Dubai’s Sheikh Hamdan Colony in Karama is set to undergo a remarkable transformation during Ramadan 2026, evolving into an expansive open-air culinary destination for the fourth annual Ramadan Street Food Festival. Scheduled from February 19 to March 18, this beloved community event promises an enhanced experience with unprecedented scale and diversity.
The festival will unfold across two distinct zones—Flavour Lane and Culinary Crossroads at Karama Park—connected by an immersive food trail that invites exploration. This year’s edition introduces several innovative elements including communal long-table iftars, mobile entertainment units, and a dedicated carnival zone designed for family enjoyment. Organizers anticipate welcoming over 70,000 visitors throughout the holy month.
Accessibility remains central to the festival’s ethos, with free admission and dishes starting at just Dh5. The culinary offerings span global street food traditions, featuring everything from aromatic biryanis and savory beef tapioca to fresh samosas, pickled mangoes, passionfruit juices, and traditional Sulaimani tea.
The event will operate in two distinct phases: initial restaurant decorations from February 19-28, followed by a full carnival activation from March 1 featuring live musicians, LED stilt walkers, and main stage programming. Evening performances will include MC-led storytelling, children’s entertainment, and cultural music from 9:15 PM until 11:00 PM on weekends.
A highlight of this year’s programming includes 18 community iftar gatherings with capacity for 150 participants each, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional Friday long-table dinners will encourage intercultural dialogue and community bonding among residents and visitors.
Cultural immersion continues with roaming artisans practicing Arabic calligraphy, henna application, and live caricature drawing from March 1 onward. Between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM nightly, the festival grounds will come alive with tanoura dancers, jugglers, mascots, and human statues moving through the crowds.
The festival forms part of the broader ‘Ramadan in Dubai’ program under the ‘Season of Wulfa’ initiative, which coordinates cultural experiences across the emirate including Ramadan by the Bay, Ramadan Reflections, and Hai Ramadan at Expo City Dubai. These citywide activations collectively create an atmosphere of reflection, connection, and cultural celebration throughout the holy month.