This month, Dubai is buzzing with exciting activities, from festivals & live performances to thrilling experiences, and much more. The pleasant weather in February makes it the perfect time to explore the city and all it has to offer.
Whether you're a local or a tourist, there's something for everyone to enjoy in Dubai. Mark your calendars and don’t miss out on all the activities and events happening in Dubai this February 2023.
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the largest celebration of the written and spoken word in the region, is back for its 15th edition, taking place from February 1-6, 2023. The festival will feature a wide range of talented authors and speakers, giving visitors the opportunity to interact with their favorite writers, attend literary debates, and participate in workshops.
This year's theme is 'Old Friends' and will be held at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City and Mohammed bin Rashid Library. The star-studded lineup includes actor Brian Cox, journalist Barkha Dutt, chef Bobby Chin, and businesswoman Ghizlan Guenez, among others. Come join us to celebrate literature, arts and creativity with world leaders, thinkers and icons at this event.
Dubai Fishing Competition
Calling all Dubai Anglers! The Dubai Fishing Competition is will starting this February and is surely an event you won't want to miss. Participants will compete to catch the largest fish and win the top prize. The competition takes place at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) with two meets.
The event is organized by DIMC and is part of a series of events throughout the year that showcase traditional water sports and celebrate local heritage. Take your family and come watch this thrilling traditional activity for free.
Dubai World Cup Carnival
Dubai's horse racing season is reaching its climax with the Dubai World Cup Carnival race meetings, which promise fierce competition. Be a part of the action from January 6th to March 4th, 2023.
Watch as the most majestic horses and skilled jockeys from around the globe race toward the finish line and a lucrative prize purse. Head to the Meydan Racecourse, where top-notch amenities and a variety of dining options make for a luxurious day out with family and friends.
Taste of Dubai
Save the date, Dubai Foodies! The Taste of Dubai festival is returning with another extravagant culinary celebration, taking place from February 3rd-5th, 2023 in partnership with Philips. The festival will be held at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, with an outdoor setting. The event will bring together top-rated restaurants, tasting sessions, cooking workshops, and live music.
Attendees will have the opportunity to try signature dishes from fine dining venues like Massimo Bottura's Torno Subito and Akira Back's restaurant at W Dubai The Palm, or join a hands-on masterclass with celebrated chefs. Restaurants such as Carnival by Tresind, 11 Woodfire, Lowe, Rhodes W1, Bushra by Buddha Bar, Indya by Vineet, Shang Palace, and Sucre will also be present.
Additionally, there will be play zones for children, the festival provides the perfect opportunity to indulge in the best of Dubai's gastronomy, with a variety of concerts, entertainment, and pop-up shops featuring food and lifestyle products from local brands.
Afroworld
Afropop fans, can you still calm down when two of the genre’s biggest stars come to Dubai? Afroworld will see Rema and Omah Olay perform their biggest hist on February 10th at Coca-Cola Arena Dubai. This musical event welcomes fans of all ages.
Prepare your signature moves as you'll be dancing all night as Nigerian rapper Rema performs one of 2022's biggest hit songs "Calm Down" live. Joining the concert will be Omah Lay known for his hit song "Bad Influence" and his hip-hop and R&B sounds. Don't miss out on this musical celebration, book your tickets today.
Ticket Prices:
Lost Nomads at Soul Beach Dubai
Soul Beach Dubai is the place to be this season, everyone is welcome to join the party. Save the date of February 11th as DJs such as Dennis Cruz, Andrea Oliva, Apache and Cuartero come to the city to bring the Ibizan spirit and electric vibes to Dubai's sunny beaches.
The waterside venue at JA The Resort will be hosting a series of 11-hour concerts every Saturday featuring world-class DJs. Get ready to dance to some serious house beats as an all-star line-up of contemporary electronic dance music artists take the decks. With past events featuring names like Black Coffee, Agoria, Themba, Angelos, and Amin K, you never know who will be lighting up the dance floor on the night.
Doors open at 12 pm. Only guests over the age of 21 years are allowed to enter.
Dubai Kitesurf Competition
Dubai's winter watersports calendar is a mix of traditional heritage and modern athleticism, with the annual Kitesurf Competition being a prime example. This event is held at Nessnass Beach behind Sunset Mall and is a must-see for anyone interested in water-based sports.
