Diwali travel: Abu Dhabi courts Indian families of all ages

Diwali is one of the few moments in the year when several generations of an Indian family can travel together, and the question of where to go, at what cost, and with what in it for grandparents and children alike is a practical one. The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has put forward an answer: curated multi-generational family getaways in the UAE capital, a three-to-four-hour flight from major Indian cities, with holiday packages starting at INR 83,825 per person.

The seasonal offerings are built around what families can actually do together, combining white-sand beaches, world-class museums, theme parks, festive shopping and family feasts. Whether the plan is a quick break or a longer holiday, the emirate is positioning itself as a place where the festival of lights can be celebrated without splitting the family across different itineraries.

The practical detail matters most for households weighing their options. Utazzo’s six-night Discover Abu Dhabi Festive Celebrations package, from INR 83,325 per person, covers accommodation with breakfast and airport transfers, along with access to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, a Yas Island theme park and a desert safari, with time left for shopping.

For families flying from Ahmedabad who prefer to have arrangements handled end to end, Flamingo Transworld’s Diwali Package, the Epic Tour Package with Sky View, starts from INR 167,500 per person. It includes return economy flights, a UAE visa and three nights in Abu Dhabi, with high tea at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, visits to two Yas Island theme parks, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque on the itinerary.

Thomas Cook’s three-night Arabian Dhamaka Winter package starts from INR 136,500 per person and includes immersive art at teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, the architecture of Qasr Al Watan, snow in the desert at Snow Abu Dhabi and access to two Yas Island theme parks. A guided city tour, a photo stop at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and a visit to BAPS Hindu Mandir round out the stay.

Meanwhile, travellers seeking a slower rhythm between sightseeing and family adventures have a hotel option as well. Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island is offering up to 25% off the Best Available Rate for minimum two-night stays between 1 and 15 November 2026, with complimentary all-inclusive accommodation for children in selected room categories. That places a Diwali family holiday beside the sea, minutes from some of Abu Dhabi’s leading cultural institutions.

Familiar flavours travel with the family. From 6 to 8 November, Namak’s Diwali Table will feature live chaat, tandoor favourites, regional Indian dishes and traditional sweets for approximately INR 4,200 per adult, with up to two children aged 10 and below dining for free.

Beyond the festive offers, the emirate’s broader appeal lies in the fact that no member of the family has to sit out. A morning can be spent at Saadiyat Island’s museums, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, before an afternoon of rollercoasters and entertainment on Yas Island. Landmarks include Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the architecture of Qasr Al Watan and BAPS Hindu Mandir, while teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, Snow Abu Dhabi and desert safaris add immersive experiences for all ages.

For households with Dhanteras and Diwali shopping on the agenda, The Galleria Al Maryah Island mall brings together luxury fashion houses and international brands in a waterfront setting, turning festive shopping into an experience of its own.

The full campaign details are available at https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/abu-dhabi-invites-families-to-celebrate-diwali-with-multi-generational-getaways-just-a-short-flight-away-302899654.html, and bookings can be made through visitabudhabi.ae/en/campaign/diwali.

Travellers should note that offers, prices, inclusions and packages are subject to availability and individual partner terms and conditions, and that the INR conversion for dining is approximate and may vary according to exchange rates.

DCT Abu Dhabi, the government body behind the campaign, drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, working in partnership with organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination. Its vision, the department says, is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape, and its living traditions of hospitality. For families planning this year’s festival of lights, the message is simple: the option is there, a short flight away, and priced to be compared.