Diwali 2026 in Dubai: Date, Muhurat, Temples, Fireworks & Events (Plus All Seven UAE Emirates)

Quick answer: Diwali 2026 (Lakshmi Puja) falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026 in Dubai and across the UAE, a weekend day for most residents. The Lakshmi Puja muhurat in Dubai is 5:58–7:55 PM Gulf Standard Time (5:57–7:54 PM in Sharjah and 6:03–8:00 PM in Abu Dhabi). Don't use India's timings, because the UAE is 1 hour 30 minutes behind IST. Book a QR-code slot before visiting the Hindu Temple in Jebel Ali, and register online for BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi. Private fireworks are illegal, so watch for the official displays, held in recent years at Al Seef and at Global Village, which reopens on October 14.

Dubai hosts one of the largest Diwali celebrations outside India. The city's tourism department runs a multi-day Festival of Lights with the Indian Consulate, Global Village marks the season with fireworks, and huge crowds queue for darshan at the Hindu Temple in Jebel Ali. Indians are the UAE's largest expatriate community, and Diwali is also celebrated by Sikh, Jain, Nepali and Sri Lankan Tamil residents.

This guide to Diwali 2026 celebrations in Dubai covers the local muhurat on UAE time, the five-day calendar as it falls in the Gulf, temple booking rules, where to shop and watch fireworks, and what to expect in each of the seven emirates. For the rituals and stories behind each day, see our complete Diwali 2026 five-day festival guide.

Editor's note: Details on this page were checked against official, temple and news sources on September 16, 2026. Dubai's official Diwali programme and the temples' 2026 schedules had not been announced yet, and we will update this page when they are. Please confirm details before you go.

Diwali 2026 in Dubai at a glance

• Main day: Sunday, November 8, 2026 (Kartik Amavasya), in all seven emirates.
• Festival window: Friday, November 6 (Dhanteras) to Tuesday, November 10 (Bhai Dooj).
• The weekend advantage: The UAE weekend is Saturday and Sunday, so Lakshmi Puja falls on a day off for most residents. In Sharjah, where schools and government offices also close on Fridays, the weekend starts on Dhanteras.
• Time zone: Gulf Standard Time (UTC+4), with no daylight saving. The UAE is 1 hour 30 minutes behind India.
• Holiday status: Diwali is not an official public holiday in the UAE, though several Indian schools announced extra Diwali days off in 2025.
• Temples: Hindu Temple Dubai in Jebel Ali manages visits through QR-code bookings. BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi requires registration and a physical ID and is normally closed on Mondays.
• Fireworks: Using fireworks without official permission is illegal. Trading or importing them without a licence can mean at least a year in jail, a fine of at least AED 100,000, or both.
• Global Village: Season 31 opens on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, in time for Diwali.

Diwali 2026 dates in the UAE: the five-day calendar

These dates follow Drik Panchang's calendar for Dubai, which applies across the UAE.

Why Choti Diwali and Diwali share a day in the UAE

In the UAE, the Chaturdashi tithi is still running at sunrise on Sunday, November 8, and ends at 9:57 AM, when Amavasya begins. So the early-morning Naraka Chaturdashi bath, which Tamil families celebrate as Deepavali, and the evening Lakshmi Puja both fall on November 8. Amavasya then runs until 11:01 AM on Monday, November 9, covering the whole Diwali evening.

Why UAE dates can differ from India's

Several Indian calendars list Govardhan Puja on November 10 and Bhai Dooj on November 11 for India, because Pratipada and Dwitiya begin later in the day on Indian clocks. Drik Panchang's Dubai calendar places them on Monday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 10 in the UAE, where Dwitiya begins at 12:30 PM on November 10. Follow a calendar made for the UAE or your temple's announcement rather than an Indian TV channel or app.

Lakshmi Puja muhurat 2026 in Dubai and the UAE

Lakshmi Puja is performed during Pradosh Kaal, the period after sunset, ideally while Vrishabha, a fixed (sthira) sign, is rising. Because the window follows local sunset, it shifts by a few minutes from emirate to emirate.

Don't use India's timings. The UAE is 1 hour 30 minutes behind IST, and the sun sets at a different time. New Delhi's muhurat of 5:54–7:50 PM IST would read 4:24–6:20 PM on a UAE clock, starting before Dubai's sunset. Use the UAE timings below.

• Nishita (midnight) muhurat, preferred for Kali Puja and by some families for Chopda Pujan, runs from 11:37 PM to 12:29 AM in Dubai and from 11:36 PM to 12:28 AM in Sharjah. Amavasya continues through the night, so the midnight window is valid across the UAE.
• All times are Gulf Standard Time. For more panchang details, check today's panchangam.

