February 1: Celebrate Literature
The first six days of February are all about celebrating storytelling as the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature returns its 15th edition, this year taking place at InterContinental Dubai Festival City and Mohammed Bin Rashid Library. On the roster? Comedian David Walliams, best-selling author Cecelia Ahern, Succession star Brian Cox, Indian politician Shashi Tharoor, and plenty more.
Learn more here.
February 3: Break Bread
Taste of Dubai is an institution in its own right, returning to Dubai Media City Amphitheatre from 3 to 5 February. The three-day event is popular for its bite-sized portions of beloved dishes from some of the city’s best restaurants, but there’s plenty more to look forward to. We’re talking live music, appearances by celebrity chefs such as John Torode and Daniel Boulud, interactive masterclasses, and lots more.
Learn more here.
February 5: Think Green
Art and nature collide at the Embroidered Botanicals workshop at Jameel Arts Centre. Designed for all ages, this family-friendly event led by Dr Hellen Dayton will introduce participants to the historic healing and hidden properties of botanicals found around Dubai. Participants will then learn to draw the designs of these flowers, transferring them into embroidered textiles that can be used for the likes of napkins, pillows or throws.
Learn more here.
February 12: Test Your Limits
If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to pound the pavement more often in 2023, the Dubai Marathon – the country’s oldest long-distance running event – should be your starting point. You can opt for the ‘10km Road Race’ if you’re in shape, or the ‘4km Fun Run’ if you’re looking to start slow. Feeling ambitious? Sign up for all 42.195km of the marathon itself.
Learn more here.
February 14: Feel the Love
The definitive address for all things wheel throwing, The Mud House Studio is inviting participants to discover the intuitive nature of pottery at a special edition just for Valentine’s Day. Entitled Candlelit Wheel Throwing, the (you guessed it) candlelit session will be rooted in perception through touch, resulting in an exploration of how clay responds to this sense – and a meditative way to celebrate the annual day of romance.
Learn more here.
February 19: Steam and Manifest
Sometimes dismissed as a hippy-dippy trend, womb steaming is actually an ancient remedy that has been used by women to support deep wellness with the help of herbal steam. Enter: the New Moon Womb Steaming Feminine Activation session led by Renata Nacimento at SEVA. The upcoming New Moon in Pisces is the perfect time to set intentions and tap into the mystical powers of the womb.
Learn more here.
February 22: Have a Laugh
If a family-friendly activity is long overdue, Shrek The Musical at Dubai Opera belongs on your calendar. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film, this larger-than-life production takes audiences into lovable ogre Shrek’s journey from living contentedly alone in a swamp to rescuing the feisty Princess Fiona, who is trapped in a castle surrounded by lava.
Learn more here.
February 25: Journey to Lebanon
Expand your culinary horizons at the A Story of Meat, Spices & Grapes supperclub hosted by Bassel Wehbe via the BreakBread platform. Promising the best of Lebanese-Armenian fusion cuisine, this intimate dining experience will take attendees on a journey that pairs meat and spices with culinary backstories aplenty.
Learn more here.
February 26: See the Light
Helping celebrate the fifth anniversary of multidisciplinary space Concrete in Alserkal Avenue is Rana Begum, whose work distils spatial and visual experience into ordered form. In what will be the visual artist’s largest solo exhibition in the region, her works will explore the interaction of light, colour, and form in dialogue with Concrete.
Learn more here.