Discover Makar Sankranti 2026 UAE: how to celebrate in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Sharjah with temple events, Pongal pujas, family rituals and UAE‑friendly kite ideas.

Makar Sankranti 2026 UAE: How to Celebrate in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Sharjah

India’s Ministry of External Affairs estimates that around 3.5 million Indians live in the UAE, making it one of the largest Indian expatriate communities anywhere in the world. You can see high‑level numbers on the MEA site under “Overseas Indians”: https://www.mea.gov.in.

For this huge diaspora, Makar Sankranti 2026 UAE: How to Celebrate in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Sharjah is more than a date on the calendar. It’s the moment memories of:

Flying kites on rooftops in Gujarat
Stirring pongal in Tamil Nadu villages
Singing around Lohri bonfires in Punjab

…meet the reality of life in the Gulf: long workdays, school runs, apartment buildings, labour camps, strict laws and a very different climate.

If you’re an Indian expatriate, parent, student or professional in the UAE, you might be asking:

What exactly is Makar Sankranti, and how do Pongal and Uttarayan fit in?
What can we realistically do in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah?
Are there temple programmes near me? Can we fly kites safely and legally?
How do I make it meaningful for my kids, without breaking UAE rules or my budget?

This guide gives you clear, practical answers.

What Is Makar Sankranti (and Why So Many Names)?
When Is Makar Sankranti 2026 in the UAE?
Why Makar Sankranti Still Matters for Indians in the UAE
How Celebrations Work Under UAE Laws and Culture
Makar Sankranti 2026 in Dubai
Makar Sankranti 2026 in Abu Dhabi
Makar Sankranti 2026 in Sharjah & the Northern Emirates
Home, Building & Camp‑Friendly Ways to Celebrate
Including Kids, Teens & Non‑Indian Friends
Kite Flying in the UAE: What’s Realistic and Safe?
How to Find Local Events & Temple Programmes
10‑Step Checklist for Makar Sankranti 2026 UAE
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion: Shape Your Own Gulf‑Style Sankranti Tradition

What Is Makar Sankranti (and Why So Many Names)?

The basic idea in one line

Makar Sankranti is an Indian festival that marks the Sun’s move into Capricorn, the symbolic beginning of longer, brighter days, and a time to thank nature for the harvest and share sweetness with others.

Solar, not just lunar

Most big Indian festivals (like Diwali) are set by the lunar calendar, which is why their dates shift in the Western calendar.

Makar Sankranti is different because it’s tied to the solar calendar—the Sun’s apparent position:

Makar = Capricorn (Makara)
Sankranti = transition/movement

When the Sun enters Makara, it’s called Makar Sankranti. This is also linked to the traditional concept of Uttarayana, the Sun’s “northward journey”, associated with auspiciousness and the return of light.

That’s why Makar Sankranti usually falls on 14 or 15 January every year in the UAE, with only small shifts over time.

Pongal, Uttarayan, Lohri & Bihu: different faces of the same moment

Around the Makar Sankranti date, different regions mark the same solar turning point with different names and customs:

Makar Sankranti – North, West & Central India
- Tilgul (sesame–jaggery sweets), khichdi, river baths, charity
Pongal / Thai Pongal – Tamil Nadu & Tamil diaspora
- Boiling fresh rice and milk until it overflows (“pongal”)
- Thanking Surya (the Sun), cattle and the land
- Drawing kolam (geometric designs) outside homes
Uttarayan – Gujarat (and parts of Rajasthan)
- Massive kite‑flying festival
- Dishes like undhiyu and jalebi
Lohri – Punjab (typically the night before Sankranti)
- Bonfire, songs, dance, groundnuts, popcorn, rewari
Magh Bihu / Bhogali Bihu – Assam
- Feasts, rice cakes, bonfires, burning bamboo structures (meji)
Poush Sankranti – Bengal & Odisha
- Sweets made of rice flour and date palm jaggery

So if your family comes from different states, “Makar Sankranti 2026 UAE: How to Celebrate in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Sharjah” may mean Pongal and kolam, or kites and undhiyu, or Lohri songs—or a mix of all three.

India’s national portal has simple intros to many of these festivals:
https://www.india.gov.in (search “Makar Sankranti”, “Pongal”, or “Lohri”).

When Is Makar Sankranti 2026 in the UAE?

Because it’s solar, Makar Sankranti sits almost fixed in the Western calendar.

