Sponsored: Festive vibes meet ocean-to-plate dining as Dubai Waterfront Market hosts a winter-long Seafood Festival packed with food, fun, and family-friendly surprises
If there’s one place in Dubai that truly understands seafood, it’s Dubai Waterfront Market. As the city’s largest food market, it sits at the crossroads of Dubai’s fishing heritage and its modern culinary scene—a destination where chefs, home cooks, and curious food lovers come to shop, eat, and explore.
Known for its vast daily selection of seafood—hundreds of varieties arriving fresh each morning—the market’s unique Market-to-Table concept lets visitors “pick your catch, cook it your way”, making every meal personal and unforgettable. This winter, the market is turning up the volume with a full-blown Seafood Festival, running from December 10 to January 7, 2026.
Unlike a traditional restaurant district, Waterfront Market is alive from early morning to late night. Fishermen unload the day’s catch, shoppers haggle for the best prawns, and restaurants cook seafood exactly how you like it—grilled, fried, steamed, or swimming in spice.
So, what’s happening at the Seafood Festival?
During the festival, all eyes (and appetites) are on the market’s restaurants, with exclusive offers across favourites including Paluto Restaurant, BOAT Seafood Restaurant, Yahya Seafood Restaurant, and Aylla Seafood Restaurant and Café. Expect generous platters and seasonal specials, all served fresh from the market.
Adding to the festive feel is a seafood-themed holiday tree, a playful centerpiece that brings seasonal cheer with a nautical twist. Every weekend from Friday to Sunday, the market comes alive with roaming entertainment, bubble shows, and face painting—turning a simple meal into a full family day out.
Image: Supplied
Perks for shoppers (and little foodies)
Spend Dhs200 or more at the fish market or participating restaurants and receive a complementary insulated cooler bag—perfect for beach days or picnics—plus entry into a prize draw to win up to Dhs5000 in fresh produce, split among five lucky winners.
Meanwhile, the Kids Foodie Explorers Passport and Little Rollers trolleys transform market shopping into an interactive adventure, complete with stamps, ingredient discovery, and small prizes at the finish line.
From daily restaurant deals to weekend entertainment and hands-on kids’ activities, the Seafood Festival is a celebration of what Waterfront Market does best… bringing people together over fabulous, fresh food.
Location: Seafood Festival at Dubai Waterfront Market, Deira
Times: December 10 to January 7, 2026
Find it:https://maps.app.goo.gl/foRH53mVCiBHYE2g9.
Images: Supplied
> Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
