Some of the things you can do on the first DSF weekend
Dubai Shopping Festival 2008 begins today. The month-long shopping, activity and entertainment extravaganza promises to be the biggest and best ever. If explosive action is what you seek, look no further. This year it's here in abundance.
As day turns to night over Dubai Creek, the skies will erupt in a kaleidoscope of colour as up to 300 fireworks are launched a minute from eight tonight.
Advanced pyrotechnics
The extravagant 15-minute display can be enjoyed tonight, tomorrow and Saturday night from Al Seef Street along Dubai Creek.
Launched from a floating barge beside the Creek, the displays require some of the most advanced pyrotechnics available and each display will feature three times the number of fireworks normally let off per minute.
But that's only for starters!
The DSF Night Souq is a great place to pick up some cultural gifts and bargains amid an atmosphere which will transport you to the streets of Jordan, Iran and other countries of the Middle East.
Something for everyone
With shopping, carnivals, street entertainers, local and international food stalls and a popular fun fair for the young and young at heart there is definitely something for everyone at the Al Seef Road Night Souq.
This year, for the more adventurous in your group, why not try throwing yourself from the skies by attempting the DSF bungee jump over the Creek.
The Night Souq is open from 6pm-3am from Thursday to Saturday.
Circus
Al Muraqqabat Street promises to be just as busy from 4pm-midnight until Saturday with an international circus of animals, fun fair and much more. If animals and fairground rides are not your thing then don't worry there is still plenty to do.
The adventure sports show is sure to draw in the crowds along with the ever-popular street stage shows which only seem to get better with age.
And life really does go full circle. The DSF festival will be held at Festival Park with a heritage zone, mini animal farm, skill games zone, inflatable course and market for that extra bit of retail therapy.
All activities at Festival Park (Creek Park, gate one) will take place from 4pm-10pm daily.
Arabian delights
A taste of Arabia is on offer at 8pm at both Dubai Media City and the Global Theatre at Global Village with performances from Tamer Hosni and Layale Zaman respectively.
Al Nasr Leisureland plays host to Sri Lankan group Bandu Live from 7-10pm while the Krystal Tent Dinner Show takes place at the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi from 8pm.
Saturday promises to be just as busy as Friday with the introduction of the Dubai Fringe Festival which takes place at Wafi from 5-10pm.
Artistic acts and entertainers will hit the stage, offering shoppers that extra dimension during a hard day or night in the shops.
The Carpet Oasis is just another place which is well worth a visit - especially if you're on the hunt for a fresh new way to spice up your living room!
Open from 10am-10pm daily and the Dubai Airport Expo, the exhibition includes rugs, carpets and mats from all over the world ranging in price from some of the best value-for-money coverings to some of the most expensive in the region. The colour alone is a sight to behold.
And then of course we have the DSF signature venue at Global Village, Dubailand, open from 4pm until midnight daily.
Where to go
- Al Seef Street
- Al Muraqqabat Street
- Festival Park (Creek Park, gate one)
- Dubai Media City
- Global Village
- Al Nasr Leisureland
- Le Meridien Mina Seyahi
- Wafi
- Dubai Airport Expo
- Visit: www.mydsf.ae
