How to attend storytelling festivals in Dubai?

Dubai hosts a range of storytelling events throughout the year, merging oral traditions with modern performance. Some are deeply rooted in Emirati culture, while others showcase international narratives through music, dance, and spoken word. Festivals like the Hekayah Night and Dubai Storytelling Circle offer space for both traditional and experimental formats. Attending these gatherings allows you to experience both the regional heartbeat and the global rhythm of storytelling.

The annual Emirates Airline Festival of Literature includes rich storytelling sessions

Though primarily focused on literature, this festival features dedicated sessions for storytellers in various languages. Storytelling tents and lounges become hubs of imagination during the event. Many sessions are hosted in iconic locations like the InterContinental Festival City or Mohammed Bin Rashid Library. These gatherings connect writers, poets, performers, and audiences in a shared love for tales that bridge generations.

Al Marmoom Heritage Festival brings Bedouin tales to life

Located in the desert outskirts of Dubai, this festival celebrates traditional Emirati life. Storytelling sessions here are informal but vivid, often accompanied by oud music, Nabati poetry, or falconry displays. Guests sit on carpets under tents, listening to elders recounting tribal legends or parables passed down orally. It’s an immersive experience, allowing audiences to engage with a living tradition that predates written records.

Community centres and cultural hubs organize open mic storytelling nights

Places like Alserkal Avenue, The Theatre at Mall of the Emirates, and Jameel Arts Centre frequently host storytelling-themed nights. These events welcome everyone from seasoned narrators to first-time performers. The vibe is relaxed, and stories range from humorous reflections to deeply emotional journeys. Such nights encourage cross-cultural dialogue and give voice to Dubai’s diverse and ever-evolving population.

Schools and libraries promote youth storytelling through contests and workshops

Educational institutions across Dubai foster storytelling through competitions, creative writing camps, and live storytelling contests. Public libraries such as Al Safa Art & Design Library and Al Mankhool Library support storytelling through bilingual sessions and interactive reading hours. These platforms don’t just preserve oral traditions; they cultivate a new generation of storytellers prepared to innovate within this ancient form.

Registration for festivals varies from ticketed events to free community nights

While some festivals require online registration or paid tickets, others are free and held in public parks, beaches, or schools. Major literary festivals often release full schedules on their official websites or through apps. Community-driven events may post updates on WhatsApp groups, community notice boards, or platforms like Meetup. It’s wise to monitor these sources and arrive early, especially for free events with limited seating. For example, the 2024 Dubai Storytelling Circle announced its spring lineup through a WhatsApp broadcast in late February.

Dress codes and etiquette reflect cultural sensitivity

Traditional storytelling events, especially those held in heritage villages or near mosques, require modest dress—long sleeves, covered shoulders, and knee-length garments are advised. It’s also respectful to remain silent during stories, avoid interrupting performers, and always ask permission before taking photos or videos. Respecting these customs ensures a deeper and more authentic connection to the performance.

Dubai’s weather shapes the timing and venue of these events

Many festivals are planned for the cooler months between November and March. This allows for outdoor gatherings under the open sky, where the desert breeze and clear night stars create a poetic setting. Venues range from beachside amphitheaters and public gardens to traditional wind tower courtyards in Al Fahidi Historical District, each offering a unique backdrop for storytelling.

Look for storytelling segments within broader art or wellness festivals

Storytelling is increasingly featured in multidisciplinary festivals across Dubai. Events like Quoz Arts Fest and Sole DXB often include storytelling sessions in unexpected formats. You may come across a live narrative performance during a sound bath or an illustrated tale woven into a fashion show. These encounters surprise and engage audiences, blending storytelling with visual and sensory arts.

Storytelling festivals in Dubai offer more than just entertainment

They provide a platform for empathy, mindfulness, and cultural exchange. In a fast-paced city like Dubai, stopping to listen to a story—whether from a child, an elder, or a visitor—grounds us. It reconnects us to memory and place. Whether rooted in folklore or born from personal struggle, the stories shared here remind us that words carry memory, meaning, and magic. One visitor recalled a story told by a refugee child during the 2023 festival that moved the audience to tears—a moment that captured the real power of narrative.

This guide was written by the www.few.ae team.