DSF in Full Swing: Top 30 Highlights of 30th Anniversary

Returning for its 30th edition, DSF brings the city’s biggest-ever and most extraordinary celebrations ever with an out-of-this-world edition featuring 35 concerts and entertainment events headlined by A-list stars, over 30 retail activations, 25 adrenaline-fueled motor and sporting thrills, 19 immersive installations, 12 signature and experiential events, and 10 gastronomy experiences

Dubai, United Arab Emirates-: The 30th edition of the iconic annual Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) kicked off last week, bringing the city’s most exciting, awe-inspiring and unforgettable annual celebration with a jam-packed calendar brimming with unforgettable experiences for everyone, every day, in every corner of the city for 38 non-stop days.

Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the festival promises to continue delighting friends and families like never before with a stellar line-up of thrilling live entertainment; daily free-to-attend fireworks and NEW twice-daily drone shows; vibrant outdoor experiences e& MOTB, CanteenX, and DSF x Hatta; brand-new concepts like DSF Nights at Dubai Festival City Mall, Al Marmoom Collective: The Uncommon X DSF, and DSF Auto Season; as well as epic New Year’s celebrations and wonder-filled festive activations. Plus, marking the best time to shop in Dubai, DSF brings together the greatest-ever line-up of shopping deals with over 1,000 global and local brands, together with incredible chances to win mega prizes and bag wonderful gifting options for the season.

There’s something in store for everyone, with 35 concerts and entertainment events headlined by A-list stars, over 30 retail activations, 25 adrenaline-fueled motor and sporting thrills, 19 immersive installations, 12 signature and experiential events, and 10 gastronomy experiences – all with an elevated 30th-anniversary layer of excitement.

SEE THE CITY LIGHT UP

1. Free Daily Fireworks: This DSF season, the fireworks are back in grand style, bigger and more dazzling than ever before. Every evening, Dubai Festival City Mall, sponsored by Zarooni Group, will illuminate the skies at 9:00pm. Meanwhile, those embracing the great outdoors at Hatta will be treated to awe-inspiring firework shows every Friday and Saturday at 8:00pm.

2. Twice-Daily Drone Shows: The DSF drone shows, presented by Emarat, are back, bigger and more thrilling than ever before. Taking place at Bluewaters Island and The Beach, JBR, a dazzling performance of 1,000 drones will captivate the city twice daily at 8pm and 10pm, telling two stories that celebrate Dubai’s legacy and future through technology driven entertainment. The first theme will run until 26 December. This theme will feature an extraordinary and unique display, where the skies will illuminate with a breathtaking scannable QR code from 6 to 12 December. Guests can use this code to send personalised messages, which will be brought to life in a stunning showcase of cutting-edge drone technology on 13 December. Plus, for the first time ever, an all-new breathtaking show of awe-inspiring pyro-drone displays (drones with fireworks) will be introduced this DSF season. 150 pyro drones will light up the skies twice a day on 13 December, at 8pm with an exhilarating skydive stunt and once again at 10pm. The next show will light up the sky on 11 January.

3. Dubai Lights: Dubai Lights returns with a dazzling new edition, transforming some of the city’s most iconic destinations into breathtaking and enchanting immersive light districts. Featuring one-of-a-kind interactive installations inspired by Water, Air, Fire, Energy and Connection, illuminating Bluewaters Island, Palm Nakheel Mall, Palm West Beach, Al Seef, Dubai Design District, Al Marmoom, City Walk, and Hatta. Every installation offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore, connect, and share unforgettable moments.

EXPLORE BRAND NEW DSF 30TH EDITION EVENTS

4. DSF Nights at Dubai Festival City Mall: Dubai Festival City Mall’s outdoor arena, Festival Bay, has come alive for DSF Nights, presented by talabat, until 12 January from 5pm to 10pm. Families can experience captivating shows, interactive entertainment, daily fireworks and twice-daily IMAGINE shows at 6:30pm and 9:15pm (except Sundays). On the weekends, the festivities extend until midnight, with live free concerts at 9:30pm (with spots reserved on the Blue app) – Diana Haddad on 14 December, Yara Mena on 21 December, Hams Fikri on 4 January 2025 and Ibrahim Al Sultan on 11 January 2025. Plus, a special ticketed New Year’s Eve show from Mahmoud El Essily on 31 December will ring in 2025 in style.

5. X Factor: For the first time ever, DSF visitors will be able to witness the world renowned X Factor competition live every Sunday as part of DSF Nights at Dubai Festival City Mall, in partnership with Dubai TV and DSF. Three esteemed jury members – Raghad Alama, Rahmad Riad and Fayez Al Saeed – will embark on a quest to discover the next superstar singer or band.

6. DSF x Hatta: DSF x Hatta returns as a haven of festivity and tranquillity until 5 January 2025, offering a blend of outdoor entertainment, a serene and calm setting for relaxation, enchanting lighting displays, and a collection of dining options, such as Home Bakery, GOAT Burger and Adrina. Visitors will also be able to catch dazzling fireworks every Friday and Saturday at 8:00pm and embark on exclusive test drives from Nissan.

7. Al Marmoom Collective: The Uncommon X DSF: From 20 December 2024 to 12 January 2025, The Uncommon at Al Marmoom will transform into a magical desert retreat, blending creativity, nature, and unforgettable experiences. From 4pm to 12am, visitors can stroll through stunning light installations, relax by cozy firepits, and enjoy family-friendly attractions like an arcade, kids’ play area, and captivating walking maze. Weekends will also bring outdoor cinema nights and live musical performances.

8. DSF Auto Season: Revving up excitement across Dubai will be a spectacular line-up of activations celebrating all things automotive from 1 to 12 January 2025. Showcasing the latest innovations and craftsmanship in the industry will be cutting-edge vehicles, thrilling competitions, dynamic meetups, unforgettable parades and unique activations around the city. Car enthusiasts can also check out vehicle showcases at Dubai Hills Mall, Al Meydan and Mirdif Motor Show, interactive competitions at Michelin 24Hours Dubai 2025, unique drifting experiences at Drift Home, and networking with like-minded people at Cars&Cookies, Block 92, and Bikers Café.

 CHECK OUT DSF’S RETURNING FESTIVAL FAVOURITES

9. CanteenX: The highly anticipated second edition of CanteenX returns from 13 to 31 December at Mushrif Park with 24 of Dubai’s best food pop ups spanning four flavour zones. Open daily from 4pm to midnight from Sundays to Thursdays and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, the free-to-enter outdoor food festival will set the stage with DJ sets and a high-energy line-up of live performers delivering epic music and unforgettable vibes. Adding to the experience, six delightful new characters—Twirlo, Bunzi, Pizzani, Matcho, Scoopi, and Mallow—will make their debut, guiding visitors through the event’s fun-filled zones and creating unforgettable moments at every turn, perfect for time together with friends and family.

10. e& MOTB: Returning for its 12th edition, e& MOTB will take place in the heart of Dubai Design District from 4 January to 12 January 2025, starting at 4pm on Monday to Thursday and 12pm on Saturday and Sunday. This year’s free-to-enter edition will be a incredible celebration of GenZ culture, featuring an eclectic collection of over 50 NEW home grown and international retail brands, a culinary journey with talabat’s curated diner, and 25 NEW innovative food concepts, alongside hourly live musical performances and visual displays, as well as exclusive activations from renowned brands such as Drunk Elephant and Nissan.

SHOP, SAVE, AND WIN MEGA PRIZES

11. DSF VISA DIB Millionaire: An extraordinary opportunity to win a grand prize of one million dirhams by spending with a Dubai Islamic Bank Visa Debit or Credit Card at participating DSF stores until 12 January 2025. With no cap on the number of entries, this exciting promotion invites shoppers to stay tuned for ways to boost their chances of winning this life-changing reward.

12. Play & Win Like A Pro: Mirdif City Centre (MCC) and Deira City Centre (MCC) will host an immersive ‘Shop & Win Like a Pro’ gaming experience, offering fun zones, interactive gameplay, and instant prizes from 7 to 17 December at MCC and 19 December to 5 January 2025 at DCC. SHARE members spending AED 200 (excluding Carrefour receipts) can join by showing their receipt and playing for a chance to win daily prizes like smartphones, Smart TVs, gift cards, and more. Even those who don’t win will leave with special giveaways, ensuring everyone enjoys this exciting DSF activation.

13. Al Jaber Optical: From 13 to 15 December 2024, retail enthusiasts can shop for free where every dirham spent on optical in participating branches will get the second pair 100% free.

14. Shop, Spin, and Win with Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSMG): Lucky shoppers can spin for extraordinary cash prizes worth a total of one million dirhams up for grabs until 12 January 2025.

15. DSF Golden Tickit: Until 12 January 2025, Tickit members who link their Visa or MasterCard and complete at least one transaction with Tickit partners such as City Walk, Dubai Hills Mall, JBR, Decathlon, Virgin Megastore, Jumeirah restaurants and Roxy Cinemas will enter a draw to become one of 30 DSF Golden Tickit winners, each receiving AED 10,000.

16. Emirates Skywards Everyday Millionaire: An incredible chance for shoppers to win up to a whopping 3 million Skywards Miles with 30 winners walking away with 30,000 Miles, as well as additional miles throughout DSF until 12 January 2025.

17. Biggest Prize of the Year: Shoppers at Majid Al Futtaim malls have an incredible chance to win a whopping one million dirhams in cash when they shop throughout DSF until 12 January 2025.

18. DSF Modesh & Blue Millionaire Rewards: 30 shoppers at Dubai Festival City Mall have the chance to win one million BLUE Rewards points, equivalent to AED 10,000, when they spend AED 300 or more throughout the mall until 12 January 2025.

GRAND RAFFLES

19. DSF Mega Raffle: A daily winner will be crowned with life-changing prizes, including brand-new Nissan cars and AED 100,000 in cash, with the purchase of a AED 100 raffle ticket until 12 January 2025. Ticket holders will also be entered into a weekly draw for a grand prize of an all-new Nissan Patrol. Tickets are available for AED 100 at ENOC stations, ZOOM stores, Global Village, and select kiosks citywide.

20. ENOC: Shoppers can win incredible prizes with ENOC throughout DSF, including cash prizes of AED 10,000, AED 50,000, or AED 100,000 daily, in addition to AED 1,500 Tahani gift cards, or even a brand-new Nissan car.

21. Dubai Jewellery Group: Shine bright this DSF with an incredible grand raffle, offering shoppers the chance to win up to 1.5 million dirhams in gold, along with exclusive discounts and dazzling giveaways until 12 January 2025.

CITY-WIDE EXPERIENCES FOR EVERYONE

22. Sole DXB: The region’s coolest lifestyle and street-culture festival, Sole DXB returns from 13 to 15 December for its 12^th anniversary with an even more immersive festival experience with the introduction of a second stage, extended hours from 3pm to 2am, and a diverse line-up of artists spanning genres from hip-hop and jazz to R&B and dance music. Visitors can explore an eclectic mix of fashion, art, and food & beverage brands, along with curated talks, sports showcases, and interactive activations that will bring together creators and fans from across the globe.

23. Ripe Market: Beloved winter experience, Ripe Market, will return to Dubai every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 7pm at Dubai Police Academy Park. The fantastic bazaar will showcase talented creatives and small businesses as well as organic produce, hydroponic goods and fresh harvest.

24. Thirty Seconds to Mars: Rock enthusiasts in Dubai, gear up for an unforgettable experience as Thirty Seconds to Mars arrives in the city this winter! Led by Jared and Shannon Leto, the legendary band will light up the stage at Coca-Cola Arena on 12 December, delivering a concert sure to create lasting memories.

NEW YEAR’S EVE

25. Burj Park Festivities: Bid a grand farewell to 2024 at the world-famous Burj Park and witness the iconic Burj Khalifa light up to welcome the new year in true Dubai fashion. Stunning fireworks will set the sky above Downtown Dubai ablaze in dazzling colours, complemented by a breathtaking light and music show to add to the spectacle.

26. Lionel Richie: Sing and dance the night away at Atlantis, The Palm’s grand celebration with global music icon Lionel Richie taking the stage for an unforgettable performance, accompanied by theatrical performances and roaming entertainment.

27. Nicky Romero: Dance your way into 2025 at Barasti Beach’s New Year’s Eve bash headlined by DJ Nicky Romero. With world-famous remixes and collaboration playing all night, this party is guaranteed to keep the crowd moving until the early hours.

SOAK UP THE MAGIC AT A WINTER WONDERLAND

28. Winter District: From 14 to 22 December, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre will transform into a magical Winter District, promising tons of holiday cheer, dazzling lights and Santa-approved fun for everyone. Visitors will enjoy the Christmas market and family-friendly attractions, including a snow play area, from 12pm onwards.

29. Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market: The holiday season in Dubai is incomplete without a visit to the annual Madinat Jumeirah Christmas Market starting on 6 December. Explore the impressive 36ft-tall tree, seasonal food stalls and immersive family-friendly activities. All entries are free.

30. Winter City At Expo City: Step into the magical world of Santa’s Toy Factory at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City, from 6 to 31 December 2024, from 2pm to 10pm, where toys and dreams come to life. Join Mrs. Claus to sort the naughty and nice list, decorate delicious cookies, and create enchanting festive crafts. Tickets can be purchased online and at the box office, starting at AED40.

These are just a few of the endless out-of-this-world experiences being specially curated for the most sensational 30th edition of DSF yet. An action-packed calendar of 38 wonder-filled days will deliver many more non-stop, day-in-day-out thrills for everyone, every day, in every corner of the city, with several other spectacular celebrations, A-list concerts, and awe-inspiring events in the coming weeks.

Visitors can navigate through the endless excitement of this year’s festival through the all-new digital DSF Map – an interactive online guide to explore all of the season’s iconic and only-in-Dubai experiences, festival favourites, ever-popular signature events, and brand-new additions waiting to be discovered across the city.

Dubai Shopping Festival is supported by Key Partner VISA Dubai Islamic Bank and Strategic Partners which include: Al Futtaim Malls (Dubai Festival City Mall & Festival Plaza), Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, DHAM (Al Seef, Bluewaters, Ibn Battuta Mall, Nakheel Mall and The Outlet Village), Emirates Airline, ENOC, e&, Majid Al Futtaim (Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira), Merex Investment (City Walk and The Beach, JBR), and talabat.