Dubai is a global shopping destination that rivals the best of what the West has to offer. And come December, this Emirati jewel will host the shopping extravaganza of the season—the Dubai Shopping Festival 2022 – 2023.
The Dubai shopping festival combines the best of the UAE: world-class brands coupled with an air of ancient splendour. With unbeatable discounts and unique malls, you have the recipe for the perfect vacation. If it’s your first time attending the festival, our guide below will cover all the basics, plus tips to ensure you make the most of your time. Check it out.
Dubai Shopping Festival – What is it All About?
First, let’s discuss what the festival is about. The Dubai Shopping Festival event is an annual shopping event that the Dubai government initiated to promote trade and tourism in the country.
The festival, which in Arabic is called Layali Dubai, was held for the first time in 1996. Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid envisioned the first festival to position Dubai as a leading global tourism and retail destination.
The Dubai shopping festival in its earlier years had limited participating malls, with the newly launched Al Ghurair Mall and Deira City Centre amongst the first to participate.
Since then, more than 3500 retail outlets and around 40 world-class malls have participated in the festival annually. Keep in mind the Dubai Shopping Festival is not just about luxury goods-high street shops, traditional markets, and retailers of the gold souq also participate in the festival.
The festival was inspired by the Great Singapore Sale, – the week-long retail event held in Singapore. The Dubai Shopping Festival extended the concept to a month-long shopping and entertainment bonanza.
Several shopping malls were launched with world-class facilities in the wake of the festival. Another popular concept that emerged was the Global Shopping Village- a ticketed venue where retailers from around the globe showcase their wares.
When is The Dubai Shopping Festival?
A festival is an annual event. The Dubai Shopping Festival 2022 – 2023 edition will be held between December 15th, 2022, and January 28th, 2023. The festivities will last the entire month, with different offers and events peppered throughout.
Location For The Dubai Shopping Festival
The Dubai shopping festival location is spread across the city, with around 40 participating malls, more than 3500 retailers, and 700 brands. The Dubai shopping festival has offers extending to all participating malls, with deals spread across the days.
Special raffles and flash sales are organised on different dates. You can keep track of the various events and sales across malls using the official festival app.
Some of the participating malls that should be on your must-visit list include:
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- Dubai Mall
- Al Fahidi
- Gold Souk
- Night Souk
- Promenade at Dubai Festival City
- Al Rigga Street
- Mall of the Emirates
- Global Village
- Lulu Village
- Waterfront Centre
- Deira City Centre
Things To Do At Dubai Shopping Festival
It is hard to keep track of all the things you can do at the Dubai Shopping Festival! In order for you to have a truly memorable experience, we have narrowed down the top things to do and places to visit. An experience you’ll never forget.
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- Global Village : The Dubai shopping festival location covers more than just the popular malls. If you are attending the festival for the first time, you must purchase a pass to visit the Global Village. The Dubai shopping festival ticket price for visiting the Global Village is a mere USD 5$ for the value package. For this small Dubai shopping festival ticket price, visitors can access exclusive dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Countries from around the world peddle their wares at various stalls.
and there is something for everyone with 27 pavilions, more than 80 cultures, street food options, balloon rides, cultural shows, carnival games, and more. You can upgrade your ticket to any day pass for a small extra fee and get even more perks with Global Village VIP packs.
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- Drone Show : If you get bored of all the retail therapy, there are plenty of other attractions to enjoy during the Dubai Shopping Festival-some of them even free. The Dubai shopping festival drone light show is a must-see and will be enjoyed by the entire family. The Dubai shopping festival drone light show at Bluewater’s and The Beach is top-rated and an excellent photo opportunity and memory for a lifetime. Shop for gadgets, gizmos, jewellery, and traditional items: While clothing, shoes, and homeware are popular options for everyday shopping, when visiting Dubai for DSF, focus on deals for gadgets and ethnic items.
