The Indian festival of Diwali is a major highlight on Dubai’s annual calendar of events. Each Diwali, the city’s diverse neighbourhoods, shopping malls and landmarks are illuminated in a wonderful display of colour, lights and revelry as it welcomes a huge number of Indian outbound tourists on their annual mega holidays.

But this year under the Covid-19 situation, travel is happening in a very low scale under stricter restrictions, although Dubai is somewhat more flexible than many other destinations as far as Indian tourists are concerned. Keeping the pandemic in mind, Dubai authorities are planning to light up the city in a celebration mode.

Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), this year’s Diwali is bringing together the different communities that call Dubai home and who help make the city an exciting place to live all year round.

“Dubai’s traditional Diwali celebrations really capture the fun, family-focused and cosmopolitan charm of the city. With so many great promotions, activations and shows this year, Diwali is the perfect event to start the festive season and showcase Dubai’s well-earned and famous status as the premier family and retail destination for all residents and tourists from all over the world,” Ahmed Al Khaja, the CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) said.

Dubai Festival City Mall plans to host a double bill of spectacular Diwali celebrations with two Bollywood-themed performances by the shopping destination’s record-breaking IMAGINE show. One can celebrate the Festival of Lights at Global Village with the UAE’s best representation of Indian traditions, culture and food at the landmark attraction’s India Pavilion. The Pointe on the Palm Jumeirah will join in this year’s Diwali festivities with an incredible performance by the world’s largest dancing fountain, The Palm Fountain, and fireworks show synced to the Bollywood tunes. Dubai’s Las Vegas-style resident theatrical and acrobatic stage performance show, La Perle is another family experience families can enjoy during Diwali.

The Indian Premier League just concluded with Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah playing host to some of the world’s best cricketers for the 2020 edition of the sporting spectacle. While Covid-19 restrictions meant that fans were unable to watch the stars play in person at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the city’s cafes, lounges and restaurants are the ideal places to relax and watch the action replays on the big screens.

Other than numerous offers and packages in almost every shop, departmental stores and malls in the city for families, kids and women, raffle draws to win lucky prizes are adding the extra fun to the entire festivity.