For the last 6 or 7 years (I have lost count!) I have taken part in the Arts and Crafts Village at the Dubai International Jazz Festival. An area is set aside for around 10 tents selling handmade arts and crafts for the duration of the festival. For a few years this was just 3 days but in the last few years this has been extended to around 10 nights and has moved to a great new venue at Dubai Festival City.
Although it is not that cheap to exhibit (it costs around 5,000 dirhams for a tent although I always share to halve the cost) every year I have covered my costs by sales and usually made a bit of profit. Last year I had the best year in terms of sales and covered the costs of coming over from the UK to participate.
The festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors with great music (not just jazz!). This year (2013) the headline acts are Deep Purple, One Republic and The Script :-) and it runs from 14th to 22nd February.
If you participate in the arts and crafts village then you need to be present every night of the festival to open your tent and sell your wares. However, it is a great atmosphere and you get to hear all the bands and the great music.
If you are interested in taking part in the Jazz Festival (if you are an artist or selling handmade crafts) then contact Carrie Wareham for more info. You can find her facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/CarrieWarehamArt
