Get ready – this year’s Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is turning on the heat this winter! From December 6, 2024, to January 12, 2025, Dubai transforms into a dazzling wonderland of 38 unforgettable days packed with unbeatable shopping deals, electrifying live entertainment, jaw-dropping fireworks and delicious foodie adventures. 

This year’s edition is pulling out all the stops to make sure it’s the grandest celebration yet. So grab your calendars, clear your schedules, and join me as I take you through the endless parade of events, pop-ups, epic sales and surprises waiting to blow your mind.

Also read: Dubai Shopping Festival 2024 Dates Announced – 4 Reasons Why You Should Be Excited

Opening Weekend Festivities You Can’t-Miss: December 6-8

1. 321 Festival at Coca-Cola Arena

The unforgettable 321 Festival is back at Coca-Cola Arena. Book your tickets for Sunday, December 8th as Coke Studio returns with an electrifying line-up showcasing South Asian talents. Curated by Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, producer of the global music platform which launched in Pakistan back in 2008, this season you can enjoy Kaifi Khalil’s live rendition of the viral Balochi track Kana Yaari and Abdul Hannan’s O Yaara to Umair Butt and Gharvi Group’s chart-topper Blockbuster among many other hits. Tickets are flying off the shelves so book now at www.coca-cola-arena.com/

2. Family Fun At City Walk

City Walk’s boulevard is the place to be this DSF opening weekend!  Get ready for a jam-packed weekend of free, family-friendly entertainment. Bring your squad, grab your camera, and make this weekend a carnival to remember! Here’s the scoop:

• Carnival Extravaganza: The entire Boulevard transforms into a colourful, high-energy carnival complete with roaming performers, interactive activities and picture-perfect moments at every corner.
• Activities for All Ages: Whether it’s street games that bring out your competitive side or glitter face painting that’ll have the little ones shining bright, there’s endless fun for the whole family.
• Live Music & Food: Groove to the beats as DJs turn up the vibe, and don’t miss out on exclusive food and drink offers to keep your energy high.

3. DSF Nights At Dubai Festival City Mall

Get ready for 38 nights of non-stop entertainment at Festival Bay, featuring:

• Weekend Concerts: On December 6, catch Ahmed Saad’s captivating performance, and on December 7, enjoy Shamma Hamdan, the first Emirati woman finalist on Arab’s Got Talent.
• IMAGINE Shows: Witness stunning water, light and laser displays daily. 
• Fireworks Galore: Every weekend at 9:15 PM, stunning fireworks light up the night sky.
• Foodie Paradise: Savour delicious bites from pop-up eateries and food trucks.

4. DSF Drones Show Presented by Emarat: A Sky-High Spectacle

The DSF Drones Show presented by Emarat is back with 1,000 drones, the largest display to date. The 30th edition brings two new formations that celebrate Dubai’s past and future every night at Bluewaters and JBR, The Beach. Mark your calendars for:

• December 6–26: Drone displays featuring breathtaking visuals and stories.
• December 13: Watch 150 pyro drones create magical fireworks effects with skydivers at 8 PM and without at 10 PM.
• December 27-January 12: Prepare for a new show that dazzles with powerful beats and innovative sound effects with 2D and 3D formations integrated into Dubai’s landmarks.

5. Fireworks To Light Up Dubai

Catch daily fireworks at Dubai Festival City Mall and Hatta, courtesy of Al Zarooni Group. Whether you’re in the city or the serene mountains, these dazzling displays are a must-see. Hatta’s Fireworks Nights offer a tranquil escape with shows every Friday and Saturday until January 4, 2025. Timings: DFCM – 9.15pm and Hatta – 8pm

One-Of-A-Kind Experiences

1. Canteen X

Get ready to feast, dance and play at foodie paradise in Mushrif Park! This culinary haven serves up mouthwatering dishes, pumping live DJ sets, and exciting interactive zones hosted by six adorable and fun-loving mascots like the twirling Twirlo and the bouncy Bunzi. Open weekdays from 4 PM to midnight and keeping the vibes alive until 1 AM on weekends, it’s the perfect destination for foodies, families, and anyone craving a slice of excitement. Bring your appetite, your crew, and your best dance moves – Mushrif Park is calling (Open from Dec 13-31)

2. Dubai Lights

Explore stunning light art installations inspired by the elements – Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit – at eight unique locations. These gorgeous displays combine art, culture and technology for a magical outdoor experience. Needless to say, your Instagram will thank you too! Top spots: D3, Bluewaters, Al Marmoom Lake, Al Seef, Kite Beach, Nakheel Mall, Palm West Beach and Citywalk

3. Hatta x DSF

Escape to the mountains of Hatta for thrilling activities like hiking, zip-lining, and kayaking. This year, Hatta Wadi Hub features enchanting lighting displays, weekend fireworks, cosy seating areas, and delicious bites from local eateries.

