Dubai’s calendar of major exhibitions and global events is ramping up, and anyone who has driven past Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) during a large-scale event knows what that means: packed halls, full car parks, and slow-moving traffic. Whether you’re attending or simply commuting nearby, planning ahead can save time and stress.
World Congress for Self-Driving Transport 2025
Dates: September 24–25, 2025
Dubai is working toward making 25% of all trips self-driving by 2030, and the World Congress for Self-Driving Transport is a major milestone on that journey. The event brings together over 3,000 attendees and more than 50 exhibitors, showcasing futuristic autonomous transport technologies.
The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has already warned of potential delays, and residents should expect congested roads in the vicinity.
At the same time, ARABLAB, the region’s largest and longest-running laboratory and analytical industry show, is concluding, further contributing to traffic near DWTC.
WETEX + World Green Economy Summit
Dates: WETEX: September 30–October 2 | WGES: October 1–2, 2025
WETEX, the Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition, runs alongside the World Green Economy Summit (WGES), one of the top global forums for sustainable solutions. The overlapping events bring a high volume of exhibitors and visitors, making this period particularly busy around DWTC.
GITEX Global
Dates: October 13–17, 2025 | Timing: 10am–5pm
GITEX Global, Dubai’s premier tech exhibition, attracts tens of thousands of tech professionals, investors, and enthusiasts, resulting in heavy traffic.
Beautyworld Middle East
Dates: October 27–29, 2025 | Timing: 10am–6pm
This event is the largest trade fair for beauty, hair, fragrances, and wellness in the region, drawing thousands of exhibitors and visitors annually.
Gulfood Manufacturing
Dates: November 4–6, 2025 | Timing: 10am–6pm
Gulfood Manufacturing is a major platform for food and beverage professionals, highlighting the latest technology and innovations for efficiency and sustainability.
The Big 5 Global
Dates: November 24–27, 2025 | Timing: 11am–6pm (Nov 24), 10am–6pm (Nov 25–26), 10am–5pm (Nov 27)
The Middle East’s largest construction event brings together cutting-edge innovations and technologies shaping the industry. With Dubai constantly expanding, this is one of the busiest and most important events on the city’s calendar.
Future Shift to Expo City Dubai
To address growing traffic pressures, all large exhibitions will eventually move to Expo City Dubai, a 10-billion-dirham expansion project expected to be completed in phases by 2033. The move will double Dubai’s capacity for large-scale events, from 300 to 600 annually.
Additionally, the Trade Centre Roundabout is undergoing a major transformation, including the removal of the roundabout and construction of five new bridges, cutting travel times dramatically once completed. Temporary disruptions are causing some additional congestion now, but the long-term plan will improve traffic flow significantly.
Pro Tip: If you want to avoid peak congestion, consider visiting nearby restaurants or cafes during event hours and heading home after the rush.
