Dubai: Break your coin bank. It’s time to shop. As the 19th Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) opens on Thursday, Gulf News brings you the top 10 highlights of the emirate’s largest 32-day shopping extravaganza.
1) Wider reach
Organisers have taken DSF to another level this year by engaging community malls and mid-sized shopping centres. Those shopping at Al Ain Centre, Al Bustan Centre, Barsha Mall, Bin Sougat Centre, Century Mall, Etihad Mall, Madina Mall, Mazaya Centre, Karama Centre, Times Square Centre and Union Cooperative will get a chance to win Dh500,000 for a minimum spend of Dh200.
2) Cars galore
Buying a new car? Why not try your luck at DSF’s Infiniti Mega Raffle that will give away two luxury Infiniti cars — a QX60 and G25 — plus Dh100,000 cash? Or, if you fancy choosing your car model, a minimum purchase of Dh20 for all non-fuel products entitles you to pick your own Nissan car.
3) Strike gold
This month is the best time to buy gold and jewellery this year. Not only will you get them at their best price, you’ll also get a chance to bag a kilogram of gold every day. Thirty-two diamond solitaire rings will also be given away.
4) Market outside the box
Fashionistas will find Market Outside the Box at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai a treasure trove of non-mass-produced fashion and lifestyle brands. Running from January 23 to February 2, the unconventional fashion market will encourage healthier and alternative lifestyles to residents.
5) Salaam Dubai 2014: Bollywood Melodies Unlimited
Fancy a night out of good music? Get serenaded by Bollywood’s KK, Arijit Singh, Aashiqui-2, and Monali Thakur for four straight hours at Madinat Arena on January 10.
6) Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour
Relive the King of Pop’s signature dance moves through the Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil at Dubai World Trade Centre. Catch the international cast featuring 49 world-class acrobats, musicians, singers and dancers that took the world by storm until January 14.
7) Fashion Squad
Time to dress at your best this month as fashion police are out to get you. Wherever you may be, if the ‘Fashion Squad’ spots you, you’re getting a ticket. But it’s not a fine don’t worry, it’s to entitle you to a host of fashion competitions across the city.
8) DSF Carnival
DSF organisers said this year’s DSF carnival is the biggest in the festival’s history. Visit key DSF Destinations like the Al Seef Street, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Boulevard, Jumeirah Street, Al Riqqa Street and Global Village to witness performers such as the Pele Pele dance group from Swaziland, the Mexico Tierra Mestiza troupe, among others.
9) The 7 Sopranos Show
Australia’s young operatic singers, The 7 Sopranos, will enthral Dubai fans with their favourite opera and music classics on January 2 to 11 at The Walk. Watch their thrice a day performances, which will last 30 minutes each.
10) Carpet & Art Oasis
There’s no need to go far to hunt for the rarest, largest, and most unique carpets and rugs around the world. DSF organisers said they have it all under one roof in their Carpet & Art Oasis at Dubai Festival City.
