Dubai Shopping Festival 2023: 30 Years of Unforgettable Experiences
This year, Dubai proudly marks the 30th anniversary of its renowned Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), the world’s first and longest-running retail festival. From December 6 to January 12, the city transforms into a vibrant shopping paradise, offering an array of exhilarating experiences and adventures over 38 action-packed days. Get ready to lace up your shopping shoes and dive into the festivities!
Jump to:
- DSF Opening Weekend
- Unmissable Experiences Throughout DSF
- Exciting Retail Offers and Shopping
- Fun at the Malls
- Raffles and Prizes
DSF Opening Weekend
Kicking off the festival with a spectacular start, the DSF opening weekend promises a host of unforgettable events.
1. Celebrate with the 321 Festival
DSF commences with the much-anticipated 321 Festival, taking place from December 6 to 8 at the Coca-Cola Arena and City Walk. On December 6, attendees can enjoy a mesmerizing performance by the legendary Arab singers, Georges Wassouf and Kadim Al Sahir, at the Coca-Cola Arena. The excitement continues on December 8 with Coke Studio Live, featuring talented Pakistani artists like Kaifi Khalil, Abdul Hannan, Umair Butt, and the Gharvi Group. Meanwhile, City Walk will be alive with vibrant entertainment and carnival activities, including street games, glitter face painting, workshops, delectable food and beverage offers, street performers, and DJs.
321 Festival concerts: Fri Dec 6, 9pm and Sun Dec 8, 7pm, Coca-Cola Arena; City Walk activations: Fri Dec 6 to Sun Dec 8, noon onwards
2. Tune into DSF Nights Opening Weekend Shows
Head to Dubai Festival City Mall for electrifying performances that mark the opening weekend of DSF. On December 6, singer Ahmed Saad will set the stage for 38 nights of entertainment. On December 7, don’t miss Shamma Hamdan, the first Emirati woman to reach the finals of Arabs Got Talent. The weekend is packed with family-friendly activities, including interactive entertainment and the all-new IMAGINE show. Be sure to catch the spectacular fireworks every night at 9:15 PM, alongside various concerts running until January 12.
Fri Dec 6-Sun Jan 12. Open Mon-Thu 5pm-10pm, Fri-Sun 5pm-midnight. Dubai Festival City Mall.
3. See the Sky Light Up with 1000 Drones
Prepare to be amazed by the DSF Drones Show Presented by Emarat! Starting December 6, head to Bluewaters and The Beach, JBR, to witness two stunning shows every night at 8 PM and 10 PM, featuring 1000 drones illuminating the skies with captivating stories. This is an experience you won’t want to miss!
Free. Fri Dec 6-Sun Jan 12. Bluewaters and The Beach, JBR.
Unmissable Experiences Throughout DSF
Gather your friends and family for a season filled with unforgettable experiences!
4. Be Mesmerized by Dubai Lights
If you are an art enthusiast, the stunning light installations across the city during the 30th DSF are a must-see. From Al Seef to Bluewaters, City Walk, Kite Beach, Dubai Design District (d3), Hatta, Nakheel Mall, and Palm West Beach, each location will showcase unique light displays starting December 6. Al Marmoon will also feature a magnificent lighting installation from December 20.
Free. Fri Dec 6-Sun Jan 12. Various locations including Al Marmoon, Kite Beach, Al Seef, Bluewaters, City Walk, Dubai Design District (d3), Hatta, Nakheel Mall, Palm West Beach.
5. Indulge in Delicious Food at CanteenX
Food lovers, rejoice! CanteenX returns to Mushrif Park with exciting interactive culinary experiences. Enjoy tantalizing dishes across four distinct zones, from sweet treats to savory delights, complemented by kids’ activities and a matcha-centric area. Groove to live DJs and meet six new characters guiding you through the food zones.
Fri Dec 13-Tue Dec 31. Weekdays 4 PM-midnight, weekends 4 PM-1 AM. Mushrif Park, Gate 1.
6. Get Back to Nature in Hatta
Escape the urban bustle and explore the scenic beauty of Hatta. The Hatta Wadi Hub offers a plethora of outdoor activities, including light displays and fireworks every Friday and Saturday at 8 PM. Engage in mountain biking, hiking, ziplining, kayaking, and more. For a relaxing day, enjoy a cozy seating area while savoring delicious meals from Home Bakery, GOAT Burger, Adrina, and Damani Bites.
Prices vary. Fri Dec 6-Sun Jan 5. Sun-Thu 4 PM-10 PM, Fri-Sat noon-midnight. Hatta Wadi Hub, Hatta.
