Ramadan is a sacred month for Muslims around the globe, associated with spiritual self-reflection, renewal and ritual practice. Life significantly slows down during the day, however, once the sun sets and the daily fast is broken with the evening meal of iftar, Dubai springs back to life. Ramadan is also the perfect time to discover the city with its authentic vibes and old traditions. You can enjoy signature suhoor and iftar meals at some of the most coveted dining venues, and cash in on lucrative shopping deals. Below, we will take a closer look at what the month of Ramadan offers in Dubai, including sales, restaurants and attractions.

Ramadan Activities in Dubai

Although things work a bit differently, there is still much to do during Ramadan in Dubai. A majority of local landmarks, such as the Dubai Frame and Global Village, don’t change their opening hours during this month. It is worth noting that due to the fact that dancing, music and performances are limited during Ramadan, select venues that offer this kind of entertainment stop all shows during this period. NBD! Traditional dance shows, including belly dancing, are canceled in desert safaris during Ramadan and on all special Islamic days.

Sales

According to Arabian Business, the global service amazon.ae announced a huge Ramadan Sale event, which started at midnight on March 11th and will end on March 21st. You have the opportunity to take advantage of great deals and discounts up to 50% off, with extra sales from Amazon’s banking partners. Additionally, Prime members in eligible locations across the emirate will be able to benefit from the Fresh Grocery category. LuLu Hypermarkets also launched an exciting Ramadan campaign across their 97 hypermarkets in the UAE. A wide array of dedicated deals and promotions are provided to shoppers both online and in person . Shoppers can take advantage of up to 60% off across various categories, such as baked goods , fresh produce, groceries, electronics, furniture and home appliances. The Ramadan campaign from LuLu Hypermarkets will last until the end of Ramadan. NBD! The zoutons.ae platform features a myriad of coupons and discount codes of up to 80% off. Retailers with attractive offers include Noon UAE, Sivvi, Carrefour, Bloomingdale’s UAE and West Elm, to name a few.

Attractions

Ramadan in Dubai is brimming with all kinds of activities suitable for all ages, and below we will review the key events taking place during the holy month. Ramadan Night Market is set to take place from 9th April to 18th April from 5pm to 2am in the Dubai World Trade Center. The 10-day pop-up will provide you with the opportunity to acquire fashion items, handicrafts, jewelry and household goods from multicultural retailers from the entire entry. The entry is completely free, which is another exciting bonus to the event. The 10th edition of Nad Al Sheba Tournament in Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, Nad Al Sheba on April 13th will present a unique opportunity for fitness enthusiasts of all ages and athletic capabilities to win cash prizes. There are 6 sports categories featured in the competition: paddle tennis, running, cycling, volleyball, wheelchair basketball and jiu-jitsu. Expo City Dubai, which is the legacy of the sensational Expo 2020, is hosting Hai Ramadan from March 3rd to April 22nd. Here you can indulge in the best of regional culinary offerings, international cuisine and street food. Hai Ramadan is free of charge , however there are some fees applicable for select activities and workshops. The opening hours are from 4pm–10pm from March 3rd to March 20th and from 5pm–2am from March 21st toApril 22nd. Every day from April 6th toApril 18th a festival will take place, immersing you in rich Emirati culture. The family-friendly event will take place in Al Marmoom Heritage Village, Al Marmoom and will promote old Arabian traditions through camel races, dance shows, live concerts, a wide array of activities for all ages and much more. From March 23rd to April 21st, Global Village will offer the Ramadan Wonders experience, which includes Majlis of the World. You will be able to treat yourself to live shows, shopping and various activities in unique pavilions. You can also book tables for suhoor and iftar, with melodious tunes by live oud players and harpists serenading you. The timing of the event is from 4pm-11.30pm.

Dining

Since Dubai is known as a global culinary hub, during Ramadan the city features an abundance of one-of-a-kind dining experiences for everyone to enjoy. In 2023, Dubai Opera, Expo City and other iconic venues are offering a myriad of mouthwatering delights in a mesmerizing atmosphere. As part of Hai Ramadan mentioned above, Expo City Dubai on Al Wasl Avenue announced the opening of its Surreal waterfalls for the first time ever, specially for iftar and suhoor. The sensational gravity-defying feature will stun with its breathtaking combination of water, fire and music. There will be a corporate iftar hosted by Address Hotels and a communal table with sharing-style food. The starting prices for suhoor and iftar are about AED 250 (USD 68) and AED 225 (USD 61) per person, respectively. You can make reservations and find out more about bookings via ramadan.reservations@expocitydubai.ae, WhatsApp: +971 54 246 7188 or on Eat App. NBD! Iftar in Expo City Dubai is free for children aged 6 and under, and half price for 12 and under. SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences in Business Bay is inviting everyone to enjoy a sumptuous iftar for AED 185 (USD 50) per person in its Iftar Tent on the 75th floor with a stunning panoramic view of the city. The main dishes include sea bream samke harra and short rib tajine, whilst desserts like baklava ice cream and saffron and pistachio kunafa will showcase the exclusivity of the Middle Eastern cuisine. For more information and reservations, contact slsdubai@slshotels.com or call +971 549 918 120. From March 23rd to April 19th, the iconic Dubai Opera in Downtown Dubai, in collaboration with Address Sky View, offers a fantastic iftar buffet with international and Arabic dishes, a variety of sweets and desserts, and Ramadan juices. During the meal, you will be treated to live entertainment with classical and Arabic melodies. The ticket cost ranges from AED 570 to AED 3,600 (from USD 155 to USD 980). You can make a reservation on the official website of the Dubai Opera, while group bookings are available via ramadan@dubaiopera.com. For more information, you can contact +971 4 440 8888. Atlantis The Palm, Dubai on Palm Jumeirah offers you the opportunity to indulge in a delicious iftar with your family and friends at the Asateer Tent. This year (2023), the gorgeous venue is providing terrace seating options. There will be a fusion buffet featuring different culinary styles , such as International, Arabesque, Khaleeji, Persian and Turkish Cuisine. You can select from an array of seating, including a Royal Majlis, 6 VIP Majlis areas, 110 dining tables and booth seating. Children aged 3 and under dine for free, while the adult ticket price for iftar is AED 260 (USD 71) Monday–Thursday and AED 280 (USD 76) Friday–Sunday per person. Atlantis The Palm Dubai also offers suhoor for those aged 21 and up Ticket price for suhoor is AED 180 (USD 49) per person (excl. shisha). Iftar is served from sunset to 8:30pm, while suhoor goes from 9.30pm to 2.30am. You can make a reservation here and get additional information via (0)4 426 2626.