For 2026, most Indian panchangs place Makar Sankranti around:

14–15 January 2026 (exact sankranti moment depends on astronomical calculations)

In the UAE, that means:

Temples and communities will observe the festival in mid‑January 2026, adjusting times for the Gulf time zone.
Public cultural events might be on:
- The actual sankranti date (if it falls on a weekend), and/or
- The nearest Friday or Saturday, since those are the UAE weekend days.

To know exactly when your local temple or association is celebrating:

Check their 2026 event calendar or social media posts from late December 2025 onwards.

Why Makar Sankranti Still Matters for Indians in the UAE

Seasonal & emotional reset

In India, Makar Sankranti often feels like:

“The worst of winter is over; let’s be outdoors, fly kites, celebrate the Sun.”

In the UAE, winter is milder but still a real season:

Cooler months (December–February) are when life moves outdoors—beach visits, desert trips, barbecues.
By mid‑January, many people have returned from India after New Year breaks, work pressure returns, school resumes.

Marking Makar Sankranti helps:

Break the routine with a positive, cultural anchor point
Remind people that days are getting a little longer and lighter
Add meaning to the cooler season beyond just “nice weather”

Staying connected to India while living in the Gulf

For many first‑generation expatriates, Sankranti brings flashbacks of:

Childhood roof terraces full of kites
First Pongal after a harvest
Neighbourhood Lohri bonfires

In Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, those exact settings don’t exist—but the feelings can be recreated in adapted form:

Kites in a safe corner of a public park
Pongal in an apartment kitchen
Lohri songs in a community hall, minus open flames if needed

This is how “home” stretches from village field to Gulf flat.

Teaching children who feel “more Dubai than Delhi”

Many Indian kids in the UAE:

Do nursery, school and sometimes university entirely in the Gulf
Feel very comfortable with Emirati, Arab and global culture
Know Bollywood and biryani, but not always the deeper festival meanings

Using Makar Sankranti 2026 UAE as a teaching moment, parents can:

Explain why we mark the Sun and harvest
Show how different regions of India interpret the same day
Talk about how we live between India’s rhythm and the UAE’s calendar

How Celebrations Work Under UAE Laws and Culture

Before planning anything for Makar Sankranti 2026 UAE, remember: you are living under UAE law.

Respect for UAE symbols and rules

The UAE has clear guidelines around:

Public gatherings and events
Display of flags and symbols
Noise and public conduct

You can learn about basic legal expectations and social behaviour at the UAE Government portal:

https://u.ae

Key points for festivals:

Large public events need official permissions (handled by associations, not individuals).
Religious activities should be confined to approved places of worship or private spaces.
Avoid turning gatherings into any kind of political demonstration or loud, disruptive event.

Safe and lawful festival planning

For individuals and families:

Home rituals are fine as long as they’re safe (no fire hazards, respect building rules).
Temple visits and official community events are generally safe spaces—these are organised with permissions.
If you use building common areas or camp spaces, always get permission from management.

For organisers:

Check with authorities and venue owners about all permissions.
Ensure festivals are framed as religious/cultural, not political.
Follow crowd management and safety guidelines.

If in doubt, keep things smaller, indoors and family‑focused.

Makar Sankranti 2026 in Dubai

Dubai has one of the largest Indian populations in the world and the most visible Indian festivals in the region.

Where Indian life clusters in Dubai

You’ll especially see Sankranti‑related activities around:

Bur Dubai / Meena Bazaar – older Indian community hub; temples, textile shops, vegetarian restaurants.
Karama – dense mix of Indian eateries, shops and residents.
Al Qusais, Al Nahda, Oud Metha – many Indian families and Indian curriculum schools.
Jebel Ali – home to the new Hindu temple complex serving a wide range of deities.

Temples & religious centres in Dubai

Key places that often host Indian religious festivals (always check latest status and schedules):

Bur Dubai Hindu Temple (Shiva and Krishna shrines) in the old textile souq area
New Hindu Temple in Jebel Ali – multi‑faith complex with several shrines
- Info: https://hindutempledubai.com

These temples usually announce festival schedules on:

Their own websites
Facebook and Instagram pages
Notice boards outside the temple premises

While they may not label everything “Makar Sankranti 2026 UAE: How to Celebrate in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Sharjah”, you can look for:

Pongal or Sankranti special pujas
Announcements of special prasad offerings

Typical Sankranti/Pongal events in Dubai

In and around Dubai, you might find:

Pongal puja at temples or Tamil cultural centres
Tamil Sangam‑style events in school auditoriums or halls
Regional associations (Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, Marathi) holding harvest‑themed gatherings
Small, temple‑linked or community‑linked kite events (where safe and allowed)

How to find them:

Follow Indian community pages in UAE English‑language media such as:
- Gulf News – https://gulfnews.com
- Khaleej Times – https://www.khaleejtimes.com
Use Eventbrite or similar platforms with keywords like “Pongal Dubai”, “Makar Sankranti Dubai”, “Lohri Dubai”.
Ask in WhatsApp groups for your building, school, workplace or homeland state group.

