Dubai, known as the City of Gold, always amazes with its top-notch infrastructure, delicious food, and exciting places to visit. One of its biggest events is the Dubai Shopping Festival, a dream for those who love to shop. It happens every year towards the end, offering big discounts.
If you're planning a shopping trip, the best time to go to Dubai is in December and January. This is when the shopping festival is on, and you can find great deals.
Therefore, if you are planning a trip to Dubai and want to shop, visit in December and January!
Date and Venue of Dubai Shopping Festival!
Well, the Dubai shopping festival is pretty famous, not just in Dubai but also across the globe. In 202-24 the Dubai Festival and retail establishments will be organising the 27th version of the festival from 15 December to 29th January. As of now, the dates are scheduled to be there. However, they are subject to changes in the future.
If we talk about the venue of the Dubai shopping festival, no one location hosts it. The venue of the Dubai shopping festival includes almost all the major malls, city centres and desert camps in the City.
The primary USP of the Dubai shopping festival is that it is the recipient of Guinness World Records. Many of you may ask why? It is because the DSF is one of the longest-running festivals in the world.
Along with many shopping opportunities for tourists and locals, the festival includes star performances and other remarkable events.
History of The Dubai Shopping Festival
The awesome history of the Dubai shopping festival dates back to 1996. It is the year when the Dubai shopping festival was first organised as a retail event. The motive is to promote trade in the City.
Though the Government of Dubai has taken numerous initiatives to promote tourism, the success of DSF was one of the primary turning points. And in its first year, the festival became a major game changer.
It was the vision of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Though he wasn't there to see the success of the festival, it was properly executed by Mohammed Al Gargavi and Mohammed Alabbar. The festival was started with great spirit in which Sheikh Mohammed solicited the public and encouraged investors to invest in it. The initial season of the festival was speculated to generate 1 billion Dirham worth of sales.
To make it better after the festival's launch, the Dubai Commerce and Tourism Promotion Board begin promoting the festival in South East Asian nations. One key point you should not miss is that the festival is aligned with the holiday season worldwide to attract a maximum audience.
In March 1996, the Dubai shopping festival was declared an annual event. In 1996, the festival was declared an annual event, and several sponsors from the city started pouring in. Since 2008, the festival has been headed by Laila Sohail, the CEO of Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE).
The inception of the Dubai shopping festival led to several changes in Dubai's tourism landscape.
- Initially, the festival was a week-long retail event, but it was extended to a month-long shopping experience afterwards.
- The beginning and popularity of the Dubai shopping festival led to the rise of numerous shopping malls in the City.
- A global shopping village was also introduced in Dubai. Here locals and tourists could find stalls of every culture from the world.
Attractions of The Dubai Shopping Festival!
Dubai shopping festival is all about buying products with irresistible offers. The range of products goes beyond electronics, gold, cars, jewellery, gems, and much more.
However, if you want to find the products in one location, you can either head to the malls of Dubai or the ancient souks of the city. Now, whether you are in popular Gold Souk, Dubai Mall, Mall of Emirates, Ibn Battuta Mall, or any other, here are the key attractions you must witness during the festival.
- Fireworks
The tallest building, Burj Khalifa, is pretty popular for hosting the best fireworks. During the shopping festival, several locations across the city host the best firework. These locations are Creek Park, Bluewaters, Burj Al Arab, Al Seef, and Zabeel Park.
The breathtaking view of the sky creates a magical atmosphere that adds a layer of excitement to the festival.
- Mall events
The second best thing you can experience during the Dubai shopping festival is the mall events. Mall events are of various types and may depend based on the mall you are in.
Some of the most enjoyable Mall events are fashion shows, flash mobs, etc. Brand representatives also organise numerous games for the audience in exchange for exciting prizes. You can win over 1 million AED in cash from DSF.
- Live concerts and performances
Live concerts and performances are an integral part of the Dubai shopping festival. Like every year, this year will also be filled with remarkable performances by some great artists.
The 2022 Dubai shopping festival featured performances from Egyptian singers Mohammad Hammaki and Ahmed Saad. Film composer Hans Zimmer delivered the best performance in the festival's closing weekend.
- Film Festivals
Dubai shopping festival is not limited to shopping. On top of all the described attractions in the city, you can also enjoy the film festivals around the same time.
Popular film festivals of Dubai are Dubai International Film Festival and Children's International Film Festival. You can catch up on various films during the festival. And if you get lucky enough, you may also just get to attend press conferences with your favourite stars.
- Drone Light Show
If you have seen the videos of the drone show online, it would probably be from the drone show in Dubai. During the entire Dubai shopping festival, you can witness the beauty of the drone show every day in the evening between 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. It is one of the longest-running shows in the region that is hosted either at the beach or at the Bluewaters.
The perfectly synced movement of the drones is backed by specially composed music. Thus, providing users with an immersive experience altogether.
- Food Trip
Yes, the Dubai shopping festival is all about buying gold, precious gems, clothes, etc., at a discounted price and tax-free. However, shopping can get exhausting.
Hence, taking a food trip would be a great alternative for you. Just like you can find things from around the world to shop in Dubai, the city also houses some of the best restaurants serving scrumptious foods of all cuisines.
