Dubai’s Hag Al Leila celebrations concluded this week with strong engagement across a wide-ranging programme of community, cultural, and destination-based activations, marking the opening moment of the Season of Wulfa and setting the tone for the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Observed across the city, Hag Al Leila in Dubai brought residents and visitors together through shared moments rooted in generosity, participation, and the exchange of sweets. From heritage-led experiences and neighbourhood gatherings to activations in major destinations, the programme reflected how the tradition continues to be lived and shared across generations.
Across the programme, activations recorded strong footfall and sustained participation, with high levels of engagement from families, children, and wider communities. Public response reinforced Hag Al Leila’s role as a shared cultural moment, experienced through familiar rituals that encourage connection, participation, and a gentle transition into the reflective rhythm of Ramadan.
Key activations across Dubai helped translate the tradition into diverse contemporary settings while remaining grounded in cultural authenticity. Dubai Hills Mall hosted one of the season’s most visible celebrations, adapting the traditional door-to-door custom into a guided, child-led experience within a major retail destination. Cultural institutions led by Dubai Culture delivered neighbourhood-rooted programming, including heritage trails, workshops, and creative activities designed to introduce younger audiences to the meaning and rituals of the occasion.
Dubai Municipality activated public spaces and community venues across the city, embedding Hag Al Leila within everyday neighbourhood life and ensuring broad public access to the celebration. At the Museum of the Future, the tradition was reimagined through an interactive cultural programme combining storytelling and hands-on activities, while the Knowledge and Human Development Authority’s student design initiative, delivered in collaboration with Patchi, engaged young people directly in cultural storytelling through contemporary creative expression. More than 45 activations unfolded across retail destinations, cultural venues, and community hubs, delivered in collaboration with a range of public and private partners as part of the wider Season of Wulfa programme.
Muna Faisal Al Gurg, CEO of the Museums and Heritage Sector at Dubai Culture, affirmed the Authority’s commitment to raising awareness of Hag Al Leila’s cultural significance, saying: “Hag Al Leila represents an authentic Emirati tradition that reflects the essence of our heritage and embodies generosity, kindness, and tolerance. It is also a powerful expression of our pride in our national identity. Through this initiative, we aim to strengthen community engagement, introduce the youth to our customs, and deepen their sense of belonging.”
Al Gurg added: “Each year, we celebrate this occasion through programmes hosted across our cultural sites to highlight the meaning, symbolism, and beauty of Hag Al Leila. We seek to preserve the custom in the Emirati collective memory, underscore its value, and showcase how it fosters harmony within the community. These efforts also help future generations connect with their roots and cultivate national pride.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “Hag Al Leila continues to resonate because it is experienced in familiar, shared spaces across the city. This year’s programme demonstrated how simple, community-centred moments can create meaningful connections, particularly for younger generations. The strong engagement we saw across activations reflects the city’s appreciation for traditions that bring people together and naturally set the tone for the Holy Month of Ramadan.”
With Hag Al Leila setting the tone across the city, the Season of Wulfa now moves into its next phase, as Dubai prepares to observe Ramadan through a programme of cultural, community, and citywide experiences shaped by reflection, connection, and shared responsibility.
Further details on Ramadan in Dubai activities will be announced in the coming weeks.
For more information, please visit www.seasonofwulfa.ae
