Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), Dubai's favourite annual shopping and entertainment event, is back from 27 June to 31 August, and this year’s edition is bigger and more value-packed than ever. The 28th edition of the annual festival will bring 66 days of non-stop shopping, dining, entertainment, and exciting deals across the city.
DSS was first launched in 1998 by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment as a way to boost tourism and retail during the typically quieter summer season. Over time, it has become a cornerstone of Dubai's growth and its reputation as a year-round tourist destination.
This year's DSS, with its new launches, three distinct retail seasons, immersive family fun, headline concerts and citywide raffles, promises something for every UAE resident and visitor, particularly families looking for ways to beat the heat and enjoy a memorable summer together.
An Overview Of What You Can Expect
Three Shopping Seasons
For the first time, DSS brings a brand-new shopping experience with three special retail seasons:
- Summer Holiday Offers: From 27 June to 17 July, there will be citywide retail deals, mall activations, and big raffles.
- Great Dubai Summer Sale: From 18 July to 10 August, the most thrilling shopping moment of the season will unfold with unmissable flash sales, mega prizes, and surprises across over 3,000 outlets.
- Back To School: From 11 to 31 August, you can get special offers on school supplies, tuition giveaways, and children-focused experiences.
Opening Weekend Highlights
From 27 to 29 June, DSS will kick off with a spectacular weekend of family fun, celebrations and entertainment throughout the city. This will include:
- Live concerts and cultural shows at malls: Regional artists and bands like Sabrina, Abri and Band, Reina Khoury, and Noel Kharman will perform at Dubai Festival City Mall. Performances by Jadal and Al Shami, coupled with thrilling roaming acts and live shows will unfold at City Centre Mirdif.
- Major shows: Jazziyat featuring Banah at Dubai Opera on 27 June, Miami Band and Mutref Al Mutref at Coca-Cola Arena on 28 June, and more. Opening weekend performances will conclude with Adnan Sami at Coca-Cola Arena and Pinoy Comedy Mixtape at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), both happening on 29 June.
- Shopping highlights: DSS Sales Season will kick off with massive savings, surprises, mall activations and retail offers for 9 weeks. Its first retail window, Summer Holiday Offers, begins on 27 June with special mall activations and offers at Mercato Mall, all Majid Al Futtaim malls including Mall of the Emirates, along with Dubai Festival City Mall and more. Shoppers can also participate in raffles that offer exciting rewards and mega prizes, including DSMG DSS Raffle, Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group Raffle, and the VISA Jewellery Program, among others. You just need to spend over a certain amount at any of the participating malls and you'll receive a digital raffle coupon to enter the draw. Winners will be named on a weekly basis and will stand to win jewellery, mega shopping vouchers or even bigger surprising gifts.
Returning Favourites And New Launches
- Dubai Summer Restaurant Week: From 4 to 13 July, you can check out this returning favourite of DSS, and enjoy specially priced set menus for lunch and dinner at more than 50 family-friendly restaurants in the city. Bookings are available through OpenTable's website.
- DSS Gahwa Beats: Happening every Saturday from 26 July to 23 August, these are pop-up events blending Dubai's coffee culture with music.
- 10 Dirham Dish: From 1 to 31 Aug, you can try Dhs 10 culinary specials from a wide range of eateries.
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Concerts And Live Shows
Beyond the opening weekend fun, more international and regional artists will be performing in the city. These include:
- Beat The Heat DXB concert series at DWTC from 4 to 13 July
- Adonis at Dubai Opera on 3 July
- TJ Monterde at Coca-Cola Arena on 13 July
- Shreya Ghoshal at DWTC on 19 July.
- Sagar Bhatia at Coca-Cola Arena on 16 August
- Natalie Imbruglia at Dubai Opera on 23 August
- Made in Kuwaiti theatrical production at Dubai Opera on 29 and 30 August.
More performances are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Major Shopping Deals And Promotions
As part of the DSS, there will be massive discounts and offers at over 3,000 retail outlets from over 800 brands, including exclusive sales and flash sales. You can also get access to unique experiences and big rewards like 'Cool Off at The Beach, JBR' or 'Win Your School Fees' and many more promotions. Keep an eye out for limited time offers including 'Beat The Clock with Rivoli Group', 'Dubai Hills Mall One Day Sale' and others, or loyalty programmes like 'Amber Millionaire', 'AURA Millionaire Draw' and others.
Staycation Offers And Family-Friendly Fun
DSS is also the best-value time of the year for you to get access to exclusive summer offers at world-class leisure destinations, including over 100 hotels and 15 top attractions. From special resident rates to family packages, surprise perks and free upgrades, you can enjoy a variety of staycation offers in the city.
The DSS Entertainer also returns, throughout, with 7,500 buy-one-get-one-free offers across a selection of hotels, dining spots, gyms, spas, and attractions for Dhs 195. Destinations in the list include Wild Wadi Waterpark, Motiongate Dubai, IMG Worlds of Adventure, STK, At.mosphere and others.
Fitness Events
This DSS sees many fitness and wellness events taking place throughout the city, including indoor mall runs at Dubai Hills Mall on 28 June, at City Centre Mirdif on 6 July, at Mall of the Emirates on 3 August as well as DSS fun runs at Ibn Battuta Mall on 13 July and Dubai Festival City Mall on 31 August.
Along with these events, you can also see favourite DSS mascots 'Modesh' and 'Dana' popping up at favourite city attractions.
With unbeatable deals, family-friendly entertainment, new culinary and cultural highlights, and plenty of surprises across malls, hotels, and restaurants, DSS 2025 is set to deliver a summer worth celebrating for every family in the UAE. For more information, visit DSS website and follow their official Instagram page.