DSF's 16th edition to be full of exciting surprises

Dubai: The Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment yesterday unveiled the calendar of events for the 16th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival.

Ebrahim Saleh, Festivals Coordinator General and Deputy CEO of Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment, said: "The DEPE conducted numerous studies and researches while planning events for the 16th edition and this is part of our efforts in infusing innovation into DSF every year.

"This DSF, visitors can look forward to the gold raffle organised by the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, an exclusive Disney show that makes its world premiere during the festival, and experience the traditional souqs that will be highlighted throughout the festival."

"The 16th edition is important to us as it crowns 15 years of achievements ever since DSF was launched in 1996. Looking back, DSF has welcomed over 40 million visitors, recorded a consumer spending of Dh84 billion, and given away prizes worth Dh1.35 billion. These figures are testament to the success of the DSF..." he added.

The opening ceremony will be held on January 20 with a fireworks show at the Burj Khalifa Boulevard and the Dubai Creek Park — to herald the beginning of the 32 days of festivities.

The festival will also include a number of raffle draws.

Disney fans can also look forward to an exclusive production that is making a world premiere in Dubai.

Concerts will be performed by several artists including Amy Winehouse (on February 11), Farell Williams and N.E.R.D (on February 10), Tamer Housni (on February 3) and Indian singers K.K. and Sunidhi Chauhan (on January 28).

Al Rigga, Al Seef, Jumeirah Beach Residence and the Burj Khalifa Boulevard will host a variety of entertainment events throughout the DSF for residents and visitors alike.

The Dubai Dolphinarium will put together an exclusive show during the DSF for children and families.

An outdoor event that will surely attract families will be the DSF Desert Camp. Other events include the Gulf Bike Week, Dubai Carnivals and the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival.

Festival may go private

The annual Muscat Festival to be held between January 27 and February 24, organised by the Muscat Municipality, could be turned over to the private sector in future, a senior official said yesterday.

"As long as the government is handling the Muscat Festival there's no question of commerce and figures (cost of event) but may be in future if it goes to private sector then the cost factor will come into focus," Muscat Municipality Chairman, Sultan Bin Hamdoon Al Harthi, told Gulf News. He added that this year's festival would compliment the Dubai Shopping Festival, which will be held from January 20 to February 20.

"These are two cities (Muscat-Dubai) separated by a three-hour drive so visitors can plan their trip by including both festivals in their itinerary," he said. Al Harthi stressed that the Muscat Festival was not about shopping but had a unique product - culture and heritage - to market. "Our objectives are different so we believe that both these festivals compliment each other," he added.

He said that they were expecting over two million visitors this year.