CATCH THE HOTTEST HAPPENINGS IN TOWN AT DUBAI SUMMER SURPRISES

Each and every week until the festival finally draws to a close on 3 September, a weekly list of must-do highlights will ensure you don’t miss out on the best upcoming events, all brought together by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE). It is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Dubai, and with its waterfront setting, Dubai Festival City Mall has more than a few hidden surprises in store this summer. It is not just the huge variety of retail and dining on offer, but also the entertainment and special events lined up in the coming weeks that will ensure visitors return again and again.

Children’s favourite cuddly character Shaun the Sheep is back on stage for some family friendly fun until 13 August, with an exclusive offer for youngsters to meet their cartoon heroes. All parents have to do is download the Blue App, spend at least AED300 and they will receive a special meet and greet token. Also not to be missed is the IMAGINE multi-sensory light spectacular that delivers a state-of-the-art immersive display on Festival Bay, with shows daily from 7pm.

Back by popular demand is the series of fun-filled creative workshops at Dubai Festival City Mall. The free craft lessons can be found at the Festival of Arts Gallery on the mall’s first floor, next to Sugar Factory. Each workshop is engaging and educational, and after the success of the perfumery workshop in July, visitors can sign up to this week’s session, the soap making workshop on 16 August, and plan ahead for the plaster painting session on 30 August.

That’s not all that’s on offer under one roof at Dubai Festival City Mall as Cartoon Network will be visiting from 28 August until 3 September to ensure DSS closes with a bang. Block your diaries now. Still to come in the Beat The Heat line-up later this summer are Saudi sensation Modi Al Shamrani and the ever-skillful DJ Aseel guaranteed to hype up the crowd on 19 August.

To finish off the season in style are Massar Egbari and Disco Misr who take toThe Agenda’s stage on 1 September. From now until August 27, families and the young at heart can enjoy an exciting indoor world of adventure and entertainment at Dubai World Trade Centre. Packed with a wide range of activities and events, Modesh World offers live shows, thrilling rides, and plenty of games suitable for all ages.

Kids can also participate in educational workshops focusing on sustainability and other topics. The fun is spread across four themed zones representing the seasons of Summer, Autumn, Spring, and Winter, each offering unique games and activities for the whole family. As a new addition this year, there is the Gamefy zone, featuring a weekly Gaming League on Saturdays with a cash prize for the winner, as well as the enchanting MELT ice cream experience.

With retail deals galore, there is plenty to satisfy even the most seasoned shopper throughout Dubai Summer Surprises. Until 13 August, shop at any Home Centre outlet in the city for AED 1000 or above, and get the amazing chance to redecorate your living space. Six lucky winners will have the opportunity to win daily room makeovers worth AED 10,000, and two winners will take home the Grand Prize of home makeovers valued at twice that amount, worth a whopping AED 20,000.

A shopping spree during DSS can even take you to new heights with the chance to win a trip to a dream travel destination. By spending just AED 300, shoppers can visit the Shop & Fly activation stand opposite the Zara store at City Centre Deira to submit receipts and enter the special holiday draw. A family holiday of a lifetime for four nights is up for grabs to a destination of your choice for winners of the lucky travel draw.

Spend AED 200 or more from any store excluding Carrefour at City Centre Mirdif and you can unlock the Suitcase of Surprises to get a chance to win amazing prizes from 12 to 22 August. The suitcase will move to Mall of the Emirates later this summer. What’s more, from 17 to 28 August, families can check out the free stage entertainment at City Centre Mirdif, featuring their favourite PJ Masks characters, as well as get the chance to take part in a special meet and greet.

Shop at any stores except Carrefour for AED 200 or more and validate the receipts at the registration desk to get a special token allowing kids to enter PJ Masks activation for free. Meanwhile at Mercato Mall, circus-inspired activities are brought to life with the mesmerising Arctic Cirque Show running until 22 August, giving an extra special flavour to every shopping trip. Don’t forget to take a turn on the famous Mercato slide while you’re there.

For more prizes and rewards, have an ‘Unforgettable Summer with Blue’ by spending AED 300 or more at Dubai Festival City Mall to enter into a draw with a chance to win a staggering one million Blue Rewards points each week until 3 September. If you haven’t become a member yet, just download the Blue Rewards app, sign up, and make a purchase of AED 300 or more to enter the weekly prize giveaway. And that’s not all.

