What to expect at the 30th Dubai Shopping Festival this December

The 30th edition of the renowned Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is set to commence this weekend, transforming the emirate into a dazzling hub of magic, excitement, and endless adventures from December 6, 2024, to January 12, 2025. Organized by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), this season promises a continuous celebration spanning 38 consecutive days, creating unforgettable moments for everyone to cherish together. From spectacular A-list concerts and vibrant fireworks to stunning twice-nightly drone displays, world-class shopping adventures, and incredible raffles, DSF’s eagerly awaited season will enchant visitors with unique, city-wide experiences available every day at every corner of Dubai, from sunrise to sunrise.

Explore the lineup of events and experiences scheduled for the first week of what is expected to be the most extraordinary program in DSF history.

321 festival – DSF opening weekend concerts at Coca-Cola Arena

• Date: December 6 and 8
• Location: Coca-Cola Arena  
• About: The much-anticipated 321 Festival will illuminate Dubai on December 6 with performances by Georges Wassouf and Kadim Al Sahir. The excitement will rise even further on December 8 with Coke Studio Live. Tickets for Kadim Al Sahir, Georges Wassouf, and Coke Studio Live are selling rapidly—don’t miss this electrifying opening weekend.

Read more | Countdown begins: Dubai Shopping Festival 2024 promises unprecedented excitement for 30th anniversary

321 festival – family carnival & entertainment at City Walk

• Date: December 6 to 8  
• Location: City Walk  
• About: An enchanting array of carnival-themed activities, immersive workshops, and captivating roaming entertainment will fill the heart of Dubai during DSF’s epic opening weekend. This vibrant, family-friendly celebration will take place daily from 12 PM until late evening, creating an atmosphere brimming with endless fun, excitement, and magical moments for all ages.

DSF daily fireworks at Dubai Festival City Mall and Hatta

• Date: December 6, 2024 – January 12, 2025  
• Location: Dubai Festival City Mall and Hatta  
• About: Spectacular shows by Al Zarooni Group will light up Dubai Festival City Mall every day at 9:15 PM, while Hatta will illuminate the skies every Friday and Saturday at 8 PM.

DSF twice-daily drone show at Bluewaters Island and The Beach, JBR

• Date: December 6, 2024 – January 12, 2025  
• Location: Bluewaters Island and The Beach, JBR  
• About: The skies above Dubai will come alive with breathtaking twice-daily drone shows presented by Emarat at 8 PM and 10 PM. The longest in DSF history, these mesmerizing performances will utilize a total of 1,000 drones to create stunning displays that celebrate Dubai’s rich history, vibrant present, and visionary future. Moreover, from December 6 to 26, the first theme of the show will enchant audiences with vibrant visuals and spectacular drone formations, honoring three decades of iconic DSF moments.

Dubai lights

• Date: December 6, 2024 – January 12, 2025  
• Location: Bluewaters Island, Palm Nakheel Mall, Palm West Beach, Al Seef, Dubai Design District, Al Marmoom, Kite Beach, Hatta, and City Walk  
• About: Dubai Lights will transform the city into a radiant showcase of creativity with immersive light installations crafted by renowned international artists, turning Dubai into a glowing hub of artistic brilliance.

DSF nights at Dubai Festival City Mall

• Date: December 6, 2024 – January 12, 2025  
• Location: Dubai Festival City Mall  
• About: The mall’s Festival Bay will come alive with free Saturday night concerts featuring top Arab stars, including Ahmed Saad on December 6 and Shamma Hamdan on December 7, as part of DSF’s spectacular opening weekend. Unique retail pop-ups and trendy dining options will enhance the experience, while the IMAGINE show will deliver a breathtaking spectacle twice each evening, culminating in awe-inspiring fireworks. Furthermore, families will enjoy a vibrant array of entertainment with engaging activities and performances for all ages, including daily meet-and-greets with beloved characters Modesh & Dana and a dazzling experience by the Pluma Circus. Shoppers will also have the rare opportunity to witness DSF’s daily raffle draws live and stand a chance to win one Million Blue Rewards (equivalent to AED10,000) with the DSF Modesh & Blue Rewards Millionaire raffle.

