Calling all curly hair folks (and curl-lovers, and curl-curious parents), mark your calendars for Saturday, 10 October. The Dubai Curl Festival is landing at Cornelia’s Craft Kitchen, and it’s the very first family curly hair festival in the UAE. And pretty honestly, the whole GCC region, too. It’s organised by Oh My Knots, the Dubai-based community platform that’s become a go-to for anyone with curly, coily or kinky hair. I have all
So What’s The Plan For The Day At The Festival?
No rigid schedule here. Just show up any time between 10am and 6pm and stay as long as you like. It’s designed for the whole family, adults and kids alike. So you can genuinely treat it like a curl-themed day out rather than a ticketed event you have to rush through. And this is an incredible opportunity for straight-haired parents to learn more about their curly-haired kids.
A Long-Time Coming For The UAE
Here’s the thing about curly hair in the Gulf. It just doesn’t play by the same rules as curly hair everywhere else. Between the hard water, the heat and the humidity, your curls are dealing with a totally different set of challenges, but most of the advice floating around online is written for other climates entirely.
The festival is the brainchild of Gertrud Mackenzie, who started Oh My Knots in Dubai with a focus on advice that’s actually tested for local conditions rather than borrowed from somewhere else. And these guys really did their homework before opening up shop. Up to 69% of their community are actively hunting for product recommendations made specifically for UAE conditions. While 77% say they’re tired of complicated multi-step routines and just want something simpler with fewer products. So yeah, the demand for this kind of event has clearly been there for a while.
What Can You Expect From The Festival
Think of it as part masterclass, part shopping spree, part hangout. On the day you can expect:
- Brand stands from curly hair care companies
- Live styling demos and talks
- Expert education sessions
- Product sampling (try before you buy!)
- Wellness sessions and other interactive activities
And here’s a nice touch. Every single ticket holder gets a goodie bag from the participating brands, kids included if they’ve got their own ticket.
So far, LUSH and lululemon are confirmed as partners, with more curl specialists and brands still to be announced. The full lineup hasn’t dropped yet, so keep an eye out.
A Whole Corner Just For The Kids
There’s a dedicated Kids’ Curl Corner built specifically for the younger crowd, and it’s not just a play area. It’s about representation and making them feel seen. The idea is for kids with curly hair to see every curl type shown in a positive light. Which truly matters a lot for children who might have grown up thinking straight hair was the “normal” default. Building that early confidence is genuinely one of the festival’s biggest goals.
Ticket Prices To Know
Whatever ticket you get, it covers full access for the entire day. Just note there’s a 3% booking fee added at checkout. Visit here to get your tickets, now.
Early bird pricing (limited quantity, limited time — so don’t sleep on it):
- Adult: AED 100
- Family pass: AED 280
Once those sell out, general pricing kicks in:
- Adult: AED 150
- Family pass: AED 320
So whether you’re chasing better routines, hunting for new products, or just want a fun family day out, grab your ticket, roll up to Cornelia’s Craft Kitchen, sip on that welcome drink, and get ready to celebrate your curls like never before!
