Parents and children across Dubai can finally count down to the start of the new school year with the first day of term only a few weeks away. As the summer holidays come to an end, the citywide Back to School campaign is in full swing, brought to you by Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS); bringing joy to families with great events and unmissable promotions from some of the city’s favourite stores and attractions.

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) has highlighted an exciting selection of activities and offers to ensure mum, dad and the kids are ready and raring to go back to school:

EVENTS

From 13 August to 16 August, visitors to Mall of the Emirates can take part in a bid to break the Guinness World Record of the largest mosaic made from packaged products. Made entirely of Funko Pops packaging, the distinctive figurine toys with large heads, the mosaic will take the shape of Modesh. Great for FunkoPops collectors and superfans as well as shoppers visiting the mall who can watch as the mosaic takes shape over three days.

Sporty students can perfect their soccer skills and more at Dubai Sports World before they return to sports at school. Taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre, the indoor fitness facility is the best place for athletes of all ages to work out, practice their favourite game and learn a few new tricks to help their school’s basketball, football or rugby team achieve victory. Dubai Sports World is open from 9am to 10pm each day until 3 October.

A different, but no less challenging, type of workout, Yoga At The Top can help students and parents prepare their body and mind for the new term ahead. Taking place three times a week during DSS, up to 24 yoga enthusiasts of all ages can soak up the vistas from the Burj Khalifa’s viewing deck with classes led by expert yoga instructors from Core Direction taking place from 6am. Bookings must be made in advance through the Core Direction app.

For a unique way to burn a lot of calories, look no further than the giant Aqua Fun inflatable waterpark located in the waters off JBR. Part obstacle course, part high intensity workout, Aqua Fun, which spells ‘I Love Dubai’ when viewed from above, invites groups of friends, families or solo fitness fans to jump on board each day until 31 August. A great combination of cardio and swimming, this is guaranteed fun under the sun.

There’s plenty more waterpark adventure to enjoy as part of DSS’ action packed Back to School calendar. Families can enjoy Wild Wadi’s rides, slides and much more with the iconic waterpark’s great Online Unlimited Access Wadi Pass promotion that offers up to three months of non-stop fun for just AED297 per person. Laguna Waterpark at La Mer also has a super summer deal with its Family & Friends pass offer. Visitors can buy three tickets and get the fourth free, with access to all of the waterpark’s slides, rides and its exclusive beach included in the price.

Dubai’s residents and visitors can up the excitement stakes even further with a trip to the thrilling XLine Dubai Marina ride. The world’s longest urban zipline launches riders from 170 metres up on the top floor of the Amwaj Towers, JBR, for a thrilling race down to Dubai Marina Mall, zooming over yachts, cars and pedestrians on the way.

Thrill seekers can opt for something far cooler (literally) at Ski Dubai, as the region’s first indoor ski and snow slope is offering three great promotions until 31 August. Budding skiers or snowboarders can learn the necessary skills in just 48 hours with Ski Dubai’s intense two-day training session, while the annual Ski Dubai summer pass offers unlimited access to the Snow Park, up to two hours on the slopes, 40 minutes in the Penguin Encounter attraction, or a 60-minute Discovery Lesson. Guests can also pick up four Ski Dubai tickets for the price of three, making it the perfect destination for friends and families.

Mall of the Emirates will host the ultimate football match for online and real-life players with the OPPO Gaming Challenge, presented by DSS as part of the mall’s fun-packed back to school promotions. From 20 to 29 August, gamers who register via MAF Share app or who spend AED200 in the mall can first test their virtual football skills on four PS4 consoles loaded with FIFA 20. The winners of each gameplay match takes part in a physical one-on-one game of soccer on a specially built football cage pitch. The first player to score three goals will be named the victor and have their name entered into a draw to take on a famous international gamer in a virtual game of FIFA 20. Players in the OPPO Gaming Challenge can also win one of four OPPO mobile phones plus 10,000 MAF Share points.