Is Diwali a public holiday in the UAE in 2026?

No. Diwali is not on the UAE's official public holiday list, so offices keep their normal schedules on working days. In 2026 that matters less than usual:

• Lakshmi Puja falls on a Sunday, part of the UAE's Saturday–Sunday weekend.
• Sharjah gets a longer break. Schools and government offices in Sharjah also close on Fridays, so Dhanteras, Kali Chaudas and Diwali all fall on the weekend.
• Schools may add days. In 2025, several Indian-curriculum schools announced extra Diwali holidays, and Delhi Private School Sharjah received its regulator's approval to close for two additional days. Watch your school's circular for 2026.
• Plan leave early. If you want time off for Govardhan Puja (Monday, November 9) or Bhai Dooj (Tuesday, November 10), ask your employer well in advance.

Diwali 2026 events in Dubai and the UAE: confirmed and expected

As of September 16, 2026, Global Village has confirmed its opening date, but Dubai's official Diwali programme and the temples' 2026 schedules have not been announced. The table shows what is confirmed and what recent years suggest.

Dubai's festival is organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, part of the Department of Economy and Tourism, with the Consulate General of India in Dubai. In recent years, the programme has been announced only shortly before it starts, so check back through October.

Where to celebrate Diwali 2026 in Dubai: area by area

Jebel Ali: Hindu Temple Dubai

• The main temple: Opened in October 2022 in Jebel Ali's worship village, the temple has a prayer hall with 16 deities and a section for the Guru Granth Sahib. It now also serves the worshippers of the old Bur Dubai Shiva temple.
• Book first: Visits are managed through a QR-code appointment system on the temple's website. Book as early as you can for Diwali weekend.
• Timings: The temple is generally open from early morning until about 8:30 PM, with extended hours at major festivals. Check the website for Diwali timings.
• Getting there: Leave extra time for traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road on Diwali evening, and consider an earlier darshan so you're home for the puja muhurat.
• Next door: The Guru Nanak Darbar gurdwara, open since 2012, is where many Sikh families mark Bandi Chhor Divas.

Bur Dubai and Meena Bazaar

• Dubai's traditional Indian quarter: The Shiva temple in the Sindhi Guru Darbar complex served worshippers from 1958 until January 3, 2024, when its services moved to Jebel Ali. The Shree Krishna Haveli in the same complex has continued to operate, so check its current timings before you visit.
• Diwali shopping: Meena Bazaar's lanes are the place for diyas, torans, rangoli colours, puja items, sweets and festive clothes. Expect crowds in the final week.
• Getting there: The Dubai Metro's Green Line (Al Fahidi station) is easier than finding parking.

Al Seef and Dubai Creek

• Where the official celebrations begin: Dubai's official Diwali festivities have opened at the heritage waterfront in recent years. In 2025, Noor: Festival of Lights opened there with a procession of drummers and dancers, a Dubai Police band performance and a free three-minute fireworks show at 9 PM.
• Tip: Arrive early for a creekside spot, and watch for the 2026 dates.

Global Village

• Season 31: Opens Wednesday, October 14, 2026 and runs until May 2027 under the theme "A More Wonderful World."
• Diwali in past seasons: Global Village has marked Diwali with fireworks, main-stage performances, rangoli art and a Diwali market, alongside its India pavilion.
• Tickets: Buy through Global Village's official channels, and check the fireworks schedule before you go.

Deira and the Gold Souk

• Dhanteras shopping: Friday, November 6 is the traditional day to buy gold, silver or a new metal item, and Deira's Gold Souk is Dubai's classic place to do it.
• Tips: Compare the day's published gold rate, check making charges and ask for an itemised invoice.

Karama and Dubai's Indian neighbourhoods

In Karama, Bur Dubai and many residential communities, building groups and associations hold rangoli contests, diya-lighting and Diwali get-togethers. Order mithai early from your local sweet shop to beat the last-minute rush.

Malls, hotels and Diwali dining

Malls and hotels across Dubai typically add Diwali décor, shopping promotions and festive menus in the weeks before Diwali. Check current listings before you book.

Diwali 2026 across the UAE: all seven emirates

Jump to an emirate: Dubai · Abu Dhabi · Sharjah · Ajman · Umm Al Quwain · Ras Al Khaimah · Fujairah

Dubai

See the area guide above for temples, shopping and fireworks. Lakshmi Puja in Dubai runs from 5:58 to 7:55 PM, with Pradosh Kaal from 5:34 to 8:10 PM.

