Interesting Facts and Information about Dubai Shopping Festival

One of the prime reasons that draws tourists, especially shopping enthusiasts, from across the world to Dubai is its one-of-a-kind mega shopping festival. Organized by the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishments (DEPE), the Dubai Shopping Festival, or DSF, as it is fondly referred to, is a one-month-long event that features the city’s festal spirit with its unique cultural and unlimited entertainment extravaganza. Nevertheless, Dubai’s iconic shopping event is more than just grabbing your favorite items. As this mega event is all set to celebrate its 29^th version from December 8, 2023, to January 14, 2024, check out unknown facts about the Dubai Shopping Festival that you might not be aware of.

Dubai Shopping Festival Facts

1. A Distinctive Shopping Event

This one-month-long event that falls during the last part of the year in December (and extends through January and sometimes February) now attracts more than three million tourists to Dubai annually. Just the fact that the world’s hottest and top brands are available under one roof for up to 75% to sometimes 90% is enough to attract tourists.

2. A Record-Breaking Festival

Started in 1996 as a trade event to strengthen Dubai’s retail trade scenario, the DSF, over the years, has grown into the longest-running entertainment and shopping event in the world. It is the time when an unmatched vigor and vibrancy encapsulate the city. Watch celebrity performances and exotic cultural shows, enjoy family-friendly activities, and participate in endless events and workshops throughout its duration.

3. A Sight to Behold: Astonishing Opening and Closing Events with Everything in Between

The event kicks off with a spectacular show that depicts Dubai’s rich culture and heritage. Another ceremonial segment of DSF is the stunning sound and light show, along with fireworks. You can head to some of Dubai’s most fascinating attractions and neighborhoods to see these dazzling pyrotechnics up close, such as The Beach at JBR, Dubai Festival City, Dubai Frame, La Mer, Global Village Dubai, and Al Seef (Dubai Creek). Add to this the captivating drone shows, Tunes DXB, and Dubai Lights City Art Installations.

4. Incredible Discount & Offers

Close to brands participating at over 3,500 retail outlets will feature international brands will offer tremendous discounts ranging from 50% to 75% during DSF. You’ll also get to make the most of the special 12-hour sale offering up to 90% off, along with a variety of flash sales conducted throughout the festival. This will help you to take home your favorite items at the best price ever. Precisely, you will be spoilt for choices as the discounted products range from party wear and handcrafted jewelry to laptops and cars.

5. Big Prizes

Have you ever participated in raffles? DSF would boggle your mind with the unbelievable prizes in its stock. In the first edition, the winners received one kilogram of gold. But in recent years, the expectations have exceeded the boundaries with lottery bets on cars, 100 kg of gold, solitaire rings, breathtaking cash prizes, and discounts on trending brands.

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6. Discover the Latest Fashion Trends

DSF is getting bigger and grander every year. It is now more than a platform for endless shopping, leisure, and entertainment. Enjoy the chance to stay abreast of the latest happening in the fashion world with exciting fashion squad and fashion shows.

7. Duty-Free Shopping

Duty-free shopping is one of the major aspects that make Dubai a highly favored shopping destination globally. Tax is absolutely discarded, and thus, the items are already cheap. And when this rate is clubbed with massive DSF discounts, you can own your favorite merchandise at a jaw-dropping cost.

8. Attractive Packages

What makes DSF such a grand success? This is the time when Dubai pulls in the best-ever line-ups. Not to mention, most travel agencies, as well as service providers in the hospitality industry, offer attractive packages to promote hassle-free and economical shopping in Dubai. This usually covers accommodation, city tours, desert safari Dubai and dhow cruise Dubai, among many others. You can combine the spectacle of New Year’s Eve with the enthusiasm of DSF to taste all the flavors of the emirate. The well-crafted packages will help you experience the shopping bonanza and also immerse yourself in the opulence of Dubai without interfering with your plans.

9. Global Village Dubai

DSF’s mainstay is perhaps the Global Village in Dubai, an open-air theme park that hosts more than 90 participating countries in more than 25 pavilions, in addition to about 200 fun rides, over 40,000 events, and exciting shows by way of Merry-Go-Round (circus) and nerve-racking tightrope performance. Countless shops, myriad kiosks, unmatchable festive verve, and brilliant fireworks will bring your heart to content. You’ll be further excited to know that this time, Global Village has some distinct attractions and experiences, such as Ripley’s Believe It or Not! (The first of its kind in the Middle East)

10. Hub of Delicious Food

The restaurants and food courts serving ethnic cuisines take center stage in Global Village and across the emirate. Designed to resemble an old-style Emirati kitchen, the Global Village’s cooking corners will serve a delectable array of local snacks and cuisines that enable tourists and shoppers to take in a long-lasting taste of the region’s culture. In addition to ethnic specialties, the DSF also showcases culinary delights from diverse cultural backgrounds, thus allowing you to savor delicacies from different parts of the world.

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11. DSF is not just for shopaholics

Contrary to the belief that the DSF is just for shopping enthusiasts, it is the best time of the year to indulge in your favorite activity or experience something unique. The majority of service providers in the tourism and hospitality industries provide incredible discounts and promotions during this period. Head to Dubai Marina for a deep-sea fishing trip, or go on a desert safari to enjoy dune bashing and Arabian-style belly performance, or dine in style in one of the traditional wooden dhows.

12. Health Check and Wellness Programs

With the Ministry of Health’s campaigns and stands dotted all over Dubai’s prominent malls throughout the DSF, the event is also a time for DSF shoppers and visitors to monitor their health conditions and gain significant knowledge to detect as well as prevent the onset of such health conditions as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. A free health check-up is provided to create awareness of the symptoms and remedial measures to inhibit potential health risks. Apart from these, you can also be part of unique events like the COREUNITY Festival in Hatta during DSF (from January 19 to 21, 2024), aimed to promote community wellness.

The Dubai Shopping Festival has created a benchmark in the shopping and entertainment world. Starting with just three malls, a theme of “One World, One Family, One Festival,” and a million people, today the festival is a global phenomenon, with thousands of shops selling everything from clothes and food to carpets and cars in blockbuster sales. So, don’t delay; obtain your Dubai visa online, make your hotel reservation, and get ready to upgrade your wardrobe, change the furnishings, and bring spice to your food with the spectacular DSF.

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