Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2024 has wrapped up its biggest, most exciting, and best-value edition ever with citywide celebrations delivering an exceptional programme of endless fun for everyone. Marking an epic conclusion to a jam-packed calendar brimming with thousands of things to do at pocket-friendly prices from 28 June to 1 September, the festival’s final weekend saw hundreds and thousands of residents and visitors unlock incredible surprises, sensational experiences, and unforgettable thrills around every corner of the city.
Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the 27th edition of DSS delivered an extraordinary programme of brand-new, only-in-Dubai experiences that guaranteed a summer well-spent with unbeatable value for everyone. The city was abuzz with electrifying star-studded live performances, delightful family entertainment, the biggest-ever sales and retail promotions, jaw-dropping raffles and mega prizes, diverse gastronomy, magical movie experiences, exclusive hotel and attraction offers including Kids-Go-Free, and so much more.
An incredibly popular highlight of DSS was one of the summer’s most diverse and dynamic line-ups of artists to ever perform in the city. DSS rolled out the red carpet for A-list international musicians, comedy stars, and literary artists at spectacular venues around Dubai in an exciting celebration of the city’s rich cultural diversity. From the opening weekend concerts featuring renowned performers and top DJs to the epic celebration of regional Indie music at the Beat the Heat DXB festival, DSS transformed the city into a vibrant hub of music and culture. The final weekend saw fans enjoying unforgettable evenings filled Bollywood classics from playback singer Shaan, Iranian pop perfection from Reza Sadeghi, Filipino rock anthems with the award-winning band Parokya Ni Edgar and side-splitting comedy from Tom Alban and more favourite local and international performers. Plus, families enjoyed an enchanting celebration of the written and spoken word with renowned children’s authors, storytellers, and the UAE’s leading homegrown talent.
Continuing the spectacular programme of citywide entertainment, residents and visitors enjoyed a dazzling season of exceptional cinema thanks to the Movie Magic schedule of regional and global premieres, special screenings, celebrity meet and greets, fun kids activities, competitions, and giveaways at Roxy Cinemas across the city. Film-themed entertainment brought endless entertainment for all ages, including live events, immersive children’s activations, and bespoke experiences for the adults including Ladies Night and Mama’s Club. Hundreds of prizes were also awarded to lucky winners throughout DSS with the exciting Scratch and Win and Lucky Seats promotions, while 25 winners took home amazing experiences as part of the Modesh 25th Anniversary celebrations.
Dubai’s vibrant culinary scene received a special spotlight this DSS with two summer-exclusive gastronomy experiences. The launch of Sizzling Summer Eats and the highly-anticipated return of the incredibly popular Summer Restaurant Week served up a tapestry of flavours from around the world, inviting everyone to embark on irresistible culinary adventures at astonishingly affordable prices. Gastronomic treasures could be explored around the city at casual eateries, homegrown concepts, and internationally acclaimed restaurants.
Meanwhile, shopaholics rejoiced all summer with thousands of incredible offers and brilliant bargains on big-name brands. The DSS Sales Season featured 10 weeks of retail bliss, with more than 800 top brands at over 3,500 stores throughout the city offering discounts of up to 75 per cent all summer long. Exclusive promotions like the DSS 12-Hour Sale, Daily Surprises, and seasonal offers supercharged the city with extraordinary discounts, while the DSS Final Sale brought shoppers the last chance to score big with up to 90 per cent off at over 550 brands across more than 2,500 outlets.
Participating malls sweetened the deal with a chance to win mega prizes. Marking a summer of amazing surprises, DSS crowned more winners than ever before with enormous cash draws, jaw-dropping prizes, and incredible rewards worth a whopping AED 50 million. In a thrilling finale, the Dubai Summer Surprises grand draw made one person the winner of a whopping AED 20,000 cash prize. Hundreds more surprise prizes were won throughout the final days of DSS which wrapped up a thrilling series of grand raffles and exclusive promotions in which shoppers had multiple chances to take home brand-new cars, dazzling jewellery, huge cash rewards, and so much more.
Retail hotspots and shopping districts across Dubai brought even more fun-filled ways to stay entertained this summer, with electrifying mall celebrations featuring live family shows, roaming performers, unique and immersive activations, educational shows and demonstrations for children, and lots more. Shoppers also spotted the Dubai’s favourite character Modesh and Dana in a 10-week tour of Dubai’s shopping destinations as part of Modesh’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
Modesh World, the region’s largest indoor edutainment attraction returned to Dubai World Trade Centre for its milestone 25th year bringing thrilling new additions including exciting new rides, a fun-packed inflatable zone, and a jam-packed line-up of enthralling performances, delightful shows, and big-prize competitions for the entire family.
Beyond remarkable retail, raffles, and entertainment, malls in Dubai buzzed with electric energy and enthusiasm for vibrant indoor runs. Everyone from families and friends to recreational runners and fitness enthusiasts of all ages and abilities gathered at Dragon Mart, Mall of the Emirates, and Dubai Festival City Mall to embark on a quest for a fitter future.
The final DSS also culminated a thrilling season of endless offers, exclusive packages, and free things to do around the city. Everyone from families, friends, couples, value seekers, and adventure lovers enjoyed maximum value on exhilarating experiences throughout DSS – be it with an exclusive DSS Entertainer unlocking more than 7,000 buy-one-get-one-free deals, Kids Go Free offers, special discounts for couples and residents at hotels and attractions citywide, or free-for-all family fun at Modesh World. Catering to all preferences, Dubai residents and visitors discovered some of the most amazing places in Dubai at brilliant summer prices.
Dubai Summer Surprises 2024 was supported by Strategic Partners which include: Al Futtaim Malls (Dubai Festival City Mall and Dubai Festival Plaza), Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, Dubai Holding Asset Management (Al Seef, Bluewaters, and The Outlet Village), Emirates Airlines, ENOC, e&, Majid Al Futtaim (City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, and Mall of Emirates), Merex Investment (Citywalk and The Beach, JBR), Nakheel Malls (Ibn Battuta, Dragon Mart 2, Palm West Beach, Nakheel Mall, and The View at The Palm), and talabat.
To catch the highlights of this year’s edition, visit @CelebrateDubai and @StyledByDubai on social media and the Dubai Summer Surprises website.