Sample Dubai family plan (weekend‑friendly)

For a family in Al Nahda or Karama:

Morning

Simple Pongal or Sankranti puja at home: light a diya, offer pongal/tilgul/khichdi, do a short aarti.
Visit the Bur Dubai or Jebel Ali temple for special archana or darshan.

Afternoon

Lunch at a favourite Indian restaurant in Karama or Bur Dubai.
If any safe kite event is organised in a park or open area with permissions, attend briefly with proper supervision.

Evening

Host a small gathering at home with close friends:
- Each family brings one dish (pongal, tilgul, chole, pakoras, etc.).
- Kids perform a song, dance or a short explanation of their “state’s version” of Sankranti.
- End with a group call or video session with relatives in India.

For busy professionals:

Visit a temple before/after work for 15–30 minutes.
Move the full family celebration to Friday (UAE weekend), combining puja, meal and perhaps a small association event.

Makar Sankranti 2026 in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the UAE’s capital and home to the Embassy of India and (now) the region’s first large purpose‑built Hindu temple.

Indian areas in Abu Dhabi

Indian expatriates are spread across:

Mussafah – industrial area with many workers and families.
Electra Street, Tourist Club (Al Zahiyah), Khalidiya – mixed expat suburbs with many Indians.
Newer family‑oriented suburban developments.

BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi

The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi (opened 2024) is a major new centre for Hindu worship in the Gulf.

Official info: https://www.baps.org (search “Abu Dhabi Mandir”).

By 2026, it is likely to:

Host festival‑specific pujas and programmes, including Makar Sankranti/Pongal events.
Provide online calendars and event details via the BAPS site and its own social channels.

Other religious and community spaces

Abu Dhabi also has:

Smaller Hindu prayer halls and groups that organise festivals.
Sikh and church communities where Punjabi families may celebrate Lohri socially.

How to find Sankranti/Pongal events in Abu Dhabi

Check the BAPS Abu Dhabi Mandir official pages for “Festival Calendar” and “Events”.
Follow Indian community associations based in Abu Dhabi on Facebook and Instagram.
Look for announcements in Gulf News/Khaleej Times community pages.
Ask in WhatsApp groups for your building, workplace or language community.

Sample Abu Dhabi family plan

For a family living near Electra Street:

Morning

Visit BAPS Abu Dhabi Mandir (or your nearest Hindu worship space) for a quick Sankranti/Pongal darshan if you can manage the travel.
Otherwise, do a home puja before work or school.

Afternoon

Family time for lunch (if it’s a weekend), or simple khichdi/pongal when everyone returns home on a working day.

Evening

Join a community event if one is near your area, or
Call relatives in India, share photos and talk about what “harvest” means in a Gulf context.

For workers in Mussafah or nearby industrial areas:

Organise a short, simple gathering in camp accommodation common rooms—only with management permission.
Keep it safe: a few songs, some sweets or pongal, perhaps a recorded bhajan or folk song.

Makar Sankranti 2026 in Sharjah & Northern Emirates

Sharjah, Ajman and other Northern Emirates have large Indian family populations, many of whom commute to Dubai for work or use Dubai’s temples.

Indian‑heavy neighbourhoods in Sharjah

Al Nahda (bordering Dubai) – many Indian families
Al Qasimia, Al Majaz, Rolla – South Asian shops and residents

Celebration patterns

In Sharjah and nearby emirates, you’ll likely find:

Smaller, apartment‑level and building‑level celebrations
Regional associations hiring school halls or function rooms for:
- Pongal events
- Lohri gatherings
- Generic Sankranti cultural shows

You might not have a big temple nearby, but you are within reach of Dubai’s temple complex. The choice becomes:

Travel to Dubai once (maybe for Pongal/Sankranti puja), and/or
Focus on Sharjah‑local home and community events

How to find events

Search Arabic‑and English‑language local news for Indian community coverage.
Join “Indians in Sharjah” or language‑specific Sharjah groups on Facebook/WhatsApp.
Ask in Indian groceries and restaurants if they know of any upcoming events.

