News
Ramadan begins, as it always does, with the moon. Its sighting in Dubai earlier this week on 18 February, marked the start of the holy month.
Across cultures and generations, Ramadan has carried a unique ability to bring people together, inviting moments of pause in an otherwise accelerated world. It is a month rooted in de-attachment — from excess, from distraction, from the pressures of constant productivity and a return to what sustains us beyond the material. In these evenings, community becomes central once again, whether through shared meals, late-night walks, prayer, or creative communal exchange.
In Dubai and across the UAE, this shift is reflected in a cultural calendar designed for the night. Galleries extend their hours, community spaces welcome families, artists, writers, and musicians well past sunset. From late-night art workshops and communal suhoors to orchestral premieres and intimate musical performances, this Ramadan offers a wide range of cultural experiences designed to be enjoyed well into the night. Below is a curated selection of events worth stepping out for during this holy month.
Planetary Parade Under the Desert Sky | FEBRUARY 21
On Saturday, February 21, from 6 PM to 10 PM, join a special Ramadan evening under the skies of Al Qudra Desert, Dubai, for an immersive experience that blends science, astronomy, and reflection. This family-friendly event invites participants to explore the alignment of planets, observe the Moon and celestial wonders, and discover how astronomy intersects with the rhythms of the holy month.
The evening begins at 6 PM with a brief introduction, followed by an iftar and prayer break at 6:20 PM. Observers are then guided through a series of celestial highlights, including Saturn observation at 6:45 PM, a talk on Ramadan, Moon Sighting, and the Science Behind It at 7:15 PM, and an explanation of the Planetary Parade at 7:45 PM, revealing how and why the planets align. A Q&A session at 8:30 PM allows participants to engage directly with the experts, followed by Moon, Uranus, and Jupiter observation at 8:45 PM, and concluding with open telescope viewing of deep-sky objects at 9:30 PM, including opportunities for phone photography through the telescopes.
Tickets are priced at AED 160 for adults and AED 130 for children under 13, providing access to a guided, reflective, and visually spectacular evening under the desert stars. Dubai Astronomy Group offers a unique way to connect with both the cosmos and the contemplative spirit of Ramadan.
Paus Club: Ramadan Programming | FEBRUARY 21-28
Paus club is offering a series of curated, hands-on workshops this Ramadan, blending creativity, cultural heritage, and communal reflection. Each session is designed to follow iftar, inviting participants to slow down and engage in mindful, skill-based activities that celebrate both tradition and personal expression.
On 21 February 2026 at 8 PM, the Cultural Creations: Arabic Calligraphy session with Ibrahim takes place at The Lounge. Across 105 minutes, participants explore the history and beauty of Arabic script while experimenting with curves, lines, and forms under the guidance of the artist. No prior experience is required, and the session includes a complementary drink. Attendees are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes early to settle in for a richer experience.
Additionally, on February 28 at 3 PM, the Ceramic Workshop: Arabic Coffee Cup Set with Abrar invites participants to craft 4-6 fully functional pieces over 120 minutes. Hosted in The Lounge, this hands-on session guides attendees through design, shaping, and finishing of traditional Arabic coffee cups (ghawa), which are glazed and fired for take-home. Blending tradition, creativity, and practical craftsmanship, the workshop leaves participants with meaningful objects to share during Ramadan gatherings or Eid celebrations.
That same day at 8 PM, Paus is hosting a 90-minute Tatreez Embroidery Workshop in Communal Space Studio 2. Participants will explore the cultural history and symbolism of Palestinian Tatreez while learning the basic stitch techniques to create their own embroidered tote bag or pouch.
Echoes of Time: Ibn Arabi | FEBRUARY 25
Taking place across Abu Dhabi and Dubai this Ramadan, Echoes of Time: Ibn Arabi is a world-premiere symphonic work composed by Nadim Tarabay and commissioned by the UAE National Orchestra. Conceived as an evening-length meditation on the writings of the Sufi philosopher Ibn Arabi, the performance transforms centuries-old reflections on love, unity and the search for meaning into a rich musical dialogue between Arabic and Western instruments and voice. Moving between moments of stillness and awakening, the work invites listeners to experience time as emotion, where silence carries as much weight as melody. The performance premieres at NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center on February 25, before travelling to Dubai Opera on March 5, allowing audiences in both cities to step into an immersive musical journey that feels especially attuned to Ramadan’s quieter hours after sunset.
