Discover where to shop, eat and explore during Dubai Shopping Festival 2025 to 2026, from luxury malls and souks to outlets, gifts and after dark shows.
Swap Nairobi’s rain for Dubai’s golden winter sun and you will find a city built for retail dreams. From 5 December 2025 to 11 January 2026, Dubai Shopping Festival turns the emirate into a 38 day celebration of shopping, entertainment and festive sparkle.
It is the season when value meets variety. Mega sales, flash offers and citywide raffles share the stage with headline shows and late night markets. If you are planning to spend the holiday season in Dubai, DSF is the perfect window to refresh wardrobes, discover homegrown labels and cross off that gift list, all while soaking in a holiday mood that feels effortlessly premium.
The Dubai Mall: Where Iconic Names Meet All Day Entertainment
Start at The Dubai Mall, the most visited retail and lifestyle destination in the world. With more than 1,200 stores and hundreds of dining options, this is retail as spectacle. Fashion Avenue brings together luxury houses such as Dior, Chanel and Cartier, each offering immersive flagships where browsing feels ceremonial.
For a change of pace, wander into the mall’s Chinatown where neon lights, open kitchens and the hum of conversation set the scene. Hawker Chan’s Michelin recognised soya sauce chicken and rice is a standout stop.
When it is time to pause, terrace restaurants overlooking Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Fountain deliver some of the city’s most photogenic dining moments. Beauty lovers can stock up at Sephora and Ulta Beauty, while high street favourites are plentiful, with Primark expected to open soon. Between shops, attractions like Dubai Aquarium, Dubai Ice Rink and KidZania turn a shopping trip into a full day out.
Mall of the Emirates: Couture, Concept Stores and a Cool Surprise
If Dubai Mall is theatrical, Mall of the Emirates feels curated and refined. The Fashion Dome gathers Dior, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci and Prada under one opulent roof, encouraging slow browsing and personalised service.
THAT Concept Store offers a more experimental experience, blending niche labels with personalisation stations and a dedicated beauty hub. In true Dubai fashion, the contrast comes fast. Step from luxury boutiques straight into Ski Dubai, the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort and snow park, for a playful cool down between purchases.
The mall continues to evolve, with anticipated openings from Primark, Ulta Beauty and SKIMS adding momentum to its retail mix.
Design Districts and Indie Finds: d3 and Alserkal Avenue
Beyond the big names, Dubai rewards curiosity. In Dubai Design District, creative studios and galleries sit alongside cafés like The Espresso Lab, Craft Café and Bageri Form. Frame, a local concept store, blends streetwear, collectible art and Dubai designed apparel that captures the city’s creative edge.
Mid-December visitors may also catch SOLE DXB, a cultural festival celebrating sneakers, streetwear, music and ideas, where shopping becomes part of a wider cultural exchange.
In Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz, contemporary art spaces meet independent boutiques such as The Edit, Nappa Dori, The Odd Piece and sneaker destination thegoodlife. This is slow shopping done right, intentional, curated and full of discovery.
Souks with Soul: Gold, Spice, Perfume and Textile
Old Dubai’s souks remain the city’s original shopping playgrounds. The Gold Souk in Deira dazzles with hundreds of shops offering everything from everyday jewellery to heirloom worthy designs.
Nearby, the Perfume Souk surrounds you with oud and bakhoor. Yousuf Bhai is a favourite for personalised scents blended on the spot, making for one of the most memorable gifts in the city. The Spice Souk fills the air with saffron, cardamom, cinnamon and tea blends, with merchants guiding visitors through regional favourites like za’atar and biryani mix.
Cross the creek to Bur Dubai’s Textile Souk to explore silks and traditional fabrics, perfect for bespoke tailoring back home. For a modern take, Souk Al Bahar in Downtown blends Arabian charm with contemporary dining, while Time Out Market nearby highlights Dubai’s homegrown food scene.
Where Bargains Live: Outlets and Treasure Hunts
Dubai treats value like a fine art. The Outlet Village, styled like an Italian hill town, makes discount shopping feel calm and considered and pairs well with a visit to Dubai Parks and Resorts. Dubai Outlet Mall takes savings further, offering more than 300 premium brands with discounts starting at 40 percent.
Brands For Less is a local off-price favourite for fashion, homeware, toys and electronics, with sister stores Luxury For Less and Homes For Less expanding the hunt. Vintage lovers can also explore the Dubai Flea Market, held across the city since 2007, for second hand finds with character.
Made in Dubai: Homegrown Labels to Know
DSF is also a spotlight on local talent. The Giving Movement has become a celebrity-favourite sustainable athleisure brand, producing locally and donating with every purchase. SQUATWOLF delivers premium gym wear, while L’Couture blends lifestyle and polish for everyday dressing.
Dubai’s beauty exports are global. Huda Beauty began here and now spans skincare under Wishful and fragrance through Kayali. For wellness, Humantra’s plant-based electrolyte mixes are practical travel essentials, while Enso Design Lab offers minimalist jewellery designed for daily wear.
On the food front, Project Chaiwala modernises South Asian street tea culture, while Curious Elephant’s chilli oils and dumplings bring bold Dubai flavours back to Nairobi.
The Gift List: What to Bring Back
Shopping during DSF makes gifting easy. Gold jewellery from the Gold Souk or Gold and Diamond Park marks milestones beautifully, while luxury houses like Cartier and Tiffany offer timeless statement pieces.
Arabian perfumes, oud and bakhoor from brands like Arabian Oud and Rasasi bring the Middle East into everyday rituals. Pashmina shawls from the Textile Souk or select boutiques offer warmth and refinement. Food lovers can stock up on saffron, cardamom, cinnamon and aromatic teas, while treats like Al Nassma camel milk chocolate, Mirzam artisan bars and Bateel gourmet dates travel well.
For something distinctly Dubai, seek out the original Dubai chocolate from Fix Dessert Chocolatier, available via the Careem app and worth the effort.
DSF After Dark: Shopping with a Side of Spectacle
As evening falls, DSF turns Dubai into a stage. Free twice nightly drone shows between Bluewaters and The Beach JBR light up the sky with choreographed displays and pyro-drone fireworks. Dubai Festival City Mall’s Festival Bay hosts nightly waterfront shows featuring lasers, fountains and pyrotechnics.
At d3 Waterfront, e& MOTB brings together fashion pop-ups, immersive installations and live performances, while DSF x Hatta Wadi Hub offers mountain air, outdoor markets and weekend fireworks. These experiences elevate the shopping mood without overwhelming it.
How to Make the Most of Your Shopping Days
December and January in Dubai make it easy to move between luxury malls, indie districts, historic souks and outlet destinations. Plan lightly, follow your wishlist and stay flexible for flash sales and pop-ups. Many DSF experiences are free, and daily updates are available on the official DSF platform.
This festive season, let Dubai be your retail playground. Whether you are chasing couture, curating a capsule wardrobe or filling your suitcase with spices and sweets, DSF 2025 to 2026 delivers sunshine, spectacle and genuine value just a short flight from Nairobi.
