Dubai Events & Entertainment 2008

The following page provides a diary of Dubai events. Dubai event details correct at the time of publishing and may change. Please confirm with the organiser / venue before departing.

NOTE: If you are looking for Corporate Hospitality at sporting and other events in Dubai then please visit our hospitality website on www.dubaicorporatehospitality.com

Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon
Jan 2008 (annual) Dubai
Dubai's marathon, held in January to ensure cool, easy running temperatures (15-20 centigrade) follows a clockwise circuit of the city, encompassing many major landmarks. The start and finish is at the World Trade Centre, where much-needed refreshments await those who have completed the course. Drinks are also available at every 2km after the 5km point. The Dubai World Trade Centre is located in the southern suburbs. From here, the course is flat and fast, with the only slight incline at the traverse of the Dubai Creek (the expanse of water which bisects the city). Here, runners take the Shindagha Tunnel under the creek, exiting on the north side of the creek at the Gold Souq of Deira.

Beyond the Aviation Club in the Garhoud area of the city, the route crosses the Creek once again, this time via the Al-Garhoud Bridge. This is the steepest point on the course. Despite the fast downhill section from the bridge, one final minor incline has to be negotiated at the Al Qutaeyat Road flyover. Then it's an easy run past the Al Wasl Club and on to the final five kilometres to the finish line.

Dubai Shopping Festival
24 Jan - 24 Feb 2008 (annual)
Dubai is currently the hot place to shop, and the best time of year for shopaholics to visit is during the huge, sprawling Dubai Shopping Festival. For a whole month reductions are offered across a vast range of must-haves, from jewellery to fashionwear, electrical goods and carpets, to a lively backdrop of cultural events. More than two million visitors attend the Dubai Shopping Festival each year, with retail spending totalling in excess of US$1 billion. Sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, the event is enlivened with international theatre and street performances, fashion shows, nightly fireworks and laser shows, prize draws (with booty such as Rolls Royces and gold), film festivals, children's events and handicraft shows.
Perhaps less exotic, but equally tantalising, is Dubai International Airport, offering a 24-hour paradise of duty-free goods. It's hardly surprising that this leading institution - probably the best duty-free outlet in the world - heads the annual Dubai Shopping Festival.

Wellbeing Show
Feb 2008 (annual)
Jumeirah Conference Centre, Dubai
The Jumeirah Conference Centre goes "om" for three days of all things good for your wellbeing - mind, body and spirit included. As well as workshops to get involved with, there are plenty of activities and demonstrations taking place on the "Activity Stage". Health guru Deepak Chopra headlines the event, along with hypnotist Paul McKenna. There will be a greater emphasis on health food and nutrition this year with renowned nutritionists, Patrick Holford and Abdulrahman Musaiger both imparting their wisdom. Teresa Hale, founder of the world-famous Hale Clinic in London returns to team up with a talented list of health and wellness experts who will talk on fertility, natural dermatology, lifestyle enhancement, nutrition, diabetes, obesity, natural healing and fitness, as well as aromatherapy, yoga, oral health, reflexology, tai chi and crystal meditation...

Dubai Desert Classic
Jan - Feb 2008 (annual)
Emirates Golf Club, Dubai
The Dubai Desert Classic, played at the Emirates Golf Club, is fast becoming one of the most popular events on the European Tour, attracting many of the world's leading golfers. It features a challenge match on the first day, a pro-am competition on the second and then the four days of the Classic itself. The passion for golf in Dubai has exploded. The proof of this can be seen in the wonderful golf courses that have developed in the region - it's not easy building a golf course in a desert. The Emirates Golf Club was the first grass golf course in the entire Middle East and it remains one of the best of them all. Its lush fairways provide a stark contrast to the surrounding desert terrain, which provides the course with many natural hazards. Click here for Dubai Desert Classic Hospitality

Dubai Tennis Championships
Feb - Mar 2008 (annual) Tennis Stadium, Dubai
The US$1 million Dubai Tennis Championships attracts many of the world's top male and female players to the city's impressive Tennis Stadium. The tournament incorporates both men's ATP Tour and Women's WTA Tour events, and features both singles and doubles competitions.

