Al Rigga night market: A Filipino home away from home in Dubai

A gathering place for community and culture

Now in its seventh season, the open-air market reopened on 17 October, offering Filipino food stalls, retail bazaars and nightly live performances. During the cooler months, it draws residents looking for a break from work and daily routines. For the Filipino community in Dubai, the market is more than a place to find familiar flavours — it is a space to meet friends, bring family together and spend time among people who share their language and culture.

Frel Villaflor, the market’s owner, arrived in the UAE in 2006 with the aim of proving herself to her parents and eventually supporting them. Today, she counts her parents, siblings, children and immediate family among those living with her in the Emirates.

“Dubai is more than just a place where we work and build our future, it’s where our dreams have come true. Philippines will always be our home, but Dubai has become our second home,” Villaflor told Gulf News.

She estimates that about 80 percent of the market’s visitors are Filipinos. The location in Deira, where a large number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) live, makes it a natural gathering point, she noted.

“We understand our target customers because we are one of them. We know the little things that makes a Filipino’s heart happy. We know exactly where it tickles.”

More than a market, a piece of home

For Villaflor, the business has grown beyond its original purpose of providing for her family. It now offers small business owners a place to start or grow their ventures and gives OFWs somewhere to unwind after long working hours.

“It’s more than just a night market, it’s about introducing the little piece of Philippines to Dubai. Being resilient is one of the greatest trait of Filipinos, thus making it easier to adjust on any circumstances with a light heart.”

She added, “We basically create a place where they feel belong. A little piece of home right here in the middle of Deira.”

Personal stories of connection

Kyrene Luna, a head of operations at a cafe who has lived in the UAE for 10 years, has been visiting the market for the past five years. Her latest visit marked a new chapter: she went with her partner, Arjohn, and is now pregnant with their four-month-old baby, making it their first night out as a couple since becoming parents.

“We decided to go to the night market to feel the Filipino and ‘kabayan’ vibes. At the same time, to feel at home, just like in the Philippines, wherever you look here, you see a lot of Filipinos,” shared Luna.

One of her favourite memories is a visit by Filipino actor and singer Piolo Pascual. “My favourite memory in the night market was during the visit of the artist, Piolo Pascual. There was a lot of people then, it really made me happy and it really felt like home.”

For Luna, returning to the market is an opportunity to share a familiar cultural experience with her growing family.

Leah Mae Castillo, a private nurse who has resided in the UAE for three years, sees the market as a place to reconnect with relatives despite busy schedules. Now in her second year of visiting, she usually goes with her cousins and siblings. The gatherings give them time to sit together, enjoy Filipino food and take a break from work demands.

“When you say night market, what comes to mind is definitely Filipinos. There’s food, jamming, and coming together despite the busy schedules with work. This is the time to celebrate with our families,” explained Castillo.

This year, her visit was especially memorable when her cousin sang at the market and had his talent acknowledged by others. For Castillo, an evening out can offer more than eating and shopping — it can give people a chance to share their abilities and enjoy the company of those around them.

“My favourite memory in the night market is being with my family. Even if we live far away from the Philippines, as long as we find the time, we celebrate together.”

Attracting visitors from beyond the community

Not everyone who visits the market is Filipino. Some are drawn simply by the sounds and sights. Deepika Suresh, a tourist from Chennai, India, was exploring Dubai with her daughter, Aadya, during a five-day visit when they heard music and saw the lights.

“It’s our third day in Dubai and we heard something was happening. There was some music, sounds, and all the lights so those attracted us and we just thought, we’ll come here and we’ll have a look. It was so nice,” described Suresh.

The market offered a new experience for the pair. She mentioned that they do not have a similar night market in their hometown and enjoyed discovering the different food on offer. “We don’t have anything called night market in Chennai. We don’t have anything like this there. It’s a new experience to us. We like the food items and all the new smells which are very inviting.”

While the night market holds a special place for Filipinos seeking familiar flavours and company, it also introduces visitors from other countries to different food and cultural experiences. The market’s appeal lies not in any single dish, performance or stall, but in the combination of food, music, shopping and people sharing an evening together. For OFWs in Dubai, the Philippines may be a flight away, but on an evening in Deira, home can feel closer — in the food they grew up with, the people around them and the simple joy of being together.