Ultimate Guide to Celebrating Holi Festival in Dubai 2026

Dubai hosts a wide range of organised events for those interested in celebrating Holi festival in Dubai, from large colour festivals to family friendly park celebrations. Unlike traditional street celebrations, Holi in the city takes place at designated venues and is planned around specific event dates.

This guide covers when Holi happens in Dubai, how busy the city gets during the period, the main events taking place in 2026, and practical tips to help you plan your visit.

Do They Celebrate Holi Festival in Dubai?

Yes, Holi is celebrated in Dubai every year. The city has a large Indian community, and the festival is recognised as an important cultural event. Many residents and visitors take part.

Celebrations take place at organised venues because throwing coloured powder in public spaces is not permitted. As a result, Holi in Dubai is structured rather than spontaneous, with events planned in advance and held in designated locations.

When Is Holi Festival in Dubai in 2026?

In 2026, the main day of Holi in Dubai falls on Tuesday 3 March, with Holika Dahan taking place on the evening of Monday 2 March.

In Dubai, celebrations are not limited to the official date. Events are scheduled across several weeks because most festivals are organised around weekends.

For example, one of the earliest major celebrations is Holiverse, which takes place on 15 February 2026 at Dubai Sports City. At the later end of the calendar, events such as Holi Experience Dubai are scheduled for 20 March 2026.

This means Holi events in Dubai typically run from mid February through to late March, even though the official festival itself is celebrated in early March.

Is Dubai Busy During Holi Festival?

Dubai is already a busy destination during the period when Holi takes place, as the festival falls within the city’s peak winter travel season.

February consistently sees strong visitor numbers. For example, Dubai welcomed around 1.88 million overnight visitors in February 2025, reflecting high demand during the cooler months.

Tourism remains high into March. Dubai recorded 5.31 million international visitors between January and March 2025, and with 3.82 million arriving in January and February combined, this indicates that approximately 1.49 million visitors came in March alone.

Because of this, Dubai is already busy during the Holi period. The festival takes place at a time when visitor numbers are naturally high due to favourable weather and strong seasonal demand.

Is Holi Festival in Dubai Kid Friendly?

Yes, Holi celebrations in Dubai can be kid friendly, but it depends on the type of event you choose.

Many organised festivals welcome families and provide designated areas where children can safely take part in colour throwing. These events typically use non toxic powders, have controlled entry, and include security and facilities such as food stalls and rest areas.

However, some Holi events are designed mainly for adults. These often feature loud music, large crowds, and party style environments, which may not be suitable for young children.

If you are visiting with kids, it is best to choose daytime celebrations that specifically advertise themselves as family friendly. These tend to be more structured and less crowded than evening festival events.

Best Areas to Stay in Dubai for Holi Festival

Most Holi events in Dubai are not spread evenly across the city. They tend to take place in a few key areas, which makes choosing the right location important if you want to stay close to the celebrations.

Two locations appear consistently in event listings. Large festivals such as Holiverse are held in Dubai Sports City, while major family events like Colour Mela take place at Zabeel Park.

Because of this, the most practical area to stay is central Dubai, particularly around Zabeel, Downtown, or nearby districts. This location offers easier access to Zabeel Park events and direct road links to Dubai Sports City, where other large festivals are hosted.

Staying in a central location also makes it easier to reach multiple events, as Holi celebrations are often held at different venues across several weeks.

If you want to stay close to these areas, you can choose one of the serviced apartments from Zennova Holidays, which offer convenient locations with easy transport access to major Holi event venues.

Holi Festival Events in Dubai (2026)

Several organised Holi celebrations take place across Dubai each year. Events are hosted by private organisers rather than the government, which means schedules can sometimes change.

Dates below are based on current listings at the time of writing and may be updated by organisers, so it is always best to check official event pages before booking.

What to Wear to Holi Festival in Dubai

Wear clothing you do not mind getting stained. Colour powder used during Holi can leave marks that are difficult to remove, even after washing.

Light coloured clothing is typically recommended because it shows the colours more clearly and is more comfortable in warm weather. Many people choose simple cotton outfits such as T shirts and trousers, as these are breathable and easy to clean.

Closed shoes are a better choice than sandals. Most Holi events involve large crowds, colour powder on the ground, and water based activities, which can make surfaces slippery.

You should also avoid bringing valuable items. Phones, bags, and accessories can easily get covered in powder, so it is best to keep belongings minimal and protected.

Practical Tips for Attending Holi Festival in Dubai

Book event tickets in advance rather than waiting until the day. Many of the larger celebrations sell out early, especially those held on weekends closest to the official Holi date.

Plan your transport before arriving. Most Holi events take place at venues such as parks, sports complexes, and beach clubs that are not directly next to metro stations. Ride-hailing services are widely used after events, but demand is high when festivals end, which can lead to long waiting times.

Check event rules carefully before attending. Some venues restrict outside colour powder, bags, or water bottles, as organisers usually provide approved materials inside the festival area.

Arrive early if you want to avoid queues. Entry lines can become long shortly after events begin, particularly at larger festivals where thousands of people attend.

Finally, keep in mind that colour throwing is only permitted inside organised venues. It is not allowed in public streets, beaches, or residential areas, so you should only take part within official event spaces.