Desert Rock Festival
Mar 2008 (annual) Dubai Country Club, Dubai
Puddle Of Mudd, 3 Doors Down, Saxon, Testament and Mannikind are just some of the names playing at this year's Desert Rock festival at the Dubai Country Club.  

Horse Racing
Nov 2007 - Mar 2008; Thu, Fri, and Sun only (annual)
Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, Dubai
Horse racing is taken very seriously in this neck of the woods, and Dubai's Nad Al Sheba Racecourse fills to the brim most Thursday evenings during the winter months. There are usually six or seven races per meeting to get excited about. There are also two Friday meets, on 10 and 24 February and one on Sunday 25 March

Emirates World Series: Dubai World Cup
Mar 2008 (annual)
Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, Dubai
Forget the Grand National, the Kentucky Derby and even the Arc de Triomphe. When it comes to money, the Dubai World Cup at the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse is the richest horse race in the world. The mile-and-a-quarter group-one race for four year olds and above offers an incredible US$6 million prize fund, with US$3.6 million going to the winner. It is no surprise that the best horses, jockeys and trainers make the annual trip to the UAE.

Thoroughbred racing traces its roots back to the Middle East and its homecoming could not be grander. The magnificent Nad Al Sheba Racecourse boasts state-of-art facilities, including television monitors in all areas to ensure you miss none of the action. A visit to the track is a must for any race fan. Not only is the race of the highest calibre, but the floodlit sand and dirt track is superb.

Dubai is regarded as the "Pearl of the Arabian Gulf", and the city finds the perfect blend between the past and the present. The atmospheric old town, with its markets and alleyways, is contrasted with the ultra modern and cosmopolitan new town. The new town provides the biggest attraction away from the track - some of the best shopping on the planet.
Click here for Dubai World Cup Hospitality  

Camel Racing
Oct 2007 - Mar 2008 (annual)
Nad Al Sheba Racecourse
Dubai Camel racing is taken very seriously in this neck of the woods, and Dubai's racetrack fills to the brim during their winter months. Camels tend to be owned by sheikhs and jockeys can be very young - sometimes only six years old. Please contact the course or visit their website for exact details of the 2005/2006 racing programme.

The Bride Show
Apr 2008 (annual)
Dubai International Exhibition Centre, Dubai
The annual show for the bride who needs anything comes to the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. Hundreds of wedding specialists offer a wide range of bridal wear and fashions, jewellery, beauty and bridal accessories, professional wedding services and bridal fashion.

Dubai Summer Surprises
Jun - Sep 2008 (annual) Dubai
Second only to the frenzied bargain-hunting of the Dubai Shopping Festival in spring, Dubai Summer Surprises is an event which encourages visitors to shop, save and celebrate during ten weeks of entertainment. During the festival, Dubai's vast malls get together to offer major reductions across a wide range of goods. The pull is irresistible; over seven million shoppers flex their credit cards at this event. Live shows, activities, competitions and courses keep the whole family happy while the shopaholics shop.

The 2008 event divides up the ten weeks into separate themes - including Food Surprises, Ice Surprises, Arts Surprises, Nature Surprises and Adventure Surprises. Hotels and hotel apartments offer a variety of discounted packages for those who want to make a holiday out of it.

Deep Night @ Trilogy
Aug - Sep 2008; Fri only (annual)
Trilogy, Dubai
The increasingly essential Deep Night at Dubai's Trilogy features house and techno music from top DJs and talented guests on Fridays in summer. Past visitors have included Joey Negro, Pierre Ravan, Jeff Mills and Angel Moraes. Please visit the Trilogy website for details of individual events.  Trilogy Website: http://www.dubailook.com/trilogy.html

Ramadan in Dubai
Oct - Nov 2008  (annual) The busy trading metropolis that is Dubai still takes time out to observe the fasting month of Ramadan, an important religious observance in Muslim countries. For one entire lunar month (30 days) all consumption for pleasure, whether of food, drink, sex or cigarettes, is prohibited between the hours of dawn and dusk. Faithful followers of Islam are obliged to adhere to these strictures, eating only during the hours of darkness: the breakfast at dusk can be quite a feast! At the end of the month, when the new moon is sighted in the sky, the city sheds its sombre cape and celebrates madly for three days.

