Dhanteras 2026 Gold in Dubai: Date, Souk Timings, Prices and Buying Tips
Quick answer: Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, 6 November, two days before Diwali on Sunday, 8 November. At 00:32 UAE time on Monday, 19 October 2026, the world market price of 22K gold in the UAE is AED 450.93 per gram, AED 5,259.56 per tola and AED 4,509.30 for 10 grams, equal to US$122.79 per gram. In Dubai, the Gold Souk in Deira usually opens only after Friday prayers, while mall and Meena Bazaar jewellers open earlier.
Gold Price in UAE Today (AED per gram)
| Karat | Purity | Per Gram (AED) | Per Tola (AED) | Per 10g (AED) | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 491.91 | 5,737.54 | 4,919.10 | Investment / Bars |
| 22K | 91.6% | 450.93 | 5,259.56 | 4,509.30 | Jewellery (most popular) |
| 21K | 87.5% | 430.42 | 5,020.33 | 4,304.20 | Traditional Jewellery |
| 20K | 83.3% | 409.91 | 4,781.11 | 4,099.10 | Jewellery |
| 18K | 75.0% | 368.93 | 4,303.13 | 3,689.30 | Designer / Affordable |
GoldRateUAE tracks Dhanteras 2026 gold in Dubai for the many Indian families in the UAE who buy on this auspicious day. The live table above shows today’s 24K, 22K, 21K and 18K price per gram, so you can see how the rate moves in the weeks before the festival.
Dhanteras is the first day of the five day Diwali festival, and buying gold or silver on this day is believed to bring prosperity. In Dubai, it is one of the busiest gold buying days of the year for Indian residents.
When Is Dhanteras 2026, and What Day Does It Fall On in the UAE?
Dhanteras 2026 is on Friday, 6 November, followed by Choti Diwali on 7 November, Diwali and Lakshmi Puja on 8 November, Govardhan Puja on 9 November and Bhai Dooj on 10 November. The exact muhurat depends on your city, so check a panchang for your family’s tradition.
A Friday Dhanteras matters in Dubai. Friday is a short working day in the UAE, and the traditional Gold Souk in Deira keeps different hours from the malls.
Where to Buy Gold in Dubai on a Friday Dhanteras
Plan the shop as well as the piece, because opening hours differ across Dubai’s gold areas on a Friday.
| Area | Friday pattern | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Gold Souk, Deira | Many shops open after Friday prayers, usually from around 4 PM | Widest choice and bargaining on making charges |
| Meena Bazaar, Bur Dubai | Indian chains such as Malabar, Kalyan, Joyalukkas and Tanishq, with longer hours | Indian designs and festival collections |
| Al Karama | Branded Indian jewellers in and around Karama Centre | Quieter shopping close to Bur Dubai |
| Malls | Branded counters open through the day | Families who want parking and longer hours |
Expect crowds in the evening. If your muhurat allows it, an early afternoon visit to Meena Bazaar or a mall store avoids the busiest hours.
What Did Gold Cost on Dhanteras 2025?
On Dhanteras 2025, the world price of 24K gold was about AED 498.83 per gram, and 10 grams of 22K was worth about AED 4,573 before making charges and VAT. That figure is based on the world price on 17 October 2025, the last trading day before the festival.
Compare that with today’s live rate at the top of this page. Our gold price in Dubai 2026 page shows how the price moved through the year, including the record high in January and the fall that followed.
22K Jewellery and 24K Coins at Dhanteras: The Differences
Both are traditional. 22K jewellery is worn, while 24K coins and small bars are traditionally bought as an offering.
| Type | VAT in the UAE | Extra cost | Traditional use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22K jewellery | 5% on gold and making charge | Making charge per gram | Wearing at Diwali and weddings |
| 24K coin or small bar (99% purity or more) | Zero rated | Small dealer premium | Puja offering and gifts |
Coins and bars of at least 99% purity carry no VAT in the UAE, so a gram of pure gold costs less in a coin than inside jewellery. Lakshmi and Ganesh design coins are popular with Indian buyers at Dhanteras.
