Here's a look at all the fun and excitement the coming weeks promise from Santana to the Salaam India concert with jazz, food and fashion in between.
The Dubai Shopping Festival is just as much about entertainment as it is about shopping. This year, there are abundant activities for the whole family to enjoy, from attempts to break Guinness World Records, through to fashion show extravaganzas at the Madinat Jumeirah.
The DSF will kick start with the opening ceremony today, and will feature a multitude of artists from all over the world, performing against themed backgrounds. The Fireworks Festival will also begin, and can be enjoyed on either side of the Creek from 8pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the DSF.
Fashion event
The DSF fashion event will feature some of the biggest names from the global fashion industry, and will take place between the February 10 and 12 at the Madinat Jumeirah.
Another fashion orientated event will be ‘Creations — The Young Fashion Designer's Dream'; young, upcoming fashion designers will be provided with a platform to showcase their work, with the DSF supplying the logistical support including venue, setup, choreography and models. DSF Creations 2008 will take place at Burjuman between February 14 and 22. DSF 2008 will witness the launch of the new record-breaking event ‘Dubai Records'. The launch of this event will take place on the February 16, and will highlight attempts to break local records. Additionally, several World Guinness Record attempts are lined up for DSF 2008, and will take place between the February 21 and 23 at the Creek Park.
Carpet Oasis, one of the DSF's main annual events, returns this year to provide a spectacular gathering of the ancient, the innovative and the classic from the carpet world. Over 150,000 carpets are showcased at the event, which is held at the West Hall of the Airport Exhibition Centre from January 24 to February 24.
House of Talents returns this year, and will run from January 28 to March 2, at the Global Village. The annual event provides a platform for gifted women to showcase their talents and skills before the audience, in various categories.
Shoppers will have the opportunity to be treated to culinary delights at this year's DSF Food Festival. Running from January 25 to February 2, the event will feature cuisines from all over the world. The festival will bring together the finest hotels and restaurants in Dubai in one venue.
A number of new events are also being launched by the organisers at this year's DSF. Festival Park is a new entertainment concept that will feature a wide variety of events and festivities at Al Khor Park. The list of attractions includes a mini animal farm, various heritage events, an air show, a digital festival and a family fun fair.
Entertaining crowds
DSF is also organising activities on Al Seef and Al Muraqqabat Street. There will be kiosks at both locations, with the popular Night Souq making a return to Al Seef Street. An international circus and funfair will be just some of the attractions on offer at Al Muraqabat Street during the DSF.
A string of talented and celebrated musicians will be taking to the stage to entertain the crowds at this year's festival. Carlos Santana will be performing at Dubai Festival City on February 15, whilst jazz music fans will be able to enjoy the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival from February 21 at Dubai Media City. For fans of Indian music, a concert featuring Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan, and Sukhwinder Singh will take place at the Dubai Tennis Stadium on February 17.
A special ‘Salaam India Concert' will take place at the same venue on January 25 and will feature legendary Indian singers Asha Bhosle, K.J. Yesudas, and S.P. Balasubramaniam. Taking cue from the popularity of Pakistani Punjabi music, Naseebo Lal and Megha will perform live at Al Nasr Leisure Land on January 24.
Many of Dubai's malls are organising in-house entertainment to celebrate the DSF. Mall of the Emirates, with the theme of The World of Entertainment, will host entertainment from different regions of the globe, including India, the Far East, Africa, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East.
For the America celebrations (from January 24 to 30), Solid Steel, a steel pan band inspired by the sounds of Barbados, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, will be playing their music in the Galleria.
During the India celebrations (from January 31 to February 6), the Bollywood Dreams dancers will be bringing their colourful act to shoppers. The group have been wowing audiences in London's West End for two years, and following the closure of Andrew Lloyd Webber's famous musical of the same name, have continued their vibrant dance act by performing to audiences around the world.
The third week of the DSF (February 7 to 13) is dedicated to Europe. Extravadanza will be performing three special shows daily which consist of European dances such as the French Can-Can, and traditional Irish and Slovakian dances. Two acts will bring the spirit of Africa to the Mall of the Emirates during the Africa celebrations (February 14 to 23). UMOJA: The Spirit of Togetherness will take listeners on a journey of rhythm from South Africa, whilst Limbo dancer Kaniki and his assistants will bring audiences Limbo Dancing, Kenya style.
Deira City Centre will be offering mall visitors the chance to participate in the simulated car race Race Track Challenge. The event will take place during the whole month of the DSF at 5pm until 10pm on weekdays, and 5 to 11pm on weekends at the mall's Centre Stage.
Children's magical world
Mercato Mall and Town Centre Jumeirah will be celebrating with a Toy Fantasia theme this year. The malls will be decorated with a variety of toys from the past; from the main stage in Mercato, that will be shaped like a traditional toy drum, to an exhibition of old fashioned teddy bears, the theme will transform the malls into a magical world for children and adults alike.
The festivities will include a Pinocchio arts and crafts workshop, where children will be shown how to make old fashioned toys such as spinning tops and finger puppets. The workshop will run on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 4 to 8pm, at Mercato's Porto Vecchio Village.
