Samaa Festival Dubai 2026

SAMAA is a festival where the music and arts of our shared culture are performed live: sitar and ghazal, Sufi music, poetry, storytelling and song. They come together over two evenings at Zabeel Park Amphitheatre, beside the Dubai Frame.

Presented by Dugasta Properties, SAMAA brings the traditions we grew up with to a new generation of listeners, with the respect and warmth they deserve. Come for the music, stay for the mehfil: the conversations, the food and the feeling of an evening spent among people who love the same things you do.

This is the first annual edition of a festival built by the same team who got the experience of Jashn-e-Rekhta in Dubai, with performances alongside conversations on cinema, adab, theatre and the arts. If you are a follower of poetry, classical music, sufi, qawwali, storytelling, urdu & hindi poetry, food from the sub-continent, then DON’T MISS the opportunity to experience one of its kind festival celebrating south-asian arts and culture.

Line-up

• Day One, Saturday 5 December: Salman Ali (Sufi & Soulful) and Piyush Mishra (Poetry, Song & Storytelling) • Day Two, Sunday 6 December: Ustad Shujaat Khan (Sitar & Ghazal), and a Day Two finale to be announced • Other speakers and guests to be announced soon

Timing and Schedule

• Saturday 5 December: gates open 3:00 pm, first performance 4:00 pm, ends approximately 10:30 pm • Sunday 6 December: gates open 3:00 pm, first performance 4:00 pm, ends approximately 10:30 pm • The SAMAA Bazaar (Food & More) is open from gate opening on both days

Ticket Categories

• Diwan-e-Khaas (Royal): the front rows closest to the stage, sofa seating. Front-row and rows 3 to 5 options are available. • Gulzar (Platinum): premium seating in the main bowl • Mehfil (Gold): seating in the main bowl • Bahaar (Silver): seating in the amphitheatre steps, bring the family and enjoy the evening • Day tickets and two-day passes are available in every category. • Seating within each zone is first come, first served. Arrive early for the best seats. • Qadr-daan: if you pre-registered, enter your private code at checkout.

Ticket Information

• The event ticket does not include entrance to the park. • Each ticket is valid for the date shown, and a two-day pass covers both evenings. • Tickets are sold online only, through Platinumlist. • Food, drinks, nominal park entry, parking are not included. • Please keep your ticket (QR code) ready on your phone at the festival entry inside the park. Age limit All ages welcome. Children under 8 enter and with free seat in amphitheatre only when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

FAQs

1. What is SAMAA? A festival of living arts and culture: music, poetry and conversation over two evenings in Dubai, by Vertex Events with over 2 decades in UAE and Culture Atlas, the arts & culture discovery platform, presented by Dugasta Properties. 2. Who is performing? Salman Ali, Piyush Mishra, Ustad Shujaat Khan, with more artists, speakers and guests to be announced. 3. Is the venue outdoors? Yes. It’s an open-air amphitheatre in Zabeel Park, and December evenings are usually pleasant. A light layer is a good idea. 4. Are seats numbered? No. You buy a zone, and seating within it is first come, first served. 5. Can I attend both days? Yes. A two-day pass covers both evenings. 6. Is food available? Yes. The SAMAA Bazaar has food, beverage, crafts and more. 7. Can I leave and re-enter? Re-entry is allowed with a valid wristband 8. Are children allowed? Yes, all are welcome! 9. Can I bring a camera? Phone photography for personal use is welcome. Professional cameras and recording equipment are not allowed.

Terms & Conditions

• Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, except as required by Platinumlist policy. • The organiser reserves the right to change the line-up, timings or programme. Changes will be announced on platinumlist, samaafestival.com and @samaa.festival. • Professional recording of the performances is not permitted. • Outside food and drinks are not permitted. • Entry is subject to security checks. The organiser may refuse entry or remove anyone whose conduct disturbs the performances or other guests. • Please arrive early to enjoy the festival.

How to get there:

Venue: Zabeel Park, Dubai. Entry is through Gates 5 By car: Zabeel Park parking is available at the gates, subject to availability. Arrive early on both days. By Metro: the nearest station is Max Metro Station (formerly Al Jafiliya) (Red Line), then a short walk to the gates. By taxi: ask for Zabeel Park, Gate 5