Hey! Do you know what my extravagant celebration was during the last Christmas in Dubai? Yes, you have guessed it rightly for a shopaholic like me. Shopping! However, it was not just a shopaholic’s wandering about from door to door of vibrant shops in this shopper’s paradise. I went to the famous Dubai shopping festival! So Dubai was a connoisseur’s heaven with an unforgettable awe-inspiring entertainment season for all. It was the 23rd edition of Dubai Shopping Festival this year for a month duration which started on December 26 until Saturday, January 27, 2018.
Every year Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) organize this city-wide festival. However, the super sale begins 12 hours before the kick start of the actual festival. If you are a bargain hunter, you can take full advantage with huge discounts during these short hours. This could be up to 90 percent discount at some of the famous biggest malls here. Can you believe it? Some of these participating malls include City Centre Deira, Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif. Furthermore, if you spend Dhs300, you have a chance to win a cash prize of Dhs50,000.
It is a never seen shopping and sizzling festival in the whole Middle East with a full bouquet of entertainment activities and festivities. The festival is not only for the shoppers, and it is a family’s glee and a fancy paradise for children too. Fireworks, live performance, juggler’s work, magic show, celebrity performances, flash mobs, heart touching raffle draw and many more activities will mesmerize you. I just found a new set of lively and vibrant waves of happiness in this desert city during the festival period which simply has blown away my heart.
Do you know the most amazing part of this grand Dubai festival? It is not restricted to the malls, rthe local hideouts and flea markets also join in this festival across the locations. Global Village, Dubai Mall, Al Seef Street, Mall of the Emirates, Dragon Mart Mercato are just some of the places where you can find the best local shopping during the festival.
Whatever your shopping desire, you can find it with a big discount too. Can you believe sometimes you get a whopping 75% off big brands? Well, what are these big brands. It is a very long list so where do you start? However, I will not keep you in the dark. Some of the popular ones are like Accessorize, Bossini, Bottega Verde, Call It Spring, Garage, Giordano, Juicy Couture, Karen Millen, Kazar, Kipling, Koton, Love Moschino, Milano, Monsoon, Optx Twenty Twenty, Oshkosh B’gosh, Pablosky, Splash, Superdry, T.M.Lewin, The Children’s Place.
You can watch how shoppers get overwhelmed buying apparels, perfumes, cosmetics, leather bags, decorative items, dry fruits. However, the most striking and lucrative deal may be gold jewelry, watches, and gadgets.
Did you know that Dubai gold jewellery is something very famous around the world for its purity and intricate design? Moreover, it is cheaper compared to shops around the world. Dubai is for you if you are a gold jewellery lover from contemporary to modern design.
The festival and Dubai itself is a gadget paradise. Know why? It is a land of 0% tax and if you buy any brands here like Apple, Sony, Bose, Acer or Fujitsu you will get those at duty free prices.
Most interestingly, Dubai Festival is a time when you can spoil yourself, maybe it was once beyond your thoughts. I never imagine of a diamond-studded watch, but when I saw branded diamond watches heavily discounted it simply awed me! I thought I must buy one of them from the collections of Rado, Cartier, ICW, Burberry or Michael Kors.
However, as a shopper it is easy to lose control. So, be mindful and follow some tips to make it a successful shopping adventure. First and foremost do prior researches before you start. Stay updated on the latest offers and deals. You will find many websites who will freely update you on such offers. Finally, once you are all set, go early to grab the best offer of the day! Moreover, you can purchase a Dubai Festival Pass for cash free entry in attractions and restaurants with amazing deals on discounts.
There are many shades to the Dubai festival. As I said, there are plenty of things to do other than shopping here. No matter what the age group is. There is something for everyone. For kids, naturally, shopping may boring. Well, you can easily keep them occupied and happy with cartoon characters like Pokémon, Casper or Tarzan! You can find them roaming around the city during the festival. Even magic is something which astonishes every child, isn’t it?
Oh! I forgot to mention another important event during the festival – Dubai Fashion Week. I must say it is a must see. What a novelty is the experience ‘fashion on ice’ in Dubai Mall. It is undoubtedly a stunning view of its famous skating rink.
Another spellbinding experience I had was the festival’s eye-catching and colorful fireworks display which happens every Thursday and Friday during the festival. If you want to witness the mesmerizing dance of lights closely, I would suggest trying to get into The Beach, La Mer, Al Seef and Global village. The Al Seef fireworks display starts 8.30pm, the La Mer fireworks at 9pm and those at The Beach kick off at 9.30pm.
Overall it is a panoramic experience indeed and visitors around the world rush to the Dubai Shopping festival every year. Now if you ask for my opinion as a shopaholic, no doubt it was a winning experience for me. If you are a traveller, who wants to see Dubai in its full glory, of course, it is the best time to visit Dubai. However, for someone who wants peaceful shopping, they may find it crowded during the festival time. Still, Dubai Shopping Festival is a once in a lifetime must see . So, maybe next year!