Sole DXB Dubai isn’t just an event; it’s basically the city’s vibe check for the year. It’s where music, fashion, art, sport, and food come together for one massive, non-stop weekend. Forget the usual Dubai routine, because from December 12 to 14, 2025, the Dubai Design District (d3) transforms into the region’s biggest street-culture spectacle.
What started as a small community gathering over a decade ago has become an absolute fixture on the city’s calendar—especially since it’s always part of the iconic Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). If you’re a local, you know this is where you need to be. If you’re visiting, consider this your most authentic Dubai experience.
This year, the organisers have seriously raised the bar. The 2025 edition brings an absolute killer lineup of global artists, a bigger and better food scene, and a packed schedule of talks, workshops, and exclusive brand drops that truly capture the dynamic, melting-pot energy of Dubai’s creative scene. They’ve even stretched the hours, running from 4 pm all the way to 2:30 am. Get ready for a long weekend.
The Culture Soundtrack: Hip-Hop, Amapiano, and R&B
Sole DXB has always been rooted in music, but this year’s headliners perfectly reflect the festival’s global, forward-thinking approach. The Main Stage is set to be legendary, led by three GRAMMY® Award-winning artists, each bringing their own massive sound.
- Friday, 12 December: Kaytranada The weekend kicks off with the Montreal-based producer, Kaytranada. Known for blending R&B, electronic, and hip-hop into those signature smooth, dance-ready sets, he’s one of the most influential guys in modern production. Expect the crowd to go wild as he sets the tone for the entire event.
- Saturday, 13 December: Tyla Saturday belongs to the global sensation, Tyla. Her performance will be one of the festival’s biggest highlights, period. Her infectious, amapiano-driven hits—like the chart-topping “Water”—reflect the incredible rise of African music on the world stage. Her stage presence is polished, powerful, and guaranteed to get everyone moving.
- Sunday, 14 December: Miguel Closing out the festival on Sunday is R&B icon Miguel. Known for his timeless vocals and experimental sound, tracks like “Sure Thing” and “Adorn” are still massive favourites here in Dubai. He’s returning to the stage with a new era of music, making it a perfect, soulful finish to the high-energy weekend.
With four stages delivering everything from jazz and R&B to high-energy electronic and hip-hop, the music selection mirrors Dubai itself: globally influenced yet culturally relevant for everyone who calls this city home.
Beyond the Beats: The Food Scene
If you’re coming to Sole DXB, you should know that the food is just as important as the sneakers. This year, they’re dedicating three massive zones to food, showcasing the full spectrum of Dubai’s incredible dining culture—from fancy concepts to those authentic neighbourhood gems.
Elevated Dining: The Fancy Bites
This premium zone brings back some of Dubai’s best restaurants, creating festival-exclusive dishes:
- The Maine: Back with their signature classics and special Sole DXB-only creations.
- Eleven Green: Don’t miss their award-winning smashed burgers. They’re a homegrown favourite for a reason.
- Varak: Bringing modern Middle Eastern desserts, these guys are serving up single-serve cakes that are perfect for a quick sugar rush.
- Mama Fri: Their Japan-inspired “Mitsu” menu offers a playful take on Asian comfort food, with wok, fry, and steam stations.
Discovery Zone: The Local Heroes
This section is all about celebrating the kitchens that truly define everyday Dubai dining. Look out for familiar, beloved names like Mihbash, Soil, Mirzam, Pop Culture, Club Ocha, and the vegetarian favourite, MyGovindas. It’s the perfect place to grab a satisfying, authentic meal while exploring the festival grounds.
Local Heroes & Crowd Favourites
You can’t have a big Dubai event without the staples:
- Al Mallah: Because sometimes, only a classic shawarma will do.
- Shake Shack: They’re back with their famous Ball For All basketball experience.
- Noon: The experimental ice cream brand that always sparks conversation with its quirky flavours.
- Bonbird, One Life, PDL, and the coffee specialists at Bigface ensure you stay fueled and fresh all weekend long.
Seriously, if you are looking for excellent food and lifestyle experiences in Dubai this December, the culinary line-up alone makes Sole DXB an essential plan.
Fashion & Art: The Hype is Real
The brand activations and showcases are a massive part of the Sole DXB experience—it’s where you see the culture being made. The 2025 edition has expanded this even further with a mix of returning legends and exciting new partners, all bringing interactive installations and exclusive merch drops.
- SOLE x Fred Perry: Racquet Club: Get involved with table tennis and padel, blending sport with street style.
- Fujifilm x TA’YO (Tasado): A collaborative artistic space exploring street photography and identity.
- Humantra: They are using the festival to launch their newest product globally. Expect a lot of hype.
- talabat UAE: Reimagining nostalgia through gaming with their fun talabat Arcade.
- ASICS: Offering craft-led workshops like block printing and kite-making, inspired by Japanese culture.
