If you are organising an event in Dubai, you would probably need to have an event permit from Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
This article will help you determine whether or not the event you are organising requires a DTCM permit.
Event types are divided into 4 different categories:
Entertainment
Examples: Music, theatre, awards ceremony, circus, dance and DJ events, performance arts, and fashion shows, as well as art exhibitions, public lectures and cultural/art/literature symposia, outdoor cinema, and film.
Business
Examples: Conferences, Exhibitions, Forums, Networking, Product Launches, Public Seminars and Summits that are public by nature.
Sports
Any sports activities, whether at competitive or practise level, involving amateur or professional participants that are open to the public to attend as spectators.
Religious or Charity
Any event held to mark religious occasions or to put forward or discuss subjects of a religious nature.
Example: Lectures, Seminars and Religious Celebrations
Charity events are any event that is intended for the collection of monetary or other donations to be used for charitable purposes.
Event Type / Format | Is DTCM Event Permit Required? |
Entertainment events |
|
Public concerts with local or international performers - ticketed/non-ticketed | Yes |
Private celebrations (wedding, birthdays or similar) with a local or international performer, by private invitation only | No |
Live music or dance events -paid/ticketed | Yes |
Live music or dance events - free/registration only | Yes |
Awards ceremony without performers or entertainment | No
|
Awards ceremony with performers or entertainment | Yes |
Theatre or shows - ticketed/non ticketed | Yes |
Art exhibits, fashion shows - ticketed/non-ticketed | Yes |
F&B Offers or brunches | No (Not considered as an "event") |
Online events | No |
Classical events - ticketed/non-ticketed | Yes |
Comedy events - ticketed/non-ticketed | Yes |
Outdoor festivals - ticketed/non-ticketed | Yes |
Public gala dinner or dinner party with performers - ticketed | Yes |
Dinner parties without performers in a restaurant - non-ticketed | No |
Public gala dinner or dinner parties with performers in a hotel or other events venue - non-ticketed | Yes |
Private gala dinner with performers, non-ticketed/no registration | No |
Business events |
|
Seminars, conferences or lectures that are internal by nature, i.e. organised by a corporate entity for their employees | No |
Seminars, lectures, receptions, networking events, open to the public - ticketed/ non ticketed, free or with registration fees | Yes |
Exhibitions and conferences | Yes |
Sports events |
|
Any sports activity open to the public to attend as spectators | Yes |
Yoga, Workout & exercises sessions, Zumba in public places such as playgrounds, parks, and halls - by private invitation only | No |
Yoga, Workout & exercises sessions, Zumba in public places such as playgrounds, parks, and halls - ticketed or by registration | Yes |
Sports events organised by local, federal or international sports federations | No |
The above list is in no way exhaustive.
Feel free to contact us if you would like to learn about the required documents or any other information about getting your DTCM Event Permit. We are always very happy to help!