Dubai: Ready for another bout of shopping and entertainment extravanganza with mega discounts, raffles, heritage and concert events, blockbuster comedy shows and fun activities for young and old alike?
Now, brace yourself for a massive range of entertainment events and activities lined up during the 32-day Dubai Shopping Festival 2016 beginning from January 1, organisers announced on Monday.
The 21st edition of the shopping extravaganza will see a line-up of over 150 events and activities that will be unfurled at various locations and times, offering visitors and shoppers extraordinary experiences, the festival’s organisers, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) revealed said.
The festival has entered an exciting new era after two decades of success with its 21st edition from January 1 to February 1.
The DSF 2016 will run under the theme ‘Unwrap The Exceptional’ with visitors being offered the opportunity to rediscover their sense of wonder, happiness and excitement.
From internationally renowned events to celebrity icons, family-friendly activities to pulsating live entertainment and raffle promotions offering millions of dirhams in prizes, this year’s DSF aims to take revellers to a different plain.
Helal Almarri, Director General of DTCM said: “DSF is a highlight in the emirate’s year-round calendar of diverse and attractive events and a key driver of tourism growth. Returning for its 21st year in 2016, the festival is intrinsic to attracting tourists from close-proximity markets including the GCC and India in addition to visitors from further afield, especially those from China, Africa and Russia.”
He added that driving high tourism numbers at the start of the year, DSF also profiles the Emirate’s year-round retail and entertainment offering - one of the core pillars of Dubai’s overall tourism offer - and is a significant contributor to the economy of Dubai.
The 21st edition of DSF will provide some of the world’s best entertainment including music superstars, and global fashion brand events.
The traditional attractions of the festival such as fireworks and the DSF Mega Raffles will continue to pull visitors.
Laila Mohammad Suhail, CEO of DFRE, said that over the years DSF daily raffle draws has had a huge impact on the lives of thousands of people from all over the world.
She added that DSF 2016 will continue to make difference to people’s lives in more than one way.
DSF 2016 Calendar
DSF OPENING WEEKEND
DSF Global Village World Party
1-2 January , Global Village
A party like no other to celebrate the DSF Opening Weekend at Global Village under the theme “Shop the World at Global Village this DSF”. A series of activities will take place during the two days (1st & 2nd Jan) that collectively will showcase the concept of the DSF Global Village World Party, including non-stop entertainment throughout pavilions and main stage over the course of two days and bespoke main stage shows. Global Village will also have roaming entertainment as well as a live painting of ‘DSF Big Picture’ which will be a representation of DSF’s universal theme, ‘One World. One Family. One Festival.’ A spectacular fireworks show on 1 January will launch the series of fireworks displays at Global Village during DSF. Global Village will also be holding a social media competition to allow five families the chance to win luxury rides to GV during DSF. Guests can also kick-off the DSF Mega Raffle season to add to the winning element to the world party.
12 Hour Exclusive New Year Shopping
1st - 2nd January
A special promotion running on New Year’s Day at Majid Al Futtaim Malls across Dubai to ring in the New Year and Dubai Shopping Festival. This exclusive New Year shopping experience will include a private sale from 12pm – 12am allowing 80-90% discounts at all retail outlets within Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira, City Centre Me‘aisem. Shoppers can also expect DSF exclusive rewards, promotions and offers for 12 hours, while F&B outlets will offer their own rewards and offers. Shoppers will be encouraged to shop and enter a lucky draw to win an amazing prize worth AED50,000 that will allow the winner to go on a shopping spree at Majid Al Futtaim Malls during DSF. With every AED200 a customer spends they will be entitled to one raffle coupon which they can enter into the draw. The raffle draw will take place at 12 pm at Mall of the Emirates on 2nd January.
RETAIL-THEMED ACTIVATIONS
Beauty Theme: 1 – 7 January
Dubai Shopping Festival 2016 kicks off with the Beauty Theme dedicated to the beauty segment of Dubai’s retail sector.
Beauty District
2- 8 January, The Fashion Catwalk, The Dubai Mall
The main event under the Beauty Theme is Beauty District, a purpose designed location that will satisfy all the shopaholics visiting Dubai. Retailers will be doing their own activations during the week in keeping with the beauty theme, with launches of products and lots of tutorials on how to get the most out of your makeup.
This themed period will also feature the region’s top beauty influencers. Shoppers can also use the 360 degree Glam Cam once they are done beautifying themselves to take a 360 picture of their new look. Shoppers in the Beauty District will be able to enjoy lots of goodies and workshops on makeup and beauty tips, adding to their shopping experience with lots of activations. Of course, they can also find great in-store activations across the city as stores showcase their wide range of beauty products.