Home, Building & Camp‑Friendly Ways to Celebrate

If your search for Makar Sankranti 2026 UAE: How to Celebrate in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Sharjah returns nothing major nearby, you can still create a rich celebration where you live.

Home rituals that work even in small flats

Decor:
- Small rangoli or kolam at the door using chalk or coloured rice.
- A simple “India corner” with a flag image, lamp and a bowl of til/gur or rice.
Puja:
- Light an LED or traditional diya (consider smoke alarms).
- Offer pongal, khichdi or sweets to your chosen deity.
- Do a short aarti and recital or bhajan.
Food:
- Choose 1–2 dishes from your state: pongal, tilgul, chikki, undhiyu, khichdi, sweets.
- Use locally available ingredients; UAE Indian supermarkets carry most staples.
Connection:
- Video call family in India.
- Share photos with friends in other countries.

Building & labour camp gatherings

If your building or camp allows small events:

Ask management for formal permission to use a common area on a specific day/time.
Keep it:
- Short (30–60 minutes).
- Focused on culture (food, songs, stories) rather than complex rituals.
- Safe (no open flames or overloaded sockets).

Format could include:

One person briefly explaining Makar Sankranti/Pongal/Lohri.
Everyone sharing a favourite memory or dish.
Eating together and closing on time.

Always put safety and rules ahead of trying to recreate India exactly.

Including Kids, Teens & Non‑Indian Friends

Kids (up to early teens)

Make the festival interactive:

Crafts: paper kites, colouring a Sun, drawing kolam on tiles.
Storytime: how their grandparents marked the festival; how farmers depend on the Sun and seasons.
Science link: show a globe and torch to explain seasons and why days start getting longer.

Simple explanation:

“From this time, the Sun stays longer in the sky each day, so we say thank you for light and food and share sweets with everyone.”

Teens & university students

Older children may be more interested in:

Comparing life in India vs UAE during festivals.
Discussing identity—what feels Indian, what feels Emirati, what feels global.
Creating content (short videos, blogs, art) about how they see Pongal/Sankranti in the Gulf.

Questions to ask:

“What part of this festival means something to you personally?”
“If you had to explain it to a non‑Indian friend in 2 minutes, what would you say?”

Non‑Indian colleagues & friends

If you invite others:

Start with a brief, neutral explanation:“This is our mid‑January harvest and Sun festival. We celebrate the Sun’s northward turn, thank nature for food, and share sweets and dishes from different parts of India.”
Offer food and, if comfortable, let them observe or join a simple prayer.
Encourage questions, and answer gently without trying to “convert” or argue.

This can deepen mutual respect and understanding in mixed buildings, workplaces and friendship circles.

Kite Flying in the UAE: What’s Realistic and Safe?

Kite flying is iconic for Uttarayan in India—but the UAE has different conditions and rules.

Practical considerations

Weather:
- Winter in the UAE is generally suitable for outdoor activity, but high winds or sandstorms can appear quickly.
Space & safety:
- Many residential areas are close to roads, buildings and power lines.
Regulations:
- There is no single federal “kite law”, but general aviation and public safety rules apply.
- Flying kites near airports, roads or power lines is forbidden and dangerous.

Always:

Check with your local municipality or ask at a known kite event if you’re unsure.
Prefer organised kite events run by experienced groups with permissions.

Safer alternatives

If true kite flying isn’t realistic where you live:

Do indoor paper kite crafts with kids.
Use decorative kites as wall hangings.
Watch Uttarayan kite festivals online (e.g., Gujarat Tourism or news channel videos on YouTube) and talk about their meaning.

The emotional point—freedom, colour, moving with the wind—can be explored through these safer, UAE‑friendly options.

How to Find Local Events & Temple Programmes

Because content changes every year, learning where to look is more important than memorising a list.

Indian diplomatic missions (for general diaspora info)

Although they won’t run religious events, they connect with many Indian associations:

Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi – https://www.indembassyuae.gov.in
Consulate General of India, Dubai – usually findable via MEA: https://www.mea.gov.in/indian-missions-abroad.htm

Follow their social media; festival greetings and community mentions may lead you to local associations.

UAE Government portal

For understanding legal and social expectations:

https://u.ae

Check for guidance on:

Public gatherings
Appropriate behaviour
Public order laws

Temples, gurdwaras & cultural centres

Use Google Maps to identify:

“Hindu temple near me”
“Sikh gurdwara Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Sharjah”

Then:

Visit official websites/Facebook pages.
Look for “Events”, “Puja Calendar” or “Festivals”.