The city’s malls will welcome a diverse range of entertainers, storytellers and musicians to perform a host of tricks, games and songs as part of the DSS and Back to School programme. Visitors to Meraas’ family retail and lifestyle destinations Al Seef and The Outlet Village can enjoy some great family fun while stocking up on essential Back to School items. There’s plenty to keep shoppers entertained, with the Bouncing Rabbits show from 13 to 15 August at The Outlet Village.

Kids can give their fitness a boost and kick start a healthy lifestyle before the new school year starts with DSS’ workout classes and activities. As part of the weekly Flashfit events on Thursday and Friday, Ibn Battuta Mall will stage a series of sporty challenges in partnership with Fitness First. Shoppers who spend AED50 can play on a giant Snakes and Ladders boardgame or the Hang Challenge. Expert staff from Fitness First are on hand to carry out a contactless 3D Body Scan that shows each person’s body composition and key statistics to help them better understand their body type and create a unique fitness plan.

The entertainment continues at Ibn Battuta Mall where residents and visitors can watch as some of the region’s best graffiti artists create a huge, colourful mural. Taking place in the mall’s Egypt Court, the piece will take shape each day as artists from ZeeArts add their unique finishing touches – providing the perfect inspiration for aspiring art students. The mall will also welcome the talented Mariana Duo for daily concerts from 13 to 15 August, with cello players entertaining shoppers from 20 August to 23 August. Throughout DSS, the Nakheel Mall will also host shows by talented singers, violinists, cellists and more with four performances taking place each day.

Kids and parents who visit Ibn Battuta Mall can express their creative side while shopping the sales for Back to School outfits and more. Until 15 August, shoppers who spend AED50 in the mall can help to build the giant Lego Blast Off To Mars mosaic by adding their own Lego pack to the 27sqm mosaic that celebrates the launch of the UAE’s Hope Probe to Mars. Fans of super live entertainment can flock to Dubai Festival City Mall for the Clockwork Dolls from 20 to 23 August and the Sequins LED Robots show from 27 until 29 August.

Families can enjoy the last few days of the school holidays with City Centre Mirdif’s summer camp. The Summer Camp is the perfect solution for parents who want to explore the sales knowing that their kids are safe and playing happily. The camp, which is open from 10am to 10pm daily, features a host of sports, arts and crafts and lots of games for boys and girls to enjoy. Prices range from AED50 per hour for the Drop & Shop option and AED150 for a full day of camp activities.

Mall of the Emirates is hosting the coolest contest for kids as part of its Back to School calendar of events and entertainment. The TikTok Challenge will run until 15 August, with youngsters invited to head to the mall’s giant Boom Box display in the Central Galleria. Participants will be challenged to create a TikTok performance and post it online, using the MOE New Beginning Song on Anghami, for the chance to win daily prizes. Even if shoppers aren’t taking part in the TikTok Challenge, the mall’s giant Boom Box is one of the most Instagrammable and must-post places to be snapped this summer.

For great indoor fun and games with family and friends, residents and visitors can look no further than IMG Worlds of Adventure. The theme park has launched a super Pay As You Go offer that lets guests explore all of its rides and attractions at a great price. Visitors need to pay just AED20 for admission and then an additional AED25 for every ride they want to try. This top deal is the best way to enjoy the last few weeks of the summer break and escape the heat.

PROMOTIONS

Let DSS take the pressure out of paying school fees with the launch of the Modesh Scholarship Programme. Offering a welcome financial boost to families ahead of the start of the new school term, the Modesh Scholarship Programme will see academic scholarships worth AED25,000 presented to a total of 18 students. The cash can help to pay school fees for the upcoming term and beyond. Running until 26 August, the promotion is open to shoppers who spend just AED250 in participating malls across the city. The first promotion will take place at Mercato Mall on 9 August followed by Town Centre Mall on 10 August, with the winners announced on each malls’ social media channels a day after the announcement. Participating malls include: Mercato Mall, Town Centre Mall, The Outlet Village, Citywalk, Al Seef, The Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai Festival Plaza Mall, Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira, My City Centre Al Barsha, City Centre Ma’seim, City Centre Shindagha, Nakheel Mall & Ibn Battuta Mall.