Gold and Jewellery Theme
8 -14 January
The focus on Gold and Jewellery during Dubai Shopping Festival will see lots of international and regional celebrity visits and showcasing of international luxury jewellery brands. Damas will also be holding their own activation for the public through a pop-up display that will show how diamond mining is carried out and as a way to display rare and antique jewellery. As part of this themed period, various activities will be held to increase the visibility of the “100 Winners in 32 Days” promotion that is being run by Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group during DSF with the participation of several gold and jewellery retailers.
Apparel & Fashion Theme: 15 – 25 January
Fashion Central
15 – 17 January, Mall of the Emirates
‘Fashion Central’ has been created as part of the festival’s Apparel & Fashion Theme and will be introducing ‘New to Dubai’ fashion brands and collections. One of the attractions of Fashion Central is Fashiontainment, which will bring a fusion of Fashion and Entertainment together to create a fashion show with musical performances by an international celebrity, and held in collaboration with a luxury retail brand. More fashion events and in-store activations will also take place to add to the shopping experience.
Fashion Express
15- 16 January: Dubai Festival City Mall
22- 23 January: Ibn Battuta Mall
‘Fashion Express’ is a new in-mall concept that combines the very popular ‘flashmob’ with a ‘pop up’ concept to create an exclusive in-store event that not only entertains customers in the traditional common mall spaces but also drives footfall inside the stores. Customers will also have multiple opportunities to participate in store competitions.
Fashion On Ice
17 January, The Dubai Mall Ice Rink
The first ever interactive & dramatic fashion show projection on ice using professional model/figure skaters showcasing avant-garde collections via a skating fashion show at The Dubai Mall Ice Rink.
Whilst there are several fashion shows where models walk on ice, this event will involve actual figure skaters/professional skaters who will play the role of models to showcase an avante garde collection from Galleries Lafayette. Being the first of its kind event, the focus on visual theming, lighting, mood will be crucial. The show will be themed around a white winter with live snowfall, moving video projections etc.
Street Runways
Burj Plaza: 23 January
Meena Bazaar: 25 January
Al Fahidi: 18 January
A series of fashion shows partnering with high-street brands in specific locations across the city. This event will create a fashion scene that features landmarks as a canvas to showcase high-street fashion. This event creates 3 main runways using three key locations as the backdrop/stage, including: Burj Khalifa, Meena Bazaar and Al Fahidi District. Each fashion show will complement the area with the designs and fashion that the models will be wearing.
Perfume Theme: 26 January – 1 February
Visitors and local residents can look forward to a week of perfumery from the 26th January onwards
The flagship venue of the Perfume Theme is City Centre Mirdif’s “Central Galleria”, and most of the activities related to this theme will take place at MAF malls (City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Measem).
The Biggest Perfume Sampling
26 January – 1 February, MAF Malls and Dubai Airport (Terminal 1 & 3)
The opening day of DSF’s Perfume Theme on 26 January will witness a world-record breaking attempt - offering AED 1 million worth of perfume sampling. Some 200 personnel will be deployed to spray perfume all at the same time in “The Biggest Perfume Sampling” event.
Perfume Village
26 January – 1 February, City Centre Mirdif
A specially designed Perfume Village will be set up in Mirdif City Centre with lots of activations taking place throughout the week. A Main Stage will host influencers, celebrities and perfume experts, who will be holding an exhibition on perfumes, including how to mix ingredients and test sniff perfumes.
Perfume Village will have eight regional and international brands in pop-up stores, as well as a perfume museum to teach people more about different perfumes and oils. 15 niche perfumes will also be on display for people to sample, with Paris Gallery choosing these special perfumes from its own exclusive collection.
DSF 2016 MAIN EVENTS
Al Faris
6 – 9 January, Sheikh Rashid Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre
Inspired by the poems of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Al Faris (The Knight) is an epic musical production that will be performed by renowned Lebanese singer Ghassan Saliba and popular Emirati singer Balqees Fathi. The play has been developed to promote Arabic language theatrical performances and cultural awareness in the UAE, with the main themes of the play inspiring courage, leadership, wisdom, and philosophical thinking.
Dubai Arabic Concerts
9, 11, 14, 15 January, Dubai World Trade Centre
Every year fans of Arabic music look forward to the spectacular opportunities to see Arabic singers and musicians live in concert during the Dubai Shopping Festival. This year music lovers have the chance to see 12 of the biggest stars in the Arabic music world live at Dubai’s World Trade Center across four special nights, with each night featuring three of the Arabic music world’s iconic stars. In collaboration with Rotana, concert goers can see their favourite stars, including Rabeh Saqer, Mohammed Abdo, Angham, Majed ElMadani, Abadi Al Johar, Asma Al Mounawar, Waleed Al Shami, Abdullah Al Rowaished, Nawal ElKuwaitia, Jaber Al Kaser, Shamma Hamdan and Natacha.
