It’s the time of year when shopaholics across the UAE not so silently rejoice for the Dubai Shopping Festival is back and of course in true Dubai style, it’s better than ever.
For those that don’t know or have been living under a rock for the past few years, DSF is a non-stop, action-packed shopping, fun and entertainment festival spread across Dubai with fabulous sales, competitions and interactive activities.
DSF 2017 which is the 22nd edition of this popular shopping festival, consists of 34 days of pure shopping fun including an array of fashion shows, exclusive product launches and opportunities to win.. well, just about everything! From cars to cash and even gold! Is there wonder why tourists flock to the UAE during this time?
This year the festival started even earlier on December 26th 2016 and was launched with a spectacular fireworks display and will run until January 28th, making this edition one of the longest in the festival’s history.
So why exactly do you need to know about DSF and what’s in it for you?
Up to 75 per cent of a range of merchandise for a start. Participating retailers are offering discounts up to this staggering amount on a wide range of apparel, fashion, consumer electronics, jewellery, perfumes, furniture, home appliances and more.
Notable inclusions on the calendar of events include the below:
The Main Events
DSF Fireworks
5-7 January and 19-21 January at THE BEACH (JBR); 12-14 January and 26-28 January at Kite Beach;
Festivals and fireworks go hand in hand and Dubai has become synonymous with both – each becoming even more spectacular every year. During DSF, the fireworks shows will start at 8.30pm at various key locations in the city.
Retail promotions
12-Hour Exclusive New Year Shopping
Starting 12 pm, 1 January – Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira, City Centre Me’aisem, City Centre Al Barsha, City Centre Al Shindagha
A special promotion running on New Year’s Day at the above Majid Al Futtaim Malls across Dubai to ring in the New Year, this exclusive New Year shopping experience will include a private sale from 12pm-12am offering up to 90% discounts at retail outlets. Shoppers can also expect DSF exclusive rewards, promotions and offers for 12 hours, while food and beverage outlets will also have special offers. Visitors can shop to enter a draw for a chance to win AED 50,000 in mall gift vouchers. With every AED 200 spent, they are entitled to one raffle ticket that goes into the draw, which will take place at 12 am at Mall of the Emirates on 2 January.
VISA Impossible Deals
To 28 January
Every day during DSF, VISA customers will be able to take advantage of incredible deals available for each purchase using a VISA card. The deals will be typically 20% to 80% off electronics, travel, entertainment, luxury goods and cars. VISA’s Impossible deals are possible with Careem, Damas, Ahmed Seddiqi, Jumeirah, Bond exhibition and Sharaf DG.
Mega Raffles
Infiniti Mega Raffle
Daily Draws to 4 February
One lucky shopper will win an Infiniti QX70 plus AED 150,000 in cash every day. Raffle tickets may be purchased for AED 200 from EPPCO and ENOC petrol stations; Al Ghurair Centre; Madina Mall, IMG Worlds of Adventure, Global Village; Al Fahidi Street; Al Rigga Street; Al Seef Street; Baniyas Road; and the Gold Souk. The daily raffle draw takes place every night at 10pm live on SAMA Dubai TV.
Dubai Shopping Mall Promotions
Dubai Festival City Mall promotion
Shoppers spending AED 250 at any outlet in Dubai Festival City Mall will have the chance to win a night’s stay for four people at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. There will also be a chance to win a grand prize – a 2017 Lexus LX570.
Explore. Shop. Play. The Dubai Mall
To Jan 28; Daily during Mall operational hours
Shopping, fun and exclusive opportunities – there’s never been a better time to explore The Dubai Mall. With great deals, first-in-the-region beauty experiences, a mystifying maze and more, make The Dubai Mall your home for fun this DSF.
Jumbo is Gold
To 28 January 2017
Jumbo Stores across Dubai True to its tradition and as key sponsors of DSF 2016, Jumbo is back with mega offers & amazing bundles on smartphones, laptops, tablets, Apple Products, televisions, cameras, Gaming and Accessories. Spend AED 500 and get a chance to win half a kilo of gold every week, 3 Solid Gold Limited Edition PS4 and 10 grams gold coins every day. All this and more with the widest selection of world-class electronics brands, exciting bundle offers and attractive giveaways.
