Jashn-e-Rekhta Festival: Celebrating Urdu in Dubai 2025
February 1 @ 1:00 pm - February 2 @ 10:30 pm
Jashn-e-Rekhta Festival: Celebrating Urdu in Dubai 2025
The world’s largest festival dedicated to Urdu language, literature, and culture is returning to Dubai! Jashn-e-Rekhta Dubai 2025, organized by Rekhta—the world’s foremost platform for poetry—will be a two-day cultural extravaganza celebrating Urdu’s rich heritage.
Scheduled for February 1st and 2nd, 2025, at Zabeel Park, Dubai, from 1:00 PM to 10:30 PM each day, the festival will feature a vibrant array of art forms, including poetry recitations (mushaira), ghazals, qawwali, Sufi music, Bollywood performances, dance, theater, and more. Attendees can also enjoy traditional foods, handicrafts, and unique cultural showcases.
With over 50 artists and speakers from India, Pakistan, and beyond, Jashn-e-Rekhta Dubai 2025 will be the only festival of its kind in the UAE. This year’s event promises to be even grander than the first edition, anticipating more than 15,000 visitors from across the GCC region and beyond, including many from India and Pakistan.
Timing
Programme Schedule for 1st February
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
STAGE – DAYAAR-E-IZHAR
SABA QAMAR & IMRAN ABBAS
In conversation with ADEEL HASHMI
URDU IN FILMS & TV
(Pakistan)
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
STAGE – MEHFIL KHANA
ILAHI SUFI QAWWALI
First-ever International Qawwali Ensemble
(International)
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
STAGE – MEHFIL KHANA
PIYUSH MISHRA
CONTEMPORARY MUSICAL FUSION
DILLI SE LAHORE TAK
By Ballimaaraan – The Piyush Mishra Project
(India)
7:30 PM – 8:00 PM
STAGE – MEHFIL KHANA
INAUGURAL CEREMONY
8:00 PM – 8:30 PM
STAGE – DAYAAR-E-IZHAR
KHULI NISHIST
Exclusively for UAE Poets
8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
STAGE – MEHFIL KHANA
SHAFQAT AMANAT ALI
MAAH-E-TAMAAM
A Rhythmic Evening Filled With Soulful Music
(Pakistan)
Programme Schedule for 2nd February
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
STAGE –DAYAAR-E-IZHAR
JAVED AKHTAR & ZEHRA NIGAH
In Conversation With ADEEL HASHMI
FILMI AUR ADABI DUNIYA
Faasle Aur Nazdeekiya’n
(India & Pakistan)
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
STAGE – MEHFIL KHANA
ZEHRA NIGAH, WASEEM BARELVI, IFTIKHAR ARIF, JAVED AKHTAR, KHUSHBIR SINGH SHAAD, ABBAS TABISH, SHAKEEL JAZIB & SAROSH ASIF
GRAND MUSHAIRA
A Symposium of Urdu Poetry
(India & Pakistan)
5:30 PM – 6:00 PM
STAGE –DAYAAR-E-IZHAR
ARFA SAYEDA ZEHRA In Conversation With SAMINA PEERZADA
URDU – MOHABBAT AUR DOSTI KI ZUBAAN
(Pakistan)
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
STAGE –MEHFIL KHANA
SHINJINI KULKARNI, AMRISH MISHRA, SUPRIYA JOSHI, SARVESH MISHRA, ANUPAMA KAUSHIK, YAMIKA MAHESH, SHRUTI MISHRA & OTHERS
RAQS-O-NAGHMA
Azeem Shairo’n Ke Filmi Shahkaar
A Multimedia Rekhta Show
Written & Directed By Huma Khalil
(India)
8:00 PM – 8:30 PM
STAGE – DAYAAR-E-IZHAR
KHULI NISHIST
Exclusively for UAE Poets
8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
STAGE –MEHFIL KHANA
ALI SETHI
SHAAM DHALE
A Night of Music & Romance
(USA & Pakistan)
Ticket Information
Inclusions:
1. Park entry fee of AED 5 is included in all ticket categories – Show your tickets at the entry gates to get smooth access/entry
2. Unique wrist bands will be issued against each category for multiple entry/exit to the event seating area/s
3. Access to Mehfil Khana and Dayar-e-Izhaar Stages at the festival
4. Access to Aiwan-e-Zaiqa Food Festival – A curated food experience put together for you to relish Indian, Pakistani, Arabic and other cuisine
5. Access to Rekhta’s Urdu Bazaar, stalls offering various art, handicrafts, merchandise, books etc.
Age Limit:
- Entry for children under 8 years is free in Theatre Seating – Chairs & Amphi, with a nominal AED 5 park entry fee payable to park authorities. If you wish to occupy a seat in any other category, the regular prices are applicable.
Reasons to visit the festival
1. The world’s biggest festival for a language is in Dubai again
2. Two Days, 50 artists, 10 Programs, Multiple Art Forms
3. Qawwali, Sufi, Celebrity Discussions, Poetry, Dance, Drama, Stories, Theatrical production, Literary discussions, Food Bazaar, Urdu Bazaar, Books Bazaar and much more.
4. Artists from India, Pakistan, USA, UAE and other parts of the world.
5. 10 programs in two days.
Zabeel Park entry Gates:
- Gate 1 – Located on the western side of Area A.
- Gate 2 – At the northern tip of Area A. At the junction of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street (D88) and Sheikh Rashid Road (D75)
- Gate 3 – Located on the northern side of Area A. Just off Sheikh Rashid Road and near the footbridge to Karama.
Facilities available at the venue:
2. Clean & hygienic sanitation
3. Prayer rooms
Ticket Queries
How to get there?
- By car: Navigate via Sheikh Zayed Road towards Zabeel Park.
- By metro: Opt for the Dubai Metro Red Line, and alight at Al Jafiliya Metro Station. Gate 1 is just a few hundred yards away.
- By bus: The closest bus station is Al Jafiliya bus station. Buses to here include: 10- Gold Souq Bus Station to Al Qouz Bus Station via Al Jafiliya Bus Station 27- Gold Souq Bus Station to Dubai Mall via Al Jafiliya Bus Station 91A- Gold Souq Bus Station to Jebel Ali Bus Station via Al Jafiliya Bus Station
- By taxi: Direct any Dubai taxi to Zabeel Park; its easily recognizable and familiar to most drivers.
