MUMBAI : In January 2015, the 20th anniversary edition of the most popular retail celebration, Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF 2015), the largest shopping and entertainment extravaganza in the region will kick-start in Dubai once again.
Organized by Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE), together with Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is one of the well-known shopping fiestas in the world. The month-long festival will conclude on 2nd February 2015.
Apart from offering visitors from around the world with some mind-boggling and life changing moments, the festival also offers shoppers several million dollar worth of prize money, including luxury cars, gold and cash, apart from an extensive line-up of world-class events, all of which makes the festival more attractive.
Also known as Layali Dubai in Arabic, the festival offers a range of activities, besides discounted shopping of up to 75% on jewellery, electronics, clothing and perfumes, attractions like raffle draws, children events, fashion show and other vibes of excitement that Dubai has to offer.
DSF is the right place to experience anything from the merriment of childhood at a Cartoon event with Pokemon, Casper and Tarzan, or explore the international heritage at Global Village. As for shopaholics, there is Carpet oasis, and for fashion lovers, there is the Dubai Fashion Week being organized, while you could also try your bit of luck at the Raffle draw for an opportunity to win a fabulous prize.
The malls that are part of the DSF 2015 are Burjuman, Reef Mall, Mercato Mall, Paris Gallery, Visa, Jumbo Electronics, Emirates NBD, Al Ghurair, Damac, Emax, Lamcy Plaza, and Arabian Centre.
The first day of the shopping festival would open with an amazing display of fireworks and jaw dropping discounts and freebees, which attracts numerous tourists to this festival. The opening night would include light shows and fireworks across Dubai Creek, and this would continue all through the festival. Thereafter, there would be in-mall fashion shows, street performers, musicians, jugglers and other entertainers.
Further, the DSF is not just about shopping. There are live music performances, street performers and magicians to keep up the excitement of the festival.
DSF is not just a shopping venue to purchase electronic products or others. It is entirely different from the common shopping festivals. Several travel agencies arrange holiday deals and help families, groups and individuals to participate in the shopping festival every year.
The souks of Dubai will also be a hub of activity this festive season, with Gold Souk being the most popular. All shops here are lit with glittering gold jewellery. The spice souk is also usually busy this season, with aromatic spices which are a riot of colour.
The organizers of the event add unique and innovative programs every year to make DSF more attractive and alluring from the previous year. Visitors from across the globe visit Dubai during DSF, and hence, the festival also plays a major role in promoting Dubai tourism.
Having completed 19 editions, DSF is also the longest running and most successful shopping festivals in the world. DSF 2015 can even be booked as a tour package, with return airfare. Several destination management companies are ready to help visitors planning to visit DSF 2015. Visitors can choose the best one based on their individual requirement.
Highlights of DSF 2015
During the DSF period, the malls of Dubai are lined-up with branded jewellery, clothing, electronics, carpets, art and crafts, watches, perfumes sold at discounted prices. Popular brands like Gucci or Prada, Versace or Armani, you name it, and it will be available here.
Some major highlights of Dubai Shopping Festival are:
Global Village
The Global Village is associated with DSF, but usually starts a little before opening of DSF and runs a little longer than DSF. Just as the name suggests, Global Village has the unique concept of bringing globe in one place. Global Village displays every country with its own pavilion and they display products that are popular in their home countries. For instance, on visiting Thailand, you get to taste all fresh fruits that they sell. Similarly, in Indian pavilion, you get to see handicrafts on sale, while China can offer deals that suit the pockets of many. However, Global Village also has various entertainment shows organized, food stalls to satisfy taste buds, big rides for kids, water sport activities and daily lucky draws.
The 19th edition of Global Village featured 12,000 performances during the season, which drew large crowds. Overall, there were at least 2000 unique performers and 60 firework displays, apart from several children’s shows.
Global Village is located far from main city, but, you may arrange a private car to reach the place. Entry fee is about USD5 per person. The travel packages offered by several travel agencies include visit to Global Village.
The DSF Carnival
As always, the DSF this year too, will see spectacular parade with performances by renowned international artists, shows by acrobats, percussionists, dancers and more. The carnival is usually held every weekend during the month-long DSF. The DSF Carnival is fabulous display by various performers including musicians, jugglers, stilt walkers, cyclists, apart from live concerts and jazz are performed by renowned artists. The Dubai Carnival will be held in various platforms, with different themes including Arabic, Russian, Chinese and Japanese. At least 300 performers participate in the Carnival annually.
