The world of Dubai Shopping Festival 2013

The world of Dubai Shopping Festival 2013

The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 2013 is aimed at family entertainment with events jam-packed on its calendar

The opening ceremony of the 18th Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) which begins on January 3 2013 and goes on for a month will reflect the theme ‘One World, One Family, One Festival’. The 32-day shopping extravaganza will showcase the festive spirit of Dubai as the city dresses up to welcome visitors from all over the world. Fireworks will light up Dubai every day of the festival for the course of the month and various mega events, as well as cultural and amusement items will highlight the visitors’ calendars. Since it is a government sponsored festival, the authorities go all-out to make it as pleasurable and entertaining an experience for visitors as as possible. One of the most entertaining highlights of the DSF is the Carnival which is held during every weekend of the festival. In it, performers — musicians, jugglers, unicyclists, stilt walkers etc. are set to entertain the public with celebratory displays of their talent. Visitors will also be able to enjoy jazz events and live concerts performed by well-known artists. DSF 2013 will also witness a unique parade with performances by renowned international artists, apart from shows by acrobats, percussionists, dancers and more. The Global Village is another major attraction during the DSF 2013 for visitors to explore the cultures of different countries around the world. The Global Village which commenced on October 21 this year, will continue for the duration of the festival and beyond it till March 30, 2013. Aiming to bring the entire globe under one roof it is an attempt to accurately reproduce various ethnic cultures within a single large location. Every country is given space to set up its own pavillion, and the most famous products from their home countries are being showcased. Apart from the sale of products, the Global Village also offers entertainment events, food stalls, children’s rides, sports activities and lucky draws on a daily basis. The ‘Big Boys Toys 2013’, a Middle East premier luxury show, will be another highlight of the 18th edition of the DSF. The three-day luxury and lifestyle exhibition will start on January 31, 2013 at the Atlantis Hotel and will be one of the main attractions of the 32-day festival, with the best of products from a wide spectrum. The products scheduled for DSF 2013 include those from the adventure, aviation, digital, drive, fashion, lifestyle, marine, off road, sports cars, bikes and wellness sectors including the likes of the Soleil motor luxury supercar, the Znug electric motorcycle and the Aurum 79 limited edition, the most expensive water bottle in the world. There will also be a chance for shoppers to win grand prizes. in the ‘Big Boy Mega Raffle’. For children, the Dubai Dolphinarium will organise an exclusive show. Other events such as the Children of World Olympiad, cartoon and circus shows are set to keep them happily occupied. Racing at Meydan on January 3 and the Wild Wadi’s Swim at the Burj Al Arab on February 1 are set to further fuel the excitement. Of course the main excitement for many will still be the shopping. During this time, retailers have announced up to a 75 per cent discount on electronics, jewellery, watches, perfumes, textiles and carpets. Also lucky draws will see 100,000 dh cash and free gold given away every day from the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group.