Abu Dhabi

• BAPS Hindu Mandir: The region's first traditional hand-carved stone Hindu temple stands in Abu Mureikhah, off the Abu Dhabi–Dubai highway.
• Visiting rules: The mandir is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 8 PM and closed on Mondays. Registration is mandatory, you need a physical Emirates ID or passport, and visitors from abroad can book only after arriving in the UAE. Ganga Aarti is at 7:30 PM, with an extra 6:45 PM aarti on weekends and holidays.
• Diwali 2025 as a guide: The mandir opened specially on Monday, October 20 for Diwali, from 9 AM to 9 PM, held Annakut on October 22 and Maha Annakut on October 25–26, and welcomed more than 60,000 visitors over the week. Smart entry gates and an air-conditioned waiting tent helped with the crowds. Annakut thali and puja registrations did not replace the separate visit booking.
• For 2026: Diwali falls on a Sunday, a regular opening day. The mandir reopened on April 14, 2026 after a temporary closure of about 40 days, so check mandir.ae for the latest hours and the Diwali and Annakut schedule.
• Muhurat: Lakshmi Puja in Abu Dhabi runs from 6:03 to 8:00 PM, with Pradosh Kaal from 5:39 to 8:14 PM. In Al Ain, the muhurat runs from 5:57 to 7:55 PM.

Sharjah

• A long weekend: Schools and government offices in Sharjah close Friday to Sunday, so Dhanteras through Lakshmi Puja is one weekend.
• Schools: In 2025, Delhi Private School Sharjah received approval from the Sharjah Private Education Authority for two extra Diwali holidays, and GEMS Our Own English High School (Boys) also announced a five-day break.
• Temple visits: Many families drive to Jebel Ali or Abu Dhabi for darshan, so book temple slots in advance.
• Muhurat: Lakshmi Puja in Sharjah runs from 5:57 to 7:54 PM, and the midnight window from 11:36 PM to 12:28 AM. Families in Khor Fakkan and Kalba on the east coast can use the Fujairah timings.

Ajman

Ajman's Indian community celebrates at home and in community halls, and many families travel to Dubai for temple visits and Meena Bazaar shopping. Lakshmi Puja in Ajman runs from 5:57 to 7:54 PM.

Umm Al Quwain

Families in Umm Al Quwain celebrate with home pujas and gatherings with friends, often combined with a trip to Dubai or Sharjah for shopping. Lakshmi Puja runs from 5:56 to 7:53 PM.

Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah's Indian residents mark Diwali with home pujas and community get-togethers. Lakshmi Puja runs from 5:54 to 7:51 PM.

Fujairah

On the east coast, the sun sets a few minutes earlier than in Dubai, so the muhurat starts earlier too. Lakshmi Puja in Fujairah runs from 5:54 to 7:51 PM, with Pradosh Kaal from 5:30 to 8:06 PM.

How different communities celebrate Diwali in the UAE

• Sindhi families, among the oldest Indian trading families in Dubai, centre the night on Lakshmi Puja and fresh account books.
• Gujarati families perform Chopda Pujan, and BAPS devotees offer Annakut, hundreds of vegetarian dishes presented to the deity.
• Punjabi Hindu families celebrate Lakshmi–Ganesha puja and Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya, while Sikh families mark Bandi Chhor Divas at the gurdwara in Jebel Ali.
• Tamil families from India and Sri Lanka celebrate Deepavali with an early-morning oil bath, new clothes and sweets, on Sunday, November 8 in the UAE.
• Telugu, Kannada and Malayali associations host Deepavali cultural evenings.
• Marathi families share faral, the Diwali snack platter of chakli, karanji and more.
• Bengali families worship Goddess Kali at the midnight Kali Puja.
• Nepali families celebrate Tihar over five days, including Laxmi Puja and Bhai Tika.
• Jain families mark Diwali as the day of Lord Mahavira's nirvana.

Your Diwali 2026 planner for Dubai

For the prayers, see our collection of pooja slokas and mantras, and for sweets and prasadam, browse our festival recipes.

Fireworks, diyas and safety in the UAE

• No private fireworks. Using fireworks without permission from the authorities is illegal in the UAE, even though official displays are common on festive occasions.
• Heavy penalties. Under the UAE's federal law on weapons and explosives, trading, importing, exporting or manufacturing fireworks without a licence can bring at least a year in jail, a fine of at least AED 100,000, or both.
• Report illegal sales. In Dubai, call the police call centre on 901.
• Watch the official shows. Al Seef and Global Village have hosted Diwali fireworks in recent years.
• Follow your building's rules. Many towers restrict open flames on balconies and in corridors. Keep diyas indoors on stable, heat-safe surfaces and away from curtains, or use LED diyas.
• Never leave lamps unattended, and keep matches and lighters away from children.

