Lifestyle
UAE residents celebrate Onam with feasts and events
A guide for residents on how to join the festive Malayali harvest celebrations happening across the Emirates.
By 19Network Editorial Team · Aug 31, 2026 · 3 min read
Onam, the annual harvest festival from the Indian state of Kerala, is widely celebrated across the UAE by the large Malayali expatriate community. This guide explains the key traditions, where to find festive food, and how to respectfully participate in community events.
Onam, the most significant festival for Malayalis from the Indian state of Kerala, is celebrated with widespread enthusiasm across the United Arab Emirates. The festival marks the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali and coincides with the annual harvest. For the large Keralite expatriate population in the UAE, it is a time of elaborate feasts, cultural programmes, and community gatherings that bring a piece of home to the Gulf. The celebrations span 10 days, with the most important day being Thiruvonam. In 2024, Thiruvonam falls on September 15, but festivities and special restaurant menus often begin appearing in late August and continue for several weeks across the emirates. ## The Onam Sadhya: A Festive Feast The centrepiece of any Onam celebration is the Sadhya, an elaborate vegetarian banquet served on a fresh banana leaf. It features a specific sequence of dishes, typically including 20 to 30 different items. Key components include: - **Rice:** Usually a specific parboiled local variety from Kerala. - **Parippu:** A thick lentil curry, often the first dish served with rice and ghee. - **Sambar:** A vegetable stew made with lentils and tamarind broth. - **Avial:** A blend of various vegetables in a coconut and yogurt gravy. - **Pachadi and Kichadi:** Different types of yogurt-based curries, ranging from sweet to spicy. - **Payasam:** The meal concludes with these rich dessert puddings, often made with rice, vermicelli, or lentils, cooked in milk or coconut milk…