Kitesurfing is a thrilling sport in which participants use a kite to move across the water's surface and build momentum. Spectators can watch trained athletes compete and perform exciting stunts.
The Kitesurf Competition is just one of the many waterborne tournaments included in the Dubai International Marine Club's (DIMC) eight-month-long sporting calendar. Other popular events include sailing, rowing, and fishing. So, pack a picnic blanket, head down to Nessnass Beach and enjoy
Asian Le Mans Series
The Asian Le Mans Series is set to return for three consecutive days of high-speed racing on February 11-12, 2023. This year's edition is expected to attract some of the world's top racing teams, as well as emerging talent from the region.
The 4-hour challenge will take place at the Dubai Autodrome, where racers will compete to secure a spot in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. Fans can expect to see a mix of Le Mans prototype and GT cars during the day and night race, where driving duties will be shared among both experienced and amateur drivers.
Spectators are welcome to attend the event for free, but they must register in advance for tickets. Don't miss this opportunity to witness some of the best racers showcase their competitive spirit at the Asian Le Mans Series
Dubai Marathon 2023
The Dubai Marathon, one of the biggest annual athletic events in the region, is set to return on February 12, 2023. This grand spectacle attracts participants from all over the world, who will run alongside the iconic Burj Al Arab.
Whether you're looking to tackle the challenging 42km course or prefer the shorter 10km route, the experience of running on Jumeirah Beach Road with other fitness enthusiasts is unrivaled. There's also a 4km fun run for the whole family, open to participants of all ages. Corporate teams can also participate with a minimum of three racers for the marathon and five for the 10km, so register today and start training for the ultimate race.
International Property Show at Dubai World Trade Center
The International Property Show is set to take place in February 2023, and it's the perfect platform for buying and selling local and international properties. The event is the largest property sales platform in the Middle East and will showcase exclusive value-added offers and promotions from developers.
At the show, you'll find market-leading offers from developers, as well as regional and international ones, along with banks and other financial institutions, legal service providers, real estate agents, and property auction houses. It's a one-stop-shop where buyers can find a complete package of bargain deals, making it an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in the property market.
Elrow XXL Dubai
The highly-anticipated elrow XXL festival is making its Middle East debut in Dubai on February 17 and 18, 2023. This renowned Barcelona-based dance music extravaganza has already entertained thousands across 34 countries and 84 cities, and is now ready to take over d3.
Featuring over-the-top decorations, flamboyant costumes, and glittering confetti showers, the outdoor carnival has a capacity of over 8,000 guests and will host the massive El Traingulo de las Rowmudas stage with performances by top artists from around the world.
Please note that the 18th of February is already sold out. Don't miss out on the opportunity to be a part of this spectacular event.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is set to take place from February 19 to March 4, 2023, and will feature top tennis players from around the world, including Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. This tournament is an important stop before the ATP World Tour and the WTA Tour, and features one WTA 100 women's and one ATP 500 men's challenge each.
Previous editions have seen notable players such as Martina Hingis, Serena and Venus Williams, and Roger Federer compete on the court. The award-winning tournament will be held at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, and in addition to the intense matches, there will be plenty of entertainment and fun activities for the entire family to enjoy. Don't miss the chance to watch the world's best tennis players compete in Dubai.
DP World International League T20 2023
The DP World International League T20, taking place from January 13 to February 12, 2023, will feature six teams competing for the trophy. The teams include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, MI Emirates, Gulf Giants, and Sharjah Warriors.
The tournament will feature well-known international players such as Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard from the West Indies, Sam Billings and Moeen Ali from England, and Robin Utthapa and Yusuf Pathan from India. Show your support by attending the action-packed matches at the Dubai International Stadium, cheering on your favourite team as they hit boundaries, sixes, and take wickets. Don't miss the chance to see these talented players compete in the inaugural edition of the DP World International League T20.
UAE Tour 2023​
The UAE Tour, one of the region's most challenging cycling competitions, is set to return to Dubai on 23 February for its latest edition. The seven-day race, which is the only WorldTour event in the Middle East, will take riders through five different emirates and conclude on 26 February.
The 2023 edition is expected to build on the success of previous years with a route covering 1,081km and an elevation gain of around 3,500m, with the majority of the climb concentrated in stages 4 and 7. Spectators can watch the race as it winds through the emirates of Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al-Khaimah and Dubai, showcasing the country's natural landscapes along the way.