"Innovation and high standards have been the main characteristics of Dubai Shopping Festival. In planning the events of DSF 2002 we have kept these characteristics in focus.
"Most of these activities are targeted at families keeping in mind the theme 'One World, One Family, One Festival'. As a result, there is something for every member of the family," said Hussain Ali Lootah, chief executive of DSF.
"We have also added new activities that will not only entertain visitors but also enlighten them and broaden their horizons," he said.
"At the same time, we have retained popular events and sites, such as the Global Village, and tried to add new elements, so that visitors can find something fresh, something exciting at each venue."
The calendar is packed with events and activities including the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race, and the UAE World Cup Endurance 2002 Marathon, in which 27 countries are taking part.
Among the other main events will be the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament, the House of Talents 2002, Ideal Arab Mother and Ideal Family Awards, Dubai World Records Venture 2002 and the Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance.
Enchanting streets: The streets of Dubai will resound to family-oriented activities throughout the month.
Al Riqqa Street will host Etisalat Net Zone, the Magical Freij Circus, the biggest in the region, and an entertainment zone will offer a new selection of games of skills brought from Scotland especially for DSF.
Muraqqabat Street, themed on family fun and sports, will feature a Family Fun Fare, Sand Sculpting Show, an international Motor Stunt Show, games, Safe City, World of Cars and games.
Al Dhiyafah Street will resemble an open-air art gallery, with painters and sculptors working at the venue and giving insights into their styles and skills, while musicians playing traditional instruments will stroll the street.
On Al Seef Street, artisans from across the globe will give visitors glimpses of traditional techniques. It will also host the international 24-hour Go-Kart Race.
Spectacular fireworks will greet visitors and residents during the festival, with one display every night, and three shows on weekends. There will be a total of 13 fireworks displays every week.
The daily fireworks will be over the DSF Global Village near Garhoud at 8.15 pm. The weekend fireworks will be on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at Al Seef Street at 8.15 pm, the Global Village at 8.45 pm and the Heritage Village at 9.15 pm.
Culture and heritage: A more extensive and better laid-out Global Village has been built at the Dubai Festival City, featuring 28 country pavilions, 44 restaurants, a huge fun fair and a host of new facilities. Other facilities include a parking lot for 10,500 cars, and a stylish arena that can accommodate 6,000 people, including seating for 3,000.
The new location covers 147,000 square metres, against 82,000 square metres last year, along the Dubai Creek. The main stage will be the venue for live draws of all DSF promotions and raffles.
At the Heritage Village, the Bedouin Lifestyle Festival will feature activities depicting traditional customs and wedding ceremonies of Arabs.
Carpet Oasis 2002 at the Airport Expo promises a rich collection of carpets drawn from the best carpet producing countries in the world. There will be a number of competitions and demonstrations in carpet making.
The line-up of live concerts is led by Caracalla's Two Thousand and One Nights. It will be staged at the Dubai Media City on March 20, 21, 22 and 24. A number of plays from different countries have also been lined up.
Exciting kids' fare: The Child-ren's City, the Dh77 million infotainment facility created by Dubai Municipality, will throw its doors open on March 7. It will host stage shows, workshops and television shows for children. Apart from this, the Planetarium at the Children's City will be a huge attraction. It's guaranteed to be one of the biggest permanent attractions of Dubai.
The classic fairy tales of Aladdin and Snow White will be brought to life side by side with Snow White and Seven Dwarfs, the all-time children's favourite will be staged daily at the Safa Park at 6.45 pm and 8.15 pm.
In addition, Dubai Municipality will also host the international show Action Man at the Al Mamzar Park daily at 6.45 p.m.
Street carnivals: More than 400 street performers and folk artistes from around the globe will brighten up DSF venues. They have been brought from Italy, France, Hungary, Columbia, India and Russia. Besides jugglers, stilt-walkers, acrobats and clowns, there will be gypsies and Indian folk artistes.
Arts and sports: The highly creative and innovative handmade products produced by some very talented local women as well as participants of other nationalities will be on display and sale at the House of Talents exhibition which takes place at a new venue at Shindagha.
Fashion shows, traditional as well as modern, will be held, including Abaya Fashion Show, Indian Fashion Show Colours by Suneet Verma, traditional wear show Cultures and the Paolo Bonja Diamond Jewellery Show.
More than 60 sports activities, organised by Dubai Police, will take place during the festival, such as Midnight Marathon, Arabian Airline Agencies Polo Cup, 1st GCC Tennis Championship and the International Ice Hockey Tournament.
Conferences and exhibitions will also be held, including the Emirates International Forum on March 2-3 under the patronage of General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and the UAE Minister of Defence.
Raffles and promotions: Raffles and promotions offering fabulous prizes have also been lined up. The Lexus Mega Raffle offers a daily three-in-one prize of two luxury cars and Dh200,000. The total prize money in the daily raffle is around Dh500,000. Tickets are priced at Dh200 each.
A total of 31 Nissan Patrols will be given away from March 1 to 31. Shoppers spending a specified amount at any of the participating outlets will be given a free raffle coupon for the daily draws.
The participating outlets include most malls, electronics stores, textiles and garments stores, restaurants and Eppco/Enoc stations. The amount on which the coupon is given away is fixed by the participating outlets, and could range from Dh25 to Dh500 per coupon.
The popular Dubai City of Gold promotion will offer glittering prizes to people spending Dh500 at any of the participating jewellery stores. The daily prize is one kilo of gold, and the grand prize is 10 kilos of gold. Shoppers will also get discount coupons that can be used at all participating outlets.
