Dubai, one of the most exclusive destinations in the world, has firmly established itself as a premier hotspot for electronic music enthusiasts, drawing an elite roster of globally renowned acts and DJs. As festival season sweeps across the Gulf, few events command as much attention as Untold Dubai – a four-day celebration of house music (from November 6 to 9) where fans gather to immerse themselves in energy and let loose, Dubai-style. Read on to learn everything you need to know about Untold Dubai 2025.
What Makes Untold So Special
Founded in Cluj, Romania, in 2015, Untold Festival is an annual gathering of electronic music aficionados in Eastern Europe. Thanks mainly to its unparalleled success, the event branched out to Dubai in 2024 and is set to take the city by storm again this year, with world-class house music acts headlining the 2025 iteration.
Over the years, the event has showcased some of the world’s best acts. Starting as it meant to go on, the inaugural show back in 2015 attracted some of music’s biggest names, with artists such as Fedde Le Grand, John Digweed, Avicii and David Guetta all playing at the festival.
Since then, Untold hasn’t missed a beat and continues to attract some of the game’s heaviest hitters. The 2024 festival played host to some 185,000 revellers from around the world, who came to see acts such as Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, Ellie Goulding, G-Eazy, and even K-pop superstar PSY.
Set across multiple stages, the 2025 event will once again provide a platform for some of the genre's biggest names, with world-class DJs Martin Garrix and Steve Aoki (among many more) performing this time out.
Your Route to the Action
Previous iterations of Untold festival have been located at Expo City, but this year the festival has found a new home on the southern edge of the city, at Dubai Parks and Resorts.
The location is ideal for inhabitants of both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as it sits almost midway between both when taking traffic into account. Just a short distance from Palm Jebel Ali, the location is accessible in all directions in around 45 minutes or less – thanks to its position just on Sheikh Zayed Road – opening up the lucrative market of Abu Dhabi for the festival and its organisers.
This new location is ideal for international guests, who now have the added option of flying into the UAE’s capital city, as well as Dubai, for the festival.
Stay in Style
For those in town for Untold Dubai, the city is home to some of the world’s most exquisite five-star hotels.
The closest option to Dubai Parks and Resorts is JA The Resort. Located close to Jebel Ali Beach and the upcoming Palm Jebel Ali, the resort offers two hotels, a marina, a gym and a nine-hole golf course.
Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat, just 20 minutes from the festival site, represents one of the most exclusive destinations in the area. A luxury retreat on the coast, the hotel is an intimate hideaway midway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, offering just 22 rooms and suites, a spa and fitness centre, two top-class restaurants and some of the most serene views in the country.
Address Beach Resort, located at The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence, offers the world’s highest infinity pool, which looks out onto the iconic Palm Jumeirah, while Atlantis The Palm is arguably the city’s most famed option, offering a wide array of first-class amenities.
Making the Most of Your Visit
Few can endure the intensity of four full days at an electronic music festival, and in the UAE, there is no shortage of other attractions and experiences for visitors to explore.
Just a stone’s throw from Abu Dhabi, the nation’s capital, visitors have a wide range of things to see and do, including the entertainment district of Yas Island, where world-class theme parks such as Ferrari World are located. Saadiyat Island also boasts some of the Gulf’s best museums, with Louvre and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi both offering refined options for sophisticated travellers.
Dubai, of course, offers its own unique range of upscale activities. Downtown Dubai is home to the iconic Burj Khalifa, while Dubai Mall is also a captivating option, providing a wide range of retail, dining and entertainment options. Palm Jumeirah, one of the most renowned neighbourhoods in the world, presents a variety of beach clubs and five-star hotels, all offering upscale services and amenities. For golf enthusiasts, the city is replete with world-class courses in communities such as Emirates Hills, Dubai Hills and Jumeirah Golf Estates, which all present first-rate facilities and some of the most in-demand properties in the city.
A City with Unparalleled Dining Options
Being one of the world’s most exclusive destinations, visitors to Dubai draw advantage from a plethora of high-end restaurants. The city is home to nearly 20 Michelin-starred restaurants, offering a diverse range of global cuisines.
STAY by Yannick Alléno on Palm Jumeirah is set in an elegant, colonial-style property, offering traditional French cuisine with a modern twist – highly deserving of its two Michelin stars. Il Ristorante at the Bulgari Resort Dubai Hotel on Jumeirah Island also boasts two stars, showcasing some of the best Italian cuisine in the city courtesy of a team of authentic Italian chefs. Similarly, Row on 45, the highly exclusive Jason Atherton-helmed Dubai Marina establishment, boasts just 22 guest seats and stands as a gastronomic adventure through Japanese and French fusion cuisine.
With three Michelin stars, FZN by Björn Frantzén at Atlantis The Palm expertly blends Scandinavian and Asian food, while Tresind Studio, located at St. Regis Gardens on the trunk of Palm Jumeirah, showcases the finest Indian fare the city has to offer.
Untold Dubai is set to be one of the most anticipated events on the city’s social calendar. Featuring a lineup of top-tier DJs, the festival also offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the finest that Dubai and Abu Dhabi have to offer, from five-star hotels and world-class restaurants to luxurious beach resorts and premier golf courses. Together, these elements position Untold Dubai as one of the most exclusive and upscale electronic music festivals globally.
