With so much going on around town it's hard to decide where to go or what to do. With our Top DSF Picks guide, the decision-making should become much easier.
The Global Village
The Global Village is one of the biggest attractions of DSF every year and is organised at a different venue each time. This year the changes include a river and walkways instead of traipsing through sand.
The Global Village gives visitors a chance to shop endlessly at famous outlets from around the globe, each selling authentic items from their respective countries including India, Egypt, China, Japan, Germany and many more.
Besides shopping, a number of cultural shows and presentations are held every night from various countries, allowing people to experience and understand other cultures better.
Another huge attraction at The Global Village is the fun fair with a number of rides and arcade games, which makes it a fun time for all. There are also a number of food outlets that are so diverse and culturally dynamic, you'll find yourself spoiled for choice.
Heritage Events
Heritage Events provide a closer look at the UAE's rich cultural legacy. The events, organised by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, focuses on two places, the Shindagah area and the Hatta Heritage Village. An important event at both places is the exhibition on the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan titled Zayed – The Enduring Legacy.
Shindagah has three exhibition areas for the heritage events: The Heritage Village, The Diving Village, and The Shaikh Saeed Al Maktoum House. Exhibits of handicrafts, traditional food, living quarters, and wedding shows are slated as highlights of the Heritage Events.
Omani bands will perform at the Diving Village on February 15 and 24. A display of wedding festivities will be held on February 2, 14, and 23. The Hatta Heritage Village holds a variety of traditional activities in addition to a Camel Carnival every Friday and Saturday, and a Pet Farm daily.
Where: Al Shindagah area and the Hatta Heritage Village
When: 5pm to 10pm
Bungee Jumping
Al Seef Street will be hosting a bungee jumping platform this year at the DSF. If you are 15 years of age or older, you can take the plunge.
The event is held between 4pm and 12.30am seven days a week.
While bungee jumping is the main entertainment attraction, Al Seef Street is also hosting the Night Souq, where visitors can shop at numerous outlets with international brands sold at attractive prices.
A Fun Fair and a Skill Games Zone are the events organised for children and teenagers.
Visitors can also opt for a ride on horse-drawn carriages along Al Seef road. For a taste of Arabian cuisine and hospitality, the Floating Restaurants along the Creek provide an attractive option. Equipped for open-air dining, these floating kitchens provide for a pleasant family outing during the DSF.
Where: Al Seef Street
When: Bungee 4pm to 12.30am, and Shopping from 6pm to 2am on weekdays and from 6pm to 3am on weekends
Weekend shows
Weekend Shows features a variety of cultural performances from around the world. The first show titled The Journey, consisting of 36 performers from Australia and Africa, will portray a fusion of cultures in a unique 45-minute production.
The second show, The Dance of Fire and Light, is a combination of advanced light and sound techniques, set with special effects and pyrotechnics featuring stunning stage set-ups and choreographed fireworks.
The final performance, called the Flying Art Show, comprises aerial acrobats, Spartan shows and bungees. It includes 20 performers from Poland and Germany, some of whom are ex-Cirque Du Soleil artists.
Where: The Creek Park
When: February 7 to 9; 14 to 16; 21 to 23
Fireworks display
A highlight of every DSF is the fireworks display. This year the fireworks have been transformed into a festival of their own, with dazzling displays of light on weekends. The highlight of the fireworks display is based near Al Seef Street at the Dubai Creek, where a floating barge launches around 150 fireworks per minute, compared to the normal 100. Visitors on either side of the creek will be able to watch a spectacular display of colour, light, and sound.
Where: Al Seef Street
Krystal Dinner Show
The premier appearance of the Krystal Dinner Show in the world famous Grand Spiegel tent marks a new era of fine dining and entertainment in Dubai.
The Grand Spiegel tent is a 26-metre diameter mobile structure constructed of wood, canvas and mirrors, decorated with stained glass windows and velvet interiors, which has been brought to the UAE for the first time. The intricate designs include intimate booths, and a stage with art nouveau chandeliers.
Over the years Spiegel tents have hosted some of the world's greatest performing artistes, including German singer Marlene Dietrich, who famously performed Falling In Love Again in a Spiegel tent in the 1930s. Set against the backdrop of the marina in the Le Meridien, Mina Seyahi, the Krystal Dinner Show combines five-star cuisine and world-class entertainment from a cast of 20 international artistes – singers, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, musicians and comedy performers – in the mesmerising beauty and unique ambience of the nostalgic Grand Spiegel tent, makes The Krystal Dinner show a must-see event.
Where: Le Meridien, Mina Seyahi
When: Weekeday shows begin at 8pm, with a Friday brunch at 1pm and a Saturday family matinee at 1pm.
Dubai Carnival
Based on the idea of floats, the Dubai Carnival features four platforms, each with a different theme, ranging from Russian, to Arabic, Japanese, and Chinese.
Different locations in Dubai such as the Muraqqabat Street, Al Seef Street, Creek Park, the Dubai Marina, Uptown Mirdiff, Arabian Ranches, Global Village, Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, and Knowledge Village play host to the carnival, making it possible for everyone to catch the acts.
Performers include Tanourah dancers, African artists, Indian folk groups, stilt walkers, clowns, jugglers, and a host of Turkish, Serbian and Senegalese entertainers.
Where: All over the city
Festival Park
Festival Park is a new addition to this year's DSF venues. Organised at the Creek Park, Festival Park is slated to be the ultimate picnic and family outing destination throughout DSF.
The events in Festival Park have been designed to provide a whole day of entertainment and adventure and include a fun-fair, a mini animal farm, a display of Watani events and numerous highlights over the weekends. The main attraction is the Festival Stage where the weekend shows are performed.
As DSF celebrates 10 years of breaking records, the Festival Park will be the main venue for Guinness World Record attempts between February 21 and 23.
The Dubai Carnivals will also make a halt at the park on three occasions, complete with jugglers, magicians, clowns, stilt walkers, and a whole array of international performers.
Folk groups from Turkey, Serbia, Senegal, Mexico, and India, as well as living-statue performers from Slovakia will be present.
If it's family fun you're after, the Festival Park is one of the major attractions for you and your family this DSF.
Where: Creek Park
When: 4pm to 10pm
Carpet Oasis
The Carpet Oasis is the largest carpet, rug, and handicrafts exhibition that takes place every year at DSF. Organised in cooperation with the Dubai Ports and Customs Authority, the Carpet Oasis showcased about 100,000 carpets last year and welcomed more than 50,000 visitors.
A new exhibition within the Carpet Oasis is the Art Oasis that includes numerous art displays of various kinds. In addition to the arts oasis, activities such as the family products exhibitions, and several art workshops organised by the Dubai Women's Club are included in this year's exhibition.
Rare antique items and art pieces are also part of the exhibition. An interesting feature of the exhibition is that only handmade carpets are displayed this year to maintain a high standard of quality. The carpets have been brought from places renowned for the mastery of weaving such as Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Kashmir.
Where: West Hall Airport Expo Dubai
When: 10am to 10pm on weekdays and 4pm to 11pm on Fridays
