Dubai Lights Up for Diwali 2025 with Fireworks, Music, and Cultural Extravaganza at Al Seef

Dubai’s iconic Al Seef waterfront transformed into a glowing spectacle of colour, music, and unity as hundreds of residents and tourists gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the city’s 10-day Diwali 2025 festivities.

The banks of Dubai Creek came alive on Friday evening as Indian expats and UAE residents marked the start of Dubai’s Diwali 2025 celebrations with dazzling fireworks, traditional performances, and a vibrant cultural procession at Al Seef.

The celebrations began with the official inauguration of the three-day Noor: Festival of Lights, organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) under the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), in collaboration with the Indian Consulate in Dubai and Teamwork Arts.

Mohamed Feras, Acting Vice President of Retail Calendar and Promotions at DFRE, and Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai, lit the ceremonial lamp to open the festival — symbolising the triumph of light over darkness.

The evening featured an eye-catching grand procession of Indian drummers and dancers, followed by a surprise performance by the Dubai Police Band, which entertained the crowd with a rendition of the beloved Bollywood classic “Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jana Sanam.”

Hundreds of spectators were treated to a three-minute fireworks display over the Creek, set against the charming heritage backdrop of Al Seef’s dhows and old-world architecture, blending tradition with modern festivity.

Among the crowd was Russian tourist Victoria Fedorianova, who described the celebration as “wonderful and vibrant,” while long-time Dubai resident Bhaskaran K expressed his delight at experiencing Diwali “on such a grand scale” for the first time. Families and friends dressed in traditional Indian attire, immersing themselves in the festive spirit.

Heena Saran, attending with her husband and daughter, shared her gratitude: “Even though we’re away from family, Dubai makes us feel like we’re back home celebrating Diwali.”

Beyond the cultural celebrations, Feras highlighted that the 10-day festival also brings exclusive retail offers and raffle draws worth up to AED 500,000. “This is not just a festival of lights — it’s a celebration of Dubai’s diversity, where over 200 nationalities live together in peace and harmony,” he said.

Consul General Sivan praised Dubai’s inclusivity, calling the event “a testament to the city’s warmth and multicultural spirit.” He added, “Diwali is incomplete without fireworks, and nowhere else in the world is such a celebration possible — only in Dubai.”

With lights, laughter, and the sound of celebration echoing through the Creek, Dubai’s Diwali 2025 festivities promise ten days of joy, togetherness, and cultural brilliance — truly capturing the essence of the Festival of Lights.