Dubai Shopping Festival: Dates, Events & What’s New

Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) will return for its 32nd edition from December 4, 2026, to January 17, 2027, bringing 45 days of shopping promotions, live concerts, entertainment, raffles and family activities across the city. Organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the annual celebration will introduce etisalat Beach Canteen at Sunset Beach as a new addition to its festival programme, alongside returning favourites including DSF Nights, Hatta Wadi Hub, DSF Auto Season and Market Outside The Box (MOTB). The upcoming edition will stretch across Dubai’s winter season, offering residents and tourists a combination of retail experiences, outdoor attractions and entertainment.

Dubai Shopping Festival Announces Dates for Its Winter Edition

The upcoming Dubai Shopping Festival 2026 will begin on Friday, December 4, and continue until Sunday, January 17, 2027, marking an extended celebration that covers the December holiday period, New Year’s Eve and the beginning of the new year. The festival has become an established part of Dubai’s annual events calendar, attracting residents and international visitors with its combination of shopping, entertainment and seasonal experiences.

Since its launch in 1996, Dubai Shopping Festival has evolved from a retail-focused event into a citywide celebration that brings together international brands, local businesses, live performances and family attractions. This year’s programme is expected to offer different experiences throughout the season, encouraging visitors to explore shopping destinations, entertainment venues and outdoor locations across the emirate.

New Beach Canteen Experience Arrives at Sunset Beach

One of the biggest additions to the upcoming festival is the introduction of etisalat Beach Canteen as part of Dubai Shopping Festival for the first time. Taking place at Sunset Beach in Jumeirah from December 10 to 27, 2026, the beachfront attraction will combine dining, entertainment and interactive experiences in a relaxed outdoor environment.

The event will feature a curated selection of food and beverage concepts, including local favourites and international offerings, alongside live performances, creative workshops and family-friendly activities. Designed to bring together food, entertainment and community experiences, Beach Canteen will provide visitors with another destination to explore during Dubai’s cooler winter months.

The addition reflects the festival’s growing emphasis on experiences beyond traditional shopping, with organisers expanding the programme to include culinary attractions and outdoor entertainment that appeal to different age groups.

 

Popular Dubai Shopping Festival Events Return

Several established attractions will return for the new season, offering visitors a mix of entertainment, adventure, shopping and lifestyle experiences. The programme includes etisalat DSF Nights, DSF x Hatta Wadi Hub, DSF Auto Season and etisalat MOTB, each bringing a different dimension to the festival.

DSF Nights and Hatta Wadi Hub

Etisalat DSF Nights will return to Dubai Festival City Mall, bringing live music and entertainment to the waterfront destination. The concert series has become a familiar part of the festival’s entertainment programme, attracting audiences for performances and seasonal celebrations. Further details about participating artists and individual event dates are expected to be announced as the festival approaches.

Meanwhile, DSF x Hatta Wadi Hub will extend the celebrations beyond central Dubai, transforming the mountain destination into a winter attraction featuring outdoor adventures, dining experiences and family activities. The returning concept gives residents and tourists an opportunity to combine the festival atmosphere with Hatta’s natural surroundings and recreational offerings.

Market Outside The Box and DSF Auto Season

Etisalat MOTB, also known as Market Outside The Box, will return during January, continuing its reputation for combining independent retail concepts, food experiences, creative activities and entertainment. The outdoor market has become a popular destination for visitors interested in discovering emerging brands, contemporary lifestyle concepts and experiences beyond conventional shopping malls.

Automotive enthusiasts can also look forward to the return of DSF Auto Season, which celebrates Dubai’s car culture through vehicle-related experiences and entertainment. The programme will continue into January, adding another attraction to the festival’s closing period.

Dubai Shopping Sales, Mall Promotions and Raffles

Shopping will remain a central feature of Dubai Shopping Festival 2026, with international retailers and homegrown brands expected to participate in citywide promotions and limited-time offers. Shopping malls across Dubai will introduce seasonal activities, retail experiences and opportunities for visitors to take part in raffle draws and competitions.

The festival traditionally attracts shoppers looking for special offers across categories including fashion, beauty, electronics, accessories and lifestyle products. However, specific discount percentages, participating retailers and raffle prize details for the upcoming edition have not yet been announced. Organisers are expected to reveal more information about the retail programme before the festival begins.

Beyond shopping, the extended schedule will allow visitors to combine mall activities with dining, entertainment and outdoor experiences, making the festival an important part of Dubai’s winter leisure calendar.

Dubai Shopping Festival Builds on Previous Success

The previous edition attracted millions of visitors and featured more than 100 events, highlighting the festival’s popularity among residents and tourists. Shopping activity generated substantial retail spending, while visitors participated in promotional campaigns, prize draws and entertainment experiences across Dubai.

Among last season’s memorable attractions was the Red Bull Tetris World Final, which featured an extraordinary display of 4,000 synchronised drones creating a playable aerial Tetris experience. Live performances at Festival Bay, activities in Hatta and automotive events also contributed to the citywide programme, demonstrating how the festival has expanded beyond its original shopping-focused format.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, highlighted the festival’s evolution over more than three decades, explaining that the upcoming edition aims to preserve its established traditions while introducing fresh experiences that reflect changing visitor interests.

More Dubai Shopping Festival Events to Be Announced

Although the main dates and several returning attractions have been confirmed, the complete Dubai Shopping Festival programme is expected to be announced in November 2026. Upcoming announcements will provide additional information about headline concerts, entertainment schedules, participating retailers, shopping promotions, raffle opportunities and new activities across the city.

With Dubai Shopping Festival running from December 4, 2026, until January 17, 2027, the extended winter celebration is preparing to bring together shopping, entertainment, culinary experiences and outdoor attractions throughout the emirate. From the debut of Beach Canteen to the return of established festival favourites, the upcoming edition will offer residents and visitors opportunities to experience different sides of Dubai during one of the city’s busiest entertainment seasons.