Dubai’s most beloved street food gathering transforms Sheikh Hamdan Colony into an open kitchen with food trails, entertainment and community iftars
This year, when the cannons fire to signal the end of a fasting day, Karama’s Sheikh Hamdan Colony will transform into a magical open community kitchen. The aroma of sizzling kebabs will waft far and wide as the chatter of families sharing meals, and friends gathering to catch up grow loud.
Now in its fourth year, the Ramadan Street Food Festival returns from February 19 to March 18, and it’s bigger and tastier than ever before. This year, the festival be set across two locations: flavour lane and culinary crossroads at Karama Park. It will be connected by a walkable food trail. There will be several new initiatives: community long table iftars, roaming entertainments and carnival zone for children. The festival is expected to welcome over 70,000 people this year.
With free entry and dishes starting at just Dh5, there is something for everyone. Want biryani? It’s here. Craving tapioca and beef? That too. Pickled mangoes, fresh samosas, passionfruit juice, and enough Sulaimani tea to fuel a small army.
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Open daily from iftar until 2am, the festival will unfold in two phases. From February 19 to 28, beautifully decorated restaurants will set the scene. Then, from March 1, the full carnival emerges with live musicians, roaming entertainers, LED stilt walkers weaving through crowds, and a main stage in Karama Park hosting storytelling until 11pm on weekends.
Each night, starting March 1, there will be six performance sets including MC-led storytelling, children’s entertainment, and live music, creating a warm and festive atmosphere for families. Shows will run from 9:15pm to 10:30pm on weekdays and until 11pm on weekends, giving everyone time to gather after iftar.
A central feature of this year’s programme will be 18 community iftars that will held throughout the festival — with 30 picnic benches seating up to 150 people arranged in a welcoming, communal setting. Opening at Iftar time, these gatherings operate on a first-come, first-served basis, in an open atmosphere that embodies the true spirit of Ramadan hospitality.
In addition, a community long table will take place every Friday encouraging communal dining, meaningful conversation, and authentic connection amongst residents and visitors alike.
Throughout the month, roaming entertainment will move throughout the festival. Starting 1 March, from 8pm to 10pm each night, traditional artisans practising Arabic calligraphy, henna art, and live caricature drawing will engage with visitors, offering personalised keepsakes and cultural experiences.
Between 9:30pm and 10pm, the festival comes alive with vibrant roaming acts including LED stilt walkers, mascots, human statues, mesmerising tanoura dancers, and jugglers, weaving through the crowds.
The Carnival Zone will bring a playful, family-friendly energy to the festival with classic games. Featuring favourites such as ring toss and smash the can, these interactive games will encourage families to stay longer, try their luck, and create joyful memories together.
The Ramadan Street Food Festival forms a cornerstone of the wider Ramadan in Dubai programme, delivered under the Season of Wulfa, which traces a cultural journey beginning with Hag Al Leila and culminating with Eid in Dubai.
Throughout the holy month, a coordinated calendar of experiences will unfold across the emirate, encompassing government-led initiatives, destination-based programmes, and community activations. These include Ramadan by the Bay at Dubai Festival City Mall, Ramadan Reflections, Hai Ramadan at Expo City Dubai, and Layali Al Wulfa cultural gatherings, each contributing to a citywide atmosphere of reflection, connection, and blessing.
Through shared meals, cultural exchange, and opportunities for quiet contemplation, the Ramadan Street Food Festival contributes to this narrative, translating the values of the Holy Month into accessible public spaces.