Carpet Oasis
The Carpet Oasis is a treasure-trove of carpets, wherein, traders from across the world come up with good offers on a range of floor coverings. The Carpet Oasis is an exhibition-cum-sale of some of the rarest, largest and unique carpets and rugs from across the world. Carpets and rugs from renowned carpet producing countries, works of arts and handicrafts would all be displayed. There will be unique and exclusive handmade, oriental and Perisan carpets from across the globe, and a large collection of antique souvenirs.
Children Show
DSF brings along plenty of entertainment for kids. For instance, the Dubai Dolphinarium will organize an exclusive show for kids during DSF, and there are other events too to keep children engaged like Children of World Olympiad, and cartoon and circus shows.
Sports
Sports lovers visiting Dubai during the festival will get the opportunity to participate in a range of sporting events including Open Tennis Championship, Hockey on Synthetic Surface, Ice Hockey, Football Tournament, Russian Ballet on Ice, Skating and Rowling Championships. The DSF Desert Camp offers adventure activities like quad bikes, camel rides, horse riding etc.
Gourmets
Gourmet is a major attraction of Dubai Shopping Festival, wherein visitors get to satisfy their taste buds from delicious cuisines prepared from all corners of the world. Delicious cuisines ranging from Chinese, to French, to Italian and all special Arabic delights form part of the gourmet. Further, DSF involves gathering of people from diverse backgrounds who enjoy international cuisine involving celebrity chefs, live cooking counters, interactive events and exciting prizes.
Tax-free shopping
Tax-free shopping is a major attraction of DSF. Shopping in Dubai, by itself, is largely tax-free, as merchants re permitted to import products from other countries with little custom duties. Further, DSF offers high-discounts, wherein, the shopping malls and retailers offer up to 75 percent discount on a range of items, including watches, jewellery, carpets, electronics, textiles, handicrafts of major brands. There are an amazing number of discounts this year ranging from 25 to 50 percent on sunglasses and home décor to designer fashion, and up to 75 percent. May purchases also come with free gifts and accessories. There are other promotions oo on the offer like fantastic holiday packages from five-star hotels and resorts.
Prizes and lucky draws
Apart from tax-free discounted rates, shoppers can also look forward to an opportunity to win various weekly prizes organized by participating shopping malls and retailers. For the past two decades, DSF has offered more than Dh.1.7bn by way of prizes including 33 Rolls-Royces and 734 kilos of gold. Malls and retail stores offer gift vouchers, and scratch coupons to win prizes and discounts.
Cultural/Entertainment Events
Apart from the spectacular firework display and colourful cultural programs and entertainment events, the festival also has plenty to offer as entertainment including international fashion shows, street-side performances, film festivals, musical shows, cultural events, mini fun fair, Dubai Creek Tours, World of Ice, Flower Garden, Spiderman Zone, Remote-control boats, Park Taxis, helicopter tours, acrobatic show and China Town.
This year the entertainment includes folk dances in national costumes, live music and performances from a variety of genres. The circus acts include everything from unicyclists and stilt walkers to jugglers and mime artists which can be found the delighting crowds lining the streets. This year, there are also pop-up restaurants and traditional Emirati heritage events like Fazza Championships that mark the best in falconry, shooting and pearl diving.
Apart from all these, there will be a range of special events including business conventions, exhibitions, seminars and book fairs.
DSF 2015 awaits families who seek a once in a lifetime event, which they could cherish forever. For details, please call +971 60 555 559 or +971 4 2235444 or visit website www mydsf ae
Travel Packages
Several local travel agencies, tour operators and airlines operate services to the UAE, with special discounted tour packages, targeting tourists seeking to enjoy the Dubai shopping extravaganza during this event. For instance, Emirates, the national airline of Dubai, has been offering attractive tour packages for DSF.
On availing these travel deals, visitors can enjoy sightseeing tours to some most exciting destinations in Dubai, such as Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa and Desert Safari that make it a world-class tourist destination.
Source: Sachin Murdeshwar