AKS Dance Festival in Dubai

AKS Dance Festival is an open-air Bollywood music festival in Dubai, now in its third edition. It is timed for the eve of UAE National Day, which makes it a natural start to the holiday for fans of Hindi film music and desi nightlife. The organisers pitch it as a full festival rather than a regular club night, with live performances and a crowd that comes dressed for the occasion.

The headliner is Tej Music Vodka, who appear at the festival for the first time and take the top spot on the bill. Around them is a line-up of Bollywood DJs popular with Dubai audiences: DJ Manoj, DJ Sohail, DJ Buddha, Yog Music and DJ Jose VA. The focus throughout is on Bollywood beats and high-energy sets built for dancing.

The festival takes place at Surf Club, a beachfront venue on the Dubai coast. The seaside stretch of the city around Jumeirah is known for its sand, sea views and a relaxed outdoor feel, and it is a popular setting for evening events and large gatherings. An open-air site suits a festival format, where people move between the stage and the crowd rather than staying in one seat.

This night suits groups of friends, Bollywood fans and anyone who wants to mark the National Day eve on a dance floor rather than at a quiet dinner. The format is standing and social, with a festival atmosphere, so comfortable shoes are a sensible choice for a long evening of dancing. Tickets are sold in phases, and the festival is organised as a one-night event.

The event belongs to the desi events scene in the UAE, which brings together Bollywood and South Asian music audiences from across the emirates. Having several DJs on one bill gives the night variety, with a different style of Bollywood mixing from each set, all aimed at keeping the dance floor busy from start to finish.