Calling all curly-haired folks and the parents, curl-lovers and curl-curious among you. Saturday, October 10 is the date to circle because Dubai is getting its very first family curly hair festival. The Dubai Curl Festival is coming to Cornelia’s Craft Kitchen, bringing together curly, coily and kinky-haired communities for a full day of styling, education, shopping, wellness and family-friendly activities.
Organised by Oh My Knots, the Dubai-based curly hair community platform, the event is being billed as the first family-focused curly hair festival in the UAE and potentially across the wider GCC too. So if you’ve ever struggled to figure out what actually works for your curls in Dubai’s heat, humidity and hard water, this might be one to add to your October calendar.
What Is The Dubai Curl Festival?
Think of the Dubai Curl Festival as part haircare event, part educational day and part community gathering. There’s no need to arrive at a specific time and follow a strict schedule either. The festival runs from 10am to 6pm, allowing visitors to drop in, explore the different experiences and stay for as long as they like.
It’s also designed for the whole family, with activities and experiences aimed at both adults and children. And for parents with curly-haired kids, it’s an opportunity to learn more about caring for their children’s hair in a climate that can be particularly challenging for textured hair.
Why A Curly Hair Festival Makes Sense In Dubai
Curly hair in the UAE comes with its own set of challenges. There’s the combination of heat, humidity and hard water, all of which can affect how curls look and behave.
The problem is that much of the curly hair advice available online comes from people living in completely different climates.
That’s one of the reasons Oh My Knots was created. The Dubai-based platform, founded by Gertrud Mackenzie, focuses on curly hair advice and recommendations that are relevant to people living in the region. According to data shared by the community, 69% of its members are actively looking for product recommendations specifically suited to UAE conditions, while 77% want simpler routines with fewer products.
So, clearly, there’s an appetite for a more local approach to curly haircare.
What Can You Expect At The Festival?
The Dubai Curl Festival is designed to be more than a collection of product stands. Throughout the day, visitors can expect a mixture of education, demonstrations and interactive experiences, including:
- Curly haircare brand stands
- Live styling demonstrations
- Expert talks and education sessions
- Product sampling
- Wellness activities
- Interactive experiences
- Opportunities to discover new curly hair products
It’s essentially a chance to learn something new, test products before buying them and meet other people dealing with many of the same curly hair challenges. And there’s a little something extra for everyone who buys a ticket.
Every Ticket Comes With A Goodie Bag
Yes, there’s a goodie bag. Every ticket holder will receive a goodie bag from participating brands, including children who have their own tickets. Several brands are already confirmed as partners, including LUSH and lululemon, with additional curly hair specialists and brands expected to be announced.
So if you’re the type who loves leaving an event with a few new products to experiment with, this is definitely worth knowing about.
There’s A Dedicated Kids’ Curl Corner
One of the most interesting parts of the festival is the Kids’ Curl Corner. It isn’t simply there to keep children entertained while parents browse. The space has been designed around representation, confidence and helping children feel positive about their natural hair.
For kids with curly, coily or kinky hair, seeing different curl types represented positively can make a real difference to how they view their own hair. It also gives parents an opportunity to learn more about their children’s curls, particularly if they themselves don’t have the same hair type.
Because sometimes the hardest part of having curly-haired kids isn’t loving their curls. It’s figuring out what on earth you’re supposed to do with them.
When And Where Is The Dubai Curl Festival?
Here’s everything you need to know before planning your visit:
- Event: Dubai Curl Festival
- Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
- Time: 10am – 6pm
- Location: Cornelia’s Craft Kitchen, Dubai
- Organiser: Oh My Knots
- Suitable for: Adults, children and families
- Goodie bag: Included with every ticket
- Booking fee: 3% at checkout
The festival is designed as an open-day experience, so you don’t have to spend the entire six hours there. Drop in, explore the activities and head off whenever you’ve had your fill of curl talk.
How Much Are Tickets?
If you’re thinking of going, early-bird tickets are the ones to look out for.
Early-Bird Prices
- Adult: AED 100
- Family Pass: AED 280
Once the early-bird allocation sells out, general ticket prices increase to:
- Adult: AED 150
- Family Pass: AED 320
A 3% booking fee is also added at checkout.
Tickets are available through Ticket Tailor, so it’s worth booking early if you want to take advantage of the lower prices.
Who Should Go?
Honestly, you don’t need to be a hardcore curly hair enthusiast to get something out of the event.
The festival could be useful for:
- People with curly, coily or kinky hair
- Parents of curly-haired children
- Anyone struggling with their hair in Dubai’s climate
- People looking for simpler curly hair routines
- Anyone interested in discovering new haircare products
- Families looking for something different to do in Dubai
- People who simply want to meet and connect with the local curly hair community
It’s particularly interesting for parents who have straight or different-textured hair themselves but are raising children with curls. Because understanding your child’s hair can sometimes be a learning curve of its own.
Why The Dubai Curl Festival Could Be A Big Deal
Dubai already has events covering everything from beauty and fashion to food and fitness. But a dedicated family event focused specifically on curly, coily and kinky hair is something relatively new for the region.
The festival also reflects a broader shift towards more specialised communities and events where people can find products, advice and experiences that actually reflect their everyday lives. In this case, that means curly hair advice designed around the realities of living in the Gulf rather than simply copying routines created for completely different climates.
The Khaleej Journal Take
Curly hair doesn’t exactly get an easy ride in Dubai. Between the humidity, heat and hard water, maintaining defined, healthy curls can sometimes feel like a full-time job.
The Dubai Curl Festival is bringing that conversation into one place with experts, brands, styling demonstrations, education and a dedicated space for children. And perhaps the best part is that it isn’t just about buying another bottle of curl cream and hoping for the best.
It’s about learning what actually works for your hair, understanding the challenges of the local climate and meeting other people who are figuring it out too.
So, whether you’re a lifelong curl enthusiast or a parent still trying to understand why your kid’s hair seems to have a personality of its own, October 10 could be a good day to celebrate those curls.
Also read: Dubai’s Favourite Country Music Festival Is Coming Back This October – Summer In Nashville
