Dubai’s events season runs from mid-October to spring, and the biggest public events cost nothing to join. Below is every major date from now to the end of January 2027, what it costs and exactly how to sign up. The countdown on each row updates every time you open the page.
- 14OctGlobal Village Season 31Opens 6pm, runs to May 2027. Tickets online, in the app or at the gate. Full guideDh25–30
- 26OctDubai AI Festival26–27 October. Register on the organiser’s websiteRegistration
- 31OctDubai Fitness Challenge31 Oct to 29 Nov. 30 minutes of activity a day, free classes at fitness villages. DetailsFree
- 1NovDubai Ride6am. 12km on Sheikh Zayed Road or the 4km Downtown family routeFree
- 3NovGulfHost and Gulfood Manufacturing3–5 November, Dubai World Trade Centre. Trade visitors onlyRegistration
- 10NovAutomechanika Dubai10–12 November, Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo CityRegistration
- 22NovDubai Run6:30am. 10km on Sheikh Zayed Road or 5km through Downtown, all agesFree
- 23NovBig 5 Global23–26 November. Construction industry showRegistration
- 2DecUAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad)Fireworks and shows across the emirates. Holiday datesFree
- 3DecFormula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix3–6 December, Yas Marina Circuit. Tickets on the official circuit websiteTicketed
- 8DecGITEX Global8–11 December, first year at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo CityTicketed
- 31DecNew Year’s Eve fireworksBurj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Frame and beaches. Arrive by late afternoonFree spots
- 17JanDubai MarathonMarathon, 10K and 4K fun run. Register at dubaimarathon.orgFrom $50
How to take part in the Dubai Marathon 2027
The 26th Dubai Marathon is on Sunday 17 January 2027. Registration is first come, first served on dubaimarathon.org, with no ballot, and closes when places sell out.
| Race | Entry fee | Minimum age | Start time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon (42.2km) | US$150 (about AED 550) | 18 | 6:30am (elite 5:45am) |
| 10K road race | US$85 (about AED 312) | 15 | 8:00am |
| 4K fun run | US$50 (about AED 184) | Open to all | About 10:00am, confirm when booking |
- Course: starts on Al Taryam Road near the Dubai Police Academy and finishes at the Academy grandstand on Umm Suqeim Road, using Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road. It is flat and fast.
- Cut-off: 6 hours for the full marathon.
- Bib collection: expected in the four days before the race, ending Saturday 16 January at 5pm. There is no race-day pickup. Bring your confirmation email and photo ID; a friend can collect with a printout and their own ID.
- Rules: entries are non-refundable and bibs cannot be transferred.
How to join Dubai Run and Dubai Ride for free
- Register at dubaifitnesschallenge.com. Each event has its own registration page and places are limited, so book as soon as they open.
- Pick a route. Dubai Ride on 1 November: 12km on Sheikh Zayed Road for confident cyclists, or the 4km Downtown family route. Dubai Run on 22 November: 10km on Sheikh Zayed Road or 5km through Downtown.
- Collect your bib from the 30x30 Fitness Village at Zabeel Park before the day.
- Use the Metro. Roads around Sheikh Zayed Road close from the early hours, and the Metro opens early for both events.
No bike? Rentals sell out in the week before Dubai Ride, so book one early or ride the shorter Downtown route on a hire bike.
Dates still to be announced
Dubai Shopping Festival 2026–27 has not been dated yet. The last edition ran from 5 December 2025 to 11 January 2026, so expect a similar December to January window with raffles, nightly drone shows and mall sales. We will add the dates here when they are published on visitdubai.com. Other regular events, such as the Dubai World Cup horse race in March and the Dubai Food Festival in spring, will be added as their 2027 dates are confirmed.
Tips for event season
- Buy only from official sites. Fake ticket pages and resale scams appear every year for F1, New Year’s Eve and the marathon. Our scams guide shows the warning signs.
- Plan transport first. Big events close roads and Metro stations near the venue. Check the RTA app on the day, and see our public transport costs guide for fares.
- Watch the school calendar. The winter break overlaps with National Day, New Year and the shopping festival, so attractions are busiest then.
- Many attractions reopen in October. Miracle Garden, Safari Park and Dubai Parks are covered in our reopening dates roundup.
Quick answers
When is the Dubai Marathon 2027?
Sunday 17 January 2027, with a full marathon, a 10K road race and a 4K fun run.
How much does it cost to run the Dubai Marathon?
US$150 for the marathon, US$85 for the 10K and US$50 for the 4K fun run. Entries are non-refundable.
When is Dubai Run 2026?
Sunday 22 November 2026 at 6:30am, with a 10km route on Sheikh Zayed Road and a 5km route through Downtown. Entry is free.
How do I register for Dubai Run?
Register free at dubaifitnesschallenge.com, then collect your bib from the 30x30 Fitness Village at Zabeel Park before the run.
When is the Dubai Shopping Festival 2026?
The 2026–27 dates have not been announced. The last edition ran from 5 December 2025 to 11 January 2026, so a December to January window is expected.
When is GITEX 2026?
GITEX Global runs from 8 to 11 December 2026 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City, its first year at the new venue.
Published 11 October 2026. Sources: Emirates 24|7 (Dubai Fitness Challenge, Dubai Ride and Dubai Run), Dubai Marathon race guide and organiser announcements, Gulf Business (Dubai World Trade Centre events calendar), Outlook Traveller (Abu Dhabi Grand Prix), Khaleej Times (Global Village). Dirham conversions are approximate. Organisers can change dates, so confirm on the official site before booking.