Dubai: Dubai Municipality will spend Dh30 million on a host of activities it will organise during the month-long Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) that starts tomorrow.
Of the total outlay, Dh6 million is being spent on new lighting systems to decorate several parts of the city.
"We expect about 800,000 visitors to join our month-long activities lined up at several public parks," Ahmad Abdul Karim, director of Dubai Municipality's Public Parks and Horticulture Department and Head of its DSF Committee, told reporters yesterday.
At Dh10 per visitor, the municipality's income from the festival is expected to reach Dh8 million.
Park entry fees
Karim said park entry fees will remain the same during the DSF, except Dubai Creek Park, where the entry fee will be doubled to Dh10 per person. "This is to cover the activities lined up at the Creekside Park that will host Aqua Fantasia, daily fireworks, Islands of the World as well as weekly folkloric shows," he said.
"Once visitors enter the park, they get a chance to participate in all the activities for free."
"We also import 12 million flower plants from December to May every year as part of Dubai Municipality's beautification plans.
"We are bringing a 57-member Symphony Orchestra from Russia which will perform at the Zabeel Park every day till January 19," he said.
New venue
He said the civic body has added Zabeel Park as a new recreational venue in the festival map.
"The park distinguishes itself with its unique location and a host of distinctive facilities such as the Mega Bowl, Panoramic Tower, Imax Theatre, Space Maze, Barcode Garden, Lake, Alternative Energy Zone and Play Zone," said Abdul Karim.
The Children's City at the Creek Park, he said, would be another attraction. "This largest edutainment facility for children in the Middle East has lined up a number of activities," he said.
A Japanese folklore team, along with Brazilian, Syrian and others, will enthrall the crowd at the Creekside Park for the full DSF month.
Esmail Al Banna, assistant director of Dubai Municipality's Public Parks and Horticulture Department, told mediapersons that street shows will be staged daily at the Creekside Park.
Here's what you must look for
International Food Fiesta: The newly-opened Zabeel Park will host a first of its kind entertainment event named International Food Fiesta at the Mega Bowl in Area A of the park during the Eid holidays from 10am to 5pm everyday.
The International Food Fiesta is a three-day food-cum entertainment extravaganza providing the best selection of international cuisines along with a mix of free food sampling, stage events, a food bazaar and loads of interactive events. The highlights of the event will be Boogie Woogie Dance competition, loads of giveaways and cooking with a film star and Buffet 505 largest buffet of the world.
Aqua Fantasia: Aqua Fantasia, the award-winning popular water show of the Dubai Shopping Festival, would be better and more spectacular than before this time.
It will feature dancing fountains, water screen, jet fountains, fireworks and movie effects accompanied by eastern and international music. There will be two shows daily at 7 and 8pm.
Additionally, a third show will be held at 9.30pm during the Eid holidays.
The show, to be held at the amphitheatre of the park, is accessible from Gate 7 of the Creek Park.
Symphony Orchestra of Russia: The Symphony Orchestra of Russia, which will be one of the major attractions of the entertainment events at Zabeel Park, will be participated by more than 75 artistes.
The world famous music band will perform at the Zabeel Park stage accompanied by a number of firework shows.
The Symphony Orchestra performance will be held from 4 to 19 January from 4.30 to 10.30 pm.
Charlie Chaplin Show: The Charlie Chaplin Show will be staged at the Zabeel Park and Creek Park from 4.30 to 8.30pm daily throughout the DSF days.
The show, to be performed by Charlie Chaplin Al Sham Comical Group from Syria, include comical theatre, children's play, children's singing and dancing show, competitions and games programmes.
Islands of the World: The Islands of the World show, which will be staged from 6 to 7pm at Creek Park, will be a unique exposure to the tiny islands that dot our oceans. It will be a special platform to portray the essence of each island's culture.
The show will offer an insight to their cultural practices, traditional food, arts and crafts, music and dance.
Folk troupes: The Syrian and Brazil folk troupes will perform at the Creek Park during weekend holidays from 4.30 to 10.30pm.
Eight artistes from the Jollanar Syrian Folk and Theatre Dance Troupe from Syria will perform folk and theatre dance shows of Syria and several Arab countries.
Children's City: A variety of entertainment programmes will be held at the Children's City at the Creek Park throughout the DSF days from 11am to 1pm and from 4 to 9pm.
The activities include face painting, workshops, three children's plays a day in Arabic and English, group birthday parties and magic shows, in addition to the permanent exhibits at the different sections of the Children's City.
Park Carnival: Several street performers will entertain the Creek Park visitors during the Eid holidays by performing acrobatic tricks.
The performance area can be accessed from Gate 1 of the park.