The festival is also a crucial platform for regional fashion. Look out for showcases from talented Middle Eastern designers and labels like QASIMI, ATLAL FROM GALBI, Absent Findings, Leaf Apparel, and Congo Clothing Company. They’ll be offering workshops and previews, highlighting the region’s strong craftsmanship and modern design ethos.
In short, Sole DXB is where Dubai’s love for global street culture and its own unique regional identity collide. It’s an immersive, loud, stylish, and delicious three days that you absolutely cannot miss.
The Full Sole DXB Experience: Four Stages, Cultural Talks, and Regional Voices
The Sole DXB vibe is always about discovery. Yes, the headliners like Kaytranada, Tyla, and Miguel are huge draws, but the real magic happens across the festival’s entire landscape. It’s a three-day, deep dive into the creative communities that make Dubai so special.
Four Stages, One Global Sound
This festival doesn’t just stick to the Main Stage—it spreads the music across four distinct stages, each with its own energy. You’ll have the massive main acts for the big crowd feeling, but also smaller, more intimate spaces, almost like a Boiler Room setup, for those who are serious about their niche genres.
The lineup beyond the main names is absolutely stacked and truly reflects Dubai’s blended taste in music. You’ll find everything from deep house and amapiano to experimental beats, hip-hop, and even alt-Arabic sounds.
- Regional Stars Shining Bright: Sole DXB has always been a key platform for regional talent, and this year is no different. Expect to see incredible performances from Palestinian rappers Shabjdeed & Al Nather, the beautiful sound of Palestinian-Jordanian pop star Zeyne, and Indian rap heavyweights KR$NA & Raftaar. They’ll be joined by other regional talents like Freek (UAE-based Somali rapper) and the new-soul band from Dubai itself, The Tasty Biscuits.
- Global Grooves: Adding to the international mix are Malian desert blues legends Tinariwen, British hip-hop star Loyle Carner, US rapper Lil Yachty, and French-Haitian soul star Naïka. This is where you get a full, cross-continental fusion of sound.
It’s an incredible mix of global pioneers and the voices shaping the sound of the region right now. You can jump from a huge electronic set to a soulful acoustic session to a fierce hip-hop showcase, all within minutes.
Talks, Workshops, and Getting Creative
What keeps people coming back isn’t just the party—it’s the culture you can actually touch. Sole DXB’s cultural program is packed with talks and workshops designed for anyone who works, or wants to work, in the creative scene.
You can sit in on discussions covering everything from the evolution of sound and fashion archives to creative entrepreneurship and the history of sneaker culture. These panels are a great way for designers, students, young professionals, and filmmakers to hear directly from industry voices from the Middle East and beyond. It’s genuine knowledge sharing, not just background noise.
The workshops are even more hands-on. Brands and independent creators set up sessions teaching everything from:
- Printmaking and street photography
- Styling and skateboarding basics
- Craft-focused practices
They make these sessions beginner-friendly, so if you’ve ever wanted to try something new or just pick up a new skill over the weekend, this is your chance. It’s a space where you can actually engage, learn, and meet other creative people in Dubai.
What’s New for Sole DXB 2025
The festival is always moving forward, just like Dubai itself. This year brings a few key changes that make the 2025 edition even better:
- Later Night, More Time: The extended hours—4 pm to 2:30 am—are a game-changer. It gives everyone more time to explore and enjoy, especially if you’re coming straight from work on Friday.
- More Local, More Real: Sole DXB continues to carve out significant space for regional and Arab designers. You’ll see Levantine streetwear, homegrown accessory brands, and new talent you won’t find anywhere else. It feels personal and grounded in local craft.
- Everyone is Welcome: Recognizing Dubai’s diverse community, the organisers have made an effort to add more open, shaded areas that are friendlier for families who want to check out the festival earlier in the day. It’s about making the culture accessible to everyone.
- Art Everywhere: Look out for incredible, design-led installations. Partner brands and independent artists are merging tech, art, and performance across the grounds. Every corner of d3 is transformed into a piece of art waiting to be discovered.
Tickets and Location Details
The festival takes place, as always, at the Dubai Design District (d3)—the city’s creative heart. They’ve even worked on the layout this year, adding more seating and improving the crowd flow for a smoother experience day and night.
You can grab single-day passes or a full three-day pass, but seriously, book early. Saturday usually sells out the fastest because of the sheer hype.
Sole DXB is more than just a big party; it’s a cultural thermometer for Dubai. It’s where global trends meet local reality, where new ideas are born, and where communities connect. It’s fast-paced, open to experimentation, and rooted in the incredible creative work happening across the UAE.
Read More: Sole DXB 2024 Festival Returns for its 12th Edition in Dubai
Planning your December? Stay updated on the latest local news, discover more great Travel experiences, and find the best food and lifestyle guides across the UAE. We even keep an eye out for news about Bollywood events and other major cultural moments.