Gifts are exchanged between friends and relatives, and there is dancing and merriment. Women decorate their hands with beautiful henna patterns. The festival brings together the entire community, often with the excuse of luscious banquets and late-night celebrations.

Visitors are advised to observe the restrictions obeyed by locals, as it is considered highly disrespectful and offensive to break them in public. Also, the end of Ramadan is dependent not on the astronomical beginning of the new month but on the sighting of the moon, so the dates may vary slightly from our estimates. Islamic holidays may be announced with less than 24 hours' notice.

UAE Desert Challenge: Prologue
Nov 2008 (annual)
Jebel Ali Racecourse, Dubai
The UAE Desert Challenge rally kicks off with a prologue for spectators at the Jebel Ali Racecourse before its official launch in Abu Dhabi the following morning. The show serves as a qualifying stage, establishing the running order for the main event in the desert. The event was conceived by Mohammed Ben Sulayem, whose motorsport career goes back to the early 1980s and who has 14 FIA titles to his name. The event begins with a ceremonial start in Abu Dhabi and heads south into the desert for five hard days of driving.
UAE Desert Challenge Website: http://www.uaedesertchallenge.com/

Dubai Rugby Sevens
Nov - Dec 2008 (annual) Dubai
Exiles Rugby Club Grounds, Dubai
The Dubai Exiles Rugby Club hosts the opening round of the IRB World Sevens Series, featuring 16 international teams. In 2004 England won for the first time ever, beating the flying Fijians in a thrilling final. All matches are seven minutes each way, apart from the three finals, which are ten minutes per half. An International Invitation, Gulf, Local Social, Ladies, Veterans and Youth competitions add to the action-packed three days.

International Sevens was born in 1975 as a result of an idea of the then-chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Union and an imaginative marketing executive. Initially the Twickenham-based RFU were dismissive of the tournament, so it began life as a club competition, but was soon legitimised as a national tour and has grown in stature ever since, even appearing at the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002.

National Day Festival
Dec 2008 (annual) Dubai
Dubai's most beautiful monuments open up to the public to host a series of events in celebration of National Day, the day of independence from Britain.

Dubai International Film Festival
Dec 2008 (annual)
Dubai Media City, Dubai
Showcasing the best of Arab and world cinema, the second Dubai International Film Festival at Dubai Media City aims to promote international understanding and build cultural bridges through film. The festival website publishes full details of the programme as soon as they are available.

Laylat-al-Qadr - the Night of Power
Dec 2008(annual)
United Arab Emirates
On the night to the 27th of the fasting month of Ramadan the Prophet is said to have received from the angel Gabriel the first of the many revelations that made up the Q'uran; Muslims throughout the world venerate this day as the holiest night of the year, the Night of Power and Revelation. Also known as the Night of God's Decree, Laylat Al Qadr is described in the Koran as a night ?which is better than a thousand months, in which the angels descend to earth with God, the Almighty's permission. Peaceful the night is until dawn.? (Sura 97)

The greatest night of the Muslim year, this is the sanctified night when the angel visited the Prophet for the first time, the first lines of the Quran were dictated and the history of Islam began. The gates of heaven are opened wide, angels walk the earth and the demons of Hell are chained in their fiery pits.

It is also a night of forgiveness, when good deeds performed are 'better than the deeds of 1,000 months which do not contain a Night of the Decree.' The faithful Muslim can hope not only to have his sins forgiven by Allah if he spends the night in prayer, but to have his death-throes eased, and to receive 'four pillars of light upon which rest 1,000 palaces.'

While the majority of commentators date this night to the 27th day of Ramadan, there is some controversy. The day may be taken to fall on the 25th or the 29th, or at other times, depending on how the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet are interpreted. Whichever way, the day almost always falls within the last ten days of Ramadan. There are interesting numerological methods in Islam whereby the date has been confirmed as the 27th: for example, the phrase 'Laylat-al-Qadr' contains nine letters in arabic, and is mentioned three times in Sura 97. 9x3=27, hence by the immaculate logic of revelation the day falls on the 27th of Ramadan.