Dubai’s National Month calendar gains a cosy Creekside highlight this year. On Thursday 27 November, Mohammed Bin Rashid Library hosts a Winter Festival, 16:00 to 23:00. As part of the UAE’s 54th Union Day calendar, the evening celebrates creativity and community. Meanwhile, organisers are planning workshops, performances and food stalls across the outdoor square. The library’s lectern shaped building gives the whole evening a dramatic cultural backdrop. Entry is free, and the programme suits children, families, couples and solo visitors.
Creekside winter atmosphere at Mohammed Bin Rashid Library
Set on the Al Jaddaf side of Dubai Creek, the library’s outdoor square feels like a sheltered courtyard rather than a busy city plaza. From 16:00, visitors will see stalls and activity tents gradually light up as the sun drops behind the skyline. By early evening, families usually drift in from nearby neighbourhoods and the Creek Metro Station, turning the space into a gentle festival hub. Because the library sits slightly away from major tourist zones, the crowd tends to feel local and relaxed instead of rushed. At the same time, the Creek views and the striking façade still make it special for out of town guests. Expect a calm, walkable layout with plenty of room for strollers and wheelchairs.
Workshops, storytelling and creative spaces for young visitors
Across the National Month programme, the library is focusing strongly on workshops for young Emirati and resident talents. On 25 and 26 November, Emirati talent sessions highlight writing, design and performance, while 27 November shifts energy into the Winter Festival itself. During the festival evening, expect hands on craft tables, storytelling corners and simple science or technology demos, depending on the final schedule. In addition, staff and volunteers may run drop in reading circles or language activities with community partners. For families with children, this creates a gentle mix of structured activity and free play that still feels educational. Arrive earlier in the evening if your children want places in the busiest workshops.
Live performances and local talent showcases
Alongside the workshop zones, organisers are planning a modest stage area for live performances by local artists. Typically, National Month programming at the library favours poetry, acoustic music, small ensembles and short cultural presentations rather than very loud concerts. As a result, you can expect an atmosphere where conversation is still possible, even while performances are running. Later in the evening, showcases of Emirati talent from the library’s earlier workshops may take the spotlight and give young people a chance to present their work. For visitors who prefer to keep moving, the open layout means you can watch briefly, then continue exploring the square. If you want a seat near the stage, aim to secure it before 19:00.
Food stalls, drinks and seasonal touches
Festival nights at Creekside venues almost always feature food trucks and stalls, and this Winter Festival is described in the same way. Expect a mix of hot drinks, street style snacks and light desserts, likely leaning toward family friendly favourites. In addition, pop up kiosks with local brands or crafts may appear, especially given the focus on Emirati creativity this year. Based on similar National Month events in Dubai, snacks and drinks are usually priced at approximately 20 to 40 AED per person, depending on choices. Therefore, a family of four planning to eat lightly on site can budget roughly 150 to 200 AED, while those just stopping for hot chocolate and coffee will probably spend less. Remember that entry is free, so your main costs are food, drinks and any small purchases.
Timings, booking and entry details
While the wider programme at Mohammed Bin Rashid Library runs from Monday to Saturday, the Winter Festival itself is scheduled specifically for Thursday 27 November. The published timings are 16:00 to 23:00, a little later than the library’s usual indoor closing time of 21:00. As a result, you can expect indoor reading areas to wind down as normal, while the outdoor square remains active until late. Current listings confirm that entry to the Winter Festival is free, with no separate ticketing announced for the outdoor area. However, the library still advises visitors to respect standard rules on age limits, modest clothing and photography, especially if they decide to step inside the building at any point. Treat food, drinks and any shopping on site as optional extras rather than compulsory costs.
Getting there by metro, bus, car or taxi
Getting to Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is relatively straightforward thanks to its position off Al Khail Road in Al Jaddaf. By metro, the nearest stop is Creek on the Green Line, around a five to ten minute walk from the library along signposted paths. Alternatively, Dubai Bus route C04 serves Creek Metro Station, which keeps you within a short walk of the entrance. Drivers can approach via Al Khail Road, taking the exit for Creek Metro Station and following signs to the library car park and outdoor square. Taxi and ride share drop off is available right outside the main entrance, which is helpful for families with children or older relatives. If possible, consider arriving by metro during peak hours to avoid parking stress.
Visitors coming from Sharjah, Ajman or Abu Dhabi
For guests travelling from Sharjah or Ajman, the simplest route usually involves Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road or Sheikh Zayed Road before joining Al Khail Road toward Al Jaddaf. In normal Thursday traffic, the drive can take 45 to 70 minutes each way, so planning your departure time carefully is important. Therefore, families may want to leave Sharjah by around 15:00 to reach the library close to opening time and secure easier parking. For visitors from Abu Dhabi, the primary route is Sheikh Zayed Road toward Dubai, then the turnoff toward Al Jaddaf and Dubai Creek. As a guideline, the Abu Dhabi to library journey often sits between 90 minutes and two hours, depending on evening congestion and any Union Day related activity along the way. Wherever you start, allow extra buffer time on National Month evenings, both arriving and returning.
Accessibility, facilities and age guidance during the festival
Inside the main building, Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is designed as an accessible cultural landmark, with lifts, ramps and restrooms on every level. According to published information, the car park includes around 300 shaded spaces, including spots reserved for people with mobility needs and electric vehicle charging. During popular events, these spaces can fill, yet the free parking remains a strong advantage for families bringing strollers or wheelchairs. In addition, visitors will find information desks and staff on hand to guide them between indoor areas and the outdoor square. As usual, children under five are generally not admitted to the main library halls, so parents should follow any on site guidance about which spaces are open to younger visitors during the festival. If you are unsure about age rules or access routes, ask staff at the ground floor information desk before exploring.
Warnings, weather and practical tips for the evening
Forecasts for Thursday 27 November in Dubai currently indicate clear or partly clear skies, light winds and evening temperatures easing from around 28 degrees in late afternoon toward 22 to 24 degrees by late evening. Consequently, light layers should work well, such as a breathable top for the warmer early hours and a thin cardigan or shawl once the Creek breeze picks up after sunset. Comfortable closed shoes are advisable, since you will likely spend time walking between stalls and standing near the stage, even though the square’s surface is paved and there is no expectation of mud. In terms of traffic, expect the heaviest flows on Al Khail Road, the Business Bay bridges and main approaches to Dubai Creek between 17:30 and 20:00, especially as other National Month events also get underway that evening. Public transport via the Green Line metro and C04 bus offers a useful backup for anyone who prefers to avoid driving home late, and it can also make it easier to leave the area gradually rather than queuing directly from the car park. Ticket information so far indicates that entry to the Winter Festival remains free, while any food, drink or shopping on site should be treated as optional spending that will vary by vendor and is therefore approximately priced and subject to change on the day. To keep the evening stress free, aim to arrive before 18:00, check the latest weather on the day and allow for flexible travel plans. According to planning notes often echoed by the editor at www.few.ae, Creekside evenings like this Winter Festival are ideal for combining a cultural stop with a relaxed walk or an early dinner elsewhere in the city afterwards.
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