Each year, the business-as-usual, black-clad corporate world of Dubai World Trade Centre makes way for colourful traditional clothes, aromatic food and sparkling jewellery.
For some, Ramadan Big Bazaar is prime bargaining grounds on popular Emirati clothes as families look to grab deals on their Eid finest. For others, they roam the halls of Dubai World Trade Centre sampling sweets and purchasing gifts on the last few nights of the holy month.
“It’s a lovely way to spend an evening during Ramadan,” said Rita Chaturvedi, 51, who visited the bazaar with her friend Kusam Sharma, 56.
“You get some good deals but that’s not the main reason we’re here.”
The bazaar opened last week and has since drawn 9,000 people to peruse the wares of more than 120 vendors.
“Where else would you get a Ramadan bazaar so well-spaced out with air conditioning so you can go about the stalls in comfort?” said the Indian blogger and stylist.
The bazaar could not be further away from the events that DWTC usually held.
The metronome sound of business people power walking down the corridors typical of the centre, adjacent to Dubai’s finance district, was absent. Instead, it was replaced with the cacophony of children caught in laughter as they ricocheted off bouncy castles within earshot of the stalls.
The sound of the childhood revelry was only matched by their parents who haggled vendors to lower their prices — the full breadth of bargaining on display.
“It’s a great place to pick something at a fair price from the stalls that you might not get anywhere else,” said Indian businessman Mohammed Rafink, 38, who visited the bazaar with his young daughter.
“It’s also good for my daughter as she likes to play here.”
Across the hall, a group of teenage boys were entranced by a film, Thor Ragnarok, being projected on to a screen. The film was a welcome distraction for their parents who could then shop in peace.
In another corner of the vast hall, a fortune-teller read carefully unfolded cards to a concerned-looking woman.
“There is a special atmosphere, you can relax and look around for deals or just chill out,” said Ms Chaturvedi. “It’s not claustrophobic like other night markets can be.”
The bazaar attracts a menagerie of people, representative of Dubai’s diverse population.
That point was not lost on Emirati Belal Alladaa, 28, who was one of the many people attending the market on Monday night.
“Events like this are so important because they attract all different kinds from people from across the world,” said Mr Alladaa, who owns a baseball cap company.
“You get lots of families coming because there is something for everyone. I come here lots with family and friends.
“Many people like the experience of haggling with the stall holders over prices and you often find a bargain because it is Ramadan.”
The opportunity to pick up a Ramadan bargain enticed Asma Said, 28, to venture into the bazaar.
“I have bought a few items of clothing for the Eid holidays so I’m really happy with my purchases,” said Ms Said, who moved from Pakistan to the UAE 15 years ago.
“I would definitely recommend it, especially for traditional dresses plus it makes more sense to buy here than from a mall where it’s so much more expensive.”
For some, the bazaar was simply an opportunity not to be missed.
“I have been coming regularly for years,” said Farida Moosajee, 32, who runs a toy shop with her father in Dubai.
“We go religiously to this market and the one in Sharjah as well.
“You get a lot of great deals and there are so many brilliant gift ideas too.”
But when it comes to getting a good deal, Ms Moosajee, from India, said timing is everything.
“Come during the week, instead of the weekend. You get more time to go around and check out the best deals,” she said.
