The key facts
- Registration is open: 50 spots, 10 of them for food and activities, participation is free
- Three venues: Nad Al Sheba Rose Garden (December 11–20), Al Barsha Pond Park (December 25 – January 3), Al Warqa Park (January 8–17)
- Last season drew 308,842 visitors; new zones: Asian Village, a Gen Z zone, a zipline and a quest
Free spots for small businesses in three parks
Dubai Municipality has opened registration for the Souk Al Freej winter market, which in its fifth season will occupy 50 trading spots across three public parks in the emirate, reports The National. Ten of them are reserved for activities and food service. Participation is free: the organisers aim to help small businesses connect with customers and promote locally made products — from homemade food and crafts to clothing and eco-friendly goods. Opening hours are daily from 16:30 to 22:00.
Schedule and new attractions
The market will open at the Nad Al Sheba Rose Garden from December 11 to 20, then move to Al Barsha Pond Park from December 25 to January 3, 2027, and close the season at Al Warqa Park from January 8 to 17. The new season will feature an 'Asian Village' with themed decor and a cultural programme, a dedicated zone for Gen Z audiences, children's play areas, creative workshops, a zipline and an interactive treasure-hunt quest.
Scale and goals of the programme
The previous edition of the market attracted 308,842 visitors — a figure the municipality cites as evidence of the venue's growing popularity. Mohammed Abdurrahman Ahli, director of the municipality's Public Parks and Recreational Facilities Department, called Souk Al Freej an important community platform supporting local entrepreneurs and 'productive families', adding that the municipality wants to strengthen the role of parks as attractions for all ages. According to The National, the initiative is part of broader efforts to revitalise parks during the winter months and support the emirate's small businesses.
