Art exhibits created by local Emirati artists, Trolls’ Middle East debut and the first-ever flyboard show on the creek, make up just three of the many reasons to celebrate the 25^th Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) extravaganza at Al Seef this year.

Al Seef has been named the strategic partner of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) for the milestone DSF anniversary, with its 1.8-kilometre promenade transformed into the festival’s culture hub, where visitors can take a stroll through the bustling waterfront destination to experience a plethora of activities across 25 city-inspired stops until 1 February.

Fireworks Weekends

Watch the sky over Al Seef light up with spectacular fireworks every weekend until 1 February.

Entertainment and Stage Shows

Throughout the month-long festival, enjoy more than 1,000 energy-packed music, dance and theatre performances from around the world at the Main Events Arena, the Jalassat Stage and the Heritage 1 and 2 Stages. From 7 to 13 January, join Trolls from DreamWorks’ popular franchise on their Meraas Tour. Children can catch up with Poppy and her friends on their mission to bring joy through fun meet-and-greet sessions, live music shows and lively parades.

Over the weekends, don’t miss out on the roaming entertainment that ranges from vibrant circus parades, Emirati folkloric performances, including a re-enactment of a traditional wedding, and a gravity-defying flyboard show that will take place for the first time ever at the Creek from 9 to 11 January. Marvel at the spectacular dives, flips and swirls performed by flyboard riders as they leap 15 metres above the water, perfectly timed to upbeat music and lights.

Popular TV channel Sama Dubai TV is broadcasting its Breakfast Show every day while Dubai TV announces the winners of the DSF daily raffle every evening live from Al Seef, accompanied by an entertainment programme that includes live music, global dance acts and talk shows.

Art at Al Seef

Discover the story of Dubai’s past through various glimpses of artistic expression displayed along the waterfront promenade during the festival. Every day between 6pm and 10pm, admire the colourful light projection show on the walls of Al Seef, created by Dina Sami, well-known for her artful storytelling and experimentation.

Capture ‘gram-worthy pictures across 10 ‘Dubai Moments’. Brought to you by Ali Kaveh and May Ali, the unique city-inspired photo opportunities are bound to make every Dubai resident smile nostalgically. Among the highlights are themes of the iconic Clock Tower, neon-styled Dubai nights, handcrafted pearls, tributes to the historic art of weaving and traditional ‘baqala’ grocery stores.

Stroll through the bustling market, where you can find three unique art exhibits by popular Emirati artists. Stop by ‘The Creek of Excitement’, designed by Emirati visual artist of determination Abdulla Lutfi, who interprets everyday life in the UAE in immaculate detail with a distinct sense of humour. Visit the ‘Alphabet of Life’ and ‘The Palm Dome’ art exhibits, created by Emirati industrial designer Azza Al Qubaisi using dynamic mild steel that draws inspiration from the palm tree, an endearing symbol of the UAE.

See Dubai through the lens of acclaimed Emirati photographer Omran Alansari, winner of the prestigious Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA), as he showcases the city with his inimitable sense of grandeur and artistic skill in his photo gallery.

Cultural Experiences

Show your support for local businesses at the SME Retail pop-up that boasts a curated collection of brand-new ventures. Relive your childhood memories as you visit the Anime & Arcade pop-up, where you can pick up collectibles of Grendizer, Captain Majid and Sasuke, or play some of the most popular arcade games of the last two decades, including Pegasus and Street Fighter.

And if you’re looking for a quiet evening of exploration, simply browse through an expansive collection of stories from the UAE’s past and present at the Historical Library pop-up.

Sit back in a cool and authentic areesh-inspired setting and learn a variety of heritage activities – from pearl craftsmanship and calligraphy to fishnet weaving and traditional dances – at the many workshops hosted every day in the Heritage Area. Shop at the Emirati Artisans’ Souq to check out an exquisite collection of all things traditional – a definite must-visit if you’re looking for that perfect souvenir from Al Seef.

Kids’ Entertainment

Take your kids to a unique playground inspired by the Arabian Gulf with blue play sand and marine life-themed play zones. Or, let them enjoy prancing around at the multiple bouncy castles. What’s more, if you are a parent keen to blend learning and entertainment, pique their interest in the UAE’s heritage at themed arts and crafts workshops.

Spend and Win

Spend AED200 at Al Seef or any of the other Meraas destinations, and be one of the 25 daily winners of AED1,000. The number of winners will double to 50 on the last two days of DSF. And if you’re feeling extra lucky, buy a ticket for the INFINITI Mega Raffle that offers you the chance to drive away in an INFINITI QX50 car or take home AED200,000 every day this DSF.

DSF Activity Schedule: 

Activity	Date	Time	Location
Dubai TV Live Broadcast	26 Dec – 1 Feb	8pm-11pm	Dubai TV Stage, Main Events Arena
Sama Dubai TV Morning Show	26 Dec – 1 Feb	8am-10am	Dubai TV Stage, Main Events Arena
DSF Daily Raffle Draw	26 Dec – 1 Feb	10:30pm	Dubai TV Stage, Main Events Arena
Fireworks	9, 10, 16, 17, 23 24, 30 & 31 Jan & 1 Feb	10:30pm	Creekside
Light Projection Show	26 Dec – 1 Feb	6pm-10pm	Heritage Area
Trolls Show (stage show + kids’ workshop + meet-and- greet)	7-13 Jan	4pm-10pm	Dhow Deck
Trolls  Parade	7-13 Jan	4pm-10pm	Across the destination
Main Stage Entertainment	26 Dec – 1 Feb	Thu-Sat: 4pm-8pm Sun-Wed: 6-8pm	Main Events Arena
Jalassat Stage Entertainment	26 Dec – 1 Feb	4-10pm	Dhow Deck area
Heritage Stage 1 – Entertainment from Around the World	26 Dec – 1 Feb	Thu to Sat: Noon to 10pm Sun to Wed: 3pm-10pm	Museum of Illusions area
Heritage Stage 2 – Entertainment from Around the World	26 Dec – 1 Feb	4pm-10pm	Dunkin Donuts area
Emirati Wedding Re-enactment	Every Friday	4pm -10pm	Heritage Souq
Emirati Folklore/Cultural Performances	Weekends	4pm -10pm	Heritage Souq
Flyboard Show	9 -11 Jan	4pm -10pm	On the Creek
Art & Crafts Workshops – Kids and Adults	26 Dec – 1 Feb	Thu to Sat: Noon to 10pm Sun to Wed: 3pm-10pm	Heritage Area
Dubai Moments
Anime & Arcade Pop-up
Historical Library Pop-up
SME Retail Pop-up
Art Installations by Azza Al Qubaisi
Art Installation by Abdulla Lutfi
Photo Gallery by Omran Alansari
Emirati Artisans’ Souq
Kids’ Playground