Exciting Retail Offers and Shopping
Prepare for some incredible shopping opportunities this DSF!
7. Spend with DIB and VISA for a Chance at Dhs1 Million
Every time you spend Dhs500 using a Dubai Islamic Bank Visa debit or credit card, you enter an amazing draw to win Dhs1 million. This offer is available to DIB customers across Dubai with any qualifying purchase.
Dhs500 minimum spend. Fri Dec 6-Sun Jan 12. Various locations across Dubai.
8. Become an Amber Millionaire
Make purchases at your favorite Amber participating stores during the opening weekend of DSF, and you could be one of 30 lucky winners to receive 1 Million Amber points each, equivalent to Dhs10,000. Simply spend Dhs500 or more at renowned brands such as Gianvito Rossi, Moschino, Missoni, Bloomingdale’s, and more to enter.
Dhs500 minimum spend. Fri Dec 6-Sun Dec 8. Various locations across Dubai.
9. Bag Your Golden Tickit
Want a chance to win Dhs10,000 this DSF? Download the Tickit app from the App Store or Google Play, link your Visa or Mastercard, and every purchase you make during the season enters you into a draw. This includes dining, travel, entertainment, attractions, and shopping. A total of 30 winners will be selected throughout DSF. Don’t miss out!
Fri Dec 6-Sun Jan 12. Various locations across Dubai.
10. Win Daily Prizes at Dubai Festival City Mall
Shop at Dubai Festival City Mall for a chance to win big! Spend Dhs300 and upload your receipt to the Blue Rewards app for a chance to be one of 30 winners, each receiving 1 million Blue Rewards points worth Dhs10,000.
Dhs300 minimum spend. Fri Dec 6-Sun Jan 12. Dubai Festival City Mall.
11. Win DSF’s Biggest Prize of the Year – Dhs1 Million Cash
Participate in a massive raffle at selected malls across the city this DSF. Spend Dhs300 at Mall of the Emirates or City Centre malls in Deira and Mirdif, and scan your receipt on the SHARE app for a chance to become a millionaire. One lucky winner will take home the grand prize!
Dhs300 minimum spend. Fri Dec 6-Sun Jan 12. Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, and City Centre Mirdif.
12. Celebrate with Skywards Miles This DSF
Travel enthusiasts should seize the opportunity to win one million Skywards miles during the shopping season. As an Emirates Skywards member, every purchase at Skywards Everyday partners enters you into a raffle draw. Three grand prize winners will each receive one million miles, while 30 additional winners will land 30,000 miles. New Skywards members can also quadruple their miles on their first Visa card transaction. Where will you go first?
Thu Dec 5-Thu Jan 16. Skywards Everyday Partner outlets across Dubai.
13. Win Your Bill Back at Emax
Shopping at Emax this DSF could mean getting your money back! Emax stores across the city are holding a raffle where 30 shoppers who spend Dhs2,500 will win back the total value of their purchase.
Dhs2,500 spend. Fri Dec 6-Sun Jan 12. Emax stores across Dubai.
Fun at the Malls
From immersive gaming experiences to exciting events, the malls have something for everyone!
14. Head to the Malls to Win Prizes and Celebrate DSF
Join in the fun at City Centre Mirdif and City Centre Deira, where you can play and win like a pro. Spend Dhs200 at either mall and share your receipt to enter immersive gaming zones, featuring themed games with a chance to win smartphones, TVs, tablets, mall gift cards, VOX Cinemas tickets, and more.
Dhs200 minimum in-store spend. City Centre Mirdif: Sat Dec 7-Tue Dec 17; City Centre Deira: Thu Dec 19-Sun Jan 5. Daily 2 PM-10 PM. City Centre Mirdif and City Centre Deira.
Raffles
Take part in exciting raffles for a chance to win incredible prizes!
15. Win Big by Taking Part in Raffles During the 30th DSF
During DSF, from December 6 to January 12, you have the chance to win amazing prizes through various raffles across the city. Purchase a Dhs100 raffle ticket at ENOC stations, ZOOM stores, and Global Village for a chance to win a brand-new Nissan car or thousands of dirhams in cash. Additionally, participate in the Shop and Win raffle at participating malls where spending Dhs200 enters you into a draw for one of 30 prizes of up to Dhs1 million. Plus, over 250 jewelry outlets will host weekly raffles, offering four winners each week a chance to take home 250g of gold!
Prices vary. Fri Dec 6-Sun Jan 12. Various locations across Dubai.
For more information, visit www.visitdubai.com/en/whats-on/dsf. Follow DSF’s social channel @dubaifestivals for all the latest updates.