Wherever you celebrate, from the creekside at Al Seef to a quiet puja room in Fujairah, may the light of Diwali bring peace, health and prosperity to your home. Shubh Deepavali!

Frequently asked questions

When is Diwali 2026 in Dubai?

Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026 in Dubai and across the UAE. The five-day festival runs from Dhanteras on Friday, November 6 to Bhai Dooj on Tuesday, November 10.

What is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat in Dubai for Diwali 2026?

On Sunday, November 8, 2026, the Lakshmi Puja muhurat in Dubai is 5:58 to 7:55 PM Gulf Standard Time, within Pradosh Kaal from 5:34 to 8:10 PM. Amavasya runs from 9:57 AM on November 8 to 11:01 AM on November 9 (UAE time).

Can I follow the Indian (IST) muhurat in the UAE?

No. The UAE is 1 hour 30 minutes behind IST, and sunset times differ. New Delhi's muhurat of 5:54 to 7:50 PM IST would read 4:24 to 6:20 PM on a UAE clock, which starts before sunset in Dubai. Use timings calculated for your emirate.

What are the Lakshmi Puja timings in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah?

On November 8, 2026, the Lakshmi Puja muhurat is 6:03 to 8:00 PM in Abu Dhabi and 5:57 to 7:54 PM in Sharjah, Gulf Standard Time.

Is Diwali a public holiday in the UAE?

No. Diwali is not an official public holiday in the UAE. In 2026, Lakshmi Puja falls on a Sunday, part of the Saturday–Sunday weekend, and some Indian schools may announce extra days off with approval from their education regulator.

Do I need to book to visit the Hindu Temple in Jebel Ali on Diwali?

Yes, plan to book. Hindu Temple Dubai manages visits through a QR-code appointment system on its website, and festival days draw very large crowds, so reserve your slot early.

Is BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi open on Diwali 2026?

Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, which is a regular opening day for the mandir (it is normally closed on Mondays). Registration and a physical Emirates ID or passport are required. Check mandir.ae for the 2026 Diwali and Annakut schedule.

Where can I watch Diwali fireworks in Dubai in 2026?

The 2026 schedule has not been announced yet. In 2025, official Diwali fireworks were held at Al Seef on October 17 and at Global Village on October 18, 19, 24 and 25, all at 9 PM. Global Village reopens on October 14, 2026.

Can I light firecrackers for Diwali in Dubai?

No. Using fireworks without official permission is illegal in the UAE, and trading or importing them without a licence can bring at least a year in jail, a fine of at least AED 100,000, or both. Enjoy the official displays instead.

When are Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj in the UAE in 2026?

According to Drik Panchang's Dubai calendar, Govardhan Puja falls on Monday, November 9 and Bhai Dooj on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, with the Bhai Dooj tilak time from 1:09 PM to 3:21 PM in Dubai. Some Indian calendars list later dates for India.

Is Global Village open for Diwali 2026?

Yes. Global Village Season 31 opens on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 and runs until May 2027, so it will be open through the Diwali season. Check its website for Diwali fireworks and performance dates.

Related reading on HinduTone

• Hindu temples in Dubai: locations, timings and details
• Diwali 2026: the complete five-day festival guide
• Diwali 2026 in the USA: state-by-state guide
• Diwali 2026 in Canada: province-by-province guide
• Diwali 2026 festival hub
• Hindu temple directory
• Today's panchangam

Sources and verification

• Muhurat and calendar: Drik Panchang Lakshmi Puja timings for Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, the Drik Panchang Dubai Hindu calendar and Dubai Bhai Dooj timings. Timings for Dubai and the other emirates were calculated by HinduTone with the same Pradosh Kaal and Vrishabha method and cross-checked against Drik Panchang's published windows.
• Dubai's Diwali festival: Gulf News on the 2025 fireworks schedule and the 2025 opening at Al Seef.
• Global Village: Emirates 24|7 and Arabian Business.
• Temples: BAPS Hindu Mandir visitor information, Gulf News on BAPS Diwali 2025 arrangements and visitor numbers, India Blooms on the 2026 reopening, Gulf News on Jebel Ali temple bookings and the Bur Dubai temple closure, and The Statesman.
• Holidays and schools: Gulf News on 2025 Diwali school breaks.
• Fireworks law: The National, Khaleej Times and Zawya.
• Last verified: September 16, 2026. Event details can change, so confirm with organisers before attending.