Dubai Shopping Festival 2025: Best malls, flat 90% discounts and must-see drone shows

Every winter, Dubai transforms into a giant celebration zone, and at the heart of it is the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). Running from December 26, 2025 to February 1, 2026, DSF is organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment and brings together shopping, entertainment, dining and rewards in one seamless experience.

With more than 3,500 stores and over 1,000 international and regional brands participating across malls, high streets and community centres, DSF isn’t just about discounts. It’s about how residents and tourists spend their evenings, weekends and New Year holidays, strolling through brightly lit malls, meeting friends, enjoying live performances and discovering new brands while saving big.

For visitors arriving during the holiday season, DSF often becomes their first real taste of Dubai’s festive spirit.

Mega discounts at Dubai Shopping Festival 2025

For those who love the thrill of a holiday bargain, December 26 is the most important date on the calendar. This marks the return of the 12-Hour Mega Sale, where discounts soar to a staggering 90% across Majid Al Futtaim malls (including Mall of the Emirates and City Centre locations). Running from 10 AM to 10 PM, it’s the perfect time to spend that Christmas cash on premium electronics, high-street fashion, and home luxury.

Even if you miss the 12-hour window, the DSF Sale Season continues through the holidays with over 800 global brands offering 25% to 75% off. For a more traditional festive feel, you can wander through the Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market or Expo City’s Winter City, where giant trees, gingerbread houses, and "snowfall" simulations bring a European Christmas to the heart of the desert.

Shop, win and celebrate

What sets DSF apart from ordinary sale seasons is the chance to win big while shopping.

Through the popular Shop, Scan & Win campaign, customers who spend AED 300 or more at participating outlets can scan their receipts to enter weekly draws. Prizes include five Nissan Patrol SE T2 2026 vehicles, making everyday shopping feel like a game of luck.

Many malls also regularly run their own prize campaigns, offering cash rewards, gift vouchers, and instant-win experiences. These exciting promotions encourage shoppers to explore different venues rather than sticking to just one location.

Combined with live entertainment, festive décor and surprise pop-up events, the shopping experience feels interactive and celebratory, especially during evenings and weekends.

Hans Zimmer and 1,000 drones

The skies above Dubai are getting a major upgrade this Christmas. Starting on December 25, the DSF Drone Show at Bluewaters and The Beach, JBR, transitions to its second theme, "Celebration" For the first time, these 1,000 drones will be synchronized to a powerful soundtrack by legendary composer Hans Zimmer, adding a cinematic feel to the holiday nights.

The shows run nightly at 8 PM and 10 PM, but on December 13 and January 11, keep an eye out for specialized "pyro-drones" and skydivers that will add trails of fire and light to the display. This is a free-to-attend event, making it the top choice for families looking for world-class entertainment without the ticket price.

Plan your visit

To help you navigate the busiest week of the year, here is your quick-reference guide to the top DSF activities. Most outdoor festival events are free to enter, while mall events require no tickets, just your presence.

New Year’s eve fireworks

As the city prepares to ring in 2026, the firework displays reach a fever pitch. While the world watches the Burj Khalifa, DSF offers spectacular alternatives for a more relaxed (and free) experience.

• Souk Al Seef & Marsa Boulevard: Catch nightly fireworks at 8:30 PM, with a grand finale on New Year’s Eve.
• Dubai Festival City Mall: Their "IMAGINE" show, a mix of fire, lasers, and water, will feature special festive editions playing daily, accompanied by fireworks every Saturday night and a massive NYE countdown.
• Hatta: For those looking for a "mountain-chill" vibe, the Hatta x DSF nights feature fireworks at 8 PM on specific dates, surrounded by cozy seating and artisanal food pop-ups.

DSF has grown into one of the world’s most recognised retail festivals because it consistently delivers value while evolving with shopper expectations. It blends traditional retail with modern entertainment, digital participation and lifestyle experiences.

By turning shopping into a shared citywide event, DSF reinforces Dubai’s reputation as a global retail and tourism hub, especially during the New Year season when the city is at its liveliest.