Savvy shoppers can revel in the ‘Save More Shop More’ promotion, with fantastic offers and exclusive deals at renowned shopping destinations across the city. Bag a bargain at 1915 by Seddiqi & Sons stores at BurJuman, Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai Mall and City Centre Mirdif, plus Guess boutiques at Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira and BurJuman. Don’t forget to check out Jumbo Electronics which has also launched its month-long mega Back to School raffle promotions.

Enjoy deals on electronics from Jumbo stores and and get a chance to win AED 25,000 in school fees. Just spend AED 1,000 on laptops, printers, monitors, accessories and more from Jumbo stores or What’s more, there’s a daily laptop giveaway for every day of the campaign. All you have to do is spend AED 1,000 and more on any electronic device from Jumbo.

Shop in stores or online with Pan Home from the kids’ collection featuring a new range of children’s furniture and back-to-school inspired items for up to 70 per cent off. That’s not all, shopping for AED 1000 between now and 31 August will automatically make parents eligible to win a scholarship worth AED 30,000 towards their children’s school fees. For another early bird Back to School offer, take advantage of the EMAX GenZ Student Privilege Card which is now available until 15 September.

Shop at Emax to unlock the GenZ Student Privilege Card and get exclusive prices instantly on laptops, including up to 30 percent off, premium gifts worth up to AED 500 on the latest laptops plus an additional AED 100 EMAX voucher. And check out the Idealz mobile app and website for even more opportunities to win amazing prizes until 30 September, including AED 2. 5 million in cash and the chance to win a dream Dubai apartment by spending just AED 25.

Build unforgettable memories with the family this summer and find the perfect outing, getaway or experience with Dubai Summer Surprises. This month, dust off the trainers, brave the heat and check out Dubai Municipality’s recently-launched 10 kilometre walking track in Mushrif National Park. It’s the first of its kind in Dubai and offers various pathways tailored for both novice and experienced mountain climbers – best of all, it is completely free.

Don’t miss out on a price-slashing family trip to the iconic Burj Khalifa and check out the awe-inspiring views from the world’s tallest building – with this summer’s Kids Go Free offer. Levels 124 and 125 are allowing two kids to enter for free when accompanied by two paying adults this summer. The deal is only available from 8am until 2pm and is priced at AED 348 (for two adults).

Kids go free until 31 August. And for incredible family days out, enjoy more Kids Go Free offers at attractions such as AYA, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Xstrike, Woo-Hoo UAE, Expo City Dubai, Madame Tussauds Museum, Museum of the Future and more. Until 18 August, kids can experience a fun summer camp at Expo City Dubai and unleash their creativity through arts, crafts and photography, as well as take part in movement and fitness fun plus water activities.

Best of all, hundreds of hotels and resorts across the city are offering cut-price deals on family stays this summer, with more than 80 offering Kids Go Free offers. Whether you opt for a three-star, four-star, or five-star establishment like Atlantis, The Palm, or Park Hyatt Dubai, up to two children can stay in an adult room at no extra charge. They’ll also enjoy complimentary meals on the same meal plan as their parents and free access to the kids’ club (where available).

Make sure to check the full list of participating hotels at for a delightful family escape. For eager foodies, the time has almost come. We are just days away from this year’s Summer Restaurant Week, which runs from 18 to 27 August.

Explore Dubai’s dynamic culinary landscape and indulge in signature menus at top-notch restaurants and family favourites across the city with menus offering unbeatable value, and showcasing a diverse range of cuisines. Bookings are now open at . Enjoy the ultimate summer extravaganza filled with incredible surprises, unmissable retail offers, diverse culinary delights and endless entertainment this Dubai Summer Surprises, running until 3 September.

For more information, visit @CelebrateDubai and @StyledByDubai on social media channels, and . Dubai Summer Surprises is supported by key sponsor RAKBANK MasterCard and Strategic partners which include: Al Futtaim Malls (Dubai Festival City Mall & Festival Plaza), Al Seef, Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, Bluewaters, Citywalk, Emirates Airline, Enoc, Etisalat, Majid Al Futtaim (Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira), Nakheel Malls (Ibn Battuta Mall, Nakheel Mall, Dragon Mart 2, Palm West Beach and The View), The Beach and The Outlet Village. Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), is responsible for developing Dubai’s retail and festival sectors and supporting the positioning of Dubai as a world-class tourism destination with year-round family entertainment, shopping and events.

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