Indian media in the UAE

Scan the community sections of:

Gulf News – https://gulfnews.com
Khaleej Times – https://www.khaleejtimes.com

These often cover major Indian festival events, including Pongal and Lohri gatherings.

Social media & WhatsApp

Perhaps the most powerful “near me” tool:

Facebook groups:
- “Indians in Dubai”, “Indians in Abu Dhabi”, “Indians in Sharjah”, plus state‑specific groups.
WhatsApp groups:
- Building residents
- Office teams
- Language groups (Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Punjabi etc.)

Ask:

“Any Makar Sankranti/Pongal/Lohri or kite‑related events happening around [your area] in January 2026?”

People often share flyers, Temple posters and Google Maps links quickly.

10‑Step Checklist for Makar Sankranti 2026 UAE

Mark the dates
- Note mid‑January 2026 and the nearest weekend as your Sankranti window.
Identify your “radius”
- Decide how far you’re willing to travel (e.g., 30–45 minutes by car).
List temples and Indian hubs in that radius
- Include Dubai temple complex, BAPS Abu Dhabi Mandir, and major community centres.
Scan January 2026 festival schedules
- Look for mentions of Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri, kite festivals.
Ask your community
- Use Facebook and WhatsApp groups to crowdsource event info “near me”.
Pick one main outside event
- Prioritise the one that best suits your family’s time, budget and travel comfort.
Design a home or building ritual
- Plan decor, puja, food and storytime that work in your accommodation and under UAE rules.
Prepare for safety & lawfulness
- Confirm permissions for any common‑area or kite activity.
- Avoid dangerous strings, open fires, or unapproved gatherings.
Include kids, elders & friends thoughtfully
- Give everyone roles, but keep group sizes manageable and comfortable.
Reflect afterwards

Ask: “What made this Sankranti feel meaningful?”
Note what to repeat or adjust for 2027; save one or two photos and a recipe as part of your growing Gulf tradition.

Related Guides :

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Makar Sankranti a public holiday in the UAE?

No.

Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri and related festivals are not official UAE public holidays. The UAE’s public holidays focus on national and Islamic occasions, listed here:

https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/public-holidays-and-religious-affairs/public-holidays

So most schools, offices and shops operate as usual around mid‑January.

Do Indian temples in the UAE celebrate Makar Sankranti or Pongal?

Yes, many do in some form.

Temples often hold special pujas and prasad for Makar Sankranti or Pongal.
Some may arrange cultural programmes or distribute pongal, tilgul, etc.

Always check your specific temple’s event calendar or social media, as practices vary.

Can I fly kites for Sankranti in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah?

Sometimes—but only where it is safe and allowed.

Kite flying near roads, tall buildings, power lines or airports is not acceptable.
Dangerous string (glass‑coated manja, metallic string) should never be used.
Join only organised, permitted kite events or get explicit advice from local authorities/parks if you plan small‑scale flying.

If in doubt, skip real kites and focus on indoor crafts and symbolic activities.

Are non‑Indians allowed at Sankranti or Pongal events in the UAE?

Generally yes.

Most Indian temples and cultural associations:

Welcome visitors of all backgrounds, as long as they behave respectfully.
May have simple dress rules (modest clothing, covered shoulders and knees).

For any event with limited capacity, entry may require prior registration, irrespective of nationality.

How can I explain Makar Sankranti/Pongal to non‑Indian colleagues?

You could say:

“It’s a mid‑January Indian festival where we celebrate the Sun’s movement and the start of longer days. We thank nature for food, share sweets and special dishes, and in some regions fly kites or gather around bonfires. Different states call it different names—Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri, Uttarayan—but they’re all about light, harvest and community.”

This short explanation usually makes people curious and respectful rather than confused.

Conclusion: Shape a Sankranti That Fits Your Gulf Life

Makar Sankranti 2026 UAE: How to Celebrate in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Sharjah is not about copying India exactly, or ticking every ritual in a rulebook.

It’s about asking:

How can I mark the return of light and gratitude for food in the place I live now?
Which parts of Pongal, Uttarayan, Lohri or Magh Bihu feel alive and meaningful for my family here?
How can I stay within UAE laws and culture, while still honouring my Indian heart?

Maybe for you that means:

A quiet temple visit before work
One weekend Pongal event at a Tamil or multi‑regional gathering
A simple home ritual with pongal, tilgul or khichdi and a video call to India

Over time, those small choices will become your own Gulf‑style Sankranti tradition—one your children and friends will remember long after 2026.

What two or three things from this guide will you commit to for Makar Sankranti 2026 in the UAE, so that it feels both authentically Indian and realistically Emirati?