This Diwali season, gold buyers have plenty to look forward to as jewellers nationwide gear up to display exclusive and reasonably priced collections. In the UAE, gold continues to be in high demand, particularly among Indian buyers, owing to its cultural importance during Diwali. Dubai, in particular, is a hotspot for gold shopping, offering some of the lowest prices worldwide due to its tax-friendly environment. Moreover, gold from Dubai is known for its superior quality and trustworthiness.

During Diwali, a significant number of Indian visitors flock to Dubai to purchase gold. Mohamed Feras, Associate Vice President at DFRE, observed, “We witness a substantial influx of Indian visitors each year who come to celebrate Diwali in the UAE for various reasons. Additionally, people are keen on buying gold during this period, and the prices here are highly competitive.” He further added, “Given the large Indian community here, we must cater to their preferences as well.” Feras also mentioned that Diwali has become a cornerstone of the city’s annual events since 2017.

Tawfique Abdullah, Board Member and Group Chairman at Jawhara Jewellery and Founding Member and former Chairman of Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, provided insights into the upcoming Diwali promotions. He stated, “This Diwali, we’re providing giveaways, special prices, and exclusive promotions. Several jewellers have been preparing for the last two months to introduce new products at competitive prices. We currently have 162 jewellers participating in this year’s Diwali festivities.” He emphasized, “It’s difficult to say whether Diwali or gold comes first. Diwali is traditionally celebrated with the purchase of at least some gold jewellery. The enticing offers from participants and outlets are sure to surprise shoppers. It’s a tradition to buy gold for Diwali, so there’s no need to invite people to do so.”

The Dubai Jewellery Group (DJG) is set to enhance the festive mood with their “Shine Bright this Diwali with City of Gold Glamour” campaign, running from October 20 to November 7. Shoppers can avail discounts of up to 50% on selected diamond and pearl jewellery collections, along with reduced making charges, exchanges, and gifts with every purchase. Additionally, 30 lucky shoppers will have the opportunity to win a share of Dh150,000 in gift vouchers by spending Dh500 or more.

Meanwhile, Damas is offering attractive promotions through their “Celebrate Golden Beginnings” campaign. Customers who buy diamond jewellery valued between Dh3,000 and Dh4,999 will receive a free 0.5-gram 22k gold coin. Those spending Dh5,000 or more will be gifted a 1-gram gold coin. For larger purchases, an extra 1-gram gold coin will be awarded for every Dh20,000 spent on diamond jewellery. Damas is also reducing making charges on select 22k gold jewellery and implementing a special zero deduction policy on gold exchanges, enabling customers to trade in old jewellery for new pieces at the current gold rate. These offers are valid at select Damas stores across Dubai until November 3.

Furthermore, the Dubai Shopping Malls Group will conduct a gold giveaway from October 21 to November 7, where shoppers spending Dh200 or more can enter to win a share of Dh100,000 worth of gold, with additional prizes available for higher spenders on November 1.

Shoppers can also enjoy exciting promotions this Diwali. Discounts, giveaways, and free gifts on select purchases are up for grabs. For instance, BurJuman Mall’s “Roshan Diwali” campaign offers 10 shoppers a chance to win a share of Dh75,000 in home makeovers with a Dh250 spend until November 3. City Centre Deira, on the other hand, will host grand prizes, cultural performances, and retail offers, with shoppers spending over Dhs300 eligible to win a half kilo of gold.

Food enthusiasts will also be delighted with special Diwali menus across Dubai’s restaurants, featuring traditional recipes and must-try delicacies for the season. City Centre Deira will contribute to the citywide excitement with stunning light decorations, unbeatable grand prizes, irresistible retail offers, captivating cultural performances, and thrilling live entertainment throughout the Diwali season. Shoppers who spend over Dh300 will have the chance to win a half kilo of gold by scanning their receipts on the SHARE app.

From October 25 to November 7, 2024, Dubai is preparing for citywide celebrations of the Festival of Lights. The city will be illuminated by fireworks displays during Diwali, with shows at Al Seef on October 25 and Global Village on October 25-26 and November 1-2.

Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India to Dubai, shared that the Consulate General of India, in collaboration with DFRE and Dubai Holdings, will host the Noor – Festival of Lights from October 25-27 at Al Seef. “We warmly invite everyone to join in the celebrations with enthusiasm,” he added. This three-day cultural fair, organized by TeamWork Arts, will feature stunning lights, artistic performances, interactive experiences, and Diwali-themed decorations. Events will include puppet processions, theatre shows, poetry recitals, musical performances, stand-up comedy, painting and design workshops, and traditional Indian delicacies.

For music lovers, The Unforgettables concert series, a tribute to the legendary Jagjit Singh featuring his disciple Tauseef Akhtar, will run at the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Indian High School until October 26. Another highlight is Meera: Echoes of Love, a production celebrating women’s strength and love, set to take place on October 26 at Dubai British School, Jumeirah Park, with 70 local artists involved. This production is an enchanting performance that combines dance, theatre, and music.

Deepavali Utsav 2024 will also take place on October 26 at Etisalat Academy in Dubai, offering traditional games, folk dances, funfair, and food stalls. Additionally, November 8, the thriller play Barff, written and directed by Saurabh Shukla, will be performed at Zabeel Theatre, promising a suspenseful experience.