Bright lamps and glowing smiles define Diwali celebrations, as families gather to light diyas, exchange sweets, and share festive cheer from India to the UAE and beyond.

In pictures: Diwali shines bright around the world

Hindu festival of lights celebrates the spiritual victory of light over darkness

Shoppers pick vibrant garlands and décor items as preparations for Diwali gather pace in the UAE.

Spirit of Diwali unites UAE and world in festive joy

Gulf News reader Dr Naveen Aggarwal captures the amazing fireworks during the grand opening of Global Village 2025.

Reader photos: UAE shines from fireworks to sunsets

Jewellery stores across Dubai and other emirates witnessed heavy festive crowds as residents queued up to buy gold for Dhanteras and Diwali. Many took advantage of price dips, festive promotions, and the auspicious timing for gold purchases.

Dubai’s gold markets shine bright ahead of Diwali

A beautiful then-and-now glimpse of Diwali in the UAE — from intimate gatherings and oil lamps of the past to today’s grand celebrations glowing across cities with lights, music, and togetherness.

UAE glows with Diwali spirit: Then and now

A brown hyena roams the eerie, sand-filled streets of Kolmanskop, a long-abandoned diamond mining town near Lüderitz, Namibia. Captured by South African photographer Wim van den Heever using a night-time camera trap, the haunting image titled Ghost Town Visitor won both the Urban Wildlife and Overall titles at the 2025 Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards.

Ghost Hyena wins Wildlife Photographer award

A spectacular parade and excited crowds mark the opening of Global Village Season 30.

Inside Global Village parade: Fireworks, drums & shows

Photo by Grand Prize winner Thomas Vijayan shows a penguin chick nestled within the warm embrace of its devoted parents amidst the icy expanse of the Antarctic.

Dubai photographer’s penguin family image gets award

Relive the high-stakes FIFA World Cup clash as Qatar edges past UAE 2-1 in thrilling action.

Photos: UAE vs Qatar – World Cup Qualifiers highlights

Dubai is buzzing as Gitex Global 2025 kicks off at the Dubai World Trade Centre, with global leaders and tech enthusiasts descending on the city. Above, visitors at E& pavilion on the opening day of Gitex Global 2025 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Gitex Global 2025: Crowds flock to Dubai tech showcase

Gaza-Israel hostage release: A day of emotions captured in photos

Gaza-Israel hostage release: A day of emotions

One of Dubai’s most stunning sights, Business Bay bridge reflects beautifully in the water below, creating a dreamlike scene—Gulf News reader photo by Dr Naveen Aggarwal.

Readers capture UAE’s beauty — landmarks and landscapes

Opposition activist María Corina Machado of Venezuela won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday. The former opposition presidential candidate in Venezuela was lauded for being a "key, unifying figure in a political opposition that was once deeply divided - an opposition that found common ground in the demand for free elections and representative government," said Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel committee. Above, María Corina Machado arrives at a Caracas polling station on July 28, 2024.

Nobel Peace Prize: María Machado’s inspiring journey

Dubai’s First Interchange, once the iconic Defence Roundabout on Sheikh Zayed Road, was redeveloped by the RTA into a $168 million three-tier junction completed between 2006 and 2011 to ease growing traffic.

From Defence Roundabout to Dubai’s First Interchange

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), built at a cost of Rs196.5 billion ($2.36 billion), will make Mumbai one of the few global cities with more than one international airport.

India’s next-gen Navi Mumbai Airport takes off

Since launching in 1997 with a few kiosks in a Dubai Creek car park, Global Village has grown into one of Dubai’s top seasonal attractions. Starting with 10 countries and 500,000 visitors, it has since moved locations, finally settling in Dubailand in 2005. Now spanning 17.2 million square feet, it features over 90 pavilions, offering a vibrant mix of food, shopping, entertainment, and cultural experiences. In 2025, it continues to draw millions each season. With the current season nearing its end, visitors have just weeks left to enjoy this global celebration.

See: How Global Village has transformed over the years

An injured man holds another injured child, both survivors of Israeli bombardment, while a nurse bandages his head at a trauma ward at Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 24, 2023.

Two years of conflict in Gaza: From rubble to survival

Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum inspects the cadets during a graduation ceremony in Dubai, reflecting his commitment to nation-building and the development of the UAE’s defence institutions.

Sheikh Rashid’s vision captured through timeless photos

Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the late Ruler of Dubai (1912-1990), is considered the architect of modern Dubai - it was during his time that development projects moved out of the boardroom to become a reality. Above, Sheikh Rashid looks out from the Galadari Galleria — part of the Hyatt Regency complex — while it was still under construction in this file photo. The building’s clean, modern lines have stood the test of time and remain one of Dubai’s enduring landmarks.

Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed — the builder of modern Dubai

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