Dubai Shopping Festival 2025: Everything Tourists Need To Know About The City’s Biggest Celebration Of Shopping, Culture And Entertainment

Published on November 23, 2025

Dubai is preparing an extraordinary winter experience and it has been officially announced that the 31st edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) will be starting on December 5, 2025. Until January 11, 2026, the festival will have the city turn into a place of entertainment for the visitors, where they can carry out fun shopping, enjoy the cultural events, and participate in family-friendly activities. For every night, there will be large-scale discounts at the stores, and the DSF assures that every visitor to Dubai will find something for them there, thereby making the city a must-see place for non-locals.

The Dubai Shopping Festival, organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, will feature 38 days of unforgettable celebrations. The programme includes live concerts, drone shows, fireworks displays, culinary experiences, and numerous retail offers across Dubai’s malls, neighbourhoods, and other venues. As Dubai continues to cement its status as a global winter destination, the DSF aims to blend shopping, culture, and entertainment into a seamless citywide experience that will delight visitors from around the world.

Citywide Entertainment: Highlights of the 2025 DSF

One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s Dubai Shopping Festival is the abundance of entertainment options available to visitors. A standout feature is the nightly drone shows, which will light up the skies above Bluewaters and The Beach at JBR from December 5 to January 11. This year’s drone displays are set to be the largest in the festival’s history, offering an awe-inspiring spectacle for locals and tourists alike.

Dubai Festival City Mall will also host its popular Festival Bay Nights, a two-week celebration filled with concerts, family-friendly entertainment, and live performances. Among the exciting highlights will be the world finals of Red Bull Tetris on December 13, accompanied by a stunning display of 4,000 drones above the iconic Dubai Frame, marking the first of its kind.

For those seeking an immersive experience, the DSF introduces Hatta x Dubai Shopping Festival, an exciting mountain experience taking place in Hatta from December 5 to 31. Featuring candle-lit concerts, Dinner in the Sky, and a Roxy Cinema dome, this initiative is set to bring a blend of adventure and entertainment to the heart of the Hatta region.

Cultural Programming and Family Fun

For tourists visiting Dubai with their families, there is no shortage of activities. One of the festival’s major attractions, The Big Bounce Dubai, will make its return. This enormous inflatable play zone spans 16,000 square metres and includes the world’s largest bounce house, the Big Castle, measuring a staggering 2,325 square metres. Families can expect hours of fun in the world’s largest inflatable playground.

In addition to family-friendly attractions, the DSF will showcase Dubai’s diverse cultural scene. One of the biggest cultural events will be the Auto Season, running throughout January. This 10-day celebration of car culture will bring together more than 12 activities and seven major automotive showcases, with over 5,000 cars from 100 global brands. Car enthusiasts and families alike will be drawn to the wide array of events designed to engage the community.

Major Retail Deals and Luxury Shopping

Of course, shopping remains the heart of the Dubai Shopping Festival, and this year’s edition will offer incredible deals for visitors. Shoppers will enjoy discounts of up to 75 per cent across more than 1,000 brands and 3,500 stores throughout Dubai. Retailers in malls, seasonal destinations, and pop-up shops will offer exclusive promotions to make the festival even more exciting for tourists.

Visitors can also enjoy special retail campaigns, including the DSF Lucky Receipt, citywide flash sales, and scan and win activations. These campaigns, along with luxury retail experiences, will make Dubai a shopper’s paradise this winter.

Dubai’s luxury retail scene will be on full display at exclusive locations such as the Dubai International Financial Centre and City Walk. Emerging designers and international brands will present curated collections that shoppers can’t find anywhere else, providing a unique opportunity for tourists to discover luxury items.

Food, Dining and Culinary Experiences

The Dubai Shopping Festival is not just about shopping and entertainment; it’s also a celebration of food. Dubai’s vibrant culinary scene will take centre stage with expanded outdoor dining concepts, chef-driven pop-up experiences, artisanal food markets, and beachside night markets. Tourists will have the chance to savour dishes from a wide range of cultures, from homegrown Dubai favourites to international cuisine.

In addition to its culinary offerings, the festival will highlight limited-edition pop-up cafés, seasonal food markets, and diverse dining experiences at every turn. As part of the city’s growing reputation as a global food hub, DSF 2025 promises to offer an exceptional culinary experience for both visitors and locals.

What to Expect in January: Car Culture and Fireworks

January will see the return of Dubai’s Auto Season, a must-visit event for anyone with an interest in cars. Over 5,000 cars from 100 global brands will be showcased across various events, exhibitions, and community gatherings. Dubai’s love for car culture will be celebrated with performances, demonstrations, and live shows, drawing car enthusiasts from around the world.

New Year’s Eve will mark another milestone for DSF, with dazzling fireworks displays across Dubai’s most popular destinations, including Bluewaters, JBR, and Al Seef. These displays will bring the year to a spectacular close, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global holiday destination.

Why Dubai Shopping Festival 2025 is a Must for Tourists

For visitors seeking an exciting blend of shopping, culture, and family-friendly entertainment, the Dubai Shopping Festival 2025 is the perfect winter getaway. Whether it’s experiencing world-class entertainment, shopping for luxury brands, or exploring Dubai’s rich culinary landscape, DSF 2025 offers an unforgettable experience for tourists of all ages.

The aerial light displays, the big bounce festival, and the rare activities in Hatta are just a few attractions that Dubai Shopping Festival guarantees for a tourist’s visit full of fun. Besides the huge discounts of 75%, exclusive events, and one full month of entertainment, the DSF will be the most exciting thing to look forward to in Dubai winter. So, it would be a mistake if you do not take the opportunity; note down the dates and get set for the Dubai Shopping Festival 2025!