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Thu, Jan 15, 2026 | Rajab 26, 1447 | Fajr 05:45 | DXB 
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What you can expect at Dubai Racing Carnival's Festive Friday
This will be the first of three feature race meetings of the season, known as ‘Feature Friday’, and will take on a theme relevant to the winter holidays
As the sun dips behind the Meydan racecourse, the venue takes on a different rhythm. Christmas lights line the walkways, live music drifts across the grandstand, and families gather long before the first horse enters the track.
Apart from the horse racing, the Dubai Racing Carnival has much to offer, especially on themed nights. On Friday, Meydan will transform into a seasonal spectacle, complete with grand displays of Christmas trees and other festive trinkets. This will be the first of three feature race meetings of the season, known as ‘Feature Friday’, and will take on a theme relevant to the winter holidays.
Live performances
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For Festive Friday, there will be dedicated performances that will match the surrounding environment. Serenading saxophonists, a jazz trio, and a vibrant marching band will fill the air with festive songs throughout the evening. And of course, none other than the big-bellied and white-bearded Santa Claus will visit the racecourse for some much needed festive cheer.
Other festive characters who will be present include dancing elves, gingerbread performers, and Tin Soldiers.
Dining options
Food and beverage options at the racecourse is abundant, with Festive Friday bringing a seasonal twist to Meydan’s already wide-ranging offerings. Across the venue, restaurants and hospitality spaces will serve holiday-inspired menus, featuring festive dishes and drinks designed to complement the celebratory atmosphere of the night.
There will also be offerings for more high-end culinary options. The MAINE will host a five-hour dining experience in Suite 401, featuring signature dishes, premium beverages and desserts, priced at Dh1,195. Meanwhile, the Finish Line Brunch by Be More Than will offer a high-energy night out with themed food concepts and live entertainment, with packages starting from Dh395.
‘In our DNA’
“We always strive to provide all the entertainment and fun atmosphere during our races. We always strive to have exceptional events in terms of entertainment, food and beverage, and offerings in the tracks,” Ali Al Ali, the CEO of Dubai Racing Club, told Khaleej Times.
“Horse racing and horses are in the DNA of Dubai and the UAE. It is a sport that has been historically with us, as Arabs and as Muslims,” Al Ali said. “We are here to work hard to retain that sport and work hard to make it bigger and bigger.”
Although rains are forecast to hit Dubai on Friday, the race will proceed as scheduled pending further notice. The Carnival’s latest season kicked off on November 7, 2025, and will conclude with the iconic Dubai World Cup on March 28, 2026. This season also marks Carnival’s 30th anniversary.
The next Feature Friday at the Meydan Racecourse will be on January 23, where people will sport their most stylish suits and hats for “Fashion Friday.”
Hind Aldah
Hind Aldah covers business, tech, crypto and all that jazz for a younger audience. In her spare time, you will find her playing classical guitar, painting amateur oil paintings, or crocheting the same old scarf that leads nowhere.
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