Dubai Shopping Festival returns for 45-day celebration

Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) will return for its 32nd edition on December 4, kicking off 45 days of entertainment, shopping, dining and family experiences.

Running until January 17, 2027, DSF will feature events and activities at destinations across Dubai, from the shores of JBR to the scenic mountains of Hatta.

The opening weekend will include a series of live performances, with regional singer Rashid Al Majed taking the stage at Coca-Cola Arena on December 4, followed by international DJ Steve Aoki on December 5.

Organisers say the wider programme will include waterfront light shows, family activities and other citywide celebrations.

Shopping will remain a major part of the festival, with retail promotions and opportunities to win prizes planned at participating malls and destinations. Further details are due to be announced.

Organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, DSF has grown from its retail origins into one of Dubai's biggest annual winter events.

"Over the years, DSF has become part of what makes winter in Dubai special, bringing people together through shared experiences and memorable moments across the city. This year, we are building on that legacy with new entertainment, shopping and family experiences that reflect the diversity of what Dubai has to offer," said Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of DFRE.

The 32nd edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival returns from 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027. The 45-day celebration will bring Dubai together for a season of entertainment, spectacular live events, great shopping and memorable experiences for everyone.… pic.twitter.com/JmiInCztZ3

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 10, 2026

Waterfront entertainment

The DSF Light Show returns with a new multimedia experience that is set to redefine waterfront entertainment.

This year's edition promises to transform the bay between The Beach JBR and Bluewaters Island into an open-air multimedia stage, combining animations, dynamic lighting, lasers, architectural laser mapping and immersive sound.

From 7:30pm to 10:30pm starting on Saturday, 5 December and ending on Sunday, 17 January, audiences will experience an evolving world of light, movement and mesmerising visuals, with a series of visual effects unfolding throughout the evening.

The DSF Light Show will see a nightly programme of architectural laser mapping, two stunning drone shows accompanied by music every night and a music-commanded laser show.

Laser installations along the JBR beachfront and Bluewaters promenade will illuminate the night sky, while a floating installation featuring state-of-the-art searchlights and lasers will take centre stage in the heart of the bay.

Large-scale architectural laser mapping across selected JBR towers will also further elevate the spectacle, creating a visual experience unlike anything seen before in the city.

Designed to be enjoyed from both sides of the bay, the show will offer distinct perspectives from the Beach JBR and Bluewaters, turning the waterfront into a vibrant entertainment destination.

Candlelight concert on Eid Al Etihad

Ahead of DSF’s official opening, a candlelight concert at DSF x Hatta Wadi Hub on December 2, 2026 will mark Eid Al Etihad with a khaleeji-themed musical performance set against the stunning backdrop of the Hatta mountains.

This free-to-attend magical outdoor experience will bring audiences together for an evening of music under the stars, celebrating Eid Al Etihad in Hatta's distinctive mountain setting.