You can find the best restaurants and street food in Bur Dubai, Global Village, Downtown Dubai, 2nd December Street, etc.
Ideal Things to Buy at The Dubai Shopping Festival!
People buy several items, and one should buy them during the shopping festival in Dubai.
- Gold
The City of Gold is primarily popular for gold, and due to the tax policies, the prices of gold are low. Hence, you can buy jewellery from the Dubai shopping festival.
- Gems and Jewellery
Other than gold, Dubai is also famous for precious and antique gems. These gems and stones include diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, etc. You can either buy them loose or in the form of jewellery.
- Watches
The craze of watches among shoppers in Dubai is on another level. During the festival, the price of these watches dips, and you can buy them easily. Some popular brand watches are Cartier, Rado, Burberry, and Michael Kors.
- Spices
Just like Dubai is famous for toothsome food, it also stands on top for superb quality spices. So, get some exotic spices for your home on your trip to the Dubai shopping festival.
- Electronics
The prices are among the best things about buying electronics from the Dubai shopping festival. During the shopping festival, the prices of electronic items in the malls and markets of Dubai are heavily slashed. Moreover, the festival is the best opportunity for brands to showcase their latest products.
Other than these items, cosmetic products, clothing, furniture, leather products, perfumes, and home decor items are popular.
How to Reach Dubai for DSF
Dubai is one of the most visited destinations in the world. It is famous for its sky-kissing buildings, adrenaline-pumping activities, and amazing shopping options. The destination experiences an unprecedented footfall of tourists during the Dubai Shopping Festival. Dubai is well-connected with major cities across the world.
- Nearest Airport. Dubai International Airport
Well, as the DSF is celebrated at numerous places across the city, you must first decide where to go after arriving in Dubai.
Dubai Mall: The best way to get to Dubai Mall is via metro from the Burj Khalifa metro station. You can also take the feeder buses service.
Souks: If you want to explore the traditional marketplaces like the Gold Souk, Old Souk, Spice Souk, and more, you can take the metro to Deira and get off at Al-Ras Metro Station. From here, you can take an abra and go to Old Souk.
Ibn Battuta Mall: To reach Ibn Battuta Mall, you can either take the M1 metro or any bus among numbers 21, 27, 61, 98E, or F11.
Deira City Centre: To get to the Deira City Centre, you can get on the red line of the Dubai Metro and get off at City Centre Deira Metro Station.
Global Village: There are four bus routes to the Global Village in Dubai.
- Route 102: From Al Rashdiya Bus Station
- Route 103: From the Union Bus Station
- Route 104: From Al Ghubaiba Bus Station
- Route 106: From the Mall of the Emirates (MOE) Bus Station
Metro: M2
If you plan to witness the beauty of the Dubai Shopping Festival, you can plan a trip to Dubai in December and January. However, you can leave the planning process to Adotrip.com. We can seamlessly handle everything for you, including visa assistance, hotel reservations, flight tickets, and more. If required, we can also provide you with remarkable deals on trip packages.
Conclusion
The Dubai Shopping Festival stands as a highlight in Dubai's annual calendar, attracting shopping enthusiasts worldwide with its incredible discounts and variety. This event not only showcases Dubai's status as a global shopping destination but also celebrates the city's rich culture and hospitality. Planning a visit during December and January allows visitors to fully experience the magic of the festival, alongside exploring Dubai's remarkable infrastructure and attractions. The Dubai Shopping Festival offers a unique opportunity to enjoy shopping, entertainment, and cultural experiences all in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dubai Shopping Festival!
Q1. What is the Dubai Shopping Festival, and when does it take place?
A1. Dubai shopping festival is a month-long yearly event that hosts the best shopping deals for people on almost everything. It is usually hosted in December and January.
Q2. What are some of the main attractions and activities during the Dubai Shopping Festival?
A2. Some of the best attractions during the Dubai shopping festival are the drone show, fireworks, film festival, and by all means, the food festival.
Q3. Are there any discounts or special offers available during the festival?
A3. Yes, you can get from 25% to 95% off on the products available at the festival.
Q4. How long does the Dubai Shopping Festival last?
A4. The Dubai Shopping Festival lasts for around a month.
Q5. Can tourists participate in the Dubai Shopping Festival?
A5. Several locations host events and contests where people can participate and win prizes.
Q6. Are there any specific locations or malls that are popular during the festival?
A6. Dubai Mall, Mall of Emirates, Gold Souk, Old Souk, Global Village, etc., are the most popular locations during the festival.
Q7. A7. Are there any entertainment events or performances during the Dubai Shopping Festival?
A7. Yes, each year, Dubai shopping festivals feature live events and performances of renowned artists from around the world.
Q8. Are there any restrictions or guidelines for shopping during the festival?
A8. Yes, there are some COVID restrictions for shopping during the festivals.
Q9. What are some popular items to buy during the Dubai Shopping Festival?
A9. Gold, gems, spices, electronics products, clothing, jewellery, and cosmetics are some of the most popular items to buy during the festival.
Q10. How can I stay updated with the latest information about the Dubai Shopping Festival?
A10. You can always refer to Adotrip.com for the latest information about the Dubai Shopping Festival.
