1.82 million visitors to the Ramadan market in Dubai and a 35% increase in sales for merchants and entrepreneurs
DUBAI, 23 February / WAM / The “Ramadan Market”, organized by Dubai Municipality on Old Municipality Street within Deira Grand Market, achieved exceptional success in its 2026 season, attracting 1.82 million visitors, recording a growth of 12.4 percent compared to the 2025 season, while attracting more than 200,000 new visitors.
This public demand was accompanied by a noticeable increase in the sales of participants, including shop owners in traditional markets, merchants, entrepreneurs, and people of determination, amounting to 35 percent, supported by the high turnout and the diversity of events that included heritage displays, interactive competitions, handicraft workshops, and kiosks displaying local products in an authentic heritage atmosphere.
This growing demand reflects the success of Dubai Municipality’s efforts in strengthening the market’s position as one of the most prominent annual community and heritage events in the emirate. The market coincided with the “Walfa” season, which aims to strengthen family ties and celebrate Emirati community and cultural events, which contributed to stimulating the tourism and economic movement in the historical markets, in addition to supporting small and medium enterprise owners through a community platform that enhances family participation and supports economic sustainability. Community initiatives and strategic partnerships with government and private agencies also contributed to enhancing the attractiveness of the market and attracting residents. Visitors are invited to learn about this popular heritage in the heart of the historical markets.
In this context, Assem Al Qassim, Director of the Department of Urban Heritage and Antiquities at Dubai Municipality, confirmed that these distinguished results come as an extension of Dubai Municipality’s efforts to activate historical areas and heritage markets and transform them into vibrant spaces that combine authenticity and modernity. He explained that the market aims to revive the local cultural heritage and highlight authentic Emirati values and share them with the residents and visitors of the emirate, in a way that supports the municipality’s goals in preserving the architectural and historical identity of Dubai and enhancing its position on the heritage map. Urban.
He pointed to the aspirations to develop the Ramadan Market initiative continuously in the coming seasons by organizing and creating specific initiatives that attract more merchants and visitors to maximize its societal, economic and cultural impact.
In terms of accompanying activities and events, the “Ramadan Market 2026” witnessed a qualitative expansion compared to last year, supported by a group of interactive workshops and activities that targeted various age groups. This year, the municipality introduced a package of new activities that included a henna corner, face painting, a heritage gypsum workshop, an agriculture workshop, and an Arabic calligraphy workshop, in addition to allocating an integrated area for children’s games, which enhanced the family character of the event and attracted a larger segment of visitors.
This expansion reflects Dubai Municipality’s keenness to continually improve visitors’ experience and transform the event from just a seasonal heritage market into an integrated community platform that combines entertainment, education, and support of traditional crafts and skills.
It is noteworthy that the municipality organizes this market annually as a destination that brings together families and the community in a shopping and entertainment experience that combines traditional preparations to welcome the holy month and community activities, as part of its initiatives that support tourism, entertainment and commercial activities and encourage investment in public facilities in the Emirate of Dubai.
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