Dubai Shopping Festival: Calendar of the biggest sales in 2017!

• Final preparations are underway to launch the 34-day Dubai shopping festival.

I don't love discounts, said no one ever!

Millions of shoppers and families will enjoy a jam-packed schedule of events at Dubai Shopping Festival when the event's 22nd edition kicks off on December 26. Final preparations are underway to launch the 34-day shopping, winning and entertainment extravaganza, the longest running festival of its kind in the world.

The Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), and the organisers of DSF 2017 revealed its plans to make the world take notice - including fashion shows, exclusive product launches, big names in entertainment, as well as opportunities to win cars, cash and gold.

DSF will also kick off the new Retail Calendar of Dubai, with the festival starting earlier than in previous years to take advantage of the holiday season retail buzz. Run under an exciting slogan - 'Shop. Win. Celebrate' - the festival will end on January 28, making this edition one of the longest in the event's history.Dubai's annual Retail Calendar is developed by DFRE in cooperation with the Department of Economic Development. The calendar contains the full programme of anchor retail activities being conducted and promoted at a city-level including shopping related festivals, promotions and seasonal offer periods, mega-sales and clearance events, exclusive retail experiences and activations.

Also read: Dubai shoppers, here's a list of the biggest sales in 2017

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), said: "Returning for the 22nd edition, the Dubai Shopping Festival is one of the most important on Dubai's annual events calendar that will further enhance Dubai's position as an iconic year-round tourism destination offering unique shopping experiences. DSF is part of our efforts to leverage large-scale events to achieve a bigger goal - that of attracting 20 million visitors to Dubai as envisaged by Dubai's Tourism Vision 2020. This is also a time when the spotlight falls on our solid partnerships in the private sector, whose outstanding support has ensured the continuous success of DSF, contributing to the economic growth of Dubai."

Saeed Mohammad Mesam Al Falasi, Executive Director, Retail and Strategic Alliances, DFRE, said: "We are delighted to announce that Dubai Shopping Festival 2017 is going to be one of our biggest editions to date in terms of exciting offers for shopping, chances of winning great prizes, and spectacular entertainment experiences As the most important fixture in our annual retail calendar, we are expecting millions of shoppers and families to come to Dubai for a DSF that will run for a longer duration of 34 days, and which is set to exceed expectations. Working closely with all our stakeholders, the DSF team has pulled out all the stops to make this annual extravaganza memorable for the whole family, with regular favourites and plenty of new events for everyone to enjoy while offering an even more rewarding retail season for Dubai's diverse business community."

As part of the exciting lineup of activities on the opening day of DSF 2017, one of DFRE's Strategic Partners, Dubai Festival City (DFC), an Al Futtaim Group development, will launch a stunning new waterfront attraction that is set to rival popular waterfront shows in other global destinations worldwide. The DFC launch event will culminate in a spectacular fireworks show celebrating the start of DSF 2017.

DSF 2017 events and activations will be run under three themed retail segments - Apparel & Fashion, Beauty & Perfume and Gold & Jewellery - that reflects the varied shopping experiences in store for residents and visitors, and also the important role played by DSF in Dubai's retail sector.

To make the shopping experience even more rewarding, thousands of retail outlets will be offering discounts of up to 75 per cent on a range of merchandise including apparel and fashion, consumer electronics, watches, perfumes, furniture, home appliances, and much more.

Dubai Shopping Festival 2017: Calendar of events

12-Hour Exclusive New Year Shopping starting 12 pm, January 1 - Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira, City Centre Me'aisem City Centre Al Barsha and City Centre Al Shindagha

A special promotion running on New Year's Day at Majid Al Futtaim Malls across Dubai will ring in the New Year. This exclusive New Year shopping experience will include a private sale from 12pm-12am offering upto 90 per cent discounts at retail outlets. Shoppers can also expect DSF exclusive rewards, promotions and offers for 12 hours, while food and beverage outlets will also have special offers. Visitors will be encouraged to shop to enter a draw for a chance to win Dh50,000 in mall gift vouchers. With every Dh200 spent, shoppers are entitled to one raffle ticket that goes into the draw, which will take place at 12 am at Mall of the Emirates on January 2.

Infiniti Mega Raffle daily draws from December 26 to February 4

The Infiniti Mega Raffle is back at the Dubai Shopping Festival with one lucky shopper winning an Infiniti QX70 plus Dh150,000 in cash every day. Raffle tickets may be purchased for Dh200 from EPPCO and ENOC petrol stations; Al Ghurair Centre; Global Village; Al Fahidi Street; Al Rigga Street; Al Seef Street; Baniyas Road; and the Gold Souk. The daily raffle draw takes place every night at 10pm live on SAMA Dubai TV.

Nissan Grand Raffle December 26 to January 28

One of DSF's great daily raffle draws, the Nissan Grand Raffle, which will take place with a live broadcast at 10 pm on SAMA Dubai TV. The raffle will award one of eight Nissan cars - Micra; Sunny; Sentra; Tiida Hatchback; X-Trail; Juke; Pathfinder; and Patrol to a lucky winner. Earn one raffle ticket upon purchase of non-fuel products worth AED 20at all EPPCO and ENOC petrol stations, as well as Zoom shops in Dubai.

