The Dubai Shopping Festival is back for its landmark 30th anniversary edition — and this year's celebration is the biggest in the event's history. Running from Friday, December 6, 2024 to Sunday, January 12, 2025, DSF delivers a full 38 days of shopping deals, world-class concerts, fireworks, drone shows, and pop-up dining experiences spread across the city.
What Is the Dubai Shopping Festival?
DSF launched in 1996 and has grown into one of the world's oldest and longest-running retail festivals, drawing millions of residents and tourists every year. Organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the 30th edition promises "iconic and only in Dubai" citywide events befitting this major milestone anniversary.
Concerts and Live Entertainment
The headline act confirmed for DSF 2024–2025 is Ricky Martin, the Latino pop superstar who performed on December 14 at the Coca-Cola Arena. The rock band 30 Seconds to Mars also took the Coca-Cola Arena stage on December 12, while Lionel Richie joined the A-list concert lineup during the festival run.
The beloved 321 Festival returns, staging three of the biggest names in Arabic music on one stage — in partnership with Dubai TV, the format featured star-studded judges including Ragheb Alama, Rahma Riad, and Fayez AlSaeed performing at Dubai Festival City Mall.
For free entertainment, DSF Nights at Dubai Festival City Mall launched for the first time this season, offering free-to-attend Saturday night concerts featuring Shamma Hamdan, Diana Haddad, Yara, Hams Fikri, and Ibrahim Al-Sultan throughout the festival period.
Fireworks and Drone Shows
Nightly fireworks at Dubai Festival City Mall light up the sky every evening at 9:15 pm, while Hatta hosts firework displays every Friday and Saturday at 8 pm.
A standout feature of the 30th anniversary is the free twice-daily drone show featuring an astounding 1,000 drones, with performances at 8 pm and 10 pm each night. The first theme — running December 6 to 26 — pays tribute to DSF's 30-year heritage, while the second theme, from December 27 to January 12, celebrates Dubai's blend of tradition and modernity.
Shopping Deals and Pop-Up Experiences
Thousands of promotions are available from over 1,000 international and local stores throughout the festival. Outdoor pop-up destinations Market Outside The Box and Canteen X return for the season, giving visitors community-driven retail concepts alongside impromptu dining experiences.
Grand raffles with mega cash prizes also run throughout DSF, adding another layer of excitement for shoppers.
Key Dates
Dubai Shopping Festival 30th Anniversary December 6, 2024 – January 12, 2025
For the full event schedule and visitor information, visit visitdubai.com.
