Dubai Shopping Festival’s (DSF) exciting and eclectic markets have proven to be a major highlight of this latest edition of the world’s biggest and best retail celebration, as families and shoppers enjoyed great retail experiences.

With markets still attracting families and friends to diverse locations across Dubai, residents and visitors can make the most of the new year and the wonderful winter season by enjoying great alfresco shopping trips for unique and must-have items as well as foodie treats and much more.

Created as an Enchanted Garden inspired by the classic children’s story ‘Alice in Wonderland’, the Dubai Shopping Festival Market at Al Khawaneejhas been wowing families since 17 December with its mix of live performances and interactive fun with youngsters able to meet Alice and other characters as well as take part in great arts and crafts activities. Children and parents were invited to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and the Queen of Heart’s Royal Court, take part in daily Alice in Wonderland-themed game shows, find their way out of a three-storey maze, visit the Enchanted Storytelling Tree and launch a boat on the Wishing Lake. An Enchanted Garden multi-media show will also be held this weekend, from 7-9 January, with shows every hour from 8pm to 12am. The market will run until 30 January.

Located on the banks of the Dubai Creek in the city’s most historic neighbourhood, the Dubai Shopping Festival Market at Al Seef Presented by Al Foah combines Emirati cultural shows with roaming street entertainment, live shows and fascinating weekly themes based around Chocolate and Art, Kites and Bubbles, Coffee and Dates, with the final theme, Waterfront Week, set to celebrate the beauty of the Creek with amazing Dragon Boat races and more. During the month-long market, which ends on 30 January, the area’s heritage buildings are illuminated with art projections and families wowed by giant stilt walkers, fire breathers, traditional Emirati dancers, live musicians and even chainsaw wielding ice sculptors.

Running until 30 January, the Dubai Shopping Festival’s Community Markets in Al Rigga, Hatta Wadi Hub and Al Muraqabat will welcome community members from across the emirate of Dubai to enjoy a huge range of activities, food options, games and lots of family entertainment. Set amongst the dramatic mountain scenery of Hatta, this weekend the Hatta Wadi Hub market will host daily performances by live musicians, stilt walkers, jugglers and also great movie nights,  with screenings of popular films Going to Heaven, The Lego Movie and Smallfoot held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday respectively from 7.30pm onwards. There’s also stalls selling local food, homewares and other items. A screening of the animation series of Noor and Hayat Adventures, two fun children’s characters who resemble electricity and water and who spread awareness about conservation, will be shown on 15 January at 4pm and 5pm. Located in the buzzing city streets of Deira, the Al Rigga, andAl Muraqabat markets are a focal point for residents and visitors to experience amazing shopping and culinary flavours including homegrown dishes and foods from around the world as well as specially curated events such as sporting contests, live music, movie nights and more. Al Rigga hosts sporting tournaments with members of the community and local teams able to compete in football, basketball and crossfit competitions and more, with football competitions being played this weekend from 6pm to 10pm. This weekend will also see the Tanura show performed at the Al Muraqabat market from 7-9 January at 6pm, 8pm, 9pm and 10pm.

Each of the Dubai Shopping Festival Markets is held in accordance with all of the important health and safety rules including temperature checks, social distancing and masks worn at all times.

For more information, please visit @dsfsocial or @dsf_markets on social media channels and www.mydsf.ae.