Soaring temperatures and summer holidays notwithstanding, Dubai Summer Surprises continues to endure. Now in its 27th year, the shopping and entertainment festival begins on Friday.
On the cards is a jam-packed calendar of concerts and family-friendly events, big-ticket raffle draws, shopping bargains, restaurant deals and hotel offers that will run until September 1.
It's a challenge to keep track of everything that's part of the 65-day emirate-wide affair. Here are some highlights.
12-hour flash sale on Friday
Big savings are among the headline promise of DSS at large – and this will be demonstrated early on with a 12-hour flash sale at City Center Al Shindagha, City Centre Deira, City Centre Me’aisem, City Centre Mirdif and Mall of the Emirates.
From 10am to 10pm on the festival's first Friday, more than 100 brands, from fashion and beauty to homeware and electronics, are offering up to 90 per cent off on selected items. Participating brands include Carters, Aldo, Steve Madden, Okaidi, The Watch House, E City, Better Life, Cole Haan, Damas, Crate & Barrel, Al Jaber Optical, Ecco, Balmain, Lego, Vinci and US Polo Association.
Opening weekend concerts and performances
While DSS lasts for more than two months, it is making a splash this weekend for opening celebrations.
Norwegian dance group Quick Style, Jordanian indie band Autostrad, Jordanian-Palestinian singer Dana Salah and Iraqi–Canadian singer Ali Gatie are performing at City Centre Mirdif. At Mall of the Emirates, several DJ zones will be set up featuring DJs Keza, Tala Samman and Sonya, alongside dance performances by Hallway Boyz, Moto Dancers, and a bharatnatyam and hip-hop Fusion. Roaming dancers and entertainers are also taking over Dubai Festival City Mall.
On Friday, Georges Wassouf and Al Shami are taking to the stage at Coca-Cola Arena, followed by rap sensations Xzibit, D12 and Obie Trice on Saturday. A performance by one of Ethiopia's biggest pop stars, Teddy Afro, is taking place on Sunday.
Attractions, hotels and restaurant offers
For the first time, DSS has partnered with discount publisher the Entertainer with a summer-specific package. The mobile application is known for its buy-one, get-one vouchers on a selection of dining venues, attractions, fitness locations and other destination experiences.
Buying a regular subscription costs Dh595 for a year, but with the DSS collaboration, tourists and residents can get the Entertainer package for Dh195 for three months and access more than 7,000 offers.
Even without the Entertainer package, visitors can enjoy individual deals from establishments. Attractions such as Madame Tussauds, The View at The Palm, Burj Khalifa At the Top and Aya Universe are offering kids-go-free deals, as are select hotels across the city, including the St Regis The Palm, the H Dubai, Kempinski Mall of the Emirates, Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf.
Foodies can also look forward to the return of Summer Restaurant Week from August 23 to September 1, where 50 restaurants will dish out pocket-friendly set menus for lunch and dinner. The list will be revealed nearer to the time, but it includes renowned hotspots as well as hidden gems.
A new gastronomy-focused event is also launching this year, called Sizzling Summer Eats, where 100 restaurants will offer up to 30 per cent dining discounts for 30 days from July 15.
Big-ticket raffle draws
Shoppers can also watch out for raffle campaigns scattered across various malls. For example, a new GAC GS8 2024 will be given to six winners upon spending Dh200 from June 28 to September 1 at 18 participating malls under the Dubai Shopping Malls Group, which includes Al Ghurair Centre, Al Barsha Mall and Al Bustan Centre.
Shoppers who spend Dh300 or more at Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, and City Centre Mirdif from June 28 to September 1 can enter a draw for a Maserati Grecale GT. Meanwhile Mini Coopers are on the cards for the eight winners of raffle coupons being distributed at Enoc stations and select malls, with every 10,000 tickets sold resulting in a draw.
Modesh World
The indoor amusement park is extra-celebratory this year as it marks its 25th anniversary. Visitors, particularly children, can access 170 rides and attractions at the Dubai World Trade Centre venue, which also features more than 100 arcade games, virtual reality experiences and soft-play areas for little ones.
The venue is launching an inflatable park and animal world play area, while Modesh Cafe will serve bites and beverages.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Brown/Black belt finals
3pm: 49kg female: Mayssa Bastos (BRA) v Thamires Aquino (BRA)
3.07pm: 56kg male: Hiago George (BRA) v Carlos Alberto da Silva (BRA)
3.14pm: 55kg female: Amal Amjahid (BEL) v Bianca Basilio (BRA)
3.21pm: 62kg male: Gabriel de Sousa (BRA) v Joao Miyao (BRA)
3.28pm: 62kg female: Beatriz Mesquita (BRA) v Ffion Davies (GBR)
3.35pm: 69kg male: Isaac Doederlein (BRA) v Paulo Miyao (BRA)
3.42pm: 70kg female: Thamara Silva (BRA) v Alessandra Moss (AUS)
3.49pm: 77kg male: Oliver Lovell (GBR) v Tommy Langarkar (NOR)
3.56pm: 85kg male: Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE) v Rudson Mateus Teles (BRA)
4.03pm: 90kg female: Claire-France Thevenon (FRA) v Gabreili Passanha (BRA)
4.10pm: 94kg male: Adam Wardzinski (POL) v Kaynan Duarte (BRA)
4.17pm: 110kg male: Yahia Mansoor Al Hammadi (UAE) v Joao Rocha (BRA
FORSPOKEN
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Diablo%20IV
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Starfield
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
'Joker'
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix
Rating: Five out of five stars