Shop and Win Daily prizes this DSF at Mercato
To 28 January 2017
Mercato Shopping Mall, Jumeirah Beach Road
For every AED 200 spent at any shop or outlet in Mercato and Town Centre Jumeirah during Dubai Shopping Festival 2017, customers will be entitled to receive one coupon for the prize draw and could win one of the following: Daily prize of AED 5,000 or a weekly prize for a couple to different regions in Italy (Rome, Tuscany, Venice and Milano) courtesy of dnata Travel.
Explore Surprises this DSF
To 28 January
Ibn Battuta Mall
This Dubai Shopping Festival, shop for AED 300 at Ibn Battuta Mall and get a chance to win a Mercedes CLA 250 every 2 weeks. Play the Ibn Battuta Travel game and win instant prizes. The Ibn Battuta Travel game will be available between 5th to 19th January from 03:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Start the Year like a Star at City Centre Mirdif & City Centre Deira
To 28 January 2017
This Dubai Shopping Festival, pamper yourself with offers on your favourite brands to win 1 kg gold, 2 carat diamonds and GiftCards worth AED 150,000 every week. Simply spend AED 250 at City Centre Mirdif and AED 200 at City Centre Deira to be entitled to enter into the draw to win. That’s not all. Your Najm card gives you a chance to shop now and pay in March. What are you waiting for? Make your grand entrance. Raffle draw will take place on 8, 18 & 29 January 2017.
Fashion & Beauty
Beauty District
6-14 January, The Fashion Catwalk, The Dubai Mall
Retailers will be offering promotions, and launching products while also conducting tutorials on how to achieve that special look at the Beauty District, featuring the region’s top beauty influencers. Shoppers can also find great in-store promotions across the city as stores showcase their wide range of beauty products. This year, DSF introduces new innovative products from the Asian market as well as products that are not currently available in the UAE.
Beauty Week
5 – 14 January 2017 Galeries Lafayette, The Dubai Mall
The Beauty Week features Joelle presence on 12 January at 7pm with a Meet & Greet session with customers, skin consultations by Joelle Skin Lab and hair consultation and treatment by Maison De Joelle. Three fans selected from Facebook will run a makeup competition on stage with a popular blogger as judge. There will also be a violin performance, illustrator artist by Aqua Di Parma and demos by international make-up artists, free nail polish application by Kure Bazar and makeover by a regional makeup artist from Givenchy.
Jewellery
Dhamani Argyle Pink Diamond launch
10 – 16 January Dubai Mall, Grand Atrium Waiting Area & VIP Lounge Dubai Mall
Renowned jeweler Dhamani has delivered the finest quality jewels set in world-class designs since 1969. This glittering event features the unveiling of Dhamani’s Argyle Pink Diamond collection & launch of a limited edition of pink diamond jewelry exclusively for DSF 2017 by Dhamani 1969 followed by a ballerina dance.
Korloff Diamond Exhibition With Amal Alawadhi
11 – 16 January, Korloff Boutique at The Dubai Mall
This dazzling Jewellery and Diamonds exhibition showcases the distinctive and unique styles and haute creations in jewelry and watchmaking of Korloff Paris, one of the most exclusive diamond brands in the world. Within the last 29 years the company has grown into a mighty international jewelry empire, with 50 exclusive boutiques worldwide and more than 450 points of sale.
Van Cleef The Poetry of Time
22 January – February 5, The Dubai Mall, Mall of Emirates
The Poetry of Time, presents French jewelry and Time Pieces Maison Van Cleef & Arpels timepieces in VCA poetic universe highlighting elements featured in their timepieces (butterflies, flowers, nature). Founded in 1896 by Alfred Van Cleef and his uncle Salomon Arpels in Paris, its pieces often feature flowers, animals, and fairies, and have been worn by style icons such as Farah Pahlavi, the Duchess of Windsor, Grace Kelly, Jordan Paterra, and Elizabeth Taylor.
Damas – Launch of Farfasha collection with Nancy Ajram
17 January, Grand Atrium, The Dubai Mall
Damas Jewellery, the Middle East’s leading jewellery and watch retailer, in collaboration with DSF, will be hosting a Meet-and- Greet event at The Dubai Mall, giving visitors and fans the chance to meet Iconic Arab singer, Nancy Ajram, on the occasion of the launch of the new Farfasha collection.
For full details of the calendar of events at DSF 2017, visit: http://www.visitdubai.com/en/dsf
The Insider UAE 