DUBAI: Dubai is set to host a new festival dedicated to curly, coily and kinky hair, with the inaugural Dubai Curl Festival scheduled for October 10, 2026.
Organised by Dubai-based community platform Oh My Knots, the one-day event is designed to bring families, hair specialists and beauty and lifestyle brands together around natural hair care, styling and education.
The festival is scheduled to run from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, October 10, in Dubai. Organisers are positioning it as the first family curly-hair festival of its kind in the UAE and wider GCC.
A festival built around Gulf hair-care needs
The event is focused on practical issues faced by people with textured hair living in the Gulf, including the effects of heat, humidity and hard water.
According to research cited by Oh My Knots, 69 per cent of its community said they were looking for UAE-specific product recommendations, while 77 per cent preferred simpler hair-care routines involving fewer products. These figures were reported by publications covering the festival announcement and are attributed to research conducted by Oh My Knots.
The festival aims to bring that locally focused advice offline, allowing visitors to interact with specialists, watch styling demonstrations and explore products and techniques suited to different curl patterns.
Rather than focusing only on products, the programme is expected to combine education, demonstrations, wellness activities and community experiences.
What visitors can expect
The Dubai Curl Festival programme is expected to include expert talks, live styling demonstrations and educational sessions covering curly-hair care and styling.
Participating brands will also have opportunities to showcase products through demonstrations and interactive activations. Visitors can expect samples and goodie bags from participating hair brands, according to event information released ahead of the festival.
Beauty and lifestyle names including LUSH and lululemon have been listed among the brands involved, alongside other curl specialists and participating businesses.
The event therefore has a broader format than a conventional beauty exhibition, combining hair education with community and family activities.
Dedicated space for children
Families are a central part of the festival’s format.
A Kids’ Curl Corner is planned for younger visitors, with activities centred on representation, confidence and celebrating natural hair.
The organisers say the children’s programme will showcase different curl types and create an environment where children can engage positively with their natural hair.
That family focus is also part of what differentiates the Dubai event from a conventional professional hair show, which tends to target stylists or adult consumers.
Oh My Knots behind the event
The festival has been developed by Oh My Knots, a Dubai-based community platform focused on curly, coily and kinky hair.
Founder Gertrud Mackenzie established the platform to provide locally relevant information for people managing textured hair in the Gulf. The festival grew from demand within that community for a physical space where people could meet specialists, discover products and connect with others facing similar hair-care challenges.
The organisers have framed the event around celebrating natural curls while providing practical information for the UAE environment.
Dubai Curl Festival 2026: Key details
- Event: Dubai Curl Festival
- Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
- Time: 10am–6pm
- Location: Dubai
- Organiser: Oh My Knots
- Focus: Curly, coily and kinky hair
- Programme: Expert talks, styling demonstrations, brand activations, wellness experiences and family activities
- Children: Dedicated Kids’ Curl Corner
- Participating brands announced: LUSH, lululemon and others
Tickets are being offered online through Oh My Knots and selected ticketing platforms. The event information currently directs prospective visitors to the event’s online ticketing page.
For Dubai’s textured-hair community, the festival is intended to provide both a social gathering and a practical forum for discussing hair care in Gulf conditions.
What is the Dubai Curl Festival?
The Dubai Curl Festival is a new family-focused event dedicated to curly, coily and kinky hair. It will combine hair education, styling demonstrations, brand experiences and family activities.
When is Dubai Curl Festival 2026?
The inaugural Dubai Curl Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10am to 6pm.
Where will the Dubai Curl Festival take place?
The festival is scheduled to take place in Dubai. The sources consulted confirm the city and event date but do not provide a specific venue address.
Who is organising the Dubai Curl Festival?
The event is being organised by Oh My Knots, a Dubai-based community platform focused on curly, coily and kinky hair.
Will children be allowed at the Dubai Curl Festival?
Yes. The festival is designed as a family event and includes a dedicated Kids’ Curl Corner focused on natural-hair representation and activities for younger visitors.
What can visitors expect at the festival?
Visitors can expect expert talks, live styling demonstrations, educational sessions, brand activations, product discovery, wellness experiences and family activities.
Which brands are participating?
LUSH and lululemon have been named among the participating brands, with additional curl specialists and brands expected as part of the programme.
Why is the event focused on Gulf conditions?
The organisers say curly-hair routines can be affected by conditions such as heat, humidity and hard water in the Gulf, creating demand for advice and products relevant to people living in the region.
