Eight unmissable experiences: catch one last weekend of limitless entertainment with Dubai Shopping Festival

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 8 January 2024

After 38 wonder-filled days of exceptional experiences, Dubai Shopping Festival, the best retail festival in the world, gears up to bid farewell to its 29th edition – which ends on 14 January. And it’s going out in style, with just one more weekend of extraordinary entertainment, unbeatable offers, citywide celebrations, and much, much, more.

DSF’s closing weekend (13 and 14 January) features an incredible line-up including the coolest pop-up in town, Etisalat MOTB, the spectacular citywide Dubai Lights installations, the awe-inspiring DSF Drones Shows, the hippest vibes around with Tunes DXB, a whole new sensory experience with the Armani Prive Exhibition, the popular Hatta Festival being extended, and dazzling fireworks displays across Bluewaters and The Beach, JBR. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also the star-studded 321 Festival and DSF Closing Ceremony, promising you an unforgettable festival finale. You won’t want to miss this.

1: COUNTDOWN TO THE DSF FINALE WITH THE 321 FESTIVAL

Stay tuned for 321 Festival– your invitation to the electrifying and highly-anticipated closing ceremony of DSF. On 13 January, immerse yourself in an out-of-this-world festival featuring a line-up of incredible live performances at Skydive Dubai. Starring three A-list Arab star performers Hussain Al Jassmi, Tamer Hosny and Balqees, the dynamic countdown festival is not to be missed. Enjoy two incredible world-class immersive shows from the biggest drones show in DSF’s history, to an astonishing fireworks display full of colours and lights taking over the Dubai Marina skyline. That’s not all! Watch the spellbinding Al Fursan aerobatics team fly, tumble and twirl through the air. Enjoy unique family experiences, and, treat yourself to new flavours from homegrown street food favourites to gourmet delights. Immerse yourself and experience it all, for one day only, with tickets starting from just AED50. Kids 12 years and under go for FREE! Doors open at 3.30pm, so what are you waiting for?

2. ENJOY FABULOUS FIREWORKS

The grand finale also means dazzling pyrotechnic displays filling the night skies with the DSF Closing Ceremony Fireworks. Wave this edition of Dubai Shopping Festival goodbye with  mesmerising moments of kaleidoscopic colours and sparkling illuminations filling the sky and creating stunning reflections on the waters of the Arabian Gulf. Head over to Bluewaters and The Beach, JBR on the 13 January to secure the perfect viewing spot for this extra-special unforgettable concluding ceremony. The free show starts at 9pm.

3: EXPERIENCE EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE DSF POP-UP

Stay ahead of the curve and discover all the trends of tomorrow at Etisalat MOTB. The eclectic outdoor market at Dubai Design District (d3) is packed with unique, Instagram-worthy finds from the coolest homegrown brands, regional designers and international favourites. Make-up aficionados will not want to miss the Fenty Beauty Drive In – swing by for shade matching and for a haul of the latest must-have products. Foodies will be wowed by the incredible line-up of craveable casual dining experiences, plus catch the freshest local musical talent with eclectic hourly performances on stage – from rap battles to dance offs. Head over to d3 before it’s too late – after 14 January it’ll be gone for another year! 

4: LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE WITH DUBAI LIGHTS

It’s your last chance to catch the third edition of Dubai Lights, the all-new light installations and visually-enchanting entertainment for everyone to enjoy for free, at destinations citywide. See building facades transformed into wonderful playgrounds with The Anooki – these giant lovable inflatable characters are sharing their planet-positive messaging at Al Seef, Dubai Design District (d3) and at Etisalat MOTB at d3. Catch them before they go.

There’s more. Head on over to Al Seef and the Gold Souk for Dubai Neon – with inspirational neon messages dotted around the historical heart of the city, plus 40 neon lit abras criss-crossing the Creek. At Amazon Wonder at West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, take a stroll along the promenade, which has been transformed into a breathtaking scene with life-size illuminated installations of Amazonian parrots, intricate floral artwork and more. The ever-loveable Dubai characters Modesh and Dana are also bringing an extra special glow of happiness and fun to City Centre Mirdif where the pair are sure to be the star attraction, each standing a huge 10 metres tall.

5. DISCOVER A NEW SENSORY EXPERIENCE

Enter a sensory world filled with the ultimate in private luxury and experience limited-edition fragrances by Giorgio Armani in an immersive environment at the Armani Prive Exhibition. This extraordinary event at Dubai Opera Garden invites visitors on an experiential journey to discover the exclusive  Armani/Privé Haute Couture Fragrances collection. The one-of-a-kind sensory experience is only here for a strictly limited period and ends on 14 January, and takes visitors through four spaces featuring Giorgio Armani’s haute couture inspirations, followed by an aesthetic presentation of the Les Éditions Couture Limited Edition Fragrance alongside an Armani/Privé Spring 2023 Haute Couture gown that has inspired the latest Les Éditions Couture scent, Rondò Armaniano.

6. CATCH THE DSF DRONES SHOW BEFORE IT GOES!

Make sure you don’t miss the awe-inspiring DSF Drones Show Presented by Emarat Petroleum with two awe-inspiring storytelling displays lighting up the night skies at 8pm and 10pm each evening. The shows take spectators on an enchanting journey of Dubai’s history, and gives a glimpse into the future of the city, with a symphony of colours and shapes to leave you awestruck. Head down to The Beach, JBR or Bluewaters for this unforgettable visual treat – but remember, after 14 January it’ll be gone…

7. HEAR THE HIPPEST TALENT IN TOWN 

Explore the last few days of the massive line-up of live music and melodies with Tunes DXB.  More than 65 up-and-coming local and regional artists and performers are delighting listeners for free at 16 specially created open-air stages around the city. Discover beats and harmonies set to ignite the soul of Dubai – from rock and pop to Bollywood and hip-hop – and embark on a musical journey like never before. Stay tuned everyday from 6pm to 10pm for a fusion of captivating performances that will transform the entire city into a dazzling symphony of song and dance – only until 14 January.

8. EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS AT THE HATTA FESTIVAL AT WADI HUB

Head down to the Hatta Festival at Wadi Hub for an exciting getaway, now extended until the end of DSF to feature exciting light and art installations, along with delicious F&B options by Dubai brands Saddle, Home Bakery and G.O.A.T. Discover and explore everything that Hatta has to offer while making unforgettable memories with friends and family in the open air.

Dubai Shopping Festival is supported by Key Sponsor Jumbo and Strategic Partners which include: Al Futtaim Malls (Dubai Festival City Mall & Festival Plaza), Al Seef, Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, Bluewaters, Citywalk, Emirates Airline, Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), Etisalat by e&, Majid Al Futtaim (Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira), Nakheel Malls (Ibn Battuta Mall, Dragon Mart 2, Palm West Beach, Nakheel Mall and The View), The Beach and The Outlet Village. 

Experience exceptional entertainment and adventures for all, every day, in a city like no other, with the 29^th edition of Dubai Shopping Festival. Running until 14 January 2024, see the city at its best during the most wonderful time of the year and enjoy Dubai’s perfect winter weather. Adventures are waiting to be discovered in every corner – from enchanting experiences to out of this world entertainment –  each and every day, for 38 days. And of course, Dubai Shopping Festival promises the very best in retail experiences – with sales, discounts, pop-up markets featuring homegrown exclusives, high street favourites, the ultimate in luxury and a variety of retail offerings, with something for everyone. 

To explore all that Dubai Shopping Festival has to offer, check out Visit Dubai and @CelebrateDubai, @DSFMarkets and @StyledbyDubai on social media channels.