Why Dubai Shopping Festival is more than retail therapy for the emirate’s residents

Why Dubai Shopping Festival is more than retail therapy for the emirate’s residents

Ever since its first edition in 1996, DSF has been instrumental in bringing people and communities together

Published: Fri 6 Jan 2023, 4:38 PM Last updated: Fri 6 Jan 2023, 4:40 PM

The emirate of Dubai is buzzing with activities, colour and lights as the 28th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) gets underway in the city. However, DSF is far beyond shopping and grabbing the best deals.

While for some longtime residents it evokes precious memories and nostalgia, for others the festival is the perfect opportunity to bring their family to the country. For residents and visitors alike, the event brings forth some of the best the city has to offer, including the mesmerising drone show at JBR.

Khaleej Times explores the different facets of Dubai during the DSF:

Nostalgia

Longtime Dubai resident Sajna has a fond memory about the very first edition of DSF (pictured below). “In 1996, my family and I were attending the opening ceremony of the DSF near Gold Souq,” she said.

“While standing on the footpath, we saw the police clearing roads and diverting traffic. We stuck around to see who was coming and suddenly, when I turned, it was the then ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al