Holi in Dubai is not what it is back home – and in some ways, that is exactly the point. The UAE’s Indian community (over 3.5 million strong) has turned the festival of colours into a proper event season, with celebrations running from mid-February through late March across beach clubs, parks, hotel ballrooms and open-air festival grounds.
We tracked every major Holi event in Dubai and the UAE for 2026 – from the AED 50 park festivals to the AED 395 fine-dining brunches. Here is what actually happened, what is worth booking when it comes around again and what to skip.
1. Holiverse 2026 – Dubai Sports City
The biggest Holi event in Dubai for 2026. Holiverse took over the ISD Sports Academy Football Zone at Dubai Sports City on 15 February with DJ Chetas headlining, supported by DJ Nitesh, DJ Manoj, DJ Sohail, DJ Gautam, DJ Buddha and Yogmusiic. Full-day outdoor format with organic colours, live cricket screening (India vs Pakistan), food and beverage stalls, kids’ zones and VIP lounges.
Date: 15 February 2026
Venue: ISD Sports Academy, Dubai Sports City
Tickets: From AED 60 (kids under 8 free)
Best for: Groups, cricket fans, full-day festival experience
The DJ Chetas set was the highlight – he paced it well, building from Bollywood classics to high-energy remixes by late afternoon. The cricket screening pulled a massive crowd to the side screens but the audio split between the main stage and the screening area was not ideal. If you are there for music, stay near the stage. Food stalls ran the usual festival range – chaat, kebabs, biryani – nothing remarkable but decent. The VIP lounge was worth the upgrade for shade alone.
Wow-Emirates Expert Tip: Holiverse tends to announce early – follow @holiversedxb on Instagram for 2027 early-bird tickets. The February date means Holi season in Dubai now starts a full two weeks before the actual festival day.
2. Color Festival at Barasti Beach
Barasti Beach at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi hosted the Color Festival on 15 February – a marathon session running noon to 3am with a nine-DJ roster including G2, Karan, Chirag, Sohail, Zaan, Rahul, Rahul Kateja, Brendon Lopez and Vansh. The event doubled as a Holi celebration and India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup screening.
Date: 15 February 2026
Venue: Barasti Beach, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi
Tickets: From AED 50 (general admission)
Best for: Beach party crowd, long-format nightlife
This one runs late and loud. The beach setting is the draw – colours against sand and sea look better than any park setup. The 15-hour runtime sounds ambitious but the crowd rotated naturally, with families earlier and the party crowd arriving after sunset. The cricket screening was better integrated here than at Holiverse, with proper audio zones.
3. Rang Rave at Barasti Beach
A separate family-focused Holi event at Barasti Beach, running 20-21 March, closer to the actual Holi date. More structured, shorter format, family-first layout with dedicated kids’ activities and organic colour zones.
Date: 20-21 March 2026
Venue: Barasti Beach, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi
Tickets: From AED 50
Best for: Families with kids, weekend Holi celebration
4. Holi Hai – Colour Mela at Zabeel Park
The longest-running Holi community event in Dubai. Colour Mela moved to Amity School grounds for 2026 (previously Zabeel Park Amphitheatre) on 22 March. Live DJs, dhol beats, organic colour blasts, food stalls and a huge dance floor. Tickets from AED 20 make it the most affordable major Holi event in the city.
Date: 22 March 2026
Venue: Amity School grounds (previously Zabeel Park)
Tickets: From AED 20 (kids under 10 free)
Best for: Budget-friendly, community vibe, families
Colour Mela is the one that feels most like Holi back home. Less production value than Holiverse or Barasti, but the energy is unmatched. The dhol players are the real headliners here. Food stalls serve proper festival street food – pani puri, jalebi, vada pav. The AED 20 entry is genuinely good value, but note the ticket does not include park entry if the venue is inside Zabeel.
Wow-Emirates Expert Tip: Wear old clothes you do not mind throwing away. The organic colours wash out of skin in a day but some fabrics never recover. White cotton is traditional and photographs best.
5. Holi Music Mantra Season 2 – Zabeel Park
A separate event at Zabeel Park Amphitheatre with a stronger music focus. AED 80 tickets plus AED 5 park entry. Live bands, DJ sets and a curated food court. Positioned as the premium park option compared to Colour Mela’s community format.
Date: March 2026 (weekend closest to Holi)
Venue: Zabeel Park Amphitheatre
Tickets: AED 80 + AED 5 park entry
Best for: Music-focused celebration, mid-range budget
6. Jamavar Holi Brunch – The Address Downtown
The upscale option. Jamavar at The Address Downtown ran a special Holi Brunch across four dates (28 February, 1 March, 7 March and 8 March) with a refined Indian menu, signature cocktails including the Jamavar Royal Punch and Mango Sour, and a Tricolour Temptation welcome drink.
Dates: 28 Feb, 1 Mar, 7 Mar, 8 Mar 2026
Venue: Jamavar, The Address Downtown
Price: AED 295 (non-alcoholic) / AED 395 (alcoholic)
Best for: Couples, fine dining, clean celebration
This is Holi without the colour chaos – elegant, indoors, air-conditioned and focused on food rather than festival. The kitchen delivered. If your idea of Holi involves a Mango Sour rather than a water gun, Jamavar is the one to book. The AED 395 package is fair value for Downtown fine dining with unlimited drinks.
