Dubai Shopping Festival 2018-19 – What to Expect

Dubai is famous for a whole lot of things: a cosmopolitan place with the most number of expats, amazing tourist experiences, stunning architecture and of course the shopping! The Dubai Shopping Festival is something that most people in Dubai look forward to and visitors try to coordinate their visit to coincide with this mega shopping event. If you're a shopaholic, here is what you need to know about the Dubai Shopping Festival 2018-19.

An event since 1996

The Dubai Shopping Festival saw its first edition way back in 1996; an event designed to promote trade and commerce in the Emirate and also to encourage tourism. The event starts around the New Year and goes on till about the beginning of summer. This isn’t just about shopping; the DSF also has many other attractions.

Dubai Shopping Festival 2018-19

This year’s shopping festival is the 24th such event and will extend from 26 December 2018 to 28 January 2019. The festival is the best place to shop for electronics, homeware, fashion, beauty and lifestyle products. This time 700 brands and 3,200 retail outlets will be participating in the festival. Shoppers can expect huge discounts, participate in and win raffles and promotions such as SUVs, gold and more on offer.

The 12 hour sale

The shopping gala kicks off with a 12 hour sale from noon on 26 December up to midnight. The Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Me’aisem, City Centre Barsha City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira, and City Centre Al Shindagha will offer up to 90% off on a huge variety of products. There will also be weekend surprises that will be announced at short notice for specific items that will go on sale at specific locations.

Shop the night away

These shopping events begin at 6 PM and feature discounts not only on retail, but also great food deals. Promotional bundles, styling sessions, workshops and VIP gift bags are some of the things to expect.

Pop up market

The Burj Park will see a return of the pop up market from 24 January to 2 February, where local designers and indigenous brands jostle for space with play areas for children, street food and live entertainment.

Prizes galore

Shoppers get a chance to win all sorts of things from automobiles to gold to cash prizes. This shopping festival offers Dh150,000, an Infiniti QX50, and a mega cash prize of Dh500,000 as part of the shopping blitz.

Fireworks and more

In true Dubai style, spectacular fireworks will be a part of the festival. The beach at JBR, the Global Village and the Dubai Creek are some of the places you can catch the fireworks; with a special show on New Year's Eve. Shoppers can also watch fashion shows, film screenings, events for kids, street plays and other entertainment programmes. Special 3, 4 and 5 star packages are available for those who wish to be a part of the Dubai Shopping  Festival this year.

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