Ramadan street food festival in Karama has quickly become one of Dubai’s most loved late-night experiences during the holy month. It brings together authentic flavours, cultural performances, and a vibrant community atmosphere that feels far more local than a traditional hotel iftar. Returning for a fourth edition, the festival will be running from February 19 to March 18, 2026.
In this guide, find out all about:
- What is the Ramadan street food festival?
- Dates, venue, and timing details of the Ramadan street food festival
- Food and culinary highlights in the Ramadan street food festival
- Atmosphere and activities in the Ramadan street food festival
- Comparisons and alternatives
- Key takeaways
- FAQs
What is the Ramadan street food festival?
This city-supported Ramadan market in Karama focuses on affordable street food from across South Asia and the Middle East. More than 50 restaurants and food stalls set up pop-ups every evening after iftar, serving everything from biryani and parotta to Arabic grills and traditional Ramadan drinks.
It is designed as a free-to-enter, family-friendly celebration of Dubai’s multicultural food scene, and it sits comfortably within the city’s wider Ramadan calendar.
Why has it become a highlight during Ramadan in Dubai
Unlike hotel tents that feel formal and premium, this festival offers a relaxed and highly social environment. Residents and visitors come here to walk, eat, and enjoy live music long after taraweeh prayers. It reflects the same spirit you see in Ramadan activities happening across Dubai’s communities and is now considered a key stop for anyone exploring the city at night during Ramadan.
Dates, venue, and timing details of the Ramadan street food festival
Each year, the Ramadan Street Food Festival is held for around two and a half weeks during the holy month, and the 2025 edition has already set the pattern for upcoming years.
- 2026 edition dates: The festival will run from February 19 to March 18. These dates aligned with the first half of Ramadan and were officially announced through Dubai’s Ramadan programme partners.
- Location in Karama: The festival is held at Sheikh Hamdan Colony in Karama, Dubai. This central residential neighbourhood is well known for its Indian and Pakistani eateries, which makes it a natural setting for a street food celebration. Karama’s accessibility also supports the high footfall you see here every night.
- Operating hours: The event opens daily after iftar and continues until around 2:00 a.m. Most visitors arrive between 9:00 p.m. and midnight when the area is at its liveliest.
How it fits into Dubai’s citywide Ramadan programme
Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism has positioned this festival as part of the official “Ramadan in Dubai” citywide calendar. That means it runs alongside events like Ramadan at the Park and Hai Ramadan at Expo City, as well as seasonal night markets.
- Cultural and community integration: Beyond food, the festival includes live performances, art stalls, and family activities. This aligns with the broader spirit of Dubai’s annual Ramadan events and cultural experiences, where food, shopping, and entertainment come together to create a complete ecosystem of Ramadan night-time experiences.
- A local alternative to Expo and Mall Ramadan nights: While places like Expo City’s Ramadan at Al Wasl Plaza and the seasonal gatherings at Bay Avenue Mall during Ramadan evenings offer more curated and upscale food markets, the Karama festival keeps things rooted in the everyday street food culture of Dubai’s long-time residents.
Food and culinary highlights in the Ramadan street food festival
Food is the heart of the Ramadan Street Food Festival, reflecting the diversity of Dubai’s dining scene.
- Number of participating restaurants: More than 50 restaurants and food stalls take part every year. These include well-known Karama favourites and regional street food specialists.
- Cuisine focus: The festival primarily celebrates South Indian and Asian cuisines, with a strong presence of:
- Kerala and Tamil Nadu dishes
- Pakistani grills and curries
- North Indian chaat and snacks
- Arabic shawarma and kebabs
- Ramadan-special desserts and drinks
This diverse mix ensures the event appeals to both expat communities and tourists seeking a truly local food experience.
Popular dishes and snacks to try
The festival menu changes each year, but some favourites remain consistent.
- Savoury dishes: Visitors can expect-
- Biryani and varutharacha chicken curry
- Fresh parotta served with South Indian gravies
- Kebabs, grilled meats, samosas, and chaat varieties
- Traditional sweets and drinks: You will also find-
- Pazham pori (banana fritters)
- Payasam and Ada Pradhaman Desserts
- Sulaimani tea, pickled mangoes, and ice lollies
These dishes make the festival especially popular for suhoor-time snacking.
Price range
One of the strongest reasons for the festival’s popularity is its affordability.
| Item type | Typical price in AED |
| Snacks and small eats | 1 to 15 AED |
| Full plate meals like biryani | 12 to 20 AED |
These prices make it far more accessible than hotel iftar buffets, which can cost several hundred dirhams per person.
Atmosphere and activities in the Ramadan street food festival
The festival is not just about food. It also recreates the festive spirit of Ramadan nights in Dubai.
- Decorations and family environment: The entire street is decorated with Ramadan lights, traditional motifs, and themed stalls, making it welcoming for families and children.
- Live performance: You will see-
- Live music and folk performances
- Roaming entertainers and spontaneous singing sessions
- Cultural art stalls: There are also-
- Henna artists, calligraphy booths, and caricature artists
- Small craft and gift vendors that add to the market vibe
Comparisons and alternatives
The Karama Street food festival offers a completely different experience compared to hotel and mall Ramadan venues.
Compared to hotel iftar and suhoor tents
It is far more affordable
The atmosphere is informal and community-driven
You can sample food from many vendors rather than a single buffet
Other Ramadan markets in the UAE
For those exploring beyond Dubai, similar cultural nights are highlighted in Sharjah’s Ramadan events and markets, which offer a more traditional Emirati-focused experience.
Key takeaways
The Ramadan Street Food Festival in Karama is one of Dubai’s most vibrant Ramadan experiences. It is a free, late-night culinary event that runs every evening after iftar until around 2:00 AM. With more than 50 food stalls serving a mix of Asian and Middle Eastern street food at highly affordable prices, the festival creates a lively, community-focused atmosphere and forms an important part of Dubai’s official Ramadan cultural calendar. In 2026, the Ramadan Street Food Festival returns for its fourth year and will run from February 19 to March 18.
FAQs
The Ramadan Street Food Festival is free for everyone to enter.
Yes, the festival is family-friendly and suitable for kids.
Yes, food stalls and performances usually continue until around 2:00 AM.
Yes, you can break your fast at the festival after maghrib, but eating and drinking in public during the day is restricted in line with Ramadan etiquette.
Using public transport or rideshare is the best way to avoid parking and traffic congestion, especially during peak evening hours.
