Dubai Summer Surprises: Your guide... to events and Dh1m gifts

It’s the season for shopping, shopping and more shopping. And, what’s more, you get rewarded for all that shopping.

It just doesn’t get better than this, does it?

With the month-long Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) set to kick-start on June 7, shoppers will be in for a real treat.

Apart from taking home their loot, they will also stand a chance to win swanky BMWs or Honda CR-Vs and weekly ‘surprise gifts’ worth up to Dh1million.

The 16th edition of DSS will be hosted till July 7, with every mall in the city gearing up to take part in the festivities.

Dubai Mall tweeted they will remain open from 10am to midnight (over the weekdays), and up until 1am over weekends for the month-long celebrations.

Deira City Centre, Mall of the Emirates and Mirdif City Centre have also announced that they’d be clocking in similar hours during the shopping extravaganza.

This year’s DSS will also kick-start a three-month long ‘Summer is Dubai’ campaign.

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is responsible for this fun-filled season.

“The Festivals and Events industry has become, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the main pillars that contribute towards sustaining a robust tourism sector in any given destination. Since its inception in 1998, DSS is an innovative event that has capitalized on the fast paced prosperity and development of the city of Dubai,” highlighted Laila Mohammed Suhail, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of DTCM.

DSS is not just about the shopping. It’s a celebration of sorts. And, like every year, this year too it will stage some great entertainment and music shows.

The Madinat Theatre, in collaboration with Barnyard Theatre Productions, will host ‘Elvis Forever’, a tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Tickets are priced at Dh195; and will be held June6-8

At the Mall of the Emirates, kids will be treated to the popular ‘Bananas in Pyjamas’ pair’s live performance. Xtreme Festival will also come to town, complete with trampolines, stilt walkers, jugglers and acrobats.

Deira City Centre and Mirdif City Centre will host the lovable Garfield, who will perform his ‘Happy Birthday to Me’ stage show.

Mirdif City Centre will be converted into a jungle circus, with “40 of Africa’s finest acrobats, aerial artists, contortionists, musicians and more performing astounding acts of energy, flexibility and strength”.

During the weekend, Smurfs will head to Playnation for an exclusive show and kids will get a chance to interact with them, while Strawberry Shortcake will make a special appearance at Deira City Centre.

With so many events to choose from, here's our pick from the DSS calendar...

Mega draw

DFRE, will run a mega promotion in collaboration with the Dubai Shopping Malls Group, offering up to Dh5million in prizes. Out of this, up to Dh1million in prizes plus 8 BMW cars will be given to lucky shoppers during DSS. Shoppers spending Dh200 will be entitled to a coupon that will be entered into the draw.

Kids Fashion Week

Dubai Festival City Mall: June 30 – July6
The Mall will host little fashionistas, who will march down the fashion ramps at a special event that will be held across 7 days. An exclusive line of fun, colourful and cool designs, dedicated to children’s couture, will be on display.

Pillow Fight
Dubai Ice Rink – The Dubai Mall: June 19
Here’s your chance to unleash the fighter in your. Turn into a pillow warrior and indulge in a fun fight.

Modhesh World
Dubai World Trade Centre, Halls 1-6: June 20–August28
Home to the cuddly summer mascot Modhesh, the place will be decked up with games, contests, activities and more to cheer the children. From fun rides to pet farms, to pizza-making rooms, to laser battle rooms, every kid would want to be there.

Dubai Rock Fest 2013
Dubai World Trade Centre: June7
Get ready to witness some amazing talents and some incredible rock bands from all over the world. Dark Tranquility from Sweden, French band Nightmare, Tunisia’s Myrath, Epica from Holland and more will be joined by the city’s own heavy metal band, Anuryzm at the DWTC Arena.

Michael McIntyre Live in Dubai
Dubai World Trade Centre: June7-8
British stand-up comedian Michael McIntyre is all set to tickle your funny bone. Go ahead, have a laugh!

Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Madinat Theatre, Souk Madinat Jumeirah: June 13-15
Much like the telly show based on the same name, this too will host four performers, who will create characters, scenes and songs on the spot. If you are a fan of the telly show, then don’t miss this one.

Taal (Live in Concert)
Dubai World Trade Centre: June14
It’s Bollywood in all its glory at DSS, this shopping season. Singers Alka Yagnik and Sukhwinder Singh will croon some of their super-hit melodies.

Under African Skies
Madinat Theatre, Souk Madinat Jumeirah: June 26-29
The pulsating rhythms of Africa will liven up Dubai. The famous production ‘Under African Skies’ will take you on a nostalgic trip through the history of South African music. It will feature hits from the Miriam Makeba along with Paul Simon, The Manhattan Brothers, Mahlantini, Johnny Clegg, Mango Groove and many more South African legends

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