25.11.2025
A complete guide to the Dubai Shopping Festival 2025/26: the best sales, top brands, major events, money-saving tips, entry requirements for travelers, and a checklist for a perfect shopping trip.
Every winter, Dubai transforms into a world-class stage where shopping becomes a travel experience of its own. For many years, the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) has held the title of the region’s leading retail event, uniting seasonal sales, promotions from international brands, a cultural program, and hundreds of activities that make the trip not only cost-effective but also eventful. For the 2025/26 season, DSF is keeping its popular format while expanding the number of special offers and events, making it one of the most convenient times for tourists to visit the Emirates.
In 2025/26, the Dubai Shopping Festival will run from December 5, 2025, to January 11, 2026. The dates are strategically chosen to allow tourists to combine travel, a sunny winter getaway, and fantastic shopping deals all in one trip.
Winter sales in Dubai create a unique shopping environment: brands reduce prices on items from their new collections, while shopping malls combine these discounts with additional bonuses. Unlike European sales, where promotions are introduced gradually, the DSF launches a unified program that covers the entire retail sector. Travelers gain access to offers that are unavailable during regular months — from reduced prices on electronics to rare promotions on premium brands.
One of the key advantages of the festival is its duration. DSF runs for over a month, from mid-December to mid-January, allowing travelers to choose dates that work best for them, even during the peak season. Tourists aren't locked into specific days and can plan their visit around holidays, hotel availability, or their personal schedules.
Furthermore, the festival allows travelers to plan their budget in advance. Discounts are officially published, and shopping malls update their promotions at the start of the season. This makes the trip more predictable and allows travelers to manage their spending wisely.
During the DSF, discounts cover a wide range of products. Leading brands participate in the program almost without exception. Tourists can expect significant price reductions in fashion, accessories, electronics, home goods, and cosmetics. The variety of shopping malls is another major draw, as each venue offers its own unique shopping and entertainment experience.
Key shopping locations include:
Dubai Mall, featuring promotions from international brands and major giveaways.
Mall of the Emirates, offering deals on electronics and premium brands.
Dubai Outlet Village, with the deepest discounts on past-season collections.
City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif, offering a wide range of family-oriented products.
Brands also offer additional perks, such as gift cards, cashback through partner banks, and special seasonal gift sets.
In addition to standard promotions, Dubai is known for its well-developed tax-free system, which allows travelers to reclaim part of their purchase cost when leaving the country. The DSF makes this even more advantageous, as tourists benefit from both discounts and tax refunds. This is especially noticeable on electronics, accessories, and premium goods.
Locations where shoppers most often get the best deals:
Dubai Duty Free at the airport.
Electronics boutiques in the major shopping malls.
Outlet Village and stores specializing in previous seasons’ collections.
Local electronics chains with seasonal offers.
DSF transforms the entire city into a month-long entertainment festival. Many events are held daily, with schedules updated as key dates approach. Most shows — especially drone shows, fireworks, street performances, and themed installations — are free and open to the public without prior registration. These events are generally designed for large crowds, so visitors can attend at almost any time, although popular locations like Bluewaters Island and Dubai Festival City tend to be busier during holidays and evening hours.
Some events, such as concerts, private festival evenings, performances, or special programs in shopping malls, may require a ticket or advance booking. Tickets for these events are usually available online and tend to sell out faster as the holidays approach. In 2025/26, the program has been expanded with additional venues, new street performances, and interactive zones for both children and adults. This enhancement helps distribute the flow of guests, ensuring a comfortable experience even during the peak season.
During the festival, locations that combine shopping areas with open-air spaces are especially popular. Key destinations include:
Bluewaters Island, renowned for its drone shows and captivating light installations.
Dubai Festival City, a hub for fireworks, live music performances, and waterside events.
The Beach JBR offer daily shows, festive lighting, and live animation.
City Walk features concert venues and street performances.
Global Village offers themed zones, evening festivals, and diverse entertainment programs.
La Mer & Kite Beach known for evening shows and seasonal outdoor events.
Giveaways hold a special place in the festival, featuring cars, large cash prizes, shopping vouchers, and branded gift sets. For the 2025/26 season, the number of daily and grand prize draws has been increased, with some venues introducing local contests for visitors for the first time. This makes shopping part of a broader citywide celebration, appealing both to individual travelers and families.
Experienced travelers recommend planning a trip during the first weeks of the festival. During this period, the product selection is at its peak, and tourist crowds are more evenly distributed. It’s important to consider your hotel’s location: areas like Downtown Dubai, Al Barsha, and Dubai Marina provide easy access to major shopping malls without long journeys. Venue choices depend on your interests: those seeking premium brands will enjoy Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall, while bargain hunters are better off starting at Dubai Outlet Village.
Travelers should keep an eye on bank promotions in advance, as some cards offer extra rewards on international purchases, increasing overall savings. Another useful money-saving tool is discount apps, which update their offer catalogs daily.
Many tourists traveling to the Dubai Shopping Festival can use a visa on arrival, which is issued at the border without prior application. This type of visa is suitable for tourism and allows for a stay of up to three months within a six-month period. It is also a multiple-entry visa, which is convenient for those planning to travel between different emirates or visit neighboring countries.
During the winter, airlines operate additional flights, so tickets can be found for almost any date. Hotels tend to have higher occupancy during the festival, so it is highly recommended to book your accommodation well in advance.
At border control, you will need the standard set of documents: passport, proof of accommodation, and a return ticket. Travelers may also be asked to provide travel insurance.
The festival does not change the entry requirements, but it does increase the number of tourists, so processing times at border control may be longer than usual. Therefore, travelers are advised to allow extra time for connections and transfers.
Dubai offers a selection of products that is hard to find elsewhere in the region. Tourists can often purchase items at prices lower than in Europe, especially during the DSF. The most popular shopping categories include:
Electronics and tech accessories.
Perfumes and cosmetics from global brands.
Premium clothing.
Gold and jewelry from major retailers.
Sports gear and hobby-related goods.
Creating a pre-travel checklist is a great way to avoid unexpected expenses and organize a highly rewarding trip. Here’s what to do:
Check for the latest DSF discounts and promotions through official sources.
Book a hotel in an area with convenient access to shopping malls.
Make a list of priority purchases.
Prepare bank cards suitable for international payments.
Research the terms and conditions for tax-free refunds.
Download apps that track mall-specific discounts and deals.
The Dubai Shopping Festival 2025/26 offers an opportunity to combine relaxation, exciting experiences, and great shopping. By planning your itinerary, dates, and budget in advance, your trip can be not only comfortable but also highly rewarding.
