Every hour from 16:00
Demonstrations
Live pumpkin carving by master carvers, up close and interactive.
Live artistry
Each demonstration starts with a whole pumpkin and ends with a lit lantern. Our carvers work on a small stage with a camera above the table, so everyone can follow each cut on the big screen.
This year's line-up includes a lace-pattern specialist, a sculptor who carves faces in relief and a calligrapher who cuts Arabic letters into the shell. Demonstrations run every hour from 16:00 to 21:00 on both days.
Ask the carvers
After every demonstration, the carver stays at the table for questions. Ask how they choose a pumpkin, which tools they use and how they keep a lantern fresh in the Dubai heat.
Beginners are welcome: bring a photo of the design you have in mind and the carvers will help you simplify it for your hands-on session.
Every style
You will see classic grinning jack-o'-lanterns, lace patterns that glow like lanterns from the old souq, and full sculptures carved in relief. At sunset, every finished piece goes on the display wall and is lit up.
On Saturday evening, visitors vote for their favourite lantern, and the winner takes home a professional carving kit.
