Dubai is preparing a packed Ramadan season for families, with major pop-ups and cultural programmes running from Wednesday February 18, 2026 through late March. For transport updates, call RTA helpline 800 9090, and for public-market queries, call Dubai Municipality 800900 at Building 20, Baniyas Road, Al Rigga, Deira. For heritage iftar bookings, contact SMCCU +971 4 353 6666 at House 26 and 47, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Al Musallah Street, Bur Dubai. For Expo City family programmes, call Expo City Dubai 800 39762489 at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai, Al Wasl Avenue.
Ramadan season rhythm in Dubai
Ramadan in Dubai shifts the city’s pace toward evenings, so families often plan around iftar and later-night strolls. Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on Thursday February 19, 2026, while the official start follows moon sighting confirmation. Meanwhile, many big public activations already begin on Wednesday February 18, 2026, so you can ease into the season before the first fast. Also, most family zones lean into crafts, storytelling, and light shows rather than loud late-night parties. Because parking tightens quickly near sunset, a simple rule helps: arrive early, then stay longer instead of hopping between venues. (family-friendly, suitable for couples, solo)
Timing changes families notice quickly
Across Ramadan, Dubai’s daily schedule changes in ways parents feel immediately, especially around after-school hours and evening commutes. Expect heavier traffic from roughly 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM as people aim to reach home before iftar. Also, some public services and attractions adjust hours, and parking rules can shift by zone, so checking signage at the machine saves time. Meanwhile, Metro-linked venues often feel calmer because they spread arrivals more evenly. So, if you bring younger children, choose one main venue per night and avoid last-minute cross-city drives. (family-friendly, suitable for couples, solo)
Lantern parades and lights at Dubai Festival City
Dubai Festival City’s Ramadan by the Bay runs from Wednesday February 18, 2026 to Saturday March 28, 2026 around Festival Bay at Dubai Festival City Mall, Crescent Drive, Dubai. Entry is free, so families typically spend on snacks and activities as they go. Also, the programme often blends lantern moments, interactive zones, and evening showtime energy that works well with kids who prefer movement over long seated meals. Meanwhile, the waterfront setting makes stroller walks easier than crowded indoor corridors. For quick venue guidance, call Dubai Festival City Mall 800 332 before you leave. (family-friendly, suitable for couples, solo)
Community food nights in Karama
The Ramadan Street Food Festival anchors itself in Karama’s neighbourhood vibe, with the main listing running from Monday February 16, 2026 to Sunday March 15, 2026 in Sheikh Hamdan Colony, Karama, Dubai. However, some partner listings also show a window from Thursday February 19, 2026 to Wednesday March 18, 2026, so the safest move is to follow on-ground signage once you arrive. Entry is typically free, and you pay per dish, so it suits families who want variety without committing to a full buffet. Also, the area can bottleneck after sunset, so aim for an earlier arrival and let the crowd thin before you drive out. (family-friendly, suitable for couples, solo)
Storytelling and workshops at Expo City Dubai
Hai Ramadan at Expo City Dubai centres on culture-led iftar experiences and runs from Saturday February 21, 2026 to Wednesday March 18, 2026, hosted at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai. The headline iftar experience runs from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and the entry package commonly starts at AED 150, structured as fully redeemable credit for food and drinks, while children aged 3 and under join free. Also, the setting supports families because it mixes seated breaks with walkable stations and calmer corners for kids who need pauses. Meanwhile, you can reach the site smoothly by Metro, which often beats driving when the roads thicken near sunset. Reservations are strongly recommended on weekends. (family-friendly, suitable for couples, solo)
Heritage-house iftar with stories at SMCCU
For families who want culture and conversation, SMCCU’s Ramadan Iftar Program runs from Friday February 20, 2026 to Tuesday March 17, 2026, typically 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM, inside the wind-tower house at Al Fahidi. Tickets are listed at AED 180 per adult, and the experience focuses on Emirati dishes, Q&A, and context that helps children understand the month beyond food. Also, the Al Fahidi area feels especially atmospheric at night, so you can pair the iftar with a short post-meal walk if your kids still have energy. Because seating is limited by design, booking ahead matters more here than at open-air markets. Call +971 4 353 6666 for confirmations and family seating notes. (family-friendly, suitable for couples, solo)
Market-style nights at Emirates Towers
Ramadan District at Jumeirah Emirates Towers runs from Saturday February 28, 2026 to Sunday March 15, 2026, and it usually blends pop-up shopping, casual bites, and open-air ambience around Sheikh Zayed Road. Also, it works well for families with older kids because you can keep the evening flexible, moving between small moments rather than committing to one long sitting. Meanwhile, if you prefer a structured meal, the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Ramadan Majlis lists iftar at approximately AED 325 on weekdays and AED 295 on weekends, with children 5 to 11 at approximately AED 160, while younger children may have different rules by seating area. Limited parking capacity builds quickly near sunset, so the Emirates Towers Metro Station often saves time. For dining enquiries, use +971 4 319 8510, and for the hotel switchboard, use +971 4 330 0000. (family-friendly, suitable for couples, solo)
Fireworks and drone nights for children
Families looking for a simple wow-moment can plan around the nightly fireworks at Al Seef, which listings show running from Thursday February 19, 2026 to Thursday March 19, 2026, typically at 9:30 PM, along Dubai Creek at Al Seef, Dubai. Also, Dubai Festival City’s Ramadan season frequently adds drone moments over Festival Bay, with listings placing the drone show at about 10:30 PM during the same Thursday February 19 to Thursday March 19 window. Because these are outdoor spectacles, they stay free to watch from public promenades, although parking and traffic become the real “cost” on busy nights. Meanwhile, if you bring younger children, choose either the 9:30 PM or the 10:30 PM moment, not both, so you avoid a late, tiring commute. (family-friendly, suitable for couples, solo)
Late-night family outings at Global Village
Global Village leans into Ramadan evenings with “Ramadan Wonders,” listed from Wednesday February 18, 2026 to Wednesday March 18, 2026, and it typically opens daily from 5:00 PM for the season’s night-time rhythm. Also, announced Ramadan hours commonly run until 1:00 AM from Sunday to Wednesday and 2:00 AM from Thursday to Saturday, which helps families choose an earlier weekday visit or a longer weekend stroll. Tickets often start at approximately AED 25, and most rides, games, and premium experiences price separately. For navigation, use Global Village on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road E311, Exit 37, Dubailand, Dubai, and for enquiries call +971 4 362 4114. Go early if you want calmer queues for kids, then stay for the cooler late evening. (family-friendly, suitable for couples, solo)
Evening planning and weather travel notes
For week one, the Dubai forecast from Thursday February 19, 2026 through Wednesday February 25, 2026 stays dry and mild, with daytime highs around 24 to 25°C and lows around 16 to 18°C, so you can plan outdoor venues without expecting rain or mud. Still, bring a light layer for children after 9:00 PM, because breezes make creekside and open-plaza seating feel cooler than the thermometer suggests. Also, expect the sharpest traffic build before iftar, so aim to park by 4:30 PM, then walk and snack until your main activity starts. Meanwhile, Metro-linked venues like Expo City and Emirates Towers often feel smoother for families, and you can always switch to a short taxi hop for the last kilometre. Ticketed experiences and door pricing can change and remain approximately, so book early through PLATINUMLIST where applicable, and confirm directly with venues like SMCCU for fixed-seat programmes. Pick one main venue per night and commit to it, because last-minute driving is the fastest way to lose the evening. According to notes shared by the editor of www.few.ae, families who plan around one anchor show and an early arrival enjoy Ramadan nights far more.