Events and Activities at the Dubai Shopping Festival (VIDEO)

Looking for something to do in Dubai this winter? The Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has unveiled the Calendar of Events for the 19th edition of Dubai Shopping Festival, which will run through Feb. 2, 2014.

The DSF 2014 Calendar of Events is a line-up of over 150 events and activities that will be spread across the city at key DSF destinations. Areas such as Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Al Seef Street, Al Rigga Street, and The Walk- Jumeirah Beach Residence will host events and activities.

This year’s DSF calendar of events covers everything from shopping to entertainment, fashion to lifestyle, and arts and culture including international shows, concerts and shopping promotions.

Unveiling the DSF 2014 Calendar of Events, Laila Mohammed Suhail, CEO of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, noted that the DSF accounts for 30 percent of annual retail sales in the emirate. Dubai is poised to achieve its Tourism Vision for 2020 of attracting 20 million tourists and 300 billion dirhams in tourism revenues annually. Retail purchases by visitors are set to reach almost 33 billion dirhams by 2017, accounting for more than a quarter of total sales, which are expected to increase at 5.7 percent annually over the period 2013-2017.

DSF 2014 Calendar of Events

Opening Day
The 19th edition of Dubai Shopping Festival launched today with events and activities including stage and street performers and fireworks.
Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil 
Dec. 30 – Jan. 14, Dubai World Trade Centre   
Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil honors the essence, soul and inspiration of the King of Pop through a riveting fusion of visuals, dance, music and fantasy.  

DSF Carnival
Weekends – Key DSF Destinations
Stage and street artists will join together to perform at the DSF Carnival. Keep an eye out for musicians, dancers, acrobats performing antics, gymnasts, clowns, stilt walkers, inflatable and animal characters in key DSF Destinations like the Al Seef Street, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Jumeirah Street, Al Riqqa Street and Global Village. The performers will showcase a variety of arts and skills from different continents and regions such as the Pele Pele dance group from Swaziland, the Mexico Tierra Mestiza troupe, Tabla players from India, and even character parades such as the Mobile App Stores.
Vertical Fashion show 
Jan. 20, Burj Khalifa   
The Vertical Fashion Show will take place at lofty heights with the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and The Dubai Mall as backdrops. Coolest touch: We hear the first-of-its-kind event will feature trained dancers who will perform choreographed vertical acrobatics.
DSF Music Nights
Jan. 2, 9, 16, Burj Park
Get a close glimpse of top Arabian entertainers. The DSF Music Nights concerts will feature some of the popular artists and entertainers in the Arab world. Held at the Burj Park in collaboration with Rotana, the shows will include Saudi singer Mohammed Abdo on Jan. 9 while Hatem al Iraqi and Majid Al Mohandes will perform on Jan. 16.
Jan. 24, Zabeel Park 
Egyptian singer Mohamed Mounir, whose musical career spans three decades, and Lebanese  superstar Nancy Ajram will take the stage at Zabeel Park to produce one of the most magical music nights for their fans in Dubai.
Bedouin Lifestyle
Jan. 2 – Feb. 2 
DSF visitors can learn about a bygone era at the Bedouin Lifestyle event, where the lifestyle of Bedouins will be brought alive by nomads from different countries as they showcase their traditional way of living.  Visitors will get a live demonstration of the Bedouin customs and traditions including their ceremonies, food habits, houses and livestock. 
Carpet & Art Oasis
Jan. 2 – Feb. 2, Dubai Festival City   

The Carpet & Art Oasis is an exhibition and sale of some of the rarest, largest, and most unique carpets and rugs from around the world. Apart from carpets and rugs from the well-known carpet producing countries, works of art and handicrafts are also on display.

 

Fashion Events

Market Outside the Box 
Jan. 23 – Feb. 2, Burj Park, Downtown Dubai   
Dubai's newest pop-up fashion and lifestyle festival brings an alternative shopping experience that will have a mix of local funky labels and global brands, cafés, food kiosks and continuous entertainment in an outdoor setting. 
Fashion Squad
Jan. 2 – Feb. 2, Various locations in Dubai   
The DSF fashion squad will will roam the streets and malls, and give tickets in the form of coupons to the best dressed that will entitle them to enter a fashion competition. 
ITCloset
Jan. 2 – Feb. 2, Various Malls in Dubai   
This virtual shopping experience will have different points of retail activation where people can transform their look – the ideal platform to engage the visitors in a new and interactive activity.
The Cocoon
Jan. 13-14, The Dubai Mall   
This innovative makeover destination lets fashionistas can have their hair, make-up and nails done in one spot. The Cocoon is a free makeover event that is open to the public.
The Abaya Select
Jan. 22, Emirates Towers   
Abaya fashion is a growing sector that is attracting more and more clients regionally into the fashion hub of Dubai. The Abaya Select show is an exclusive invitation-only event where select designers can showcase their collections to potential buyers and clients.
Fireworks
The 19th edition of DSF takes the concept of fireworks as a festival attraction to a new high, with daily fireworks at 9pm at Al Seef Street, brought to DSF by the Al Zarooni Group. During the weekends, there will be special fireworks shows at various locations long the Dubai Creek at 8pm in addition to the daily fireworks at 9pm at Al Seef Street. 