See the 24K gold rate in UAE for live coin and bar values by weight.
Do Dubai Jewellers Offer Dhanteras Deals?
Many Indian jewellery chains in the UAE run Diwali and Dhanteras promotions, usually on making charges or with gold coins on larger purchases. The terms change every year, so read the conditions in store.
Check one thing before you celebrate a deal: the gold rate itself. A lower making charge is only a saving if the shop’s gold rate per gram matches the day’s market level.
Planning to Take Dhanteras Gold to India?
Under India’s Baggage Rules 2026, a woman who has lived abroad for more than a year can bring 40 grams of gold jewellery duty free and a man 20 grams. Gold coins and bars are not covered by the allowance.
India raised its import duty on gold to 15% on 13 May 2026, so duty on anything above the allowance costs more than last year. Our guide on how much gold you can carry from Dubai to India has the full rules.
A Simple Dhanteras Checklist
1. Fix your budget in grams, not dirhams, so a price change does not surprise you.
2. Check the live rate on the morning of 6 November.
3. Ask for the making charge per gram and compare at least two shops.
4. Check the hallmark for 916 on 22K or 999 on 24K.
5. Keep the itemised invoice for customs, exchange and resale.
How Much Does a Typical Dhanteras Purchase Cost?
Most families buy a coin, a small chain or a pair of earrings for Dhanteras. The table uses an illustrative 22K rate of AED 470 per gram, an illustrative 24K rate of AED 510 per gram, and a making charge of AED 12 per gram on jewellery.
| Purchase | Gold value | Making charge | VAT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 gram 24K coin | AED 2,550 | Small premium only | None | About AED 2,600 |
| 8 gram 22K chain | AED 3,760 | AED 96 | AED 192.80 | AED 4,048.80 |
| 10 gram 22K earrings | AED 4,700 | AED 120 | AED 241 | AED 5,061 |
Swap in the live rate on the morning you buy. A coin costs less per gram of pure gold because it carries no VAT and no making charge, which is why many families buy one every year.
Booking Gold Before Dhanteras
Some UAE jewellers let customers pay an advance before the festival and lock in a price, or pay part in instalments through a savings scheme. The terms differ by shop, so read them carefully before you commit.
Ask three questions: is the gold rate locked on the day you pay or the day you collect, can you cancel, and is the making charge fixed. Get the answers on the receipt.
Our guide to gold savings schemes in the UAE explains how these plans work.
Shops that sell Lakshmi coins are listed in our guide on where to buy gold bars in Dubai, and gold price during Diwali in Dubai covers the wider festival season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the date of Dhanteras in 2026?
Dhanteras 2026 is on Friday, 6 November. Diwali follows on Sunday, 8 November.
Is the Dubai Gold Souk open on Dhanteras 2026?
Dhanteras 2026 falls on a Friday, when many Gold Souk shops open after Friday prayers, usually from around 4 PM. Mall and Meena Bazaar jewellers generally open earlier, but check with the store.
Is gold cheaper in Dubai than in India for Dhanteras?
Gold is usually cheaper in Dubai because India charges 15% import duty and 3% GST, while UAE jewellery carries 5% VAT. Making charges and customs on the way home decide your final saving.
Is there VAT on gold coins bought for Dhanteras in the UAE?
Gold coins and bars of at least 99% purity are zero rated for VAT in the UAE. Jewellery carries 5% VAT.
Buying Dhanteras 2026 Gold in Dubai With Confidence
For Dhanteras 2026 gold in Dubai, the key facts are the live rate, each shop’s Friday hours, and the making charge written on the invoice. Wishing you and your family a prosperous Dhanteras and a happy Diwali.
This page gives market information only and is not financial advice. Store timings and offers are set by each retailer.
Sources: Dhanteras on Wikipedia, Samvat Diwali 2026 calendar and TaxGuru on India’s gold duty.
