Emirati heritage on display at Al Shindagha Days festival - in pictures

The recently renovated neighbourhood will one day become the world’s largest open-air museum.

Making a broom with palm leaves during the Al Shindagha Days festival held at Al Shindagha Heritage District in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A display showing traditional dress at the Al Shindagha Days culture festival. Pawan Singh / The National Photo essay for Weekend. Story by Katy Gillett

A miniature dhow on display at the Al Shindagha Days culture festival. Pawan Singh / The National

The Al Shindagha Days culture festival held at Al Shindagha Heritage District in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A wooden door on display at the Al Shindagha Days culture festival held at Al Shindagha Heritage District in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Making Luqaimat at the Al Shindagha Days culture festival. Pawan Singh / The National

The artwork ‘The Wind Knocks’ by Fatima Al Awadhi at The Al Shindagha Days culture festival held at Al Shindagha Heritage District in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Oud chips on display at The Al Shindagha Days culture festival held at Al Shindagha Heritage District in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The Al Shindagha Days culture festival held at Al Shindagha Heritage District in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The Al Shindagha Days culture festival held at Al Shindagha Heritage District in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Making a broom with palm leaves during the Al Shindagha Days festival held at Al Shindagha Heritage District in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Brooms made from palm leaves at the Al Shindagha Days festival held at Al Shindagha Heritage District in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The Al Shindagha Days culture festival held at Al Shindagha Heritage District in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Pearls on display at the Al Shindagha Days culture festival held at Al Shindagha Heritage District in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Visitors looking at pearls on display at The Al Shindagha Days culture festival held at Al Shindagha Heritage District in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A wooden door on display at the Al Shindagha Days culture festival held at Al Shindagha Heritage District in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Visitors watching food being prepared at the Al Shindagha Days culture festival. Pawan Singh / The National

A wooden door on display at the Al Shindagha Days culture festival held at Al Shindagha Heritage District in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A wooden door on display at the Al Shindagha Days culture festival held at Al Shindagha Heritage District in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The first season of a new cultural festival is now taking place in Al Shindagha. Called Al Shindagha Days, the 10-day event aims to revive Dubai's historic areas and promote the traditional heritage of the emirate in the recently renovated neighbourhood, which will one day become the world's largest open-air museum.

Enjoy tours, learn about Emirati craftsmanship and peruse a local market, where there are activities, a live cooking station and dates and coffee tasting areas. Light and sound shows are also taking place daily. It’s running until Saturday, January 18.

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Here’s what visitors can expect

Take a walk down memory lane through the Al Shindagha neighbourhood which includes Al Shindagha Museum, the Perfume House, the Historical Documents Centre, Saruq Al Hadid Archaeological Museum and the waterfront area in old Dubai.

The Al Shindagha Museum is an ideal place to learn about the history of Dubai, and visitors are encouraged to explore it to learn more about the emirate’s heritage. There will be museum tours, with the meeting point at Dubai Creek Museum reception. The timings for the tours are from 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm on Saturday to Thursday and 3pm, 5pm and 7pm on Friday.

Guests will also have a chance to go on a perfume trail to discover the story behind Emirati fragrances. A tour through the spice market and Perfume House, home to a multi-sensory experience showcasing traditional handmade perfume making, is also available.

How to get there:

By metro: Catch the green line train to Al Ghubaiba Metro Station and take the right exit to head to the event.

By bus: Catch the bus to Al Ghubaiba bus station. Al Shindagha Days will be on your right.

By car: Drive your car towards Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood and park in the RTA designated parking in front

By Careem: Careem users can get 20 per cent off with the code Alshindaghadays. The code is valid from January 9-18, with a maximum discount of Dh25 per ride.

There are routes available via abra as well for just Dh1.

Timings: 

Thursday and Friday, January 16-17, 2pm-11pm

Saturday, January 18, 10am-10pm