7. Color Splash 3.0 – White Beach, Ras Al Khaimah
Not in Dubai but worth the drive. Color Splash 3.0 at White Beach, Al Hamra Residence in Ras Al Khaimah ran an eight-hour sea-view celebration on 7 March. Fully licensed, family-friendly, with Dubai-based DJs (Buddha, Tripty, Tushar, Chirag), dhol and nagada performances, kids’ zones and food trucks.
Date: 7 March 2026
Venue: White Beach, Al Hamra Residence, RAK
Tickets: From AED 69
Best for: Beach setting, families, day trip from Dubai
The RAK beach setting makes this one feel different from the Dubai events. Less crowded, more relaxed, and the sea backdrop elevates the whole experience. The 8-hour format means you can arrive mid-afternoon and still get the full experience. Worth combining with a Ras Al Khaimah staycation if you want to make a weekend of it.
8. Colours of Friendship – Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s main Holi event for 2026, held at Hudayriyat Beach on 8 March. A family-friendly colour festival with music, food stalls and beachside celebrations.
Date: 8 March 2026
Venue: Hudayriyat Beach, Abu Dhabi
Best for: Abu Dhabi residents, beach celebration
| Event | Venue | Date | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holiverse 2026 | ISD Sports Academy, Dubai Sports City | 15 Feb | From AED 60 | Groups, cricket fans |
| Color Festival | Barasti Beach, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi | 15 Feb | From AED 50 | Beach party, nightlife |
| Rang Rave | Barasti Beach, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi | 20-21 Mar | From AED 50 | Families, weekend |
| Colour Mela | Amity School (prev. Zabeel Park) | 22 Mar | From AED 20 | Budget, community vibe |
| Holi Music Mantra S2 | Zabeel Park Amphitheatre | Mar (TBC) | AED 80 + AED 5 | Music lovers |
| Jamavar Holi Brunch | The Address Downtown | 28 Feb – 8 Mar | AED 295 / AED 395 | Couples, fine dining |
| Color Splash 3.0 | White Beach, Al Hamra, RAK | 7 Mar | From AED 69 | Beach, families, day trip |
| Colours of Friendship | Hudayriyat Beach, Abu Dhabi | 8 Mar | TBC | Abu Dhabi residents |
What You Need to Know Before You Go
Holi 2026 Date
Holi 2026 fell on Wednesday 4 March (with Holika Dahan on Tuesday 3 March). Most events in Dubai ran across the surrounding weekends – 28 February to 1 March and 7-8 March – with early season events starting as early as 15 February.
Rules for Playing Holi in the UAE
The UAE allows Holi celebrations in designated venues and private spaces. You cannot play Holi in public streets, parks (outside ticketed events) or residential areas without permission. Most events provide organic colours on-site – bringing your own powder or water balloons is usually restricted at the gate.
What to Wear
White cotton clothes are traditional and photograph best. Wear something old that you do not mind discarding. Closed-toe shoes that grip (colours make surfaces slippery). Leave jewellery, watches and leather at home. Apply coconut oil or heavy moisturiser to exposed skin before arriving – it helps the colour wash off faster.
Ticket Booking
Most events sell through Platinumlist, BookMyShow UAE or direct Instagram links. Early-bird pricing is usually 20-30% cheaper. The bigger events (Holiverse, Color Festival) sell out 1-2 weeks before the date. Colour Mela rarely sells out but the queue at the gate can be long.
Wow-Emirates Expert Tip: Book your Holi event at least two weeks in advance. The best events sell out fast, and early-bird tickets can save you AED 20-50 per person. Follow event organisers on Instagram for flash sales.
More Dubai Guides
Looking for more? Check out our guides to the best rooftop pools in Dubai, best afternoon tea in Dubai and the Dubai ladies night guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Holi 2027 falls on Monday 22 March 2027. Events in Dubai will likely run across the weekends of 20-21 March and 27-28 March, with early season festivals starting from late February.
No. Holi celebrations in the UAE must take place in designated venues, private properties or ticketed events. Playing with colours in public streets, parks or residential areas without permission is not allowed.
Prices range from AED 20 for community events like Colour Mela to AED 395 for fine-dining Holi brunches. Most mid-range festivals cost AED 50-80 per person. Kids under 8-10 often enter free.
No. Holi is not a public holiday in the UAE. Most events are scheduled on weekends. If Holi falls on a weekday, celebrations move to the closest Friday or Saturday.
White cotton clothes are traditional and photograph best. Wear old clothes you do not mind discarding. Closed-toe shoes that grip, no jewellery or watches. Apply coconut oil to exposed skin before arriving to help colours wash off faster.
Most organised events in Dubai use organic, non-toxic colours that are safe for skin. Avoid events that do not specify organic colours. If you have sensitive skin, test a small patch first and apply heavy moisturiser as a barrier before playing.
Disclaimer: Prices, dates and venue details are based on 2026 event listings and may change for future editions. Always confirm details with the event organiser before booking. WOW Emirates is not affiliated with any event listed above.
