Dubai: It’s hard to believe that summer is coming to an end.
The 23rd edition of the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) is on its eighth and final week and this is the last chance for UAE residents to shop the discounts, take advantage of hotel deals and access to Dubai attractions for less.
This summer, the shopping bonanza kicked off on Thursday July 9 with a 12-hour sale on Thursday that ran from 10am until 10pm at Majid Al Futtaim owned malls in Dubai. Shoppers who ventured to the malls could pick up what they wanted at 25 to 90 per cent off.
This DSS Final Sale
The DSS Final Sale allows UAE residents to make the most of one last shopping hurrah at the DSS Final Sale, which is scheduled to take place this weeked from Thursday, August 27 to Saturday August 29.
Residents and tourists can shop 25 per cent to 90 per cent discounts across lifestyle, beauty and home furnishing at more than 500 brands across the city.
The DSS Final Sale weekend will also see Ibn Battuta Mall host some of the region’s best graffiti artists as they put the finishing touches to a huge, colourful mural in the mall’s Egypt Court. The piece, which has been taking shape during DSS, is the culmination of weeks of work by artists from ZeeArts with different people adding their own unique finishing touches each day of DSS. The mall will also host a 3 Day featuring brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Nautica and much more from 27 August until 29 August in the Tunisia Court.
Here's what else you can do this week:
Win a car, or some cash
Winners will be announced this week for raffle prizes such as the Cadillac CT5 when you spend Dh100 at JBR The Walk and Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Or stand a chance to win a new GS8 from GAC, when you spend Dh200 at Ibn Battuta Mall or an Infiniti Q50 if you spend Dh200 at participating malls, where you could even win from a pool of Dh100,000 for Back to School.
Win a bunch of electronics
Jumbo, is helping children power a new school year with a brand new iPad. Spend Dh500 on new technologies and accessories during their Back to School sales for a chance to be one of the 40 lucky winners to take home the sleek tablet by Apple.
Take advantage of amazing hotel deals
Many of Dubai’s hotels are participating in DSS and offering amazing staycation deals. Hotels offering discounts include the Atlantis the Palm, Fairmont the Palm, JA Hatta Fort Hotel, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel, Kempinski Hotel Mall of The Emirates and many more.
Take part in the summer unlocked challenge
Residents in Dubai can now take part in a special summer event to mark DSS. The ‘Summer Unlocked’ campaign is a "race against the clock challenge" that promises adventures, family fun and super prizes. Participants get a set period to complete a diverse series of tasks at locations, including hotels, restaurants, malls, neighbourhoods, landmarks and more. Twelve of the city’s popular opinion leaders and organisations are taking turns to host the event and challenge members of the public to visit a new venue and tackle five new adventures, including purchases and experiences, the contest is a daily dose of exploration and family-focused fun.
3D World
City Walk is staging a series of live art events until 31 August as part of the immersive, interactive and fun Dubai Canvas @ City Walk activation. World famous street artist Juandres Vera has created some of his amazing 3D and 2D art murals across the floor at City Walk’s courtyard. Following the theme of ‘Travelling Through Art’, the Instagram worthy pieces are all designed for families to explore.
Mirdif Club
Youngsters can learn a new skill and make friends at City Centre Mirdif’s kid-friendly Mirdif Club. Taking place from 10am to 10pm on weekdays until 16 September, the club will host different activities including gymnastics classes and arts and crafts sessions. The club will also hold etiquette classes for youngsters to help them learn the basics of table manners as well as the Little Engineer workshops where children can build robots and use solar power. All classes must be booked in advance online or over the phone.
Win Back Summer
City Centre Deira is inviting residents and visitors to ‘Win Back the Summer’ with a wonderful collection of events and activities designed for families and shoppers to enjoy. Until 29 August, the mall will host the City Centre Deira Surprises promotion, with shoppers who spend Dh300 and registered with the Customer Service desk invited to roll a dice in an in-mall game to win great prizes including store vouchers and mall gift cards. The mall is also hosting summer activations including paintball and target shooting using airsoft guns and a chess tournament in partnership with Dubai Chess & Culture Club.
A football gaming challenge
The OPPO Gaming Challenge at Mall of the Emirates will see football fans who register via the MAF Share app or spend Dh300 in the mall face off in a game of FIFA 20 on console. The winners will play each other in a real-life match, with the first person to score three goals named the victor. Regional gaming stars Ahmed Al Nasheet, Amr Nassouhy and Hussain Anwar will be on hand to take on all gamers, with players in the OPPO Gaming Challenge also able to win one of four OPPO mobile phones plus 10,000 MAF Share points.
Art and slow retail
For families looking for a more relaxed activity, the Retail Pop Up by Ripe at Nakheel Mall is the ideal choice. The DSS Final Sale weekend is a chance to explore the in-mall marketplace, which offers unique retail items from independent UAE-based companies from 10am to 7pm each weekend until October. The mall is also hosting an art exhibit curated by the DREAMS by Alserkal Cultural Foundation, with great artworks on show.
Last chance to experience La Perle
Shoppers can round off a super weekend of amazing sales with an evening at one of the city’s biggest and best live shows, La Perle. An amazing and immersive experience that merges music, dance, acrobatics, light shows and much more into one unforgettable spectacle, La Perle has been thrilling audiences with twice daily shows throughout DSS.
Families can choose from a great range of DSS Combo Packages for the show, starting from Dh119 and including free popcorn or nachos and soda. To make the weekend extra special, residents and visitors can opt for the DSS staycation offer at the Habtoor Palace Dubai that includes two show tickets, popcorn or nachos and soda plus a complimentary room and 25 per cent off at any restaurant in Al Habtoor City. Prices start from Dh438. For Dh70 on kids’ tickets, the entire family can enjoy a remarkable experience at La Perle with free popcorn and soda and a free day-pass to Dubai Parks and Resorts.
