The Waterfront Market has built what it calls Dubai’s largest rangoli of spices, a 6m x 6m floor artwork made with more than 60kg of turmeric, chilli, coriander, cloves and more. It’s on show in the market’s atrium from 8–26 October 2025, timed with the city’s Festival of Lights programme.
What’s the rangoli, exactly?
A rangoli is a traditional Indian floor pattern made for festivals. Here, the Market swaps coloured powders for fragrant spices to fill the atrium with colour and scent. The unveiling brought guests from the Consulate General of India and DFRE.
- 6 metres by 6 metres
- 60+ kilograms of spices
- Unveiled with DFRE and Indian consular reps
- Part of Dubai’s Festival of Lights
The point isn’t just size; it’s the sensory hit. Turmeric yellow, chilli red and coriander green make the pattern pop, while the spice aroma pulls shoppers towards the centre court. The ceremony underlined the “togetherness” theme that runs through Diwali events across the city.
When and where to see it
The artwork sits in the Waterfront Market atrium and remains on display for the full festive stretch. Full trading hours are on the Market’s site.
- Dates: 8–26 October 2025
- Location: Waterfront Market, Deira
- Hours: check the market website for daily timings
If you’re planning a weekend visit, expect a crowd around the display. It’s easy to spot — just follow the spice scent and camera phones.
Diwali shopping: sweets, spices and gifting
The Market is leaning into traditional sweets and gifting, with a focus on the Dry Goods & Spices section.
- 250+ types of dates, nuts and dried fruit
- Staples for mithai like almonds, pistachios and cashews
- Festive spices including saffron, cardamom and nutmeg
In other words, you can walk in for chana dal and walk out with a haul: saffron for kheer, cardamom for masala chai, and a box of mixed dates for the family WhatsApp group. The variety is wide enough to do both the cooking and the gifting in one run.
Fresh produce for the festive table
The Fruits & Vegetables Market is also stacked for Diwali menus. Produce is pulled from 80+ local farms plus global imports.
- 160+ fruit and veg varieties
- Indian staples in stock: ber, tindora, drumsticks, okra, pumpkin, sitaphal
- Everyday greens and herbs to round out thalis
Think sambar with fresh drumsticks, tindora stir-fries, and custard apple for dessert. The idea is simple: the market becomes a one-stop source for the full festive spread without bouncing across town.
Family-friendly extras
Kids aren’t just tagging along — they get their own mini mission with the Foodie Explorer Passport and Little Rollers mini trolleys.
- Stamp-style “passport” activity while adults shop
- Child-sized trolleys to make them part of the prep
- Keeps them engaged during longer shops
It’s a small touch, but it turns errands into a shared outing. The passport sets gentle learning tasks around food, and the tiny carts help with the “I’m bored” problem. If you’re new to seasonal routines here, our how-to guides can help with planning big weekends around the city. (See: tbreak how-tos.)
Why the Waterfront Market matters
Beyond seasonal buzz, the Market positions itself as a year-round food hub with 800+ traders across seafood, meat, fruit & veg, and dry goods — serving both households and pro kitchens. It sources from 80+ local farms and over 100 countries, with a “Market-to-Table” angle that lets you buy fish and have it cooked at nearby restaurants.
- 4 core markets under one roof
- Sourcing spans the UAE and global suppliers
- Serves home cooks and hospitality pros
It’s also well placed — close to the airport and major roads — which explains the mix of tourists with weekly shoppers. That base is why a cultural activation like a spice rangoli lands here and not in a random mall corridor.
