Dubai International Airport is giving residents returning from their summer holidays a particularly warm welcome, with free refreshments, live music, colourful mascots and personalised welcome signs taking over Terminal 3.

The welcome-back experience is running until Sunday, August 30, across the baggage claim, arrivals and transit areas of Terminal 3, as Dubai prepares for one of the busiest periods of the year ahead of the new school term.

Free treats for returning travellers

Passengers passing through Terminal 3 can enjoy complimentary refreshments and treats from a selection of Dubai brands.

In the transit area, offerings include treats from Project Chaiwala, Mirzam, Emirati District and Garrett Popcorn. Arriving passengers can also receive refreshments from oneDXB partner brands, Emirates Flight Catering and Emirati District.

Airport staff are also handing out simple welcome treats such as chocolates and water, adding a small but thoughtful touch to the arrival experience.

Make your own Welcome Home sign

One of the more personal touches is a Make Your Welcome Home Sign station in the arrivals area.

Friends and family waiting for passengers can create personalised banners using stickers and Dubai-inspired decorations before holding them up as their loved ones emerge from the arrivals gates.

Music and mascots greet passengers

The welcome doesn’t stop at food and signs.

Live musicians are performing throughout the day in the arrivals and transit areas, including traditional sounds from the oud.

Passengers can also meet colourful mascots from Dubai Police and the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), with opportunities for photographs.

Dubai Airports’ guest experience ambassadors are stationed around baggage claim and arrivals

One of DXB’s busiest times of the year

The initiative comes as Dubai International Airport prepares for a major wave of returning residents and visitors.

The final days of August are expected to be particularly busy as families return to Dubai ahead of the new school year, with the GDRFA Dubai also enhancing operations to manage the increased flow of passengers.

From personalised signs and live music to chocolates, popcorn and photo opportunities with mascots, the message from DXB is pretty simple: Welcome home.