BIGGER, BETTER, AND MORE EXCITEMENTS COMING IN 29TH EDITION
- DSF returns for its 29th edition, promising 38 days of more than 170 unmatched events and experiences
- Snap up irresistible shopping deals, discounts, and promotions, explore winter markets and engaging city-wide experiences, win big with once-in-a-lifetime raffles, catch spectacular live sporting events, awe-inspiring drone shows, and savour unique culinary experiences and foodie moments this DSF
- All-new attractions and events joining DSF for the first time this edition include CanteenX at Mushrif Park, Dubai Police Carnival, Anooki at Dubai Lights, Dubai Lights at Al Seef and the Old Gold Souk, Sole DXB at d3, the Emirates Classic Vehicles Festival and much more.
Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) – the world’s favourite retail festival – is almost here and it is guaranteed to showcase the very best the city has to offer, including unmissable promotions and retail deals from both homegrown and global brands, a line-up of out-of-this-world entertainment, pop-up markets, unique dining experiences, drone shows, art events, and installations, and spectacular sporting events, plus unbeatable raffles and prizes – with the chance to win a luxury apartment, cars and cash – alongside Dubai-wide gastronomical experiences and foodie moments.
The eagerly anticipated 29th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) returns this winter with 38 days of daily and unmatched events, experiences, and deals from 8 December 2023 to 14 January 2024, with something for everyone, every day, in every corner of the city.
This year’s festival delivers a line-up including all-new events – from the cool new gastro hangout CanteenX, the Dubai Police Carnival at City Walk, and the Armani/ Privé Haute Couture Fragrances L’Exposition at Dubai Opera Garden. Dubai Shopping Festival will also welcome giant inflatable duo Anooki to Dubai Lights, the citywide light art installation. Meet the wonderful and adorable Anookis as they debut in two locations – Al Seef and d3. Some of the city’s favorite events and experiences also join the DSF calendar for the first time this year – including Sole DXB, the lifestyle and street culture festival, and the Emirates Classic Vehicle Show.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) said: “Dubai Shopping Festival is the world’s favourite retail festival. As we unveil the line-up for the 29th edition, we invite everyone to come together and enjoy an exceptional range of culinary experiences, family experiences, art installations, unique retail offers citywide – and, of course, shopping deals – that makes DSF the most sought after global shopping destination.
“From attracting international visitors, to enhancing the quality of life for residents, to supporting local businesses, Dubai Shopping Festival plays a vital role in contributing to the city’s economy and vibrant cultural scene in addition to welcoming the world to everything that Dubai has to offer. With this exciting edition, we look forward to creating a mix of out-of-this-world and wonder-filled memories for residents and visitors, and further establishing DSF as a world-class experience.
DRONE SHOWS AND DUBAI LIGHTS RETURN
Dubai Lights will return with a fresh experience crafted to deliver awe-inspiring moments for family and friends to enjoy together, painting the city in the glow of creative and artistic expressions in the form of five one-of-a-kind installations across the city from 8 December to 14 January.
Prepare for a world-class experience as the Dubai Shopping Festival unveils its most sensational DSF Drone Show yet, presented by Emarat Petroleum. Set to grace the night skies each evening from 10 December to 14 January, this breathtaking event promises a stunning 38-day display across Dubai’s skyline. Presented in collaboration with The Beach and Bluewaters, this year’s show boasts not just one, but two all-new displays each night, with two enchanting stories that take viewers on an enchanting journey. The skyline will be illuminated by a symphony of colors and shapes, a sight that will leave viewers awestruck, as 800 drones take flight.
A unique addition to this year’s festival is the introduction of the world-famous inflatable duo, the Dubai Lights: Anooki, brought to Dubai for the first time as part of Dubai Lights. These larger-than-life characters will illuminate Al Seef and d3, providing an adorable never-seen-before larger-than-life experience. Visitors and residents can interact with the characters, capturing Instagrammable moments with the Anooki illustrations, promising an enchanting memory during Dubai Lights 2024.
For more amazing Dubai Lights sightings, keep an eye out for the Dubai Lights: Modesh Inflatable, as Dubai’s own Modesh and Dana bring a glow to City Centre Mirdif – the giant, inflatable and lovable friends will be hard to miss.
Dubai Lights: Neon Lighting on 40 Abras will also be a sight to behold this DSF, transforming the creek into a mesmerizing canvas of colors. This stunning addition to Dubai’s skyline ensures a memorable experience for both residents and tourists. The historic Old Gold Souk will also transform into a neon wonderland during DSF. Visitors can stroll through the ancient marketplace adorned with vibrant neon signs, radiating uplifting messages, creating an inspirational and Insta-worthy ambiance as visitors and residents sail or walk along the creek in Dubai’s wonderful winter weather.
Dubai Lights: Amazon Wonder at West Beach in Palm Jumeirah will feature breathtaking walkable scenes that include life-size installations of Amazonian parrots, intricate floral artwork and more, all inspired by the world’s largest tropical rainforest.
MARKETS AND MUST-SEE EXPERIENCES
As the cooler months return, Dubai bursts to life with an outstanding selection of outdoor markets and not-to-miss retail and foodie experiences. Among the highlights, the outdoor destination at Dubai Festival City Mall, The Bay by Social, invites visitors to experience a variety of food trucks, a market full of unique shopping finds, and family-friendly activities from 4 pm to 10 pm until 30 April.
This DSF will also see the return of the free-to-attend DSF Markets that will bring outdoor and pop-up community shopping experiences to iconic locations across the city, creating unrivaled opportunities to discover new brands and pick up unique items. While the annual Etisalat MOTB, the original alternative shopping concept for Dubai and now a cornerstone of DSF, commemorates its 11th edition and will showcase homegrown F&B and retail vendors with unique pieces and on-trend finds, on-ground experiences alongside live entertainment by local and regional artists at its home in Dubai Design District (d3) from 5 to 14 January. Make sure to stop by the exclusive Fenty Beauty activation while you’re there.
Look forward to the first-ever edition of CanteenX, a spin-off from one of Dubai’s favorite cool and casual gastronomic experiences, the much-loved Etisalat Beach canteen. Head over to Mushrif Park between 15 and 31 December to check out this exclusive experience, fusing together food with entertainment, making it an ideal hangout spot for the whole family. What’s more, families can keep the kids busy with all the amazing activities set up just for them, including inflatables, trampolines, and bungee experiences. Keep an eye out for the one-of-a-kind outdoor cinema experience exclusively for the CanteenX community, showing retro English, Bollywood, and Arabic movies from the parking area, where visitors can tune in from their cars.
The Dubai Police Carnival will take place from 4 to 8 January at City Walk, bringing many incredible performances and showcasing music through the ages, along with an impressive line-up of vehicles for visitors to view. Additionally, the Emirates Classic Vehicles Festival is a treat for automotive enthusiasts everywhere, as City Walk transforms into a platform to showcase timeless vehicles down through the eras of automotive history, from 15 to 24 December.
Visitors to City Walk will also get to experience Music through the Ages through live singing and dance performances on the stage. The first set themed ‘Granly Decadence’ taking place through 15 to 17 December will feature artists Ryann Gibb, TOI, and Hard Kandi, while the second set ‘Back in the Day’ will take place between 22 and 24 December, with artists Mbali, Chinua Hawk, He Knows She Knows, and Diana O’Sullivan & The Show Girls. Keep an eye out for more details on the themes and schedules for this exciting lineup.