Dubai Shopping Festival 2012

About Dubai Shopping Festival

The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), also known as 'Layali Dubai' in Arabic, is one of the most famous shopping fiestas in the world. Dubai Shopping Festival was first introduced in February 1996 by the Dubai government as a retail event aimed at promoting trade in Dubai. Thereafter, DSF has grown to be an annual shopping, entertainment and cultural extravaganza that attracts millions of people from around the world annually, thereby promoting tourism in Dubai.

The one month long festival, with the slogan 'One Family, One World, One Festival', offers visitors some of the major and best brands in the world at lowest prices ever. Dubai has low import duties and no taxation, and therefore, offers amazing value to the bargain hunter. Even the major brands widely available are less expensive in Dubai, than in their country of origin. During DSF, Dubai becomes the most exciting shopping destination in the world.

More than two to three million visitors participate in the Dubai Shopping Festival every year. DSF offers a range of entertainments including international fashion shows, street-side performances, nightly fireworks, performances by artists, film festivals, musical shows, cultural events, all of which reflect the cosmopolitan character of the emirate. Even the parks in Dubai will be used for various entertainment activities such as mini fun fair, space ship, Dubai Creek Tours, World of Ice, Flower Garden, Remote-control boats, Spiderman Zone, Park Taxis, Flower Garden, helicopter tours, Acrobatics Show and China Town. The streets in Dubai too, wear a colourful look, when they play host to DSF activities.

The Dubai Global Village was originally part of Dubai Shopping Festival, but now, is an event of its own, and is open for several months, in contrast to DSF, which is a one month long event.

Though, DSF began largely as a shopping event, with time, it has also grown to be a great entertainment event. DSF plays a vital role in the tourism sector of Dubai.

DSF 2012

After the grand success of DSF 2011, the 17th edition of Dubai Shopping Festival, DSF 2012, organized by the Dubai Events and Promotion Establishment (DEPE), will be held between 5th January 2012 and 5th February 2012. Atleast 6000 retail outlets and 50 shopping malls are likely to participate in DSF 2012.

Tax-free shopping: The mega event will begin with entertaining street performances and a display of fireworks. Shoppers can begin enjoying the high discounted shopping, and entertaining events organized all through the festival. Shopping in Dubai is largely tax-free, as merchants are permitted to import products from other countries with very little or no custom duties. The shopping malls and retailers will offer up to 75% discount on range of items, including jewellery, watches, electronics, carpets, textiles, perfumes, and handicrafts of major brands.

Attractive Prizes: Apart from the tax-free discounted rates, shoppers can also look forward to an opportunity to win several daily and weekly prizes, organized by participating shopping malls and retailers. The prizes include luxurious LX570 car and Dh.100,000 in cash in the Lexus Mega Raffle. The Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group also announce exciting DSF promotions by offering visitors a chance to win 21kilos of gold worth Dh.4.5mn through raffle draws.

Cultural/Entertainment events: The event, which opens with spectacular firework display, offers a series of colourful cultural programs and entertainment events all through the festival

The Carnival

As always, DSF 2012 will also witness spectacular parade with performances by renowned international artists, apart from shows by acrobats, percussionists, dancers and more. The DSF Carnival is an all-out display by various performers including musicians, jugglers, unicyclists, stilt walkers, all of which render the festive feeling of DSF across Dubai. Visitors get to enjoy live concerts and jazz world performed by some renowned artists.

Dubai Carnivals will be held in different platforms, each with different themes including Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and Russian. Every year at least 300 performers participate in the Carnivals, which will be held every weekend during the month-long DSF.

Dubai Fashion Week

The Dubai Fashion Week will bring together major regional and international players in the fashion industry, thereby enabling local and regional designers and fashion houses to display their collection to global audiences, including fashion professionals, media and general public.

This year, Creations will be organizing fashion shows at the Fashion Catwalk at the Dubai Mall ramp from 10th February to 20th February. The shows will be held at 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm on 10th, 11th, 12th, and 17th, 18th, and 19th February. Models draped in collections designed by leading Dubai-based and Emirati designers and other international designers will walk the ramp. Fashion Bazaar is another major element from Creations, which has been revived with more colours this year.

Global Village

The Global Village is another major attraction during the DSF 2012 for visitors, who get to explore international heritage and cultural diversity. The Global Village is associated with DSF, although it runs longer than DSF. The Global Village is a unique concept of bringing the entire globe under a single roof. As the name indicates, Global Village is a true representation of culture of various countries at a single place. Every country will set up its own pavilion, wherein renowned products in their home countries are displayed. Apart from product sale, Global Village also offers entertainment events, food stalls, children rides, sports activities and lucky draws on daily basis.

Carpet Oasis

Carpet Oasis is a treasure trove of carpets, wherein traders from across the world, offer good value on a range of floor coverings. It will be open during Dubai Shopping Festival 2012, with thousands of unique and exclusive handmade, oriental, and Persian carpets and rugs from across the globe will be displayed, apart from a large collection of antique souvenirs.

Children Show

The Dubai Dolphinarium will be organizing an exclusive show for kids during DSF 2012. There are other events too, to keep the children engaged such as Children of World Olympiad, cartoon and circus shows.

Sound and Light Show

A Sound and Light Show that follows renowned sound and light show in Egypt has been planned.

Desert Camp

The DSF Desert Camp offers adventure activities such as quad bikes, horse riding and camel rides.

Aqua Fantasia

One of the largest aquatic shows, wherein, four pools of 4000 Sqm size, performs a terrific tango of water sprinklings, with brilliant colours and synchronised music to match the ups and downs of the sprouts.

Gourmets

A major attraction of the DSF event every year is the gourmets, wherein visitors get to satisfy their taste buds from delicious cuisines prepared from all corners of the world. Scrumptious cuisines ranging from continental to Chinese, Italian to French, and all special Arabic Delights form part of the gourmet.

The food festival during DSF 2012 will see a gathering of people from diverse backgrounds joining together to enjoy international cuisine, involving celebrity chefs, culinary workshops, live cooking counters, and interactive events and exciting prizes.

Sports

Sports enthusiasts who visit Dubai during DSF 2012 will have the opportunity to participate in a range of sporting events, including Open Tennis Championship, Ice Hockey, Hockey on Synthetic Surface, Football Tournament, Russian Ballet on Ice, Skating and Rowing Championships.

Fairs

The DSF 2012 will also offer a range of special events such as seminars, exhibitions, business conventions, book fairs, and Hope Opera for the handicapped.

Packages

Mercury Travels offers a host of packages  starting at INR 8424/- per person to the DSF 2012 to view them click here