With fewer than 40 days to go until Ramadan 2026, Dubai is preparing for the holy month with extended retail hours, late-night entertainment, and a calendar of cultural and dining experiences that come alive after sunset.
As in previous years, shopping centres across the city are expected to adjust their schedules to suit fasting hours. Malls will remain open during the day, but the real activity begins after Iftar, with many venues staying open well past midnight to give residents and visitors more time to shop, dine, and socialise.
While official timings are yet to be announced, most malls are likely to mirror Ramadan 2025 schedules. City Centre Mirdif and City Centre Deira are expected to open from around 10am until 1am, with restaurants operating until 2am. The Beach at JBR is also anticipated to follow similar hours.
Major destinations such as Dubai Festival City Mall and City Walk are likely to remain open until midnight, with dining outlets extending service until 1am. Other popular shopping hubs, including Arabian Centre, Nakheel Mall, Dragon Mart, and The Outlet Village, are expected to stay open until at least midnight on weekdays, with later hours on weekends.
Food courts and cafés will continue to serve non-fasting visitors, including children, the elderly, and those exempt from fasting. Restaurants across malls and hotels are preparing special Iftar menus and Ramadan promotions, combining traditional Emirati flavours with international cuisine.
Cinema schedules will also shift to reflect Ramadan routines. VOX Cinemas, Reel Cinemas, and Roxy Cinemas are expected to open in the early afternoon, typically between 1pm and 2pm, and run late into the night. Post-Iftar screenings are usually the busiest, with showtimes often continuing until 1am or later, and some locations screening films until 2am or 3am.
Residents and visitors are advised to check official mall and cinema websites closer to the date for confirmed timings, as Ramadan is expected to begin after mid-February, subject to the sighting of the moon.