Market Outside the Box
21 – 30 January 2016– Burj Park
Taking place next to the pride of Dubai – Burj Khalifa – the Market Outside the Box focuses on emerging brands in Dubai and gives them a chance to take center stage during DSF. This year Market Outside the Box is not just focusing on the emerging product based market Dubai has cultivated but will also be showcasing the budding market for personalities in health and fitness, music, entertainment and design. Over 80 brands from all over the globe will be encouraged to show off their products and services and promote grass roots engagement. Market OTB will also be providing visitors the opportunity to experience fantastic shows, activities, music, dance and poetry, or even catch the latest creative documentaries at the Market OTB’s pop-up cinema.
Historical Districts
1 January – 1 February, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Gold Souk
Three locations, known as the Historical Districts on either side of the Dubai Creek (Bur Dubai and Deira) will be dressed up with simple lighting and décor. Each location will offer a mix of customized concept events and entertainment with retail activations and community engagement opportunities. The event activation ideas will uplift the selected historical area to create a unique experience specific to the area. A main attraction will be the Creek Chic, a vintage market featuring vintage fashion, furniture and art all promoting the appreciation of a new shopping aesthetic in the UAE. This community event will serve as a platform to promote vintage & antique retailers, allowing businesses to gain greater audiences and regional recognition.
Fireworks
The BEACH, located opposite JBR, Creek Park, Global Village
7 - 9, 14- 16, 21- 23, 28 - 30 January 2016
Festivals and fireworks go hand in hand and Dubai has become synonymous with both – each becoming bigger and better every year. This year Dubai Shopping Festival will have firework displays taking place at three locations across Dubai during DSF 2016. Local residents and tourists alike will be able to enjoy the amazing and colourful fireworks from The Beach, located opposite JBR, as well as from Creek Park and Global Village.
Carpet & Art Oasis 2016
20 December 2015 – 15 January 2016, Dubai World Trade Centre
One of Dubai Shopping Festival’s longest running activations, the Carpet & Art Oasis 2016 will bring one of the world’s largest exhibitions of hand woven carpets. To be held over an area of 6,000 square meters, the Oasis will include 54 pavilions spreading over 4,000 square meters. This year’s Oasis features as many as 250,000 exquisite silk and wool rugs at an estimated market value of AED 2 billion, crafted in leading rug-making countries; Iran, India, China, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan..
Global Village
Until April 9
The Global Village is Dubai’s leading family entertainment and cultural attraction, featuring a unique shopping experience at several pavilions, each representing a different country. Visitors to Global Village are welcomed into a diversified but united world of joy, colours and rhythms to explore the world, one pavilion at a time. Global Village is celebrating its 20th season this year and with it the international shopping extravaganza finds its home. With products from all over the world housed under Global Village’s 65 pavilions, guests have the chance to enjoy shopping from 4pm until 12am from Saturday until Wednesday, with timings extended to 1am on Thursdays and Fridays.
DSF MEGA RAFFLES AND PROMOTIONS
Infiniti Mega Raffle
Ticket sales - 1 November 2015 until 6 February 2016
Daily Draws from 1st January 2016 until 6 February
The annual Infiniti Mega Raffle is returning to Dubai Shopping Festival in 2016 with one lucky shopper getting the chance to drive home with an Infiniti QX70 and AED 200,000 in cash every day. You can purchase a raffle ticket for AED200 from selected EPPCO & ENOC petrol stations, Al Ghurair Centre; Global Village; Al Fahidi Street; Al Rigga Street; Al Seef Street; Baniyas Road and the Gold Souk. The daily raffle draw takes place at Global Village next to Gate 2, every day at 10pm.
Nissan Grand Raffle
1 January until 6 February 2016
One of the Dubai Shopping Festival’s most highly awaited raffle draws, the Nissan Grand Raffle will take place every day at Global Village with a live broadcast from SAMA Dubai TV at 10pm. The raffle will be giving away one of eight cars from Nissan – Micra; Sunny; Sentra; Tiida Hatchback; X-Trail; Juke; Pathfinder and Patrol. The raffle coupons will be available on purchases of non-fuel products worth AED 20 and above at all ENOC, EPPCO petrol stations, as well as Zoom shops in Dubai.
Gold Promotion
1 January until 1 February 2016
The Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group is running a mega promotion offering shoppers fabulous gold prizes every day. Many of Dubai’s gold and jewellery retailers are participating in this exciting promotion.
Shop, Play & Win.
Participating malls, 1 January to 1 February
Draws to take place on the 7th, 14th, 21st January and 1st February
Visitors to Dubai’s community malls can win more than just gold at this year’s Dubai Shopping Festival with ‘Shop & Win. Play & Win.’ giving shoppers two fantastic chances to win big. Shop, Play & Win gives shoppers a chance to enter a raffle draw for every AED200 they spend, entering them into a draw to win a Nissan Pathfinder every week. Play & Win will give customers a chance to play at a specially installed gaming kiosk in the store once they spend AED1000.
