How to Make the Most of Dubai’s Shopping Festival and Deals – A Comprehensive Guide Including Interesting Insights 

Dubai is a dream come true for shopping lovers. Packed with shopping malls, boutiques, and markets, the city is a paradise for those who can never say no to a bit of retail therapy. If you know anything about the Dubai Shopping Festival, you know that there’s no better time for you to visit the city than during the shopping festival. This guide will show you just how to make the most of the shopping festival in Dubai.

Dubai Shopping Festival 

The world-famous Dubai Festival is a month-long event that happens every year. The event is organised by the Dubai Festivals & Retail Establishment. During the festival month, shops and malls all over the city offer excellent discounts. You might even find exciting raffles with prizes like cars and jewellery. If that weren’t enough, there’s also a daily car giveaway! Plus, the festival gives rise to firework displays that erupt all over the city, fun family activities, and live shows. It really is an exciting time when the entire city springs into action.

Teeraza88, Shopping at Dubai Festival City Mall, CC BY-SA 4.0

Where Is It Held? 

It’s an event that takes place all over the city at various locations. Major shopping malls such as The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and Ibn Battuta Mall, as well as souks like Gold Souk and Spice Souk, become part of the festival. Other outdoor areas, public spaces, and tourist attractions offer a host of exciting activities to be enjoyed alongside shopping. Shopping is one of the top things to do in Dubai, which becomes even more evident during the Dubai Shopping Festival. Where should you stay to make the most of the shopping opportunities? Well, anywhere, as it’s a citywide event. Plus, Dubai is home to a bevy of hotels and resorts, including five-star establishments like Avani+ Palm View Dubai, so go ahead and take your pick!

• Tip: Make time for each one of the above-mentioned shopping spots to find a variety of discounts.

History 

It first started in 1996 and took more than a month of preparation for its grand launch. The idea for a shopping festival came from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who wanted to make Dubai a global shopping destination.

When Is It? 

It’s a month-long affair held annually. It usually starts in late December and runs through January. The entire month is a colourful, exciting time with so many fun things to do and see, apart from shopping.

• Tip: Make your vacation in Dubai coincide with the festival month for a memorable experience.

What Can You Find? 

You can find an extensive range of things to take home. Here’s a snippet of what you’ll find:

• Clothes: A fan of designer clothes? The Dubai Shopping Festival is the perfect occasion to find some. All the big industry names like Prada, Verri, Gucci, and Louboutin can be found. You can buy all kinds of leather jackets too.
• Gold jewellery: Gold isn’t something you’d just walk into a store and buy, is it? Well, unless you’re ultra-rich. But during the Dubai Shopping Festival, you don’t need to be ultra-wealthy to buy gold. Gold stores offer a variety of gold items, with all kinds of designs at half their usual price.
• Electronics: The festival is an excellent opportunity to find good electronics at a fraction of their everyday price.
• Watches and perfumes: Branded perfumes and watches can be highly expensive, but not during the Dubai Shopping Festival. You have the chance to buy various brands at discounted prices.
• Food: You can treat yourself to stacks of delicious food during the festival.

Deals and Discounts 

The Dubai Shopping Festival is loved by those who enjoy a good bargain. Stalls, malls, and markets offer unbelievable discounts for shoppers. In fact, most items are discounted by up to 75%! One of the biggest highlights is the raffles, where you have the opportunity to win incredible prizes like cars – you could drive away from the festival in a Lamborghini! The Infiniti Mega Raffle is one of the raffles most looked forward to. There’s also a twelve-hour super sale that happens on the first day of the festival. During this sale, you can find discounts of up to 90%.