As the city gears up for the 24th Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), Meraas destinations – City Walk, The Beach, Boxpark, The Outlet Village, Kite Beach, Al Seef, and La Mer have a host of experiences for visitors, which extends beyond shopping. From fireworks to themed marching bands, every Meraas destination has an exciting line-up of activities to regale visitors from 26 December 2018 to 2 February 2019, in partnership with Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE).
In addition, visitors can participate in weekly raffle draws on every spend of AED200 and above, where 200 winners stand to win up to AED1 million in Meraas Gift Cards over a six-week period.
Opening Day Celebrations
Meraas’ stunning waterfront destinations such as The Beach, Al Seef and La Mer will showcase spectacular displays of fireworks on the first day of the festival at 8:30pm. The fireworks will continue every Thursday and Friday between 27 December and 1 February at 8pm, 8:30pm and 9pm respectively.
City Walk
Starting 3 January, City Walk will have four weekends of family fun entertainment that includes a kids’ village with music and art zones, carnival games and a curated market from 24 to 26 January 2019
The Beach
Visitors to The Beach can look forward to themed activities part of ‘March Your Way to The Beach’ featuring super drummers and Dabkeh dancers. Each weekend, Dubai Festivals & Retail Establishment (DFRE) brings roaming performances such as ‘White World’ to the laid-back beachfront destination, from 27 December and 6 January, creating a carnival-like atmosphere that compliments the season.
Boxpark
Boxpark, for its part, has scheduled solo performances by techno percussionists from 27 January to 2 February 2019, and from 3-9 January daily performances by UK artist Morf who combines a unique percussive lap tapping guitar technique, with a mesmerizing vocal style and signature stomp box to produce sound far beyond what you’d expect one man to be capable of creating alone.
The Outlet Village
The Outlet Village, a must-visit destination for the fashion savvy shopper will launch ‘Fashion Blowout’, an interactive fashion event from 6 to 31 January. Directed by Michael Amazona Del Mar and hosted by Layal Halabi, it will include exclusive makeovers, high-end fashion shows, virtual style pods, mirror photo booths, pop-up stores and instant cover shoots opportunities to engage all visitors. Little guests can also participate in fashion workshops or enjoy watching Kids’ Fashion Shows every weekend between 11 and 31 January.
Kite Beach
Kite Beach, which is rolling out a list of fun fitness activities during DSF, will be a haven for fitness enthusiasts.
Al Seef
Al Seef will host a culturally immersive funfair namely the ‘Al Seef Heritage Souq’ replete with carnival rides, traditional Emirati games, live music by Jalassat Khalijia and Emirati Souqs. Children will have the opportunity to meet and greet Aladdin, the popular Arabian Nights character, as part of the many roaming entertainment acts. The destination is also set to host a Candy Crush Parade and a Peacock Show between 26 December and 5 January, courtesy Dubai Festivals & Retail Establishment (DFRE).
La Mer
La Mer will transform itself into an open-air stage during the period, hosting internationally renowned DJs, interactive drumming sessions, roaming musical performances, as well as kids’ art and craft workshops. A live ski show also awaits visitors at the destination.
Since its inception, Meraas has played a vital role in innovating and creating urban realms in the UAE where people can gather outdoors, and engage with each other and their surroundings. This DSF will be a great opportunity for the residents and tourists to the UAE to experience the destinations at their festive best.
Fireworks Schedule
| Destination | Date | Timing |
| The Beach | Every Thursday and Friday from 27 December – 1 February, and on 2 February | 8:00pm |
| Al Seef | 8:30pm | |
| La Mer | 9:00pm | |
| The Beach, Al Seef, and La Mer | Wednesday, 26 December | 8:00pm |
