A few things are undeniably synonymous with Dubai – Global Village, the Burj Khalifa, desert safaris and Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). Having made a return last month for its 2024-2025 edition on December 6, DSF is celebrating its streak as the world’s longest-running retail festival with pomp and splendour.
Organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), this year’s thirtieth-anniversary celebrations feature concerts, community markets, drone and fireworks shows, car events until January 12. Here’s a list of everything to attend this DSF in Dubai.
1. Market Outside The Box (MOTB)
This free-to-enter community market event is back from January 3-12 for its annual appearance at DSF. This time around too it brings with it a bevy of open-air concerts, food stalls, and shopping pop-ups spread out through Dubai Design District’s Waterfront Slab. Over 50 different homegrown and international brands have set up pop-up shops covering fashion, food, beauty, accessories and more.
2. DSF Nights at Dubai Festival City Mall
Dubai Festival City Mall’s waterfront promenade will light up with free concerts every Saturday. Watch Shamma Hamdan, Diana Haddad, Yara, Hams Fikri, and Ibrahim Al-Sultan live followed by IMAGINE DSF edition shows – the popular water, laser and sound show. Each show will feature two Rashed Al Majed soundtracks tailor-made for Dubai: Dubai Kawkab Akhar and Ya Salam Ya Dubai.
The Festival Bay area will be covered with pop-up stores and F&B stalls as well. For a side of reality TV drama with your music, make sure to catch live recordings of the X Factor inside the mall on Sundays until January 12. The talent contest is also broadcast on Dubai TV at 10:30pm on Sundays.
3. Uncommon x DSF pop-up
This mirrored desert cafe is one of the UAE’s most Instagrammmed hotspots during winter. Located out in the Al Marmoom Desert on the banks of the Al Qudra Lake, this year they’ve teamed up with Dubai Shopping Festival to incorporate light sculptures and installations including a hypnotic bonfire light art.
4. Dubai Lights
The fourth edition of the light art segment of the Dubai Shopping Festival ensures the city is lit up like a Christmas tree even after the ornamented fake firs are taken down for the season. Destinations around town have glowing light art installations, ginormous inflatable displays and luminous sculptures inspired by five elements of nature – earth, air, fire, water and spirit.
These artworks are being exhibited at Al Seef, Al Marmoom, Bluewaters, Hatta and Dubai Design District. Light installations also adorn shopping and lifestyle destinations like City Walk, Nakheel Mall and Palm West Beach. Don’t forget to stop, drop (whatever you’re doing) and fill up those camera rolls with some cool pictures.
5. Dubai Shopping Festival free drone shows
The popular drone light show is back to wow and dazzle spectators until January 12. More info here
6. DSF Fireworks nights
38 days of daily fireworks shows? Yes, you read that right! From December 6 to January 12, you can catch some stunning fireworks in Dubai erupting across the sky as part of the DSF Fireworks Nights. The displays are free to attend and happen at set times every night. More info here
6. Dubai Auto Season
Petrolheads and car aficionados will have a busy month with all that the Dubai Auto Season programme has. Multiple events peppered around the city will ensure you get your fill of thrills. Dubai Hills Mall is showcasing a mix of classic and futuristic cars from January 1-12.
Drift Home
Experience some Fast and the Furious style drifting at this drifting contest taking place at Dubai Festival City. From January 9-12, you can ride along with ace drivers who’ll take you on whirlwind spins. Or take the wheel yourself and give high-speed steering a go. Entrance is free
Mirdif Motor Show
Over 700 vehicles will be on display at the City Centre Mirdif on January 11. Family-friendly activities and entertainment will keep non-car enthusiasts busy.
24H Race
Closing the action-packed list is this endurance race at the Dubai Autodrome on January 11 and 12.
7. 321 Festival
DSF’s opening weekend got off to a melodious start with international musical stars gracing the Coca-Cola Arena from December 6-8. Concerts by Arab, South East Asian and Western pop stars and musicians marked this three-day festival that included free roaming entertainment and a variety of F&B offers in City Walk. Keep your eyes peeled for balloon walkers, one-man circus shows, parades and drummers. Concerts by Georges Wassouf, Kadim Al Sahir and Coke Studio Live featuring Hasan Raheem, Shae Gill and others were highlights.