Residents and visitors can enjoy another super Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) weekend packed with the very best shopping deals, family fun and more. The 24^th edition of the retail and entertainment festival will keep up the surprises and delight visitors to the city’s famous venues from 5 to 7 August.

Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), DSS showcases Dubai as a fun, open, welcoming and safe destination, with all of the participating venues, stores and malls following the important health and safety procedures, including social distancing and the wearing of masks at all times.

Here DFRE outlines some of the best activities, deals, sales, events, activations and more taking place across the city this weekend:

LIVE SHOWS

The Theatre by QE2, located on the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise liner in Port Rashid, will host a performance of the play Love Beyond the Sea on 6 August. A magical and romantic story filled with great live music and songs, the show is a must for theatre lovers. Tickets, starting from AED99, can be purchased from visitdubai.com

Ideal for fright fans and lovers of classic horror flicks, The Junction Theatre in Alserkal Avenue will welcome to the stage a performance of the play Scary Bad from 5 to 7 August. Inspired by cult slasher and monster films, the show makes fun of the traditions and well-worn scenes from some of the best-loved and most popular scary movies. Tickets are available from bookmyshow.com and visitdubai.com.

RETAIL PROMOTIONS & RAFFLES

This weekend four Emirates Skywards Members will each win 250,000 Skywards Miles as part of the Skywards Everyday 1 Million Miles Prize Draw.Taking place until 7 August, the promotion will give away a total of 1 Million Miles, with members earning one tier mile for every AED5 spent on everyday essentials. For every 10 tier miles earned and AED50 spent, members will be automatically

entered into the prize draw. The promotion is open to new and existing Emirates Skywards members and is valid on spends at 300+ partner venues and 1,500+ outlets including luxury shopping, fine and casual dining, beauty and wellness and much more.

Mercato and Town Centre Jumeirah malls will host an exciting DSS Shop & Win promotion this weekend as well as a variety of fun events and activities for visitors to enjoy. Mall customers will be able to take advantage of fantastic sales up to 75 per cent off at most retail outlets, plus with every spend of AED200 shoppers will have a chance to win AED10,000 in cash every week.  Mercato will also feature live entertainment, with Italian, African and Hungarian circus shows offering a mix of acrobatics, juggling and illusion acts.

The ultimate incentive to visit Pan Emirates stores across Dubai, the Shop & Win Your Dream Home promotion will give away a brand-new and fully furnished flat in Al Habtoor City. The mega prize, worth AED1.1 million, will be won by customers shopping for savings of up to 70 per cent at Pan Emirates branches until 31 August.

The Summer Resort promotion will thrill visitors to The Dubai Mall ​and Dubai Marina Mall this weekend and until 17 August. Shoppers who spend AED250 or more at either mall and take their receipts to the specially created Summer Resort stand will be invited to pick out an envelope containing prizes including Skywards Miles (The Dubai Mall only), U By Emaar Points (Dubai Marina Mall only), Emaar Gift Cards, staycations and much more.​

The epic summer-long DSS Summer Sale continues this weekend with 500 brands and 3,500 outlets serving up savings of 25-75 per cent. Participating stores include fashion brands RVCA, Massimo Dutti, Twin Set and Koton plus homeware stores Jysk, IwanMaktabi Carpet and Mood. Eyewear outlets Al Amin Optical, Al Jaber Optical and Crystal Vision will host super offers along with footwear brands Coach, Fitflop and Kurt Geiger plus many more brands.

Held until the end of DSS on 4 September, the DSS SHARE Millionaire promotion will give shoppers who spend AED300 or more at Majid Al Futtaim malls including Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira and City Centre Me’aisem an opportunity to become a weekly winner of one million SHARE points. To enter, customers can either use their SHARE wallet or scan their shopping receipts using the app. There will be nine winners in total announced during DSS, with remaining weekly prize draws taking place on 8, 15, 22 & 29 August and finally on 7 September.