Visitors to Majid Al Futtaim malls can transform their Back to School shopping trip into a once in a lifetime retail adventure with the incredible DSS Share Millionaire promotion until 22 August.  To take part in the promotion, shoppers need to spend AED300 in Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif or City Centre Deira and scan their receipts using the MAF SHARE smartphone app in order to enter a raffle draw to win an amazing One Million Share Points. Draws to announce the next DSS Share Millionaires will be announced on 15 and 24 August and the last day to enter this promotion is 22 August.

Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSMG) is hosting a great Back to School promotion until 29 August, with a total of AED100,000 to be shared between 20 lucky families. The Spend and Win promotion will see shoppers who spend AED200 in any DSMG mall entered into a draw to win AED5,000 in cash, with draws taking place on 17, 24 and 29 August. Participating malls include Al Bustan Centre, Al Barsha Mall, Al Ghurair Centre, Arabian Centre, Bin Sougat Centre, BurJuman, City Centre Al Shindagha, City Centre Me’aisam, Dubai Outlet Mall, Etihad Mall, Reef Mall, Oasis Centre, Times Square Centre, The Mall in Jumeriah, Uptown Mirdif, Sunset Mall and Palmstrip Mall.

Students can upgrade their new Back to School look for less at Club Apparel stores and on 6thstreet.com with the DSS “24/7 VAT Free Week” promotion. Families can shop for big savings from famous brands including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, ALDO, Birkenstock, Levi’s, Nautica, TOMS, UGG and many more during the promotion, which runs until 13 August. Shoppers can also win thousands of Club Apparel points when they spend AED200 at participating stores. A total of 24 lucky people will scoop 1,250 Club Apparel points, and seven scoring 10,000 Club Apparel points, with each point worth AED1.

Families searching for the best Back to School deals at The Dubai Mall can have the chance to win an incredible one million Emirates Skywards Points or an Emaar gift card loaded with AED10,000. The amazing Spend & Win promotion is available to residents and visitors who download The Dubai Mall app to their phone and scan any shopping, entertainment or F&B receipts totalling AED350 or more to be included in a weekly raffle for one million Emirates Skywards Points. Draws are held until 22 August.

Shoppers who spend AED300 can play The Dubai Mall app’s Scratch and Win game 30 Days of Summer Surprises for You. There’s two AED10,000 Emaar gift cards to be won each week until 16 August, along with great daily rewards and offers. U By Emaar members can boost their Back to School shopping plans with great mall vouchers to be won for every AED200 spent on a U By Emaar card at Emaar community malls and Dubai Marina Mall. Members are automatically entered into the draw, which will run until 13 August and also includes weekend staycations, romantic dinners and family entertainment.

HOTEL PROMOTIONS

Before kids head off to school, families can make the most of their precious time together with a great staycation at one of the city’s best hotels. There are superb deals to be found as the summer holidays draw to an end, including savings of up to 30 per cent off the best available room rate at Fairmont the Palm hotel, 100 per cent of the cost of a room back in F&B vouchers for families checking into the JA Resort, plus a great 20 per cent off rooms and F&B at Caesars Bluewaters Dubai.

For more information please visit: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/back-to-school.

The 23rd edition of Dubai Summer Surprises (9 July until 29 August 2020) is part of Dubai’s annual Retail Calendar that features major retail-based festivals, mega sales and exclusive retail experiences and attractions.

Dubai Summer Surprises 2020 is supported by key sponsor RAKBANK MasterCard and strategic partners which include: Emaar (The Dubai Mall), Majid Al Futtaim (Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira), Al Futtaim Group (Dubai Festival City Mall), Nakheel Malls (Ibn Battuta Mall, The Pointe, Nakheel Mall, Dragon Mart 2), Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), Meraas (City Walk, Boxpark, The Beach, The Outlet Village, Al Seef, La Mer), Emirates Airline, Dubai Duty Free, AW Rostamani Group, Enoc, National Food Products Company and Etisalat.

To see the full calendar of events, please visit www.dubaisummersurprises.com and on @DSSsocial.