Get ready for an epic adventure! Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) returns, from December 8, 2023, to January 14, 2024 with 38 out of this world days of spectacular shopping, exceptional entertainment, immersive shows and awe-inspiring experiences. That’s not all! You also have the chance to win brand new cars and cash prizes, bask in the delightful winter weather at exclusive pop-up markets, and uncover fantastic deals at malls, shopping destinations, restaurants, and citywide attractions.
Want the inside scoop on all the experiences? Dive straight into Buro247ME’s ultimate guide to Dubai Shopping Festival 2024.
SHOPPING & PRIZES
It’s not just the markdowns and discounts you need to watch out for, DSF brings you special campaigns to make you a winner as you shop!
- Win the DSF Lucky Receipt
Shop for gifts, must-have winter essentials or just stock up on all your favourites to put yourself in the running to win big prizes with the DSF Lucky Receipt. From December 8 to December 25, spend AED 300 or more at any of the 18 participating brands and you could be one of the daily winners to take home an incredible prize. With 18 prizes being given away every day across 18 brands, there are 324 chances for you to bag a wonderful treat for yourself or your family and friends.
- Grab Your Golden ‘Tickit’
If you’re not a Tickit member, then you’re missing out on a host of incredible rewards and giveaways. Sign up and link your UAE-issued Master or Visa, debit or credit card to start earning points on your purchases across diverse shopping categories. Plus, every Tickit member is entered into a special prize draw where one lucky DSF Golden Tickit winner takes home a whopping AED 100,000 worth of Tickit points (worth a mind boggling AED 100,000). Enter from December 8, 2023, to January 14, 2024 by spending just AED 200 at participating outlets.
- Become a DSF Amber Millionaire
Here’s your chance to be a ‘Millionaire’ with the Amber rewards programme this weekend from December 8 – December 10. Spend Dhs500 (or more) in a single transaction on full priced merchandise at participating Amber brands, enter a raffle draw and you could be one of the 10 shoppers who will win 1 million Amber Points (worth Dhs10,000!). Plus, any purchase you make over Dhs500 in participating stores will earn you double Amber points. Keep those shopping bags ready!
DUBAI LIGHTS
Dubai Lights is back with extraordinary new installations. For a third year running, international artists, designers, architects and studios will display their astonishing lighting installations at destinations citywide.
- Watch Captivating Drone Shows Every Night
An unmissable highlight of the season, the enchanting DSF Drone Show Presented by Emarat Petroleum is back with two shows every night at Bluewaters and The Beach, JBR at 8pm and 10pm. Around 800 drones will light up the night skies, narrating a unique Dubai story in each show. This year one of the shows collaborates with renowned animator Mohammed Saeed Harib to add the Emirati cultural touch. You are bound to be captivated.Â
- Step Into a World of Mesmerising Radiance
The city’s traditional abras are set to get a sparkling makeover as part of the Dubai Neon event. Drive down to the creekside (Dubai Creek Abras, Al Seef, and Deira Gold Souq) to ride a special neon-lit abra from December 8, 2023, to January 14, 2024. The experience will be one for the ages!
- Meet Modesh
Shoppers and visitors driving to and from City Centre Mirdif are in for a treat as a larger-than-life ‘Modesh Inflatable’ figure, standing at over 10 metres tall, will welcome guests to the Mirdif neighbourhood. The giant Modesh structure will light up creating a spectacular visual display for people passing by. What can be more exciting than seeing Dubai’s beloved icon in a new light!
- Get Inspired to Protect Our Planet
A treat for the whole family, two sets of the uber-friendly oversized inflatable Anooki characters will be hanging out at Al Seef, Dubai Design District (d3), Hatta and Etisalat MOTB this DSF as part of Dubai Lights: The Anooki. You can join them in jumping, playing, running, laughing and even quarrelling down at the charming destinations. Incidentally, the Anooki were originally created to raise awareness about climate change and sustainability. The story goes that after their house melted due to global warming, they were forced to run around the world to discover different cities. And now they are in Dubai, so don’t miss meeting them!
- Surprises on the Palm
Explore a winter wonderland for the entire family at the Dubai Lights: Festive Garden at Nakheel Mall where you’ll find a host of special holiday activities for visitors of all ages. Or take a stroll around Dubai Lights: Amazon Wonder at West Beach on the Palm, to discover incredible scenes from life-size installations of Amazonian parrots, and stunning artworks of flowers and leaves from the world’s largest tropical rainforest. Both special events are free to attend from December 8, 2023 to January 30, 2024 and December 13 to January 30, respectively.
