AP / Kamran Jebreili

Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) festivities kick off in the shadow of Dubai Shopping Festival, a far more popular event taking place during the tolerable climate months of January-February. DSS is not far behind and together with DSF plays a major role in characterizing Dubai as the Mecca for shopaholics.

This year, the festival has started on 17 June with 52 days of international fashion events, shopping discounts in malls, food, entertainment, kid’s events, concerts, musicals and cartoons enthralling every one.
Presented by Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE), formerly known as the Dubai Shopping Festival Office, DSS delegates Dubai on an international level as shoppers from all around the place, are lured by the amazing discounts on merchandise. Nowhere will you find special offers like Best Buys, Buy One Get One Free, Added Value, and deals that are more interesting.

DSS’s lucky mascot ‘Modhesh’ has marked down its favorite merchandise, which could be gold & jewelry, electronics, international fashion labels, luxury watches, hotel accommodation or fine dining across various locations in Dubai. In addition, to make the customers feel pampered there are various deals across all the major spas and salons around Dubai.

It is not always true to say, money burns a hole in one’s pocket. DSS proves it wrong with its Raffles draw where you get a chance to win 14 BMW series 3 luxury sedans. Draws will be held every Thursday from June 24, except for the Final Draw that will take place on Saturday August 7.

Other than shopping, Dubai is admired for its perfect blend of outdoor attractions and historical monuments. Complete your trip to Dubai with a Desert Safari besides visiting the Park, Art Galleries, Golf Courses, Zoos and Museums. Alternatively, spend a little more to book yourself a helicopter ride to enjoy a view of the eye-catching Arabian Gulf.

Souqs & Markets

Gold Souq:
A place not to be missed, the Gold Souq is the ‘soul’ of Dubai and earned its rightful place as the ‘City of Gold’. Situated in the narrow alleys of Deira, well-known brands along with unbranded outlets sell gold in a wide range of accessories.

Spice Souq:
Spices typical to the Arab world are to be found only in the alleys of Dubai. Overpowering fragrances of strong spices fill the Arabian styled market. This is the ideal place to buy Arabian souvenirs that you’ll want to remember forever such as sheesha pipes, henna, incense sticks, sandalwood, etc.

Textile Market:
Textile Market is an excellent place to buy cloth from traders at reasonable rates. Items on display are exports from Afghanistan, India, Iran, UAE, Pakistan and Oman.

Participating Malls in DSS

Al Bustan Centre

Mall Timings:
Saturday to Thursday: 10am to 11pm
Friday: 2pm to 11pm

Contact Information:
Tel: +971 4 263 0000
Fax: +971 4 263 0005
Toll Free: 800 4648 (UAE Only)
Website: www.al-bustan.com

Al Ghurair City

Mall Timings:
Saturday to Thursday: 10am to 12am
Friday: 2pm to 12am

Contact Information:
Tel: +971 4 2055309/285
Fax: +971 4 2229028
Website: www.alghuraircity.com
Email: infoagc@al-ghurair.com

Arabian Center

Mall Timings:
Sunday to Wednesday: 10am to 10:30pm
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 12 midnight

Foodcourt & Restaurant Timings:
Sunday to Wednesday: 10am to 12 midnight
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 12:30am

Contact Information:
Tel: +971 4 2845555
Fax: +971 4 2845444
Website: www.arabiancenter.ae
Email: arabian.info@lalsgroup.com

Century Mall

Mall Timings:
Saturday to Wednesday: 10am to 10pm
Thursday: 10am to 11pm
Friday: 2pm to 11pm

Carrefour Hypermarket:
Everyday: 8:30am to 12 midnight

Jungle Bungle:
Saturday to Wednesday: 10am to 11pm
Thursday: 10am to 1am
Friday: 2pm to 1am

Food Court:
Saturday to Wednesday: 10am to 12 midnight
Thursday: 10am to 1am
Friday: 2pm to 1am

Lamcy Plaza

Mall Timings:
Sunday to Wednesday: 9am to 10:30pm
Thursday to Saturday: 9am to 12 midnight

Foodcourt Timings:
Sunday to Wednesday: 9am to 12 midnight

Contact Information:
Tel: +971 4 3359999
Fax: +971 4 3359996

Mercato

Mall Timings:
Sunday to Wednesday: 10am – 10pm
Thursday to Saturday: 10am – Midnight

Spinneys Supermarket:
Everyday: 8am to 12 midnight

Grand Cinemas:
Everyday: 10am to 12 midnight

Contact Information:
Tel: +971 4 3444 161
Fax: +971 4 3490 066
Website: www.MercatoShoppingMall.com
Email: management@mercatotowncentre.ae

Oasis Centre

Mall Timings:
Sunday to Wednesday: 10am to 10pm
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 12 midnight

Contact Information:
Tel: +971 4 515 4000
Fax: +971 4 515 4001
Website: www.oasiscentremall.com

Palm Strip

Mall Timings:
Saturday to Thursday: 10am to 10pm
Friday: 2pm to 10pm

Contact Information:
Tel: 04-3461462
Fax: 04-3461206
Website: www.dipllc.ae

The Dubai Mall

Mall Timings:
Everyday: 10am to 12 midnight

Contact Information:
Tel: 800 38224 6255 (800 DUBAI MALL)
Website: www.thedubaimall.com

Organizer Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE) have announced that this year’s DSF will go on until mid February and with a gap period of 3 months, Dubai Summer Surprises will be launched on June 17 2010. Dubai Summer Surprises, an event with a hangover of DSF will conclude on August 7.

Dubai is a travelers and shopper’s paradise and the festival blends the wishes of worldwide traders and shopaholics. The magnitude of the shopping experience is multiplied with eye-popping theatre events, fireworks and laser shows, street performances, fashion shows, prize draws and of course discounts on various merchandise. There is something for everyