Dubai is hailed as the 'Ultimate Shopping Destination' and has more than 70 malls in addition to new ones that open every year. So it naturally becomes a shopaholic's dream destination. However, with the big brands and the high-end stores, this dream often comes with a price. This is where the Dubai Shopping Festival comes to your rescue. Though sales happen in Dubai every month, it is the Dubai Shopping Festival extravaganza that gives you the best offers where much-loved fashion brands across all ranges are available at exceptional discounts.
The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is an annual month-long retail event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is one of the largest shopping and entertainment extravaganzas in the world, attracting visitors from around the globe. The festival typically takes place during the first month of the year, often from late December to late January, to coincide with Dubai's pleasant winter climate.
Dubai Shopping Festival 2023 Dates
DSF is an annual event mostly held in the first quarter of the year. It roughly lasts a month. For quite a few years, the festival has been from the first week of January to the first week of February. During DSF, the malls also tend to have longer working hours, ensuring you have plenty of time to shop till you drop!Dubai Shopping Festival 2023 Dates: 8 December 2023 - 14 January 2024.
Where to Shop During DSF? Top Malls
Top places to visit during DSF are:
1. The Dubai Mall
2. Ibn Battuta Mall
3. Mall of the Emirates
4. Global Village
5. Dubai Gold Souk
Read the complete list of places to shop in Dubai here.
What to Buy During Dubai Shopping Festival 2023?
- Electronics: The crazy deals on electronic items make it another favorite among consumers. Apart from the discounts and other offers on electronics, DSF is also the time when companies launch new products. This is because it is a perfect platform for the companies as people from all over the world attend the launches. So, you may also get a chance to win these products through raffle draws or other exciting offers.
- Furniture: One can buy furniture and various home appliances from a variety of brands at a discounted price as well.
- Jewelry: If you're a fan of authentic jewelry, then DSF is your place. The unique designs during DSF and affordable prices make jewelry shopping a necessity among the residents.
- Leather products: You will also be spoilt with choices to buy leather bags, leather jackets, and cosmetics in DSF.
- Perfumes from high-end stores come cheaper after discounts.
- Watches of different kinds, such as diamond-studded or quartz dials, all come at an affordable price because of heavy discounts.
Huge Discounts to Harness
Over 1,500 stores, ranging from electronic accessories to gold jewelry, have participated in the Dubai Shopping Festival to make it a success. The discounts are going as high as 75% and more among the top brands of clothes, home décor items, electronic gadgets, dry fruits, jewelry, and much more.There are major top international brands taking part in the Dubai Shopping Festival 2020. Stores and brands such as Apple, Sony, Zara, AllSaints, Topshop, West Elm, IDdesign, Jack & Jones, Armani, De Beers, Burberry, Prada, Condotti, Acer, Cross Gold, to name a few are making their products available at unbelievably low prices for the shoppers. The participating brands range in their products from electronic gadgets and clothes to jewellery, leather bags and jackets, perfumes, and edible items. With all such unbelievable discounted products of top brands, the Dubai Shopping Festival is one of the largest shopping festivals in the world.
Dubai Shopping Festival App & Packages
Other Things to Do During Dubai Shopping Festival 2023
So what happens if shopping isn't really your scene? DSF is celebrated like any other festival in Dubai: with pomp and show. Which means shopping isn't the only experience to please your soul. There exist a plethora of activities that go on here which you could participate in, apart from shopping.- Fireworks happen almost every day in major parks like Creek Park and Zabeel Park. Once you're here to watch the lovely fireworks, arrive a bit early since there will be a ton of activities and other things to do here. Winter months make it ideal for anyone to stay in the park for a picnic, so while you're in the park, you can participate in loads of activities organized for kids, magic shows, food tasting carnival, face painting, etc.
- Global Village: It is a massive cultural and entertainment destination and is a major attraction during DSF. It features pavilions from different countries showcasing their unique products, food, and culture.
- Street Plays: Throughout the emirate, you'd get to see lots of impressive street plays and live shows by artists and musicians. There are also parades that take place in the downtown area, where you'd feel a colorful and vibrant atmosphere.
- Events in Malls: In malls, too, there would be various things to do other than shopping. Flash mobs and fashion shows are regular in every mall. In Dubai Mall, the ice rink gets converted into a fashion show ramp. There would be various game shows held in every other mall where you'd be able to win prizes.
- Workshops and Exhibitions: All around the city, from hotels to malls, from parks to resorts, from landmark destinations to the downtown area, various workshops and exhibitions are held. Celebrity meet and greet are also organized for the public. Besides all this, perhaps one of the main highlights is the raffle draws that take place every day at every mall. Where the lucky winners can take home cars, cash, home appliances, gift vouchers, or even gold.
- Film Festivals: If this much isn't enough, major film festivals like the Dubai International Film Festival and Children's International Film Festival are usually held around that period, so watch these movies and catch your favorite stars attending press conferences or even as they walk the red carpet.
- Kids' Attractions: The festival offers a range of family-friendly activities, including amusement parks, workshops, and entertainment zones for children.
- Food Festivals: DSF hosts various food festivals featuring international cuisines, food trucks, and culinary competitions, providing a diverse dining experience.
Dubai Shopping Festival 2020 truly teaches one to embrace and celebrate the shopping lifestyle with vehemence. It offers everyone a bouquet of a diverse range of activities, offers, and happiness. This is one of the times where the entire emirate is bustling with vibrant vibes and energy!