Dubai marked Hag Al Leila as the opening occasion of the new Season of Wulfa, a citywide initiative celebrating Emirati traditions, family connections and community values.
Hag Al Leila, observed on 15 Sha’ban, traditionally brings families and neighbours together ahead of Ramadan.
What Is the Season of Wulfa?
Season of Wulfa is a broader cultural programme created around several important occasions, beginning with Hag Al Leila and continuing through Ramadan and Eid.
The season is built around three central ideas: reflection, connection and blessing. Its programme brings together cultural traditions, community activities and contemporary experiences across different parts of Dubai.
More than 50 initiatives and events were planned across more than 30 locations, including neighbourhoods, markets and cultural destinations.
Hag Al Leila Opens the Festive Season
Hag Al Leila has a special place in Emirati culture and is traditionally associated with generosity, family gatherings and children receiving sweets and gifts.
Within the Season of Wulfa, the celebration became the starting point for a longer cultural journey leading towards Ramadan and Eid.
The idea was to bring familiar traditions into modern community settings while keeping their social and cultural meaning at the centre of the celebrations.
A Celebration Built Around Family and Community
Rather than being focused on one major attraction, Hag Al Leila celebrations were designed around shared experiences.
Families, neighbours and communities could take part in activities reflecting the occasion’s emphasis on generosity and togetherness. The wider Season of Wulfa also aims to connect different generations and encourage the continuation of traditional customs.
The programme was intended for Emiratis, Dubai residents and visitors, making local heritage accessible to a broad audience.
What Makes Hag Al Leila Special?
For many families, Hag Al Leila is closely connected with childhood memories.
Children traditionally dress up and visit homes in their neighbourhoods, receiving sweets, nuts and small gifts. The custom creates an atmosphere of excitement while encouraging children to interact with relatives and neighbours.
The tradition also reflects the wider values of generosity and connection that form part of the Season of Wulfa.
Dubai Brings Traditional Customs Into Modern Experiences
One of the key ideas behind the Season of Wulfa is bringing heritage into contemporary life.
Rather than simply recreating historical customs, the programme combines cultural traditions with new experiences and creative ideas. Dubai Culture and other participating organisations have been involved in developing activities that connect heritage with modern lifestyles.
This approach allows traditional celebrations to remain relevant to younger generations while introducing visitors to Emirati customs.
From Hag Al Leila to Ramadan
Hag Al Leila was only the beginning of the Season of Wulfa.
The programme continued into Ramadan, when Dubai hosted a broad calendar of cultural, community, dining and destination-based experiences. Citywide decorations, Ramadan activations and cultural programming formed part of the wider seasonal programme.
This created a gradual transition from the family-focused traditions of Hag Al Leila into the reflective atmosphere of Ramadan.
Dubai’s Markets and Neighbourhoods Join the Season
The Season of Wulfa was designed to extend beyond major tourist attractions.
Neighbourhoods, markets and cultural destinations were among the locations included in the programme. This citywide approach helped bring the celebrations into everyday community spaces rather than concentrating them in a single venue.
Traditional markets also played a role during the wider season. Dubai Municipality’s 2026 Ramadan Souq at Old Baladiya Street in Deira Grand Souk, for example, combined heritage-inspired surroundings with cultural and community activities.
The Three Values Behind Wulfa
The Season of Wulfa is structured around three main pillars.
Reflection
Reflection represents taking time to reconnect with yourself, your traditions and the meaning behind important cultural occasions.
Connection
Connection focuses on relationships between families, neighbours and wider communities.
Blessing
Blessing reflects generosity and the sharing of sweets, food, gifts and joyful moments with others.
Together, these themes provide a common thread linking Hag Al Leila, Ramadan and the Eid celebrations within the season.
How the Season Continues Beyond Hag Al Leila
After Hag Al Leila, the programme moved into Ramadan and later Eid celebrations.
Dubai’s Ramadan calendar included activations at malls, restaurants, cultural venues and public destinations. Seasonal experiences included themed decorations, Ramadan dining, cultural programming and community activities.
The Season of Wulfa therefore works as a longer cultural calendar rather than a single festival.
What Visitors Can Learn From Hag Al Leila
For visitors unfamiliar with Emirati traditions, Hag Al Leila provides an opportunity to understand an important part of local community life.
The celebration demonstrates how customs can centre on simple experiences such as sharing sweets, visiting family and spending time with neighbours.
It also offers an introduction to the cultural values that continue through Ramadan and Eid.
FAQs About Hag Al Leila and Season of Wulfa
Hag Al Leila is a traditional Emirati celebration observed on 15 Sha’ban, ahead of Ramadan. It is associated with children, sweets, gifts, family gatherings and community connections.
In 2026, Hag Al Leila was observed on February 2. It marked the beginning of Dubai’s Season of Wulfa.
Season of Wulfa is a Dubai-wide cultural initiative celebrating traditions and community occasions including Hag Al Leila, Ramadan and Eid. It is centred on reflection, connection and blessing.
Wulfa comes from the Arabic concept of familiarity, affection and closeness. The initiative uses the idea to highlight relationships, shared traditions and community bonds.
The tradition is rooted in Emirati culture, but Dubai’s Season of Wulfa was designed to engage citizens, residents and visitors and encourage wider cultural exchange.
Traditional celebrations can include family visits, children receiving sweets and gifts, sharing food and spending time with neighbours and relatives. The exact public activities vary by programme and location.
Final Thoughts
Dubai’s Hag Al Leila celebrations offer more than a seasonal event. As the opening occasion of the Season of Wulfa, they form part of a wider effort to bring Emirati traditions, family connections and community values into contemporary Dubai.
With Hag Al Leila leading into Ramadan and Eid, the Season of Wulfa creates a continuous cultural calendar that connects generations while giving residents and visitors opportunities to experience local traditions in new ways.
