Fireworks, concerts and sales: What to expect from the 2020-21 Dubai Shopping Festival

The 26th annual shopping festival kicks off this month

Fireworks at Al Seef, Dubai, during the 2019 Dubai Shopping Festival. Courtesy DSF

Whether you’re looking for last-minute gifts or scouting out some bargains, you’re in luck. The 26th annual Dubai Shopping Festival is set to launch on Thursday, December 17.

This year, the city-wide initiative, which includes promotions across local and international brands, live concerts, fireworks and family entertainment, will take place for six weeks, wrapping up on Saturday, January 30.

According to organisers, all events and shopping destinations will adhere to precautionary safety measures amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Here’s a look at the highlights of the 2020-21 Dubai Shopping Festival:

It will open with a two-day launch event featuring concerts

DSF will start with a two-day event held at Market Outside the Box at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai, on Thursday and Friday, December 17 and 18. Two Arab stars will be performing on the first day, while an undisclosed international celebrity will entertain audiences on day two. The concerts will take place from 8pm until midnight, with ticket prices starting at Dh50. There will also be a street lighting display, pyrotechnics and a light show.

Fireworks and drone shows

Fireworks have always been a big part of DSF. There will be fireworks at a number of waterfront destinations every weekend. New to the roster this year are drone and animated shows, alongside waterside dining offers. The drone shows will take place at 8.30pm in Al Seef, 9pm at La Mer and 7pm at The Beach over seven weekends of DSF.

There will be sales, retail activations and promotions

It is a shopping festival, after all, and this year, there will be promotions and offers at more than 40 locations city-wide. The DSF Sale Season promotion will run from Saturday, December 26 to Saturday, January 30, with 3,500 outlets offering savings between 25 per cent and 75 per cent. Shoppers can also expect a 12-hour mega sale (date to be announced), daily surprises and augmented reality retail activations.

Market Outside the Box is back

Taking place at Burj Park in Downtown Dubai, the pop-up will offer an alternative shopping experience for those looking for gifts or items out of the ordinary, as well a selection of food and beverage outlets. This year, MOTB will be held from Thursday, December 17 to Saturday, January 2. This year, the market's is inspired by Asian pop culture, specifically Korean and Japanese.

It’s not the only outdoor market to pop up at DSF, either. Nakheel Mall on the Palm Jumeirah is hosting a winter-themed market till Sunday, January 3. With unique products from vendors and food and beverage stands, the venue will be home to Santa’s village and grotto as well as an ice rink. Another market will pop up at Dubai Festival City Mall's Festival Bay, while a Winter Wonderland at Mall of the Emirates lets little ones to take pictures with a virtual Santa. Finally, pop-up events will also take place at Last Exit Al Khawaneej and Al Seef.

Concerts and shows to look forward to

Apart from the opening weekend concert, there are plenty of live performances to look forward to. Dubai Opera will host The Simon & Garfunkel Story on Saturday, 19 December, with shows at 2pm and 8pm. Arabic music lovers will be spoilt for choice with two live shows on New Year's Eve. Dubai World Trade Centre will host a show by Arabic singer Nassif Zeytoun while singers Wael Kfoury and Mouhamad Khairy will take to the stage at the Festival Arena at InterContinental Dubai – Festival City.

For a rib-tickling time, The Laughter Factory will return for a series of gigs during DSF. British comedian Jack Whitehall will perform at the Duba i World Trade Centre on Thursday, January 14.

There will also be a multi-artist closing concert at the Coca-Cola Arena.