Holi 2018: Where to celebrate the Colourful festival in the UAE

This weekend is set to be a vibrant one across the UAE as Holi is celebrated in many of the city’s parks and resorts – here is a guide to where to get colourful.

A man smeared in coloured powder takes a rest on a road during a procession for Holi celebrations in Kolkata, India on February 28, 2018. Reuters

ndian college girls throw coloured powder to one another during Holi festival celebrations in Bhopal on February 28, 2018. Holi, the popular Hindu spring festival of colours, is observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month, and will be celebrated on March 1 this year. AFP

Indian college girls take part in the Holi festival celebrations in Bhopal, India, 28 Feburary 2018: Holi is celebrated on the full moon day and marks the beginning of the spring season. EPA

Indian college girls apply powdered color on each other as they take part in Holi festival celebrations in Bhopal, India, 28 Feburary 2018. EPA

An Indian schoolboy doused in purple powder while celebrating the Holi festival in Nagrota Bagwan, near Dharamsala, India 28 February 2018. EPA

Indian college students put powdered color on each other’s faces as they celebrate the Holi festival in Nagrota Bagwan, near Dharamsala, India 28 February 2018. Holi festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna and heralds the onset of spring season. EPA

It is that time of the year again when Indian expatriates and other UAE residents let their hair down and bring out the colours while dancing away.

This Friday, people across the globe will celebrate the festival of Holi. The picturesque celebration of colour is something everyone can enjoy, and here is where you can do so in Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi.

Holi is on Friday worldwide, so there will be no delayed celebration in the UAE, where most events are held on weekends to ensure maximum participation. The bigger the group, the merrier, so here is where to celebrate with family and friends (all events are on Friday, unless stated):

ABU DHABI

Rush Festival of Colours

Venue: Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Time: 2pm onwards
Tickets: Dh75 per person, couple Dh130, group of four Dh200 from www.platinumlist.net
Features: DJs, dhol players, kids’ arena, live cooking stations, colour stall, chaat corners, thandai station

DUBAI

Holi Hungama

Venue: Jebel Ali Al Sahra Desert Resort (Near Sevens)
Time: 11am-6pm
Tickets: Dh80 per person, couple Dh120, family Dh250 (5 people); www.platinumlist.net or 0565093833/4
Features: Headline acts Diljit Sodanjh and Djs Asef, Kips, Praveen Nair; Live performance by Pure Bhangra, dhol performers and Braj Holi; food stalls, kids play area and organic colours

Dubai Parks & Resorts

Venue: Bollywood Park
Time: 11am-6pm
Tickets: Dh95 each for GCC residents, Dh175 for non-residents, at the venus
Features: Sukhbir (of Oh ho ho, Sauda Khara Khara fame), Jonita Gandhi.

Rang de JLT

Venue: JLT Community Park, behind Cluster Q
Time: 9am-6pm
Tickets: Dh65 per person, couple Dh115, group of 4 Dh50 each; contact 050 310 4834, 050 270 6016 or 055 101 8531
Features: Headline acts Shefali Zariwala (of Kaanta Laga fame), Jayas Kumar (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs) and Dhroon Tickoo plus DJs Nikhil, AJ, Ian Cris Tocle, Kenisha Awasthi and Nodde.

Rang De

Venue: Wonderland Theme Park
Time: 10am-6pm
Tickets: Dh55 onwards
Features: Headline acts Raftaar, Bally Sagoo, Pav Dharia, Knox Artiste with DJs Buddha, Manne and Candy G.

Holi Beach Party

Venue: Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa
Time: 10am-10pm
Tickets: Dh75 per person, couple Dh130, group of four Dh200 on www.platinumlist.net or contact 056 225 2855
Features: DJs Benson, Sukhi, Varun, Madmax, Aayush, Emwee and Nodde; live performances by Dhruv, Mashup Diaries, Dhun, Md Motivala and Vivek & Tuana

AKS Colour Carnival

Venue: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Time: 11am-6pm
Tickets: Dh69 per person, couple Dh119, group of four Dh199, group of 10 Dh499 from www.platinumlist.net or contact 052 779 9914
Features: Live performance by Rooh; DJ Beatz, Gautam, Manoj & Carlos; dhol players, food trucks, kids’ play area

Biig Beach Holi

Venue: Creek Park beach
Time: 10am-6pm
Tickets: Dh60 person, couple Dh100, group of four Dh150; contact 054 460 7007, 055 558 8793 or 055 558 5725
Features: Harrdy Sandhu, Jasmine Sandlas, Sukh-E Musical Doctorz; DJs Hani, (RJ) Abhijeet, Scorpio and Karan

Holi Hai

Venue: Mamzar Park, Deira
Time: 10am-6pm
Tickets: Dh25 per person (including park entry); contact 055 806 0019, 055 529 0473, 058 511 0705 or 050 168 4117
Features: DJs AJ, Tash, Simran Ahuja, Jan Scopper; Rangla Punjab dhol

Asha’s Bollywood Rang Barse Night

Venue: Asha’s, Wafi
Time: 10pm-3am, Thursday
Tickets: Dh99 per person (including two house beverages and canapes); contact 04 324 4100
Features: Resident DJs playing Bollywood hits from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s

SHARJAH

Rang Utsav

Venue: Lou’Lou’a Beach Resort, Al Khan
Time: 9am-3pm
Tickets: Dh30 (children under 4 free); www.facebook.com/inspireeventsandpromotions
Features: DJs, dhol, lucky draw, gift vouchers

Happy Holi

Venue: Coral Beach Resort, Sharjah Corniche
Time: 8am-5pm
Tickets: Dh50 each (children under 10 free) from www.platinumlist.net, UAE Exchange outlets and 800Tickets
Features: Free colours, dhol, DJs

RAS AL KHAIMAH

Water & Colour Beach Party

Venue: Bin Majid Beach Hotel
Time: 2pm-8pm
Tickets: Dh75 per person from www.platinumlist.net or contact 052 479 3150, 052 479 3143, 052 479 3136 or 052 479 3165
Features: DJ, music, rain dance, street-style dishes