OUTDOOR MARKETS & EXPERIENCES
A key highlight of DSF are the cool outdoor markets such as Canteen X, Festival Bay, Etisalat MOTB, Dubai pop-ups and Expo Winter Festival.
A 17-day celebration of diverse cuisines from the city’s top eateries awaits you at Canteen X, brought to you by the Beach Canteen team at Mushrif Park from Dec 15 – Dec 31. Find over 20 homegrown F&B brands luring foodies with some delectable creations! Plus, watch out for family-friendly entertainment including large inflatables, trampolines, bungee experiences, movie screenings and a gaming zone for the little ones. Food trucks, cafes, movies, music and kids’ activities – it promises to be an exciting experience for the entire family.
Enter a world of discovery, where fashion meets food and entertainment. Etisalat MOTB, at Dubai Design District (d3), isn’t your typical shopping destination. It’s the ultimate hub of unique discoveries and hidden gems that you won’t usually find at your local mall. But that’s not all! With an amazing schedule spanning day to night, visitors will find plenty of captivating and immersive live entertainment from musical treats and dance performances to thrilling on-stage competitions. The 11th edition runs from January 5, 2024, to January 14, 2024.
Explore the city’s latest chill out spot – The Bay by Social – at Dubai Festival City Mall. From an experiential food market and carnival game stalls to cultural events and interactive art installations, there’s something for everyone. Try your luck across a range of fun-filled game stalls or have a go at archery, axe-throwing and many more adventurous challenges with winners taking home special prizes for their efforts.
Find unique treasures at The Local Hub by Wardrobe Exhibition in Avenue Mall, Nad Al Sheba. This exclusive DSF pop-up from December 14 to 22, is your must-visit destination where shoppers can discover emerging brands in fashion, beauty products, jewellery and more. While The HUB x DSF at One Central is your go-to destination for a gastronomic adventure until December 24. Meanwhile the ICONS Exhibition Winter Popup X DSF brings a curated collection of high-quality fashion items, the opportunity to discover emerging designers, and the chance to stay ahead of the fashion curve. Plan your shopping trip from December 8-11 at Kulture House, Jumeirah.
- Groove to the Beats at Tunes DXB
Back by popular demand, Tunes DXB returns with a massive line-up of live music this DSF. This extraordinary event brings together the city’s top local talent in addition to must-see regional talents transforming the entire urban landscape into a dazzling symphony of song and dance. Watch the shows from Al Khawaneej Walk, Al Seef, BoxPark, Bluewaters, Dubai Festival City Mall, Last Exit Al Khawaneej and DxBike, located next to Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City, from January 5 to 14, 2024.
- Be Amazed by Performing Artists
DSF 2024 also has an electrifying lineup of entertainment that’s set to surprise you both in and out of the malls. As you leisurely shop and dine at Dubai’s trendiest destinations, be prepared to be amazed by a diverse array of performances ranging from dance and music shows to acrobatics, beatboxing and drumming.
The Performing Arts campaign at DSF will also bring you top-notch performances featuring your favourite social media stars. Brace yourself to witness live what you’ve been double-tapping on your screens from December 8, 2023-January 14, 2024.
FESTIVE SPIRIT AT WINTER MARKETS
The holiday season in Dubai is incomplete without a visit to the annual Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market from December 15, 2023, to January 7, 2024. From an impressive 36 ft-tall tree to an array of seasonal food stalls and immersive family-friendly activities, this Christmas bazaar has something for everyone.Good times are guaranteed at Habtoor Palace Dubai’s annual Winter Garden, which runs until 31 January, 2024. Delicious food trucks, enthralling live acts, a massive tree and plenty of entertainment for all ages. And keep an eye out for Santa!
At Expo City this winter, embrace the festive atmosphere with plenty of family-friendly activities themed around the holiday season to ensure you have a jolly good time – all while sipping on some hot cocoa.
FOODIE EXPERIENCES
- A Family Night Out at Global Village
Now in its 28th year, the iconic Global Village is your one-stop destination to discover unique artefacts, cultural shows, and, most importantly, food from around the world. The must-visit attractions include the famous Floating Market – a food zone where you can indulge in an endless selection of seafood, ramen, grills, and fried and baked dishes, as well as the Railway Market – where 14 train carriages invite you to indulge in a selection of desserts.
This year, Global Village will open its doors to visitors every Sunday to Wednesday from 4 pm to midnight and from Thursday to Saturday from 4 pm – 1 am.
To learn more about all the out of this world experiences happening throughout this Dubai Shopping Festival, visit www.mydsf.ae
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