Special shows for families and children

The 7 Sopranos Show 
Jan. 2 - 11, The Walk- JBR
The 7 Sopranos are Australia’s most exciting young operatic and cross-over voices who perform opera and music classics from around the world. They will perform three times a day from Jan. 2-11 with each show lasting 30 minutes.
Bubble Gum Show
Jan. 12 – 21, Mall of the Emirates   
This hour-long family-friendly show at The Mall of the Emirates features Nu Sxool dancers, a Katy Perry impersonator, cheerleaders, a soap bubble magician and a One Direction tribute.  
Ice Rink Show “The Swans”
Jan. 24 – Feb. 2, Dubai Ice Rink, The Dubai Mall 
A combination of aerial acrobatic acts and classic ice skating performances will create a breathtaking piece of art.
Flying Superkids Show
Jan. 9-18, Al Mamzar Park   
Based on gymnastic skills, the Flying Superkids show is the only one of its kind in the world. The singing, dancing, and comedy is backed by a light design and a uniquely composed soundtrack to support the choreography.
Furby Live Show
Jan. 16-25, The Walk – JBR   
In a 25-minute show featuring a great story, fun music and groovy dancing, lots of humor, a bit of drama, and even yummy food, Blue Furby, Pink Furby and two of their friends will perform three times a day.

Other concerts and shows

Omar Khairat Concert
Jan. 16, Emirates Golf Club   
The Emirates Golf Club will host a performance by Omar Khairat, one of the most popular composers and pianists in the Middle East, who brings a western harmonic flair to classical Arabic music.
Zakir Hussain Nirvana
Jan. 25, Madinat Arena – Jumeirah   
The award-winning tabla maestro will take the audience on a musical extravaganza of percussion and melody. Grammy Award-winner Zakir Hussain will be joined by Bollywood sensation Shankar Mahadevan, Jazz virtuoso Louis Banks, Maestro of the Sitar Niladria Kumar and percussion extraordinaire Taufiq Qureshi.
Naseeruddin Shah Theatre Fiesta
Jan. 16-18, Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates    Indian film and stage actor Naseeruddin Shah is promising to give theatre-goers three plays in three languages. The Naseeruddin Shah Theatre Fiesta will have the famous Urdu play, Ismat Apa Ke Naam, English play A Walk in the Woods and Hindi play Katha Collage.
Indian Republic Day – Kavi Sammelan and Mushaira
Jan. 30, Indian School, Sheikh Rashid Auditorium   
A literary tradition spanning many centuries, this event has become an integral part of the annual cultural itinerary of the UAE and a DSF highlight. Being held for the 12th successive year, this creative gathering will include a galaxy of popular Hindi and Urdu poets.
Chinese New Year – The East China State Circus
Jan. 28 – Feb. 2, Madinat Jumeirah   
The East China State Circus is a must-see attraction for audiences of all ages.
ASAP Live in Dubai
Jan. 24, Dubai Festival City   
The Filipino Channel (TFC) brings its longest-running and top-rating musical show, “ASAP Live in Dubai” to the entertainment capital of the Middle East at the Dubai Festival City. “ASAP Live in Dubai” will feature a line-up of more than 40 recording artists and showbiz personalities from the Philippines including Total Performer Gary Valenciano, Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla, Dynamic Diva Vina Morales and Concert King Martin Nievera. 
Jamie Rivera Live in Dubai
Jan. 10, Al Nasr Leisureland    
Jamie Rivera will be in the Middle East for the first time ever. Her latest album entitled ‘INSPIRATIONS” won the Best Inspirational Album in the 2011 CMMA. She is also now part of the Walk of Fame in Eastwood, Manila.
 
Other events and activities include a wide range of international concerts featuring entertainers from different countries – the Philip Kirkorov Concert, Valeriy Meladze Concert, the Paris Opera Ballet Gala, Viennese Orchestra, Salaam Dubai 2014, Mix Tape Rewind show,  Indian Idol Junior & Comedy show, Swaralaya – Symphony of Strings, and The Weight Loss Show.
 
Global Village
The Global Village has pavilions from countries around the world with native cuisines, dance forms, costumes, handicrafts, and much more.

World of Sports
Sports enthusiasts visiting Dubai during DSF will have a wide array of sporting events that will take place during this period including the Dubai World Cup Carnival 2014, the Al Marmoum Camel Racing Season, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2014, the Omega Dubai Desert Classics, the UAE International Basketball Championship, the Dubai Show Jumping Championships 2014, Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series 2014, the Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan 2013 Cricket Series,  the GAC (Table Tennis) World Tour Grand Finals, Dunlop 24Hrs and  the American Wrestling Show.