January is loaded with the expectations of a spanking new year and all the goals and intentions you’ve set for yourself. Before you run out of steam with those resolutions, we suggest enjoying the coldest month in Dubai with some of the hottest events on the calendar. Arts festivals, drama, running races, block parties, phew… January is setting the theme for 2024 in Dubai and it’s non-stop excitement. Bring it on, we say! Here are 17 exciting things to do in Dubai this January
1. Sugar-coat your 2025 with a trip to the Museum of Candy
Life IS all lollipops and rainbows at this cool new immersive experience in Dubai that’s been a hit with adults and kids alike. Moreover, life is also full of ice cream, cotton candy and gummy bears when you’re sauntering through 15 sweets-themed rooms full of bright popping colours, creative games, quirky photo-ops and fun yet informative candy facts. Did we mention you’ll be snacking on desserts and treats as you do all this? Get tickets here
2. Slip, slide n’ sprint through foam and bubbles at the Bubble Run
January is the month to dash through a sea of suds at the annual Bubble Run UAE. With options of a 4km and 8km course, the race is open to runners of all ages and fitness levels, making this a perfect entertaining exercise event for the entire family. The dates and location for this year’s run are TBC. Bookmark this page- we’ll be updating it with details as soon as we know.
3. Speed over to the 24h endurance motor race
The Hankook 24H Dubai race zooms over for its 2025 lap around the Dubai Autodrome. The three-day-long motor race will see over 70 Touring and GT cars race around the autodrome for 24 hours at fast and furious speeds of over 300km/h the entire time. Big automobile brands such as Porsche, BMW, Ford, Ferrari, Mercedes and Audi participated last year so you’ll sight some sweet rides.
📍: Dubai Autodrome, Dubai Motor City
📅: January 10,11 and 12
🎟️: Entry is free, pre-register here
4-6. Lose yourself in the magic of these Candlelight Concerts
Start the year on a glowing note at one of three spectacular Candlelight Concerts in Dubai. From Vivaldi’s melodious Four Seasons to jam session of ABBA and Queen’s foot-tapping hits, these January concerts by the Gulf String Quartet will scratch every kind of musical itch. There’s also a first-of-its-kind show celebrating the legacy of iconic French musicians and singers. Edith Piaf’s poetic La Vie En Rose, Stromae’s electronic club hit Alors En Danse Aya Nakamura’s afrobeats and dancehall-infused single Djadja are all part of the eclectic playlist. Get tickets below.
French Icons from Edith Piaf to Aya Nakamura, January 11
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, January 25
Queen vs. ABBA, January 25
7-10. Fix January blues with comic relief at 4 stand-up shows
The SelfDrive Laughter Factory
Dubai-based comedy night has a witty start to 2025 planned with their January 2025 Tour. British comics Harry Stachini and Daisy Earl and Dubai-based funny-men Sreevatsa Praveen and Yash Bhardwaj will take to the mic across various venues and ensure you break into belly laughs. More info here
📅: January 10-18, 2025
🎟️: AED 160 per person
Comedy Mixtape Fest
India’s funniest are ganging up to bring the roof down at DWTC. Rib-tickling sets from household names like Harsh Gujral, Kenny Sebastian, Anubhav Singh Bassi, Samay Raina, Prashasti Singh and Urjita Vani will leave you gasping for air.
📅: January 19
🎟️: AED 175 per person
📍: Dubai World Trade Centre
Guz Khan Live in Dubai
Crack up with British comedian and star of BAFTA-nominated comedy Man Like Mobeen Guz Khan on January 20. This Dubai pitstop of his touring stand-up show will mark the actor’s first performance in the UAE. sharing rip-roaringly funny anecdotes.
📅: January 20, 9:30pm
🎟️: From AED 195 per person
📍: Coca Cola Arena
Al Murray, Guv Island
Joining Guz Khan on the same day at the same venue is fellow Blighty funnyman Al Murray whose satirical ‘Pub Landlord’ persona catapulted him to legendary status as one of Britain’s greatest stand-up comedians. Now, he’s bringing his show Guv Island’s edgy humour that promises to fail the PC test to Dubai. You might want to make a double feature of it and attend both shows back to back!
📅: January 20, 6pm
🎟️: From AED 195 per person
📍: Coca Cola Arena
10. Sign up for the Dubai Marathon
The biggest race of the season and the region will see elite long-distance runners and athletes fly down to Dubai to sprint across Umm Suqeim road. So break out those running shoes and get training if ‘finishing a marathon’ is one of your 2025 resolutions. In case 42km sounds like a long stretch, there are smaller distances of 10km and also a 4km fun run for beginners. Register here
📅: January 12, 7am-10:30am
🎟️: AED 183 for 4km, AED 312 for 10km and AED 550 for 42km
📍: Umm Suqeim Al Sufouh
11. Attend a free film festival in the desert
Give spending winter nights in the desert an artsy spin by attending the Al Marmoon Film Festival. Set up outdoors in the desert, the film festival is a thriving cultural escape packed with activities, workshops, and screenings of over 70 films this year. A variety of food stalls, art galleries and kids activities will be stationed around the venue to keep you busy. Find more details here.
📅: January 4-12
🎟️: Free
📍: Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve
12. Have an art attack at the Quoz Arts Fest
The annual Quoz Arts Fest in Alserkal Avenue returns on January 25 and 26. The two-day cultural festival is your ticket to live music gigs, art installations, film screenings, all-day markets, workout events such as yoga and a smorgasbord of food stalls to nosh at. The festival is known for heaps of workshops and interactive classes, so get ready to get crafty. Find out more here.
13. Explore Dubai’s souks and creek with a food tour
Frying Pan Adventures, the Dubai-based walking food tour company is hosting their popular Dubai Souks and Creekside Food Walk on multiple dates in January. Busting myths about Dubai’s * cough * lack of culture *cough * since 2013, this is one of our favourite homegrown businesses that will help you unpeel the flashy exterior and reveal the heart of Dubai. The 4-hour food tour will see you traverse through the bustling streets of historic souks in Fahidi, Deira, Al Ras and Bur Dubai, hop on and off Abras, all while scarfing down on snacks, sandwiches, karak chai and more. More info here
📍: Starts near Al Ras metro station
📅: Multiple dates
🎟️: AED 435 per person onwards
14. See Lucky Ali in concert at Zero Gravity
Indian pop singer Lucky Ali’s sultry voice will echo across the stage at Zero Gravity as part of Winter Music Fest Season 3. The playback singer will perform his soulful hits such as O Sanam, Gori Teri Aankhen, Na Tum Jaano Na Hum during the show. Nineties kids, brace yourself for nostalgia galore.
📅: January 18
📍: Zero Gravity
15. Test your swimming skills at the King and Queen Swim
The pet-friendly Dubai Islands Beach is a favourite amongst the city’s water babies and their fur babies. More so thanks to their annual swimming race tha lets you cut laps across the Arabian Gulf. The King & Queen Swim has five distances ranging from 200m to 3.2km and is open to swimmers aged eight years and older. The winner of the 3.2km category will be titled King/Queen of Dubai Islands. More info here
📅: January 19
🎟️: AED 50 for 200m and 400m, AED 110 for 800m; AED 125 for 1.6km and AED 150 for 3.2km
📍: Dubai Islands Beach