Dubai events to look forward to in 2016

Before your calendar gets too full make sure to add these major events to get a taste of what Dubai has to offer this year..

Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
March 1 - 12
Readers and writers come together for The Middle East's largest celebration of the written and spoken word.
Held at the InterContinental Hotel, Festival City, the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature (LitFest) brings people of all ages and backgrounds together with authors from around the world to promote education, debate and, above all, a love of reading and writing. This year the LitFest will bring a fantastic cast of authors, writers and speakers from numerous countries who will cover a wide range of subjects, styles and genres. From literary discussions, readings, workshops, and the exciting Fringe and children's events the festival aims to open up the lines of communication and the sharing of ideas. Visit: www.emirateslitfest.com
Dubai Shopping Festival
January 1 - February 1
Gear up and start off the year with a wardrobe makeover. The 21st edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is the largest shopping and entertainment event in the Middle East. From amazing deals, promotions and discounts, the festival is a shopper's paradise.
Along with unbeatable offers, celebrity performances and plenty of amazing events to celebrate the emirate's favourite pastime, some of the other highlights during the festival include Dubai Mall's famous skating rink transforming into a runway at Fashion On Ice, a search for one-of-a-kind gifts from local and international designers at Market Outside The Box as well as one of the hallmarks of DSF - the fireworks. This year includes shows across two locations in Dubai.
Visit: www.visitdubai.com/en/discover/festivals/dubai-shopping-festival
February 25 - March 12
Dubai Food Festival
Forget any dietary New Year's resolutions you might have made, the time to live out your edible fantasies arrives with the annual Dubai Food Festival. The only truly citywide food festival in the Middle East, the Dubai Food Festival will present a diverse world of the culinary arts for food lovers in a variety of dining options to cater to every taste. The calendar will be filled with a number of exciting food-related events and promotions, highlighting Dubai's unique food scene, its personalities and dining experiences. Be sure to look out for the Beach Canteen, various food vans and much more.
Visit: www.dubaifoodfestival.com
Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival
February 24 - 26
It's time to amp yourself up for the one of the music highlights of the coming year with the 14th edition of the Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival. With the theme of Much More Than Jazz, music lovers can expect twice the jazz and more of the classic rock, indie rock, pop and urban - an unbeatable mix of quality live entertainment. US pop-rock band TOTO will perform, with Youtube sensation Postmodern Jukebox (PMJ) opening for them, covering pop songs with a vintage twist. The multi- talented and award winning guitarist Carlos Santana will be performing as well along with Sting and Chris Botti at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre.
Visit: www.dubaijazzfest.com
Art Dubai
March 16 - 19
If you get it or if you don't, art is always interesting to see. There's no better place to check out what works of art are making a statement than at Art Dubai, the leading contemporary art fair which is returning for its 10th edition. Over the last decade Art Dubai has become one of the most globalised meeting points in the art world today. It's an essential gathering place for collectors, artists and art professionals from across the region and beyond. Other than gallery halls, the fair's programme includes commissioned projects and performances, artists' and curators' residencies, educational workshops and the critically acclaimed Global Art Forum.
Visit: www.artdubai.ae
 
Watch out for...
- Shaan and KK return for Salaam Dubai on January 15 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. Visit: www.dubai.platinumlist.net
- Rita Ora will be making an appearance during Red Fest from February 11 - 12 at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre to belt out hits like Poison and Body On Me along with Fifty Cent who will be setting the stage on fire with rap hits In Da Club and 21 Questions.
Visit: www.redfestdxb.com
- The Australian songstress Tina Arena will be coming to Dubai to perform some of her greatest 90's hits on January 21 at the Grand Hyatt Dubai.
Visit: www.dubai.grand.hyatt.com
- Russell Peters is making a hilarious return to Dubai with his Almost Famous tour on from January 19 - 20 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Visit: www.ticketmaster.ae
 
 

• Dubai