Win 5KG of Gold
Participating malls, 1 January to 1 February
Draws to take place on the 7th, 14th, 21st January and 1st February 2016
Shoppers at Dubai’s community malls more opportunities to win up to 5Kg of Gold this DSF. The more you shop at any of the select community malls the higher your chance of winning. Over the course of four weeks, four lucky winners will be able to win 200 grams at each weekly draw with the final winner of the raffle draw on the last day of DSF being able to win a kilo of gold.
The Red Envelope (Paris Gallery Promotion)
1st January to 1st February, 2016
This DSF, it’s a win-win situation for all with Paris Gallery and Watch Gallery. For every AED 750 you spend at Paris Gallery, you could walk away with gift vouchers worth up to AED 10,000 or a discount voucher up to 10% off on your next purchase.
VISA Impossible Deals
1st January to 1st February, 2016
Every day through DSF, Visa customers will be able to avail themselves of limited but incredible, almost impossible, offers – available to purchase with Visa card. The deals will be impossibly tempting, typically with pricing of 20 % of retail price i.e. 80% off, across electronics, travel, entertainment, luxury goods and automobiles.
ADIB DSF Mobile App
The all new ADIB Dubai Festivals App powered by Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) will list all the Dubai Shopping Festival 2016 retail offers in one place allowing them to search, browse, and discover either by interest, product or offer. The ADIB Dubai Festivals App is intended to be the ultimate DSF Offers companion, connecting the user with the right kinds of deals that matches his/her interests. Users will have the opportunity to avail further discounts or services from ADIB on selected promotions.
ADDITIONAL ENTERTAINMENT
Beatbox at BOXPARK
31 December 2015, 31 January 2016 – BOXPARK
This special event will be taking place throughout the Dubai Shopping Festival and will center on the urban art of beatboxing and other urban influenced styles of music. Interactive displays, music themed decorations and a whole host of performers will keep visitors entertained and feeling innovated. Beatbox at BoxPark will feature a number of fantastic set pieces that will inspire urban creativity, like an interactive piano which visitors can play with and create light shows for other visitors to enjoy.
Carnival at THE BEACH
1 – 31 January 2016– THE BEACH Piazza
What is a festival without a carnival to help everybody get into the celebratory mood? Now that Dubai Shopping Festival has brought with it Carnival at The Beach, families can enjoy a fantastic atmosphere of fun and amazement at one of Dubai’s newest shopping areas in JBR. You can expect lots of entertainment and even more fun and games at this carnival. While walking from shop to shop be sure to say hello to the jugglers, fire eaters, acrobats, and any other entertainers you will be able to see.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
6 - 9 January 2016– Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Saeed Hall 2 & 3
The official and original Broadway smash hit will be making its way to Dubai to showcase the magic of its Academy Award winning animated movie from Disney.
Humsafar
22 – 23 January - DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates
Hindi play based on the poetry of renowned Hindi lyricist, Gulzar, and dealing with relationships in a light hearted manner.
Einstein
29th – 30th January, Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates
Leading Bollywood film and stage actor, Naseeruddin Shah, plays the role greatest scientist of all time – Albert Einstein. The play takes a look at the personality of one of the most spectacular brains the world has ever known.
Ballet Gala 2016
7 – 8 January, Madinat Theatre, Madinat Jumeirah
The Paris Opera Ballet Gala will be coming to Dubai to showcase one of the world’s greatest ballet troupes and will also feature one of the greatest dancers of her time, Dorothee Gilbert.
Caucasian Dance - Lezginka
9 January, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates
The first of its kind in the UAE, this International show will give people in the region an insight into this beautiful style of dance from the Caucasian region.
Salaam Dubai 2016
15 January, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
This unique Bollywood concert features two of India’s biggest playback singers – Shaan and KK accompanied by a 25-member strong troupe of musicians and entertainment artists .
Indian Republic Day with Kavi Sammelan & Mushaira
28 January – Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Indian High School
Celebrate Indian Republic Day at an evening with some of the biggest names in Hindi and Urdu poetry.
Simple Minds
28 January, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
Fans of 70s Scottish Rock will be in for a treat come 28th January, as the legendary Simple Minds will perform IN Dubai during DSF.
“The Russell Peters Almost Famous World Tour”
19 – 20 January, Dubai World Trade Centre
Global comedy rock-star Russell Peters returns to Dubai with exciting new content to give audience an interactive experience.
DSF Media Awards
An Awards Ceremony to honour, celebrate and award the media for their support of, and contribution to DSF 2016 by way of coverage. Awards to journalists will be given away in several categories while press photographers will also be honoured for their winning entries.