The super DSS Save More When You Shop More with 1915 By Seddiqi& Sons promotion gives shoppers who buy any one watch or accessory 25 per cent off, with savings rising to 30 per cent if two watches or accessories are purchased and 35 per cent off for three watches or accessories. Two customers will also win AED5,000 in gift vouchers weekly, with four winners announced during the final week of DSS.  A total of AED100,000 will be given away. Participating stores include 1915 By Seddiqi& Sons at BurJuman and Dubai Marina Mall, Seddiqi& Sons at The Dubai Mall and City Centre Mirdif, Guess Watches Boutique at Mall of the Emirates, Guess Watches & GC at City Centre Deira and Guess Boutique at BurJuman.

The City of Gold promotion by Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group’s (DGJG) offers shoppers three ways to buy jewellery and win a share of AED10,000 in gift vouchers. Offer One includes up to 50 per cent off making charges on select jewellery collections, while Offer Two has 75 per cent off selected diamond jewellery, pearls and watches. Offer Three provides shoppers with free gifts for every purchase of jewellery valued over a specific amount. Customers who spend more than AED500 on gold or jewellery are entered into a draw to win AED10,000 in vouchers. Fifteen winners will be announced up to 10 August.

This weekend is the last chance for shoppers to win big with the Modesh Daily Jackpot. Until 7 August customers at Ibn Battuta Mall and Nakheel Mall can have an opportunity to bag AED10,000. Residents and visitors who spend a minimum of AED200 can scan their receipts at the Customer Service Desk to enter the daily prize draw.

The great DSS Shop & Win promotion will see lucky shoppers drive off in Infiniti Q50 cars. Customers who spend AED200 at participating malls during DSS are entered into a digital raffle, with prize draws to be held on 6 & 14 August. Participating malls include: Al Bustan Centre, Al Ghurair Centre, Al Warqa City Mall, Al Khail Gate Community, BurJuman, Binsougat Centre, Bay Avenue, Dubai Outlet Mall, Mudon Community, Oasis Mall, Shurooq Community Centre, Reef Mall,

Times Square Centre, Union Cooperative Al Quoz, Wasl Vita, Dar Wasl, Wasl 51, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Crown Mall and Central Mall.

DSS shoppers have more ways to win a brand-new car with the DSS Mercedes Mega Raffle. Customers who buy a special AED150 coupon at ENOC and EPCO petrol stations, ZOOM stores and stands in malls and other venues will have a chance of landing a 2021 Mercedes C200 and AED25,000. The raffle, which runs until 25 September, is also available online at www.idealz.com.

Residents and visitors who are feeling lucky, hungry, or both will love the DSS Dine & Win promotion. Until 4 September, foodies and families who spend AED100 at Dine & Win eateries will be entered into a raffle to win ZOMATO membership and RAK Bank gift cards loaded with AED200. Participating venues can be found at the Al Bustan Centre, Al Ghurair Centre, Al Warqa City Mall, Al Khail Gate Community, BurJuman, Binsougat Centre, Bay Avenue, Dubai Outlet Mall, Mudon Community, Oasis Mall and Shurooq Community Centre. Diners and families can also visit venues at Reef Mall, Times Square Centre, Union Cooperative Al Quoz, Wasl Vita, Dar Wasl, Wasl 51 and Souk Madinat Jumeirah.

FAMILY EVENTS

A major attraction for families with energetic little ones, the CocoMelon Show at Mall of the Emirates guarantees smiles, fun and much more each day. Held in the region for the first time, the show is inspired by the colourful online world of CocoMelon, with kids and adults able to enjoy edutainment activities plus a chance to play, learn and sing at the CocoMelon Farm, Kitchen, Bus, Playground and Classroom. Visitors to the CocoMelon activation at Central Galleria at Mall of the Emirates can also enjoy a super photo opportunity with CocoMelon’s main character, Baby JJ. To enter the CocoMelon kids’ activities area, shoppers need to spend just AED300 or more and activate the CocoMelon offer on their SHARE App. Once they have scanned their receipts on the app the fun will begin. The CocoMelon show will be held at Mall of the Emirates until 7 August. Timings are 10am to 10pm.

