How Dubai Companies Plan Diwali: A Corporate Catering Guide

For Dubai's 200+ company HR teams running Diwali events each year, the biggest mistake is treating it like any other corporate catering brief. It isn't.

Why Diwali catering is different

• Bookings fill 6 months out. Premium caterers are sold out by August for the October-November festival window.
• The Jain community expects depth. A Jain section that's an afterthought will be noticed.
• Mithai is half the experience. The mithai grazing table is the most photographed part of any Diwali event.
• Staff bring families. Plan for 1.3-1.5× your employee headcount.

The 90-day Diwali planning timeline

1. Day 90 — shortlist 2-3 caterers, confirm availability, get quotes
2. Day 75 — final caterer selected, brief locked, deposit paid
3. Day 60 — menu finalised, Jain/Swaminarayan headcounts confirmed
4. Day 30 — venue logistics confirmed
5. Day 14 — final headcount, dietary breakdown, branding materials briefed
6. Day 7 — pre-event walkthrough at venue
7. Day 1 — final confirmation, contingency plan reviewed

The Diwali menu architecture

Welcome counter

• Sherbets — rose, kesar, kala khatta
• Masala chaas
• Welcome mithai (mohanthal or kaju katli)

Live chaat counter

Three chaat minimum: pani puri, dahi puri, bhel puri.

Main buffet

• 4-6 sabzi (mix of regional traditions)
• Dal makhani + kadhi + paneer signature
• Biryani + jeera rice + 3 breads minimum

Mithai station

The cornerstone. 6-8 varieties minimum. Plan for 2 pieces per person.

Take-home boxes

4-piece mithai boxes for staff to take home. Branded sleeves are an inexpensive add-on with high perceived value.

Budget bands for Dubai corporate Diwali (2026)

• AED 85–110 per head — Standard corporate Diwali
• AED 130–165 per head — Premium Diwali
• AED 195+ per head — Signature Diwali with multi-station

The Tattvam Diwali programme

We open our Diwali catering calendar in May for booking. If you're planning a 2026 Diwali event, the time to book is now.