It’s the one annual event that has Abu Dhabi’s shopping fanatics reaching for their gold cards and bombing up the E11 highway to Dubai’s sprawling malls. More than 40 million people have bagged bargains at Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) throughout the 15 years it’s been running – that’s about the same amount of people as the entire population of Argentina. There have also been 40 Guinness World Records broken under its patronage since its inception – things such as the world’s largest paperclip at two metres high and the world’s largest chopsticks at 6.7 metres high.
Even more impressive than mammoth utensils is the fact that Dhs84 billion has been spent in the shops during DSF and Dhs1.35 billion worth of prizes have been given away to shoppers. This year it runs from January 20-February 20 and promises to be epic, with more than 60 Lexus and Nissans to give away, 32 days of bargains at 50 landmark shopping malls, fireworks every night and 150 spin-off events. In other words, it’s going to be huge.
The low-down
Where shall I start?
This Thursday night (January 20) sees the grand opening ceremony at Burj Khalifa Boulevard, where a ‘spectacular’ – a vague but promising description – is sure to impress. If you want to stay on the other side of the Creek, Dubai Creek Park will light up with fireworks as part of the opening ceremony. In fact, fireworks will be a regular occurrence, with the Seef area of Creek Park lighting up at 8.30pm every night of the 32-day festival.
Who’s coming?
This DSF sees loads of fantastic international stars hitting the city – on Friday February 10 N.E.R.D and über cool frontman Pharell Williams will be at Dubai Festival Centre (from Dhs250; www.timeouttickets.com) and on February 11 the troubled yet undeniably talented songstress Amy Winehouse will be playing the venue (from Dhs300; www.timeouttickets.com).
The wonderful venue, Burj Khalifa Steps, will see various stars from the Arabic musical scene play. On January 28 there’ll be Fais Karam and Shireen Abdulwahhab, on February 3 Tamer Housni, on February 10 Rabeh Saker, on February 11 Wael Kfoury and Ellisa and on February 18 Fadel Shaker and Haifa Wehbe. (Exact pricing for these concerts TBC, keep checking www.mydsf.ae for more information.) Bollywood stars will also be making an appearance with Sunidhi Chauhan and rockstar KK promising a family-friendly ‘four-hour non-stop mega Bollywood musical spectacular’ – phew – on January 28 at the Madinat Arena. (Tickets from Dhs150-Dhs500; www.timeouttickets.com.) For those of you after a more chilled out event, the company behind DSF is holding the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival from January 20-January 28, and it will host Macy Gray, Jools Holland, Train and Alison Moyet at Dubai Media City amphitheatre. Visit www.dubaijazzfest.com for more info.
What can I win?
Cars, and lots of them Every day of the 32-day festival will see a Lexus LX570 being given away – the lucky winner of each car will also walk away with Dhs100,000 in cash. Raffle tickets are Dhs200 and can be picked up at Enoc and Eppco stations as well as Global Village. Also on offer are 32 Nissans – from the Patrol to the Armada – for people who spend up at Enoc and Eppco stations.
Gold and diamonds
The mammoth organisation Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group (the authority on bling in the city) is giving away 21 kilos of gold as well as diamonds, pearls and watch prizes worth a total of Dhs3 million. All you need to do to win the gold – which is being distributed in half kilo lots every day, as well as one bumper prize of five kilos – is spend Dhs500 at any participating retailer. For the jewels you
have to cough up more – Dhs1,000 on diamonds, pearls or watches. Check out www.dubaicityofgold.com for more info.
Shopping sprees
Spend over Dhs300 across Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Centre and Mirdif City Centre and go into the draw to win a weekly prize of a Dhs300,000 shopping spree. Ahh, the things we could do with that much money…
Where can I stay?
Should you fancy stretching your shopping trip over a few days, the hotels have come up with plenty of deals this month – here’s our pick of the best.
Jumeirah Emirates Towers Weekenders Package
Stay on Thursday, Friday or Saturday and get a buffet breakfast for two, a Dhs200 gift voucher for the hotel’s high-end shopping area and a 30 per cent discount on the hotel’s F&B outlets. Dhs975 per room; 04 330 0000.
Holiday Inn Express
Stay at this hotel chain’s spot near Safa Park for only Dhs300, or the Internet City branch for Dhs350. Prices include breakfast; 04 427 5555.
The desert experience
Stay at the Shangri-La in Sheikh Zayed Road, known for its great spa and restaurants, and get a free voucher for a massage or desert safari. Dhs1,150 for a single, Dhs1,450 for a double; 04 343 8888.
