For anyone who talks cars in Dubai, the Grand Picnic held February 2, 2025 at Safa Park was the one big circle on the calendar. Orchestrated by Flat12, this is the fifth outing for an event that's grown exponentially in both scale and repute since its launch, drawing over 28,000 enthusiasts, families, and collectors from across the region this time around.

It's more than a car show: think vintage vibes, thousands of curated vehicles, and nearly a dozen top dealers and brands all framing the day as a genuine community celebration. The Grand Picnic has become a “must-attend” for those who care about motoring’s past, present, and future, especially with its tight car selection standards and the now-signature “no revving, no burnouts” code for real sophistication.

Heading in, the buzz was all about what rare metal would show up, which outfits would best match the era, the weather’s effect on cooling (always a talking point with Safa’s exposed lawns) or whether the hypercars like the Bugatti Chiron, McLaren Speedtail or Lamborghini Sian would be outnumbered by cult classics and JDM legends. Dealers like Ferrari Al Tayer Motors, RMA Motors, and BMW AGMC teased their participation, and vintage attire was strongly encouraged because everyone knows it’s half as fun if you’re not dressed the part. Key expectations were focused on Flat12’s curation, potential showstoppers from the GCC’s largest car clubs, and whether a new record would be set for attendee count or exotic rarities.

On the ground, the spectacle lived up to the anticipation. The lineup was dazzling: Cadillacs, Beetles, 911s, Lancias, dozens of Supras and GT-Rs, alongside desert icons like vintage Land Rovers and Patrols. Supercars and hypercars made their presence: Bugatti, Saleen, Ferrari F40, Lamborghini, all drawing crowds. Family-friendly didn’t just mean “don’t touch the carbon fiber”: kids had dedicated activity zones, while mobile bands and local vendors like Pie Planet and Flat12 Café kept the energy up. Stalls from Hot Wheels and Pirelli offered interactive experiences, making sure it wasn’t all about curb appeal. The day ran from 10am to 9pm, with park entry just AED 3–5 (the actual event free, making the experience uniquely accessible in super-premium Dubai).

Underneath the nostalgia and horsepower flexing, Dubai’s February climate played a distinct role. Air temps held in the mid-20s Celsius, which meant more manageable temperatures for both old and new cars; a far cry from the summer’s punishing heat soak. The grass surface and tree cover helped the materials (all that polished paint, including a few PPF-wrapped exotics) keep their thermal load stable.

As someone who spends weekdays thinking about thin-film durability (can't help it), I couldn’t help but compare how classic acrylic finishes and modern ceramic coatings responded to a mild, breezy afternoon. Fewer hot spots meant more even reflections; one of those details you notice only if you geek out on this stuff.

By dinnertime, reality had trumped the pre-show hype: Over 1,100 registered vehicles, an all-time record for spectators, and a range of awards from “Best in Show” to “Top Restoration.” No major incidents or rule breaches were reported, a testament to both the organizers and the respectful crowd. For all the lead-up chatter about which car or club would “steal the picnic,” what actually stood out was the level of diversity: exotics, classics, JDM, and off-roaders sharing the grass and good vibes. It’s telling that Dubai now hosts one of the world’s friendliest, best-run motoring gatherings—where the surface is meticulously chosen, and the atmosphere is engineered for maximum fun, not maximum noise.

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Wessen Char is UPPF’s petrolhead who still mourns the loss of Saab (and drove her 9-5 NG till 2025). She travels between US and Europe to cover auto events. She acknowledges the chic tech of EVs but wonders if the inexorable move to everything digital is ultimately all-better. Analogue had more soul somehow :)

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