Dubai Gold & Jewellery group promotion December 26 to January 28

The Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group (DGJG) will change the lives of 100 gold and jewellery buyers. DGJG is running a promotion for shoppers spending a minimum Dh500 at participating gold and jewellery outlets in Dubai the chance to win three fabulous gold prizes every day. Each day, one lucky winner will receive 1/2 kilo of gold, while two others will each win 1/4 kilo of gold. On the final day of DSF 2017, one shopper stands to win 1 kilo of gold. In all, there will be 100 winners over the 34 days of DSF, receiving a total of 34 kilos of gold. Customers who purchase gold jewellery worth Dh500 will get one raffle coupon and customers who purchase diamond jewellery, pearls or watches worth Dh500 will receive two raffle coupons to take part in the daily raffle draws to be held in the foyer of the Gold Souk in Deira.

'Happy Shopping, Happy Winnings' promotion December 26 to January 28, Participating malls of Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSMG)

The Community Mall promotion is an opportunity to shop and win Dh1 million in prizes. For every Dh200 spent at a participating mall, customers are entitled to one raffle coupon to win prizes up to Dh600,000 (with Dh100,000 given away every week for four weeks); plus a grand raffle will be held on the last day of DSF wherein three winners get to take home great prizes (Dh50,000, Dh50,000 and Dh100,000). A Scratch and Win portion of the coupon will offer the customer the chance to win instant prizes including gift sets, luxury watches and perfumes.

Dubai Festival City Mall promotion shoppers spending Dh250 at any outlet in Dubai Festival City Mall will have the chance to win a night's stay for four people at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. There will also be a chance to win a grand prize - a 2017 Lexus LX570.

VISA Impossible Deals December 26 to January 28

Every day during DSF, VISA customers will be able to take advantage of incredible, almost impossible deals available for each purchase using a VISA credit card. The deals will be impossibly tempting, typically with 20 per cent to 80 per cent off of electronics, travel, entertainment, luxury goods and cars. VISA's Impossible deals are possible with Careem, Damas, Ahmed Seddiqi, Jumeirah, Bond exhibition and Sharaf DG.

Annual favourites

DSF Fireworks December 29-31; January 5-7; January 12-14; January 19-21; January 26-28

Festivals and fireworks go hand in hand and Dubai has become synonymous with both - each becoming even more spectacular every year. During DSF, the fireworks shows will start at 8pm at various locations in the city.

Market Outside the Box January 19-28, 2017, Burj Park

Taking place next to the pride of Dubai - Burj Khalifa - Market Outside the Box focuses on emerging local and regional designers, and gives them a chance to take centre stage during DSF. Market OTB showcases the emerging artists of jewellery design and accessories, home décor and fashion. More than 100 designers will display their products and promote grass-roots engagement. To make the outing truly exciting for the whole family, the 10-day Market OTB will also offer visitors the opportunity to experience a number of entertainment activities, including live shows and music concerts as well as food trucks and food from favourite local eateries.

Carpet and Art Oasis December 28 - January 15, Sheikh Saeed Halls 1 & 2, Dubai World Trade Centre

One of the longest-running events of DSF, the Carpet and Art Oasis is an exhibition and sale of some of the rarest, largest, and most unique handmade carpets and rugs from around the world. Carpet and Art Oasis will give visitors, carpet and art lovers an extraordinary range to choose from and a glimpse into the culture and history of countries represented at the exposition. Spread across thousands of square metres, the exhibition features carpets that represent the heritage and history of countries renowned for their carpet industries such as Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China Iran and Turkey.

Roaming Artistes December 26 - January 28

DSF 2017 will offer visitors many more events and activities that will further enhance the festival's image as a centre of shopping and entertainment including numerous roaming artistes and musicians who will spread the festive cheer in malls across the city including Gypsy Bigs- a troupe of professional jazz musicians, Car Stilt Walkers, Brimborians, three gliding bubbles, Crybtonia- a musical group with glowing LED costumes, Sparks Fire Dance circus acts, Wood & Wood featuring mime performances, Nutkins, the walkabout squirrels, and much more.

Beauty and perfume themed events

Beauty District January 6-14, The Fashion Catwalk, The Dubai Mall

Retailers will be offering promotions, and launching products while also conducting tutorials on how to achieve that special look at the Beauty District, featuring the region's top beauty influencers. Shoppers can also find great in-store promotions across the city as stores showcase their wide range of beauty products. This year, DSF introduces new innovative products from the Asian market as well as products that are not currently available in the UAE. DSF will also create exclusive beauty boxes with a range of beauty and perfume products endorsed by celebrities.

Apparel and fashion themed events

Fashiontainment January 12-14, Mall of the Emirates

Fashiontainment brings together a fusion of Fashion and Entertainment to create a fashion show with musical performances by an international celebrity. Top designer brands from around the world work as one with a celebrity musical act to showcase the latest fashion styles. Fashiontainment will be the opening act for a series of luxury & mid-luxury fashion shows that will run across two days along with in-store promotions.

Fashion Express January 12-14 - Ibn Battuta Malll; January 19-21 - Dubai Festival City Mall; January 26-28 - City Centre Deira

Fashion Express combines the very popular 'flashmob' with a 'pop up' concept to create an exclusive in-store event that not only entertains customers in the traditional common mall spaces, but also drives shoppers into the stores. Visitors will also have plenty of chances to be part of in-store promotions and to experience product launches taking place.

Street Runways December 29 - 3D Office (Dubai Future Foundation); January 5: THE BEACH; 17 January: Gold Souq; January 25: CITY WALK

A series of fashion shows partnering with high-street brands in specific locations across the city. This event will create a fashion show that features landmarks as a canvas to showcase the next fashion styles, using four key locations as the backdrop. Each fashion show will complement the area with the designs and fashion that the models will be wearing.

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