The 31st Dubai Shopping Festival 2025 opens, launching a 38-day programme of retail promotions, tourism activations, and large-scale entertainment events to drive consumer spending and visitor growth through 11 January 2026. The festival, the longest-running event of its kind globally, is expected to attract millions of residents and international tourists as Dubai enters the peak travel season.
The opening weekend features concerts, family entertainment, and advanced visual shows, setting the pace for a schedule designed to support retail activity across malls, destinations, and hospitality clusters.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “DSF’s 31st edition embodies Dubai’s spirit of excellence, innovation, and diversity, celebrating our community while driving economic and cultural growth. It not only marks a major milestone for the festival but also reaffirms our visionary leadership’s aspiration to make Dubai the world’s best city to visit, live, and work in. With electrifying performances from international artists set to spearhead DSF’s opening weekend, along with pioneering drone and pyro displays, we are igniting an entire season of shared memories and unparalleled opportunities for residents and visitors from around the world.”
Major entertainment anchors set to boost footfall
Bollywood star Nora Fatehi will headline e& DSF Nights at Dubai Festival City Mall on 6 December, supported by fireworks at Festival Bay. Her appearance is expected to draw sizeable crowds, supported by a wide entertainment programme featuring interactive zones, waterfront attractions, and open-access installations.
Additional large-scale events include an expanded mountain experience at Hatta Wadi Hub featuring Candlelight Concerts by Fever, Roxy Dome Cinema, and Dinner in the Sky, which debuts in Hatta this year. The Candlelight series will present music ranging from Vivaldi to Coldplay, with tickets starting at AED 70.
Dinner in the Sky will offer elevated dining suspended 50 metres above the ground, priced at AED 300. Children aged eight and below can attend the designated youth concert on 13 December at no cost.
New Drone and Pyro Show strengthens DSF’s innovation-led positioning
This year’s festival introduces a new Drone and Pyro Show involving more than 1,000 drones, including 100 pyro drones, staged across two nightly displays. Supported by a Dubai-inspired soundtrack composed by Hans Zimmer, the show will deploy synchronised drones to create large-scale visual narratives above the city skyline.
Tickets for e& DSF Nights are available on PlatinumList.net, with early-bird pricing starting at AED 50. Organisers are expected to announce two additional A-list concerts at Coca-Cola Arena and e& DSF Nights.
Retail promotions and mega raffles drive consumer spending
DSF 2025–2026 opens with expanded raffle incentives. Shoppers will have the chance to win a new Nissan and AED 100,000 each day through the DSF Mega Raffle. A grand prize of AED 400,000 will be awarded on the final day of the festival.
The festival is supported by Key Sponsor Commercial Bank of Dubai and Strategic Partners including Al-Futtaim Malls, Al Zarooni Group, AW Rostamani Group, DHAM, Emirates Airline, Enoc, e&, Majid Al Futtaim, Merex Investment, talabat, and others.
The expanded calendar reinforces Dubai’s strategy to position DSF as a core contributor to seasonal economic activity, supporting retail, leisure, and tourism sectors through peak footfall and increased consumer engagement.
–Input WAM