4. Al Marmoom Collective: The Uncommon x DSF

Escape the city buzz and unwind in a one-of-a-kind desert retreat at The Uncommon, nestled in the tranquil surroundings of Al Marmoom. This experience offers the perfect blend of relaxation and entertainment for all ages. Enjoy exploring the walking mazes, seasonal dishes, outdoor cinema nights, live oud performances by the fire pits with scenic views of Al Marmoom’s lake and so much more. (Open from Dec 20-Jan 12)

Shop & Win Big This DSF

1. DIB Visa Millionaire 

Use your Dubai Islamic Bank Visa card and spend AED 500 or more. Each AED 500 earns you an entry into the draw for AED 1 million cash. There’s no limit to how many times you can enter. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? Fri, Dec 6 – Sun, Jan 12. For terms and conditions visit www.dib.ae/dsf 

2. Amber Millionaire

Good news for Amber loyalty programme shoppers. Spend AED 500 or more in one single transaction at participating stores and you could win 1 million Amber Points, worth AED 10,000! Thirty lucky Amber Members will be chosen through the draw. Participating brands include Giorgio Armani, Moschino, Kate Spade, Kurt Geiger, and more. Shop between Fri, Dec 6 – Sun, Dec 8 for your chance to win. For more info: visit https://www.visitdubai.com/en/deals-and-offers/shopping-deal

3. Golden Tickit

Download the Tickit app, link your Visa or Mastercard, and shop with partner brands during DSF. Each transaction enters you into a draw where you stand a chance to win AED 10,000! With 30 winners in total, you could strike gold by simply dining or  shopping Fri, Dec 6 – Sun, Jan 12.

4. DSF Modesh & Blue Rewards Millionaire

Spend AED 300 at Dubai Festival City Mall and upload your receipts to the Blue Rewards app. Each day, one lucky shopper will win 1 million Blue Rewards equivalent to AED 10,000. Shop between Fri, Dec 6 – Sun, Jan 12 to join the excitement.

5. DSF Biggest Prize of the Year

Shop for AED 300 at Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, or City Centre Mirdif. Upload your receipts to the SHARE app, and you could win AED 1 million in cash! Start shopping between Fri, Dec 6 – Sun, Jan 12.

6. Sky-High Rewards With Emirates Skywards Everyday

Emirates Skywards Everyday members can win big during this DSF. Shop  at any of the 300+ Skywards Everyday partners to enter bi-weekly raffles. You could be among 30 winners to score 30,000 miles or if you are really lucky, you could be one of three winners of a million Skywards Miles. Don’t have a Skywards Visa card? Sign up for 4X bonus miles on your first transaction! 

7. Get Your Bill Paid At Emax Stores

Will you be one of the lucky 30 winners at Emax this DSF?  Shop for AED 2,500 and you could win your bill value as cashback. Terms and conditions apply.

Incredible Fun At The Mall For Everyone

1. Play & Win Like a Pro

If you’re a gamer or just love a good challenge, this is your chance to enter a world of fun and rewards! Spend AED 200 at either City Centre Deira or City Centre Mirdif and get access to thrilling gaming zones. Here, you can test your skills on a variety of games, with amazing prizes up for grabs, including PlayStations, laptops, and more. It’s a perfect way to add some extra excitement to your shopping spree!

• City Centre Mirdif: The fun starts from Saturday, Dec 7 to Tuesday, Dec 17.
• City Centre Deira: Join in from Thursday, Dec 19 to Sunday, Jan 5.

2. Sonic Fun & Activations

Calling all Sonic fans – this one’s for you! DSF 2024 brings the beloved Sonic the Hedgehog to life with an action-packed stage show. Follow Sonic on an adventure, featuring exciting obstacle courses, augmented reality (AR) games, and interactive workshops that will get everyone in the family involved. Whether you’re racing through the obstacle courses or testing your speed with AR games, the experience promises to be a blast. Simply spend AED 200 at City Centre Mirdif or AED 300 at Mall of the Emirates, and you’ll get tokens to access these thrilling activations.

City Centre Mirdif: Enjoy the Sonic experience from Wednesday, Dec 18 to Tuesday, Jan 7.Mall of the Emirates: Head over to join the fun from Saturday, Jan 4 to Sunday, Jan 12.

Raffles For Every Kind Of Shopper

1. Mega Raffle

This year’s  DSF Mega Raffle is offering incredible daily prizes! For just AED 100, grab a raffle ticket at ENOC service stations, ZOOM stores, or Global Village. You could win a brand-new Nissan X-Trail, Xterra, Altima, Kicks, or Safari. Additionally, the winner gets AED 100,000 in cash as well! Now that’s how you make an entrance into the new year.

2. Shop & Win Up To AED 1 Million In Prizes

Shopping just got even more rewarding. Spend AED 200 at participating malls, and you’re automatically entered into weekly raffle draws for a chance to win up to AED 1 million. There will be 30 winners winning up to AED 33,000 each. So, keep those receipts handy and get ready to win big.

3. Win AED 1.5 Million In Gold!

Love jewellery? Over 250 jewellery outlets in Dubai are making DSF even more dazzling. Spend AED 1,500 on gold or jewellery and receive a raffle coupon for a chance to win a share of AED 1.5 million in gold. Twenty winners will be drawn during the festival, each taking home ¼ kilo of gold each!

4. Win AED 100,000 Daily with Spectacular Mega Raffle 

This is a chance to win a huge sum by simply spending AED 25. You heard that right! Spend AED 25 at ZOOM, AED 50 at Autopro or purchase a VIP service at Tasjeel for a chance to win AED 100,000 daily, AED 1,500 Tahani gift cards or a Nissan Car, in addition to AED 50,000 cash prizes. 

DSF’s 30th anniversary is a celebration like no other. From Friday, 6 December 2024, to Sunday, 12 January 2025, the city will be buzzing with excitement, prizes, and endless shopping adventures. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the biggest DSF yet! Happy shopping, everyone!