Dubai Shopping Festival – Dubai has always been a shopper’s paradise, with distinct goods and items available to buy at cheap prices and with discounts. All this is due to the annual month-long DSF event organized at the city premises here in Dubai. It is to be noted that the Dubai Shopping Festival is not a massive fair or exhibition conducted around a single location. Moreover, it is a month-long annual event organized by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), with shop owners and retailers around the city providing huge rebates and discounts. Various daily raffles, a fireworks show, and vivid entertainment options are available for the DSF event held in Dubai each year. A few important details and things to do at the DSF event are articulated below for the readers.
History of the Dubai Shopping Festival
The beginning of the Dubai Shopping Festival dates back to the days when shopping malls were not even that prominent in the Dubai region. The DSF started in 1996 under the administration of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, who is the vice president of the UAE and the emperor of Dubai. This step was taken to uplift Dubai to a new scale within the tourism sector and rope in more customers to enhance their economic position in society. It is a one-of-a-kind festival organized in Dubai that can be divided into three distinctions. These distinct sections comprise shopping, entertainment, and awards for the customers. The Dubai Shopping Festival also saw the opening of the Al Ghurair Mall and the City Center Deira Mall, with a direct connection to the DSF participation here in Dubai.
Apart from the malls, open-street retailers, gold souqs, and heritage marketplaces have participated in the DSF event ever since the start of the event. 121 Lexus GS300 cars were offered to lucky customers during the inaugural year of the DSF event here, and a total of 43 kg of gold bars were circulated for the prized winners here in Dubai. Various shows, concerts, and live performances from famed artists across the globe are conducted around the city, with themed carnival shows and sporting events like Dubai World Cup horse racing events scheduled for this time here in Dubai.
Every year, the DSF event brings extreme glamor and fame to the Dubai vicinity with the exclusive fireworks show conducted at that time. The inaugural year of the DSF marked the single hit “Dubai Danat Al Dunya” by Rashed Al Majed, which was promoted here during the DSF in 1996. Till then, the DSF has been hosted each year to celebrate the wonderful time here, apart from 2006, which marked the death of the ruler Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid here in Dubai.
Things to check out at the Dubai Shopping Festival
There are numerous things to check out around the Dubai Shopping Festival event here in Dubai. A few of the distinct ones are portrayed below for checking purposes.
Music shows and concerts
The Dubai Shopping Festival is known for the numerous shows and live concerts conducted around the city to entertain visitors here in Dubai. Varied famous artists from around the world have performed here at the Dubai location, such as A.R. Rahman, Whitney Houston, Bryan Adams, Jethro Tull, and Zakhir Hussain. This year, the event will see the likes of artists like Sole DXB performing a hip-hop dance and music concert for the conclusion of the 50th year of the hip-hop revolution in the world. Apart from that, many Bollywood artists like Alka Yagnik, Kumar Sanu, Abhijeet, and Udit Narayan will be performing center-stage on December 10 at DSF this year.
Shop at discounted rates
Individuals visiting the DSF event can shop at discounted rates at various shops and stalls around the city. Many malls and retail outlets have partnered with the DSF and have brought in raffles, prizes, and huge rebates on the goods and items available on their store shelves. Gadgets, electronic appliances, textiles, fabrics, commercial goods, and even groceries are available at low prices in the branded stores and malls here in Dubai. Individuals need to look out for distinct offers and contests for the day around the various shopping areas and retail shops around the city of Dubai.
Check out raffles and contests
Numerous raffles and contests can be checked around the mall premises or shop stores participating in the DSF each year. This allows individuals to receive top-notch prizes and awards through a lottery system around the location here. Many high-end cars, along with gold bars and coins, are provided as gifts to lucky customers here in Dubai. Individuals can also take part in the competitions and avail huge discounts and deals on items and goods available at the stores and shops around the city of Dubai.
Indulge in the distinct dining arrangements
Individuals opting to visit the Dubai Shopping Festival can enjoy the various dining treats and dishes available at the food counters and outlets around the city. Varied multi-national cuisines can be checked out here at the lavish food joints, which include Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Indian, Chinese, and even Thai dishes to explore around Dubai. Some restaurants and lounges offer huge rebates to their customers on certain dishes during the DSF event here. Specially curated cuisines and dishes are also available for the foodies here to try along the line of food outlets during the DSF event in Dubai.
Glance at the fireworks show
Another amazing activity to engage in during the DSF event in Dubai is to check out the vivid fireworks show conducted around Dubai during that time. The show continues for over 30 days, with various fireworks displayed at the distinct premises around. The glittering sparkles and stars also add color to the DSF event here in Dubai and make for a worthy view to behold during this time of the year.
How do I reach the DSF event in Dubai?
The DSF event in Dubai can easily be reached using public buses and private cabs around the region. It is to be checked which location is conducting the event before traveling down to the said place. Metro lines can also be used to reach places like Palm Jumeirah and Sheikh Zayed Road for checking out the shops and stores around the place.
Dates announced for the Dubai Shopping Festival 2023–2024
Dubai, UAE: According to reports announced by the festival organizers, Dubai Festival and Retail Establishments (DFRE), the 29th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival will be held between December 8th, 2023, and January 14th, 2024. This year, the suggested planners will be bigger and better than the earlier versions conducted here.
Among the 38 days of festival celebrations around the DSF here in Dubai, the audience would witness the live performances of the two most profound Arabian artists, AhlamAlshamsi and AssalaNasri, for a single-day event at the Coca-Cola stadium in Dubai on December 15, 2023. A famous street culture and lifestyle event named Sole DXB is returning this season with an array of dance moves and music streams representing the completion of 50 years of hip-hop music and dance here from December 8th to December 10th, 2023.
The festivities would also offer live music performances from international and regional musicians, along with basketball game events here at the DSF. General talk shows along with opulent dining destinations are constructed around the corners, serving the best delicacies at the Dubai Shopping Festival location. Visitors can enjoy shopping at the distinct stores and shops, along with exhibiting art gallery shows and events conducted around the region during their time here in Dubai.
The festival would also house performances from A-list comedians, artists, and speakers like Najwa Karam, Omar Khairat, Kazim Al Saher, Majid Al Mohandis, and George Wassouf. An eco-relatable event named Earthsoul Fest will be conducted around the DSF premises during festival time here in Dubai. More details of the event are still under wraps and will be forecasted in the coming days before the start of the festivities here at the Dubai Shopping Festival.
Bottomline
To conclude, these are the important details regarding the history of the Dubai Shopping Festival and the things to do around the time here. Individuals can bring their families and friends to the month-long occasion here in Dubai and enjoy the vivid fireworks show, offers, rebates, and discounts on various goods, items, and commodities available at the stores and shops around the location.