Diwali in Dubai: three cars to win at malls, and the shows to see until 12 November

Dubai's Diwali season is under way. The Festival of Lights, organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of the Department of Economy and Tourism, runs citywide from 2 to 12 November, with Diwali itself on Sunday 8 November. It is built on three parts: shopping and rewards, experiences and events, and celebrations across the city.

The shopping side carries the biggest prizes. Under Shop, Scan and Win, anyone who spends Dh200 or more at a participating mall can enter a draw for one of two Soueast cars. City Centre Deira has its own draw for a Jaecoo J8 SUV, and BurJuman runs Shop, Celebrate and Win, with a Jetour T1 as the prize. A Diwali Gold Rush promotion adds jewellery offers and gold rewards. DFRE has said the full list of participating malls, offers and draw rules will be announced as the festival goes on, so check the mall's own channels before you shop for a draw.

The free headline event is Noor, the Festival of Lights, at Souk Al Seef on the Creek on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November, from 6pm to 11pm. It is in its third year, with a procession of puppets and drummers and live music: The Shams and Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi on the Saturday, the band Jammers and singer-songwriter Sooraj Santhosh on the Sunday, according to Gulf News.

Global Village marks the festival from 6 to 10 November with a Diwali mela, a market, family activities and regional Indian food. On Friday 6 November it hosts its first baithak, a seated musical gathering where the audience sits close to the singers, on the Main Stage from 8pm to 9pm. On Sunday 8 November a 600-drone Diwali show lights up the sky above the Stunt Arena and the Syria Pavilion at 8pm, and the park stays open until midnight that night. Restaurants including Jamavar, Bombay Brasserie and Kinara by Vikas Khanna have festive menus for the period.

What to plan: Noor is free and Souk Al Seef is a short walk from Al Ghubaiba Metro station, the easier choice, as parking around the souk fills fast on weekend evenings. Global Village entry is Dh25 on weekdays and Dh30 at weekends, with all Diwali activities included; rides at Carnaval cost extra. For the car draws, keep your receipts and register them the way each mall asks. No fireworks times have been announced for this year's festival.