Dubai Yoga moves to sunrise under The Gate in DIFC on 29 November, free

Dubai Yoga, the free open-air yoga session that closes the Dubai Fitness Challenge, returns for its second edition on Sunday 29 November. This year it moves to a new place and a new hour: sunrise, beneath The Gate building in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Entry is free, but everyone has to register first on the Dubai Fitness Challenge website.

The organisers, Dubai Sports Council and the Department of Economy and Tourism, say it is open to all ages and levels, from first-timers to people who practise every day. The morning starts with a display by UAE yogasana champions, then a sound bath and guided breathwork, and then the main event: a 30-minute sunrise yoga session. What's On reports that gates open at 5.15am, the breathwork and warm-up run from 6.30am and the main session from 6.45am to 7.15am, followed by music, wellness stands and food until about 8am.

When you register you pick a zone: Family, Ladies Only, General, or a zone for People of Determination. Children are welcome and have activities of their own, but anyone under 18 must come with an adult. Mats are provided on site; the organisers ask people to wear comfortable clothes and bring a refillable water bottle.

The first Dubai Yoga, in 2025, drew 3,500 people. This year's edition carries the challenge's "What's Your 30x30?" theme and is presented by MHERO, with Fabletics and the Roads and Transport Authority among the partners. It is the last of the big free events of the tenth Dubai Fitness Challenge, which runs from Saturday 31 October to 29 November and asks residents to do 30 minutes of activity a day for 30 days.

To take part, register on dubaifitnesschallenge.com under Dubai Yoga and choose your zone. Places and final timings are set by the organisers, so check the confirmation you receive before the day. Plan to arrive early, since the session starts at sunrise and DIFC's roads and car parks fill up at big events; the Emirates Towers and Financial Centre Metro stations on the Red Line are the nearest, but check that trains are running at that hour on a Sunday, when the Metro usually opens later.