For Poetry: A Writers’ Suhoor at 421 | FEBRUARY 26
Taking place on February 26 from 9 PM to 12 AM, For Poetry: A Writers’ Suhoor gathers writers, researchers and creative practitioners at 421 in Abu Dhabi for an evening of collective authorship and reflection. The programme features readings by an invited group of writers, including Sarah Afaneh, Maitha Ali and Farah Fawzi Ali, followed by a hands-on session led by Sarah Ahmed, founder of the independent platform Jaffat El Aqlam.
Participants are invited to contribute to a shared poem via a communal typewriter before collaborating on a collective accordion book inspired by the surrealist “exquisite corpse.” The evening concludes with poetry, conversation and a light Suhoor, creating a thoughtful, process-led space for literary exchange. The event is open to all skill levels, for ages 18 and above.
Ramadan Nights by Sharjah Art | feb 28 – mar 8
Taking place across Sharjah City, Al Madam and Khorfakkan, Ramadan Nights unfolds over three evenings this Ramadan, offering free, family-friendly programming rooted in art, storytelling and communal gathering. The series opens on February 28, 2026 at The Flying Saucer, before moving to Al Madam Art Centre on March 1, and concluding at Khorfakkan Art Centre on March 8. Running from 8 PM to midnight, the events invite visitors to step out after Iftar and ease into the night, no registration required.
Designed for all ages, the evenings encourage visitors to wander between creative stations inspired by moonlight, memory and tradition. Younger participants can decorate lanterns adorned with moons and stars or craft shimmering mobiles inspired by the night sky, while youth and adults are invited to slow down through hands-on activities including zine-making, embroidery on photographs, clay coaster design and painting on mini canvases. Games, henna sessions and local snacks are woven throughout, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that foregrounds togetherness, a gentle way to gather after sunset during the holy month.
Ramadan Nights at Jameel Arts Centre | MARCH 6-8
Taking place across the weekend from 6 to 8 March 2026, Ramadan Nights returns to Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai with a programme designed to be experienced after Iftar, through late evening access to exhibitions, workshops and performances. Running nightly after sunset, the event invites families and visitors of all ages to gather in a setting shaped by storytelling traditions and creative exchange.
Across the three evenings, visitors can explore artist-led workshops, self-guided creative activities, film screenings, board games and family-friendly performances. Alongside the return of the Ramadan Souk, this year’s edition also introduces a farmers’ market spotlighting fresh, locally sourced produce and artisanal goods. Balancing reflection with conviviality, the programme encourages visitors to slow down and share the night together in a relaxed, communal atmosphere.
Ramadaniyyat: Naïssam Jalal and Hazem ShaheeN | MARCH 3
Taking place on March 3 at 9:30 PM at , Ramadaniyyat brings flutist and vocalist Naïssam Jalal together with Egyptian oud player Hazem Shaheen for an intimate late-night performance. Presented as a post-iftar concert, the evening centres on a meditative repertoire that bridges classical Arabic taqsim with contemporary jazz improvisation.
Unfolding slowly through breath, strings and silence, the performance foregrounds improvisation as a shared language across musical traditions. Quiet and immersive in tone, it offers an ideal setting for reflection during Ramadan, inviting audiences to listen with intention and presence.
Image-Makers’ Suhoor at 421 | MARCH 5
Hosted at 421 in Abu Dhabi during Ramadan, the Image-Makers’ Suhoor is an evening programme designed for artists, image-makers and those curious about visual processes, unfolding from late evening into suhoor. The event opens with artist talks by Algerian multidisciplinary artist Boubaker Boukhari, analog photographer and book artist Arnold Barretto, and Palestinian-Jordanian artist Hala El Abora, each presenting works in progress and discussing their approaches to image-making.
Following the talks, participants rotate through guided, hands-on sessions, including a foraging walk led by Boukhari to gather materials for stop-motion stills and a Polaroid lifting exercise facilitated by Barretto. The evening concludes with a shared suhoor, offering space for informal discussion and reflection. No prior experience is required, though RSVP is necessary due to limited capacity.
