How to maximise your DSF Rigga Road experience

Dubai: Long before The Walk, Citywalk, and other outdoor leisure shopping and entertainment destinations came to be, old Dubai’s Rigga Road was the “it” place for many Dubai residents. And it still is, for many.

This Dubai Shopping Festival, just how can you, whether a resident or tourist, maximise your Rigga Road experience? We show you how.

How to get there:

Public transport, especially the Dubai Metro, is still the best option if you’re heading to Rigga Road to eat or let your children have fun outdoors. Take the Red line and exit at Union Station if you plan to go the Happy Fun carnival first. If you’d like to go directly to the DSF activities, alight at Rigga Station.

Parking:

Finding a parking space can be a bit of a challenge on Rigga Road. But if you’re patient, you can find a spot on the side streets and roads parallel to Rigga and just walk to the section where the DSF activities are being held. Or, if you’re shopping as well, park at Al Ghurair Centre and the open parking spaces across beside it for ease.

Peak hours:

Rigga Road is a busy commercial and residential street. Peak hours are from 5pm onwards. For DSF activities, people come as early as 3pm on weekends.

Attractions:

For free entertainment, head on to Rigga Road on Thursdays. The Al Rigga Talent Show is featured every Thursday at 8pm on the DSF Stage, featuring talented residents who sing, dance, play music, and many more.

Friday nights are theme nights starting at 8pm. Visitors enjoyed a Bingo Night on January 9. For January 16, Housie is slated while Russkoe Loto is scheduled for January 23. January 30 will be for Crossword Night. One needs to pay at least Dh15 in order to play for a chance to win shopping vouchers from Al Ghurair Centre.

Where to shop:

There are many shops to choose from on both sides of Rigga Road. Spot the DSF logo or shopping bag at the front display of the shop in order to make sure the shop is offering DSF-related discounts of 25 to 70 per cent. The Al Ghurair Centre at the end of Rigga Road is also a popular choice for shoppers. It’s extended timings this DSF is from 10am to 11pm on Sundays to Wednesdays while it’s open from 10am to 1am on Thursdays to Saturdays.

What to eat:

Whether it’s casual dining or just plain street food, Rigga Road has it all. Come with an empty stomach so you can enjoy the variety of food the stalls on Rigga Road have to offer.

Honey nuts, sugarcane juice, Thai fresh fruits, shawarma, and grilled corn are among the popular choices for Dh10 to Dh20.

At the Heritage tent, luqaimat, traditional Arabic sweet dumplings, and regag, the Arab world’s version of a crepe cooked with egg, with honey or syrup on top, are being sold. The famous South Asian vegetables goodies, pakoras, are also on offer.

Souvenirs:

Sand art bottles that can be personalised are being sold at Dh35, Dh50 and Dh70. Small paintings depicting Muslim communities and lifestyles are also on display.

Just For Fun:

Children can have an hour of playtime on a bouncy castle for Dh20 while adults can try toppling three cans stacked on top of each other by kicking a ball to bring home a stuffed toy.