Onam 2026 UAE: Indian expats from Kerala celebrate at office, in desert and skies

Dubai: Indian expats from Kerala in the UAE celebrated Onam 2026 in unique ways, with festivities spanning offices, the desert, and even 35,000 feet in the air. Pookkalams (floral carpets) and Thiruvathira dance were observed at many offices, while a horseback ride through the desert took place for the first time by the Royal Stallions Riders.

Meanwhile, Air Arabia served Onasadhya, a traditional vegetarian feast, to passengers on a flight from Abu Dhabi to Kerala, allowing travelers to taste home while in the sky. This year's celebrations held extra significance as Thiruvonam, the most important day of the festival, fell on a Wednesday, prompting many employees to enjoy the feast at their workplaces or restaurants before gathering with families over the weekend.

Restaurants across the UAE saw long queues for Onasadhya, with eateries such as Calicut Paragon and King Chef Restaurant experiencing high demand. To cater to the surge in demand, major restaurant groups and hypermarket chains offered takeaway and bulk deliveries of the traditional feast. Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala, commemorates the mythical homecoming of King Mahabali, remembered as a golden era of unity, equality, and prosperity.

With over 4.5 million Indians living in the UAE, more than a million of whom are from Kerala, Onam has become a prominent expatriate festival, embraced widely beyond the Malayali community.