The traditional souks are an experience in themselves and involve more than just retail therapy. Include the Gold Souk, Spice Souk, Perfume Souk, and Textile Souk during your Dubai Shopping Festival 2022-2023 trip. The souks are located within the Deira area of Dubai and provide excellent facilities for daylong retail adventures.
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- Fireworks on Opening Day : The Dubai shopping festival opens with a crackling fireworks display between 8:30-9:00 PM. The fireworks display covers 6 km from Business Bay, Dubai creek, to the Shindagha area.
- Dubai Shopping Festival Desert Camp : If you are visiting Dubai for the first time, you must visit the Dubai Shopping Festival Desert Camp. The Desert Camp is the perfect place to sample Emirati hospitals and heritage, with horseback and camel rides and local cuisine.
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- Art Installations : The 2021 edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival featured art installations from six international lighting artists. The 2022 edition will continue the trend, with different exhibits featured at different locations across Dubai, creating fantastic photo opportunities.
Tips For Dubai Shopping Festival 2022-23
The Dubai shopping festival attracts more than 3 million visitors each year. While this undoubtedly makes the festival a buzzy and fun event to attend, it also means you must put your best foot forward to get the best deals and make the most of your time in the city. Check out our tips to get a head start at the Dubai Shopping Festival 2022-2023.
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- Dubai Shopping Festival app : The Dubai Shopping Festival event app is a must-use resource for navigating the festival. The app provides updates on the latest shopping offers, flash sales, the location of events, and more. Download the official app to get an edge over other shoppers regarding deals and rewards.
- Use Credit Card : If you are a serious shopper attending the Dubai Shopping Festival, get a credit or debit card with the best points and cashback offers. You can make the most of your points during your shopping spree.
- Start Early : The Dubai Shopping Festival is attended by millions of people from around the globe as well as locals. Make sure you start early to get the best choices and avoid crazy crowds.
- Research Places to Visit : With the Dubai Shopping Festival’s glory, you don’t want to get frazzled on the day of. Make a list of must-see malls, shops, and items you want to buy and focus on those. If gold and gadget shopping is on your list, create a list of local suggested shops for gold and gadget shopping.
- Avail The Dubai Shopping Festival Pass : The Dubai Shopping Festival Pass is an excellent investment. You will get VIP access to events, reservations at the best restaurants, and extra snazzy discounts at places like Atlantis Adventure Waterpark and Desert Safari. Due to the crowds during the festival, this investment will be well worth it.
- Look out for specific Dates : The Dubai shopping festival offers differ on different dates. Plan your trip to get the best deals, which happen at the end of the festival.
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Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
The Dubai shopping festival is roughly seven weeks long. The 2022-2023 edition of the festival begins on 15th December 2022 and ends on 28th January 2023.
The discounts during the Dubai Shopping Festival start at 25% and throughout the festival reach up to 90%. During the festival's last week, brands across categories slashed their prices significantly. The discounts are offered by both premium brands and high street stores.
The Dubai Shopping Festival began in 1996, intending to position Dubai as a global tourist destination. By 2000, the festival had become popular with European visitors, with the branding of ‘One World. One Family. One Festival’ attracting international interest.
The Dubai shopping festival does not have a specific venue but is spread across the city's best malls, city centres, and souks. Different malls and retailers offer various discounts and deal with flash sales and weekend mega sales across retailers.
Dubai has the best of both worlds in shopping - from international luxury brands to homegrown, one-of-a-kind labels and traditional items right up to the latest in tech. The Dubai Shopping Festival combines all these experiences in a convenient one-month-long event with steep discounts.
Yes, definitely. The months of December and January are the best times to visit Dubai, and the festival adds an extra layer of enjoyment. If shopping is not your jam, there are fun events for the entire family to enjoy during this period. From fireworks to concerts and carnivals to flash sales, the city lights up quite literally during the Dubai Shopping Festival. Tourists to the city can avail of festival-centred discounted packages from travel agencies. How long is the Dubai Shopping Festival, 2022 – 2023?
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