Experience Dubai at its best: the Dubai Shopping Festival returns for 38 days of celebration

Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) returns from 5 December 2025 to 11 January 2026 and will transform the city into a spectacular winter wonderland of shopping, entertainment, gastronomy, and culture. Marking its 31st edition, this iconic festival brings 38 days of fun-filled experiences to every corner of the city – welcoming everyone from across the region to enjoy the moments, memories, and magic DSF is known for. Expect out-of-this-world experiences including dazzling nightly drone shows, headline concerts, and world-class retail offers, making this season one simply not to miss.

Entertainment and culture

This year’s DSF calendar is filled with spectacular entertainment across Dubai’s most loved destinations, making every evening a celebration of light, music, and community.

• DSF Drone Shows, presented by Emarat (5 Dec-11 Jan): Two free nightly performances above Bluewaters and The Beach JBR, now featuring pyro-drone fireworks – the largest aerial show in DSF history.
  
   
• e& DSF Nights at Dubai Festival City Mall (5 Dec-11 Jan): The second edition of e& DSF Nights at Dubai Festival City Mall’s Festival Bay will feature a mix of electrifying concerts, vibrant family entertainment and captivating live shows. Weekend concerts are ticketed – get your concert tickets now on PlatinumList.net. Outside the concert arena, the festival is open to everyone with a free nightly waterfront celebration featuring IMAGINE’s record-breaking projection and laser show and fireworks.
• Red Bull Tetris World Final (13 Dec): A global esports finale featuring a playable 4,000-drone Tetris display above Dubai Frame – a world first.
   
• DSF x Hatta (5-31 Dec): An immersive mountain experience at Hatta Wadi Hub featuring Candlelight Concerts by Fever, Dinner in the Sky, and the Roxy Cinema Dome – all ticketed events. Stay tuned for ticket go-live dates. 
   
• DSF Auto Season (from Jan 2026): The second edition of DSF Auto Season will spotlight Dubai’s vibrant car culture with 10 days of action-packed automotive events across the city. Expect more than 12 exciting activations, including seven major auto parades, featuring more than 5,000 participating cars and 100+ automotive brands. A FTRUEdynamic mix of showcases, demonstrations and community meetups will bring petrolheads together for an elevated celebration of the region’s passion for cars.
• The Big Bounce Dubai: The world’s largest inflatable theme park spans over 16,000sqm with seven epic inflatable zones for all ages. At its centre is The Big Castle – officially the biggest bounce house on the planet at 2,325sqm – complete with a live DJ keeping the energy high as guests bounce, slide and explore. A joy-filled experience for kids, teens and adults looking for unforgettable fun.
• NYE Celebrations (31 Dec): Celebrate New Year’s Eve with spectacular midnight fireworks displays across Bluewaters, The Beach JBR, Hatta and Souk Al Seef, presented by Al Zarooni Group.

Retail

Retail has always been at the heart of DSF – driving Dubai’s position as one of the world’s leading shopping destinations. This edition delivers unbeatable sales, limited-time promotions, and exclusive experiences across malls, retail districts, and pop-up destinations.

• Citywide sales will see more than 1,000 brands across 3,500 outlets offering deals  across fashion, beauty, electronics, home, and lifestyle categories. Shoppers can enjoy signature time-limited promotions including the much-loved DSF Daily Surprises and more, giving everyone the chance to win big throughout the festival. 
• Signature Promotions to Watch: This year’s festival features five standout signature activations designed to keep shoppers engaged and rewarded. Lucky Receipt; 12-Hour Sale; seasonal citywide sales; Shop, Scan & Win mega prizes and Daily Surprises combine exclusive discounts, and surprise deals to create a thrilling retail experience across the city.Partner and Mall Promotions Offering Big Rewards: Dubai’s leading malls and retail partners are presenting shoppers the chance to win life-changing prizes. Highlights include the Biggest Prize of the Year with Majid Al Futtaim, Skywards Everyday “5 Million Miles”, Golden Tickit, Modesh x Blue Millionaire Rewards at Dubai Festival City Mall, Shop & Win at Dubai Outlet Mall, Spend & Win at Mercato, Gold and Jewellery Flash Sale, and Wafi Mall promotions. 
• Retailer Group Promotions Delivering Exclusive Rewards: AURA Millionaire, MUSE Gift Card and point incentives, Amber Millionaire, x5 Club Apparel bonus promotion, Damas Love Diamond Week, Shop for Free with Al Jaber Optical, and Beat the Clock with Rivoli – offer unique prizes and opportunities, combining exclusive rewards with wide participation across the city. Alongside these, DSF continues to showcase homegrown talent and international brands through curated pop-ups, premium showcases, and sustainable concepts, demonstrating the creativity and collaboration of Dubai’s retail community.
• Homegrown Talent and Luxury Experiences: DSF celebrates emerging designers and luxury retail, from the e& MOTB market at Dubai Design District (d3) to pop-ups across Festival Bay and City Walk. Premium experiences return to DIFC, City Walk, and The Outlet Village, featuring exclusive brand drops, capsule collections, and one-of-a-kind shopping moments for discerning shoppers. 

Gastronomy

Food is an essential part of the DSF experience, celebrating Dubai’s culinary diversity and outdoor dining culture.

• Money Can’t Buy Experiences: Exclusive for DSF, go on a desert heritage journey with Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa. Step into the timeless allure of the desert with a private 4x4 adventure through the golden expanse of the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, home to graceful Arabian Oryx and desert gazelles roaming freely across pristine dunes. As dusk falls, the evening unfolds at Al Hadheerah, an open-air dining theatre where the desert comes alive with fire shows, falconry, and live performances beneath a canopy of stars. Wander through a vibrant souk of sizzling Arabic delicacies, fragrant spices, and artisan crafts – a celebration of Arabian heritage reimagined for today.
• e& MOTB: An F&B hotspot featuring more than 80 brands, creative food trucks, and exclusive pop-ups under the theme Midnight Obsidian.
   
• DSF x Hatta: A curated mix of homegrown dining concepts and popular pop-ups from Dubai, blending authentic local flavors with vibrant seasonal cuisine.
   
• Festival Bay and The Beach: Waterfront dining destinations will host themed weekends, chef takeovers, and music nights.
   
• Al Seef and Global Village: Authentic street-food markets featuring cuisines from around the world.
   
• Culinary Experiences: MICHELIN-starred restaurants, celebrity chef residencies, and seasonal tasting menus across Dubai’s fine dining scene.

Family-friendly F&B Events: Pop-up cafés, healthy food activations, and beachside night markets throughout the festival period.