The Splash Fest promotion will offer families a great weekend of fun with super deals at some of the city’s best waterparks. From 4 August to 4 September, access to the Splash ’n’ Party attraction at La Mer Central for one hour is priced at just AED50 for kids aged four to 10 years. Enjoy unlimited access to Laguna Waterpark with four tickets available for the price of three until 4 September. LEGOLAND Water Park’s Splash Fest offer includes 20 per cent off the price of a ticket when booked online in advance, 50 per cent off the price of cabanas after 4pm, plus unlimited refill souvenir bottles from just AED40 each and the little ones also eat for free after 4pm until 4 September. Visitors to Wild Wadi Waterpark can enjoy its Splash Fest deal that includes a Wild Wadi ticket with meal and towel for AED149 from 5 to 28 August.

Enjoy a weekend filled with spooky fun in the company of Count Dracula, Frankenstein, Mavis, Mummy Murray and more fun and friendly faces from Hotel Transylvania at City Walk.  The cartoon characters will make live appearances on Friday and Saturday from 4.30pm onwards. City Walk will also stage a host of Hotel Transylvania-themed activities for families each day until 28 August with a special version of the mysterious hotel set up in the Courtyard. Activities will include ball-toss games, bingo, themed board games, arts and craft workshops, and much more. Entry is complimentary upon presenting a receipt for a single spend of AED100 or above at any City Walk outlet.

La Perle will astound residents and visitors with great live performances and super deals this weekend. As part of a special DSS offer, kids under 12 can enjoy free entry to the spectacular show in Al Habtoor City when accompanied by a paying adult, UAE residents will receive 20 per cent off the price of a ticket and groups of four guests can enjoy 25 per cent off as part of a friends and family offer.

A favourite with kids of all ages and families, Modesh World offers a range of games and rides at Dubai World Trade Centre. Open daily until 28 August, the venue’s three halls will welcome residents and visitors to explore fun locations and meet Modesh and Dana. With different activities held throughout Modesh World, guests can enjoy 64 rides at the Adventure Village while the Battle Park Zone, Zip Lines and Slides and a Freestyle Trampoline Park are great for teenagers and older kids. The Amusement Village is home to traditional fairground games with prizes to be won while the Discovery Village features workshops and games inspired by Dana the Inventor. The Entertainment Village will host performances including Peter Pan, the fairytale Cinderella, a Harlequins Parade, a Water Drumming show and more while The Food Village will serve a selection of international dishes. Visitors to Modesh World can also win a family car from Gargash Group and GAC Motors when they spend AED300. The winner will be announced on 28 August.

Until 7 August, the Modesh Singalong Adventure Show at Nakheel Mall will thrill residents and visitors with a fun-filled musical extravaganza for the whole family. Starring Modesh and Dana in person, shows and meet and greets will be held daily from 2pm.

Al Khawaneej Walk is the place to be for a dose of adventure and fun at the Modesh and Dana Maze Wonderland. As well as lots of games and obstacles to enjoy, youngsters will be tasked with finding Modesh and Dana in the middle of the family attraction. The Modesh and Dana Maze Wonderland is open daily until 18 August.

This weekend the d3 Summer Programme will host the Dancing Mask Workshop for creative youngsters and their families. Held on 7 August, children will learn all about making masks using paper and assorted textiles. Perfect for eight to 13-year-olds, the Dancing Mask Workshop will take place from 10am to 12pm at Building Seven.

Until 28 August, IMG Worlds of Adventure will stage its great Summer Festival. A daily LED Display Dance Extravaganza will wow visitors while an Indoor Beach will be the summer’s coolest attraction. A Character Parade will feature 30 plus cartoon stars including Modesh and Dana, Johnny Bravo, Gumball, Darwin, Finn and Jake as well as Marvel heroes Hulk and Captain America. Visitors will also be entertained by zombies on a haunted hotel truck, dinosaurs on a safari truck, circus performers including stilt walkers, uni cyclists, swamp creatures, jugglers, African drummers, African dancers and more. Guests at IMG Worlds of Adventure can also explore great competitions, deals and lots of delicious food options.

Dubai Summer Surprises is supported by Key Sponsor RAKBANK MasterCard and Strategic Partners which include: Al Futtaim Group (Dubai Festival City Mall and Dubai Festival Plaza), Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, Dubai Holding, Emirates Airline, Enoc, Etisalat, Majid Al Futtaim (Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira), Merex and Nakheel (Ibn Battuta Mall, The Pointe, Nakheel Mall, Dragon Mart 2).

For more information, log onto the website mydss.ae or follow @DSSsocial for the latest information.