Dubai: The 32nd edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival will kick off on December 4 and run until January 17, 2027, offering a packed agenda of shopping, entertainment, food, culinary experiences, promotions and prizes.
The festival will present its most diverse season, inviting millions of Dubai residents and visitors to enjoy a program packed with events, entertainment experiences, and moments of continuous fun throughout the city.
The Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment is organising the exceptional edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival, which extends over 45 days to continue its brilliance and development, going beyond its traditional concept as a shopping festival, to become today one of the most prominent features of the winter season in Dubai, and a key stop on the city’s annual events calendar.
For generations, the festival has been associated with experiences and traditions that have cemented its place in the minds of residents as well as frequent visitors to the city, including family outings, shopping experiences, concerts, and exploring the city's various destinations.
The extended season of the festival allows events to take place at different stages of Dubai's winter, starting with the opening celebrations and weekends in December, through New Year's Eve, and culminating in a comprehensive program during next January.
The experiences scheduled to be organised again during the current season include etisalat Festival Nights, Hatta x Dubai Shopping Festival, Auto Season Dubai Shopping Festival, and etisalat MOTB (Market Outside The Box), in addition to raffles and interactive activities in shopping malls, various experiences throughout the city, and shopping offers.
New additions include the Etisalat Beach Canteen at Nessnass Beach Jumeirah, which will be a first for the festival. The programme also features a diverse and carefully curated selection of food and beverage options, along with a packed agenda of live entertainment and interactive workshops, offering something for everyone and creating a comprehensive space for creativity and exploration while enjoying delicious cuisine.
Shopping is key
The Dubai Shopping Festival, which will head into next January, includes a packed programme, featuring the etisalat MOTB experiences, and the continuation of the Auto Season Dubai Shopping Festival, and will continue to enhance the atmosphere of excitement and suspense until the end of the festival.
Shopping maintains its importance as a key component of the festival, bringing together leading international and local brands in a wide range of promotions, shopping mall experiences, raffles, and limited-time offers throughout the city.
At the same time, the festival offers residents and visitors a comprehensive range of experiences that embody what Dubai has to offer throughout the season, including entertainment, food, culinary arts, outdoor experiences and motor events.
New season full of exciting experiences
For his part, Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said: “For more than three decades, the Dubai Shopping Festival has evolved alongside Dubai’s renaissance, becoming an essential part of the city’s winter experience for many. Over the years, the festival has been associated in the memories of residents and visitors with exceptional experiences, ranging from shopping and prize-winning opportunities to concerts, as well as events and shows that have attracted global attention.”
He added: “The upcoming edition of the festival represents a new season full of exceptional experiences, through which we are keen to preserve the elements and pillars that have established the event’s position and impressed the public over the past years, in addition to continuing to develop its content and create experiences that meet the evolving interests of residents and visitors. Through this, we seek to maintain the festival’s vitality and enhance its appeal as an integrated cultural and entertainment destination worth visiting every year.”
Al Khaja continued: “We look forward to announcing more details later about what this season’s edition includes in terms of new events, activities and experiences, reflecting our continued commitment to delivering an exceptional edition that meets the aspirations of the festival’s audience.”
Unforgettable moments
Since its inception in 1996, the Dubai Shopping Festival has consistently delivered exceptional moments that have transcended the festival's boundaries, becoming ingrained in the city's collective memory, culture, and everyday conversations. These moments range from appearances by international celebrities and the grand openings of major destinations to record-breaking car shows and public experiences. This passion for providing extraordinary experiences remains a central element of the festival.
Last season, Zabeel Park hosted the Red Bull Tetris World Final in Dubai, where 4,000 drones created the first playable aerial Tetris game. Meanwhile, Etisalat celebrated the festival nights with live music at Festival Bay, and the Hatta x Dubai Shopping Festival event brought the festive atmosphere to the mountains. Auto Season Dubai Shopping Festival continued to enrich Dubai's automotive scene.
Attracting millions of visitors
The last edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival attracted millions of visitors, held more than 100 events, and saw billions of Dirhams spent in the retail sector. Shoppers won prizes worth more than Dh11 million. Alongside these achievements, special traditions and experiences emerged, woven by residents and returning visitors themselves, contributing to consolidating the festival's position as one of the most prominent stops on the city's annual events calendar, and an exceptional celebration that embodies Dubai's journey as a global destination for experiences and celebrations.
The full programme for the 32nd Dubai Shopping Festival will be revealed next month, with further details on the main entertainment events, new experiences, shopping offers, prizes, partnerships, activities and events taking place across the city.