The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), also known as ‘Layali Dubai’ in Arabic, is an annual international shopping event.  Originally conceived in 1996, the event now attracts more than 3 million people and is today one of the most important shopping events in the yearly calendar. 

Dubai Shopping Festival – Discounted Shopping and Bargains
Many tourists plan bargain holidays to Dubai during the DSF to make the most of the discounted shopping and offers that are available during this event.  A shopaholic’s dream, a variety of goods can be purchased at tax free prices including jewellery, watches and perfumes.  Daily draws also take place amounting to millions of Dirhams being given out as gifts!

For real atmosphere, visit o0ne of th emany souks, located on Dubai Creek to soak up the shopping atmosphere and experience the buzz.  Visit the Gold Souk, Spice Souk or Fish Souk and be amazed at the products on offer and the spectacles to be seen.

Events and Entertainment during DSF
On top of the vast selection of promotions, discounts and bargains that the Dubai Shopping Festival offers, there are daily events such as street performances, music shows, film festivals and fireworks.  There are also different shows based on selected themes such as Tarzan and Fashion week plus many sports to get involved in including football, tennis, rowing plus many more.

DSF 2011 – 15 years of the Dubai Shopping Festival
In 2011 the event ran for 32 days from the 20th January to the 20th February.  The event opened with an amazing show at the Burj Khalifa Boulevard and Dubai Creek Park with fireworks.  Disney also performed an exclusive production here in 2011 plus there were many raffles, concerts and shows such as the Dolphin show, concerts from Amy Winehouse, N.E.R.D and many more artists.

During the fifteen years that Dubai Shopping Festival has been running, there have been over 40 million visitors to the event, consumers have spent  Dh84 billion and prizes have been given away to the value of Dh1.35 billion.

Dubai Shopping Festival 2012 Dates
In 2012 the Festival will commence in the 3rd week of January and will last for a month.  Package holidays for the event next year will be advertised soon with many offers on accommodation and flights available during this time.

Dubai has many great attractions and places to visit, there are far too many to mention so here are just a few of the most popular and the most unusual.

Global Village

Started in 1996, the Global Village is located beside Dubai Creek. Originally the village consisted of small units selling products from countries around the world but has now much bigger with more than 40 countries displaying their products. The village attracts millions of visitors every year.

Ski Dubai

Located in the Emirates Shopping Mall, Ski Dubai has ski runs, ski lifts and has the worlds first ever indoor black run.

Dreamland Aqua Park

Situated about 35 minutes from Dubai in Umm Al Quwain, the park covers 62 acres of ground with more than 25 water rides, restaurants, cafes and a pool bar. Camping facilities are also available here.

Wild Wadi Waterpark

Situated about 20 minutes from the city centre between Burj Al Arab and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the waterpark covers an area of 12 acres. Here you will find more than 20 water rides to excite all of the family.

Wonderland

This is a theme park with a Caribbean theme, complete with slides, rides, shows, games and plenty of places to eat. The park is split into three areas, Main Street, Theme Park and Splashland.

Dubai Zoo

Located in Juneirah the zoo is a great day out for all the family. The zoo has many different species of large cats, primates and Arabian mammals.

Dubai Museum

Situated in Bur Dubai, the museum is located in the late 18th century Al Sahid Fort. The fort has been restored and offers an insight into the Dubai of years past.

Heritage Village

Here in the heritage village there is a museum displaying all kinds of artefacts, some dating back to 550BC.

Diving Village

Here you will find articles which relate to the days when local people dived for pearls in the  Gulf of Dubai.

Dubai Creek

The best way to view the wonderful buildings that line the Creek is to take an Abra (small barge) ride, particularly in the evening when there is a firework display from the middle of the creek.

Spice Souk and Gold Souk

Both of these souks (markets) are located on the north side of Dubai Creek.

Hatta

This is Dubais only mountain resort and is located about a 45 minute drive from Dubai. The Heritage Village here consists of houses made from mud, stone and palm tree trunks, watch towers, a mosque and Hatta pools.

The above are just a few of the great attractions Dubai has to offer you when on your family holidays to this fascinating destination.

You will always find great travel deals to Dubai available throughout the internet.

A souk is a market place where all types of goods are sold or exchanged. Originally the souks were located near the docks and were used as trading places for goods brought into the country on ships from India, Ceylon, China and the Far East. In the past the goods being bargained over were items such as spices, perfumes and silk, nowdays you can buy anything from gold to designer goods to electronic goods.

The Gold Souk

With more than 300 Gold Souks in Dubai, this is the place to shop as it is considered to be the cheapest place in the world to buy gold as there is no tax on gold and the import duties are very low. There is a huge variety of gold sold here, including such items as rings, bracelets, earrings, chains, necklaces, pendants and hair accessories. You will find both modern and traditional designs made from different coloured gold including yellow, white, pink and even green shades.

The Spice Souk

Here you will be amazed by the aroma of all the spices on offer. The spices here are imported from the Middle East and sold straight from the sacks that they arrive in. Goods on sale include saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, dried fruit and nuts to name just a few.

The Fish Souk

Open in the early morning and late at night, this is a fascinating souk to visit. Here you will find a huge array of different fish including lobster, crab, prawns, squid, shark, red snapper, sea bream, rock cod, king fish, barracuda, tuna, mackerel and sardines all of which are landed by the local fishermen.

The Perfume Souk

Here you will smell the aromas of thousands of different perfumes, from the traditional ittars (Arabian perfume) to all the latest designer perfumes. If you can’t find a fragrance you like the shopkeepers here will mix a potion to your taste. The traditional perfumes here differ from western perfumes as they have a very strong spicy smell.

There is much more to see and do in Dubai but for those who like to shop a visit to a souk is a must when on your direct holidays to this wonderful country.

Why not look on the internet for one of the many last minute holiday deals to Dubai which are on currently on offer.