X Factor live show at Dubai Festival City Mall

• Date: Every Sunday from December 6, 2024 – January 12, 2025  
• Location: DSF Nights at Dubai Festival City Mall  
• About: The globally acclaimed X Factor live show will feature electrifying talent and unforgettable performances every Sunday as part of DSF Nights at Dubai Festival City Mall. In collaboration with Dubai TV, this iconic singing competition will turn Dubai Festival City Mall into a musical epicenter from 10:30 PM to 1:00 AM. A dazzling production and star-studded judges, including Ragheb Alama, Rahma Riad, and Fayez AlSaeed, will showcase exceptional talent and thrilling performances.

DSF x Hatta

• Date: December 6, 2024 – January 5, 2025  
• Location: Hatta Wadi Hub  
• About: Hatta Wadi Hub will be vibrant with enchanting light displays, dazzling fireworks on weekends, a lively mix of live music performances, outdoor experiences, iconic dining options, and immersive lights. Moreover, entry is free for all from 12 PM to 12 AM on weekends and 4 PM to 10 PM on weekdays.

Thirty Seconds to Mars

• Date: December 12, 2024  
• Location: Coca-Cola Arena  
• About: The legendary band is set to deliver an electrifying performance, with tickets starting at AED295, available for purchase now on the Coca-Cola Arena website.

Winter city

• Date: December 6, 2024 – January 12, 2025  
• Location: Expo City Dubai, Al Wasl Plaza  
• About: Join Mrs. Claus for festive fun, including sorting the naughty and nice list, decorating cookies, and crafting holiday decorations. Filled with surprises and holiday cheer, the factory will be open daily from 2 PM to 10 PM, with tickets priced at AED40 online and AED50 at the box office.

Dubai racing carnival

• Date: December 6, 2024, onwards  
• Location: Meydan Racecourse  
• About: The Dubai Racing Carnival returns for the 2024-2025 season, featuring an impressive prize purse and a lineup of world-class events. This season will also include thrilling horse races, vibrant live entertainment, and exquisite five-star dining every Friday, solidifying its status as one of the region’s most prestigious gatherings.

DSF Visa DIB millionaire

• Date: December 6, 2024 – January 12, 2025  
• Location: Citywide  
• About: Shoppers can gain entries into a draw to win an incredible 1 million dirhams by spending AED500 cumulatively with a Dubai Islamic Bank Visa Debit or Credit Card at participating DSF stores, with no limit on the number of entries.

DSF Amber millionaire

• Date: December 6 – 8, 2024  
• Location: Participating Al Tayer brands citywide  
• About: This DSF, Amber Millionaire offers a fantastic opportunity for 30 Amber Members to win one million Amber points each, equivalent to AED10,000, by spending AED500 on full-price merchandise in a single transaction during the promotion period. Additionally, customers who qualify will automatically be entered into the raffle draw.

DSF raffles

• Date: December 6, 2024 – January 12, 2025  
• Location: Citywide  
• About: DSF presents 38 consecutive days of incredible daily rewards, grand raffles, mega prize draws, and extraordinary retail promotions. Each day will offer countless opportunities for residents and visitors to realize their dreams and win thrilling prizes, including the DSF Mega Raffle, enticing prizes with ENOC, the Emirates Skywards Everyday Millionaire campaign, the Biggest Prize of the Year promotion at Majid Al Futtaim malls, Modesh and BLUE Rewards Millionaire at Dubai Festival City Mall, and the Dubai Jewellery Group’s grand raffle of 1.5 million dirhams in gold. Additionally, the Shop, Spin, and Win promotion by the Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSMG) and 30 DSF Golden Tickit prizes totaling AED300,000 will be available this season.

Moreover, the Dubai Shopping Festival is supported by Key Partner VISA Dubai Islamic Bank and Strategic Partners, which include: Al Futtaim Malls (Dubai Festival City Mall & Festival Plaza), Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, DHAM (Al Seef, Bluewaters, Ibn Battuta Mall, Nakheel Mall, and The Outlet Village), Emirates Airline, ENOC, e&, Majid Al Futtaim (Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira), Merex Investment (City Walk and The Beach, JBR), and talabat.