Quick answer: Dubai Shopping Festival 2026–27 (DSF) runs from Friday 4 December 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027. It is the 32nd edition and, at 45 days, the longest DSF so far. Confirmed so far: the etisalat Beach Canteen at Sunset Beach (10 to 27 December), DSF Nights at Festival Bay, DSF X Hatta Wadi Hub, the etisalat MOTB market at d3 (8 to 24 January), citywide mall sales, raffles and the DSF Auto Season to close the festival. The full programme, including drone shows, fireworks and raffle prizes, is due in November, and we will update this page when it is out.
DSF 2026–27 dates at a glance
| Date | What happens | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 4 December 2026 | DSF opens | Citywide |
| 10 to 27 December | etisalat Beach Canteen (new to DSF): food, live entertainment, workshops | Sunset Beach, Umm Suqeim |
| December weekends | Fireworks and drone shows (expected, times to be confirmed) | To be announced |
| 31 December | New Year’s Eve falls inside DSF | Citywide |
| 8 to 24 January 2027 | etisalat MOTB outdoor market: shopping, food, music | Dubai Design District (d3) |
| January | DSF Auto Season closes the festival | To be announced |
| Sun 17 January 2027 | DSF ends | Citywide |
Source: Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, as reported by What’s On on 15 October 2026. MOTB runs a week past the official DSF end date.
What’s confirmed for DSF 2026
- Mall sales and promotions across the city, from big malls to neighbourhood centres. Discounts are set by each retailer and announced closer to the start.
- etisalat Beach Canteen, 10 to 27 December at Sunset Beach: beachside restaurants, live shows and workshops. This is its first year as part of DSF.
- DSF Nights at Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City: live music from local artists.
- DSF X Hatta Wadi Hub: food pop-ups, outdoor cinema and free family activities in Hatta.
- etisalat MOTB (Market Outside The Box), 8 to 24 January at d3: an outdoor market with local brands, food and entertainment.
- Raffles and the DSF Auto Season, with prizes and ticket prices still to be announced.
Drone shows and fireworks: what to expect
Times for DSF 2026–27 are not out yet. Last edition (5 December 2025 to 11 January 2026), free drone shows ran every night at 8pm and 10pm at Bluewaters and The Beach at JBR, and fireworks lit up Dubai Festival City Mall. Expect a similar set-up this year, with the busiest nights on December weekends and around New Year’s Eve. For shows by the beach, get there early: parking at JBR fills fast, and the Dubai Tram and the Red Line (DMCC or Sobha Realty stations) are easier.
Best areas to stay or live for DSF
| Area | Why it works for DSF |
|---|---|
| JBR and Dubai Marina | Walk to The Beach and Bluewaters, where last year’s drone shows ran; Tram and Metro on the doorstep |
| Downtown Dubai and Business Bay | Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain and the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Burj Khalifa |
| Dubai Festival City | DSF Nights at Festival Bay and Festival City Mall fireworks |
| Al Barsha | Mall of the Emirates on the Red Line, and good value compared with the beach |
| Deira | Gold Souk, City Centre Deira and the Creek; the cheapest base with Metro access |
Visiting family over the holidays? Browse holiday homes in Dubai for short stays, or apartments for rent in JBR if you are moving. Prices for short stays rise around New Year, so book early.
DSF shopping tips
- Go early in the week. Weekday mornings are calmer; Friday to Sunday evenings are the busiest.
- Take the Metro. Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira and Ibn Battuta all have stations. See what living near the Metro costs.
- Watch the flash sales. DSF usually has short, big-discount sale days; follow @dubaifestivals for the dates.
- Keep receipts. Many raffles and mall draws need a minimum spend per receipt.
- Tourists can claim VAT back on eligible purchases at the airport.
Other things on in Dubai this season
- UAE National Day 2026 on 2 December, two days before DSF opens, with an expected long weekend.
- Global Village 2026–27, open through the whole festival.
- Dubai Fitness Challenge and Dubai Run, ending just before DSF.
FAQ
When is Dubai Shopping Festival 2026?
DSF 2026–27 runs from 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, 45 days in total.
Is Dubai Shopping Festival free to enter?
Yes. The mall sales, most drone shows and fireworks, and many family activities are free. Some concerts, markets and raffles have tickets.
Where are the DSF drone shows?
Locations for 2026–27 are still to be announced. Last edition they ran nightly at 8pm and 10pm at Bluewaters and The Beach at JBR.
What is new at DSF 2026–27?
It is the longest DSF so far, at 45 days, and the etisalat Beach Canteen at Sunset Beach (10 to 27 December) joins the festival for the first time.
When is the DSF raffle?
Raffles run during the festival. Prizes, ticket prices and draw dates for 2026–27 have not been announced yet; we will add them here when they are.
Sources: Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment via What’s On (15 October 2026); DSF 2025–26 programme coverage. Last updated 3 November 2026.