Global Village to Host Five-Day Diwali Festivities, Featuring a Baithak and Spectacular Drone Show on November 8.
Dubai: Global Village is preparing to celebrate Diwali with five days of festivities from November 6 to 10, featuring a spectacular 600-drone light show, its first-ever traditional musical baithak and a vibrant Diwali Mela.
The celebrations will coincide with Diwali on Sunday, November 8, bringing together music, entertainment, shopping, Indian cuisine and family-friendly activities.
Visitors can enjoy all the special Diwali events with their regular Global Village admission tickets, without paying additional charges for the festivities.
Event details
- Dates: November 6–10, 2026
- Venue: Global Village, Dubai
- Admission: Dh25 on weekdays and Dh30 on weekends, with Diwali activities included in the entry ticket
Here’s what visitors can look forward to during the five-day celebration.
November 6: Global Village Hosts Its First-Ever Musical Baithak
The Diwali festivities will begin on Friday, November 6, with Global Village introducing a traditional South Asian musical baithak for the first time.
A baithak is an intimate musical gathering where performers and audiences come together in a relaxed setting, often encouraging guests to participate and sing along.
Organised in collaboration with City FM, the special performance will take place on the Main Stage from 8pm to 9pm.
The event also coincides with Dhanteras, which marks the beginning of the Diwali celebrations.
November 7: Interactive Games and Exciting Prizes
On Saturday, November 7, visitors can take part in interactive games and activities organised as part of the festival.
The programme will include opportunities to win prizes, adding an entertaining element to the weekend celebrations for families and groups of friends.
November 8: Spectacular 600-Drone Show Lights Up Diwali Night
The highlight of Global Village’s Diwali celebrations will take place on Sunday, November 8, when 600 illuminated drones transform the night sky into a colourful display.
Scheduled for 8pm, the Diwali-themed drone show will feature coordinated aerial formations inspired by the Festival of Lights.
The illuminated drones will create patterns and shapes above the park, offering visitors a special way to celebrate Diwali.
The display will take place over the Stunt Arena and Syria Pavilion, making these areas recommended viewing spots for guests hoping to enjoy the spectacle.
Five-Day Diwali Mela Brings Festive Shopping and Traditional Treats
Throughout the celebrations, visitors can explore a lively Diwali Mela at Global Village’s Commercial Activation area.
Organised in collaboration with the India Pavilion, the festive market will feature a selection of traditional decorations, gifts, Indian snacks and sweets.
The mela will provide an opportunity to shop for Diwali essentials while experiencing the atmosphere of a traditional Indian festival.
Adding to the celebrations, decorative lamp posts will illuminate World Avenue, while specially designed Happy Diwali signboards will be placed around the park.
These festive installations will also provide colourful backdrops for family photographs and social media pictures.
Diwali Activities for Children
Younger visitors will have their own festive experiences at Kids Corner, which will host a variety of creative activities inspired by Diwali traditions.
Children can participate in face painting, diya colouring and rangoli making, offering an interactive introduction to some of the festival’s most recognisable customs.
The activities are designed to keep children entertained while allowing families to celebrate together.
Enjoy Indian Street Food, Chaat and Traditional Sweets
Food enthusiasts will find plenty of Indian flavours to enjoy throughout Global Village.
Restaurants such as Indian Chef and Grand Dhaba will serve a variety of Indian dishes, while the Indian Chaat Bazaar will offer a street-food experience inspired by the atmosphere of an Indian wedding.
Visitors can sample popular favourites including pani puri, chaat, pav bhaji, chole bhature, desi noodles and traditional Indian sweets, commonly known as mithai.
From savoury street-food snacks to festive desserts, the dining options will add another dimension to the Diwali celebrations.
Global Village Opening Hours During Diwali
Visitors planning to attend the festivities can use the park’s regular operating hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday: 4pm to midnight
- Thursday to Saturday: 4pm to 1am
As Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, Global Village will remain open until midnight that evening, giving visitors time to enjoy the 8pm drone show and explore the other attractions.
With five days of entertainment, festive shopping, traditional music and a dazzling aerial display, Global Village’s Diwali programme offers families and friends a chance to celebrate the Festival of Lights in Dubai.
Additional Charges for Rides and Attractions
While Global Village’s Diwali celebrations are included in the regular admission ticket, visitors should be aware that rides at Carnaval and certain other attractions require separate payments.
Global Village’s Season 31 officially opened on October 14, 2026, and will continue until May 2027, offering months of entertainment, shopping, dining and cultural experiences.
This season features 29 pavilions showcasing more than 90 cultures, bringing together traditions, products and cuisines from around the world.
A Look Back at Last Year’s Diwali Celebrations
Global Village also hosted colourful Diwali festivities during its previous season, with the India Pavilion serving as a major attraction.
The celebrations featured a traditional Diwali Mela, where visitors could browse stalls selling gold-plated jewellery, decorative bangles, colourful saris and Kashmiri textiles.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, a group of UAE-based artists created a large rangoli, highlighting the traditional Indian art form associated with Diwali.
Building on those celebrations, this year’s programme introduces new experiences, including the first-ever musical baithak and a 600-drone light show, alongside the returning festive market and family activities.
