this is possible, except in Dubai. That is the kind of love, that is the kind of inclusivity that this leadership shows us.”
The celebrations are another example of the city’s ability to host large-scale public events, similar to the excitement building for Global Village’s 30th season, further cementing Dubai’s reputation as a global hub for culture and tourism.
