(MENAFN- Mid-East Info) Dubai, United Arab Emirates,October 2025: Dubai's Festival of Lights 2025 has drawn to a spectacular close, uniting hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors in a ten-day celebration that illuminated the city with culture, community spirit, and unforgettable experiences. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), this year's packed programme delivered a kaleidoscope of breathtaking fireworks, over 15 blockbuster concerts and live entertainment events, exclusive retail promotions at more than 100 brands, grand raffles and mega prizes worth half a million dirhams, the return of the incredibly popular Noor – Festival of Lights, alongside vibrant outdoor markets, and exclusive Diwali dining at 12 of the city's leading restaurants – each bringing together friends and families from across the city and beyond.

Mohamed Feras, Acting Vice President – Retail Calendar and Promotions at DFRE, said:“Dubai continues to stand as a beacon of multicultural unity, and this year's Festival of Lights once again showcased the city's spirit of togetherness and celebration. From spectacular live entertainment and exceptional retail experiences to a world-class gastronomy scene and exciting prize campaigns, the festival truly embodied the diverse essence that defines Dubai. This success is a testament to the powerful collaboration from all our valuable partners across Dubai's retail, tourism, and hospitality sectors, who continue to support us in creating unforgettable experiences for residents and visitors – ultimately reaffirming Dubai's position as one of the world's leading destinations to live, visit, and work.”

From breathtaking fireworks displays that lit up Dubai's skyline to over 15 blockbuster live entertainment events that captivated bustling crowds, Festival of Lights 2025 marked one of Dubai's most diverse Diwali entertainment calendars ever – packed with star-studded concerts, family theatre productions, and captivating live performances. The return of Noor – Festival of Lights welcomed more than 50,000 visitors across just three days as friends and families gathered to witness one of Dubai's biggest Diwali celebrations featuring more than 120 artists, while global comedy legend Russel Peters left fans in fits of laughter in a sold-out show. Closing out the celebrations in style, icons Mika Singh, Neha Kakkar, and Neeraj Madhav drew more than 100,000 members of the Indian community and UAE residents for a high-voltage celebration of heritage, music, and unity.

Dubai's retail scene sparkled with unbeatable offers across fashion, jewellery, beauty, and home categories, with more than 100 brands offering exclusive discounts of up to 75% off. Shoppers took home mega prizes worth half a million dirhams – from brand-new cars and gold bars to jewellery vouchers, cash rewards, and loyalty points. Participating campaigns like Shop, Scan, and Strike Gold recorded more than AED 4 million in transactions at participating Dubai Shopping Malls Group outlets, while the Shop Textiles, Spark Rewards promotion drove strong engagement with more than AED 250,000 in transactions across 100 textile outlets.

Vibrant outdoor markets and specially curated mall activations transformed Dubai into a playground of family-friendly entertainment, community showcases, and unforgettable spectacles. Highlights included Global Village's milestone 30th season with larger-than-life celebrations, Deira Waterfront Market's record-breaking rangoli installation made of 60kgs of spices, and BurJuman Mall's sparkling Diwali celebrations with a traditional Baithak musical gathering and a brand-new SOUEAST SO6 car up for grabs. City Centre Deira hosted a first-of-its-kind Diwali-themed escalator fashion show headlined by Bollywood star Nora Fatehi as part of the mall's landmark 30th anniversary celebrations, blending fashion and performance in a uniquely Dubai way.

The city's culinary scene played a major role in shaping the festival's success, with 12 top dining destinations presenting special menus inspired by the flavours of the season. The city's leading chefs crafted experiences that blended tradition with innovation, reaffirming Dubai's growing position as a global gastronomy capital where culinary creativity and cultural connection thrive side by side.

Hayssam Hajjar, Executive Director – Regional Malls at Al-Futtaim Real Estate said:“We're delighted to see how the community came together at Festival Plaza this Diwali, truly reflecting the spirit of joy, togetherness, and celebration. The response has been exceptional, with footfall increasing by 7% compared to the same period last year - a strong indicator of growing consumer confidence and enthusiasm within Dubai's vibrant retail landscape. Festivals like Diwali not only unite people but also play a vital role in driving retail performance and enriching the city's cultural and economic ecosystem. At Festival Plaza, we remain committed to creating a holistic destination that brings together wellness, shopping, and community experiences for everyone.”

Across every corner of the city, from parks and malls to waterfronts and dining destinations, Festival of Lights 2025 reflected what makes Dubai truly special: a place where every culture finds a home, and every celebration finds a stage.

Festival of Lights 2025 was supported by Key Sponsor Commercial Bank of Dubai and Strategic Partners which include: Al Futtaim Malls (Dubai Festival City Mall & Festival Plaza), Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, DHAM (Souk Al Seef, Bluewaters, Ibn Battuta Mall, Nad Al Sheba Mall, Palm Jumeirah Mall, and The Outlet Village), Emirates Airline, ENOC, e&, Majid Al Futtaim (City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, and Mall of the Emirates), Merex Investment (City Walk and The Beach, JBR), and talabat.

About Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment:

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), is responsible for developing Dubai's retail and festival sectors and supporting the city's positioning as a world-class tourism destination with year-round family entertainment, shopping, and events.

MENAFN30102025005446012082ID1110271810