The 29th Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is fast approaching, with the annual citywide amazing taking place from December 8, 2023 to January 14, 2024. It’s a lot of fun for visitors and residents alike, with 38 days of remaining entertainment, concerts, amazing shopping discounts, must-try feasts for foodies, and much more.
The epic festival of non-stop fun, organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, will see some of the best items from prior years return, plus some new additions for 2023.
Drone show and Dubai Lights
From December 10 to January 14, the ever-popular DSF drone display will return to JBR, promising two brand new shows that will light up the skies daily with 800 multicoloured drones beautifully coordinated to tell two distinct stories.
Dubai Lights is also returning, this time with five shining installations. With the debut of Anooki, see new characters at Al Seef and d3, beloved Modesh and Dana will bring the glow to City Centre Mirdif, 40 abras on Dubai Creek will be lit up with a canvas of brightly coloured colours, and Amazon Wonder will take over West Beach, with life-size installations of birds and florals prompted by the world’s largest tropical rainforest.
Markets
The bay by Social, which is now open at Dubai Festival City Mall, provides a selection of local businesses, family-friendly activities, and street cuisine from food trucks.
This DSF will see the return of Etisalat MOTB, one of the festival’s most popular outdoor events. The 11th annual version will be held at D3, bringing live entertainment from local artists, homegrown businesses, and a variety of food and drink choices to the waterfront.
This year’s market will feature a Fenty Beauty Drive-in, where you can drive in and receive your shade match, browse the current releases, and receive a first look at the forthcoming arrivals.
The Etisalat MOTB dates are yet to be published.
A new foodie pop-up
CanteenX, a revamp of the Dubai Food Festival’s Beach Canteen, will debut during this year’s DSF. From December 15 to 31, come hungry to Mushrif Park and bite into a staggering number of creative and informal food pop-ups. Not only will there be food, but there will also be an inflatable park for the kids and a classic drive-in theatre engaging English, Bollywood, and Arabic movies in the parking lot.
Festivals and shows
YouTube star Blippi will be performing The Wonderful World Tour at the Coca-Cola Arena for two nights only on Dec 12 and 13.
If you’re looking for a good giggle don’t miss comedians Russell Howard at the Dubai Opera on December 11th and Michael McIntyre at the Coca-Cola Arena on January 13.
For the first time, the street culture festival Sole DXB will be featured in the DSF. The D3 mega event offers a dynamic experience with live performances, DJ sets, sports tournaments, training sessions, and lead performer Busta Rhymes.
Shopping
And, of course, the Dubai Shopping Festival offers the finest in shopping experiences, with offers, reductions, and pop-up markets such as native exclusives, high street favourites, the ultimate in luxury, and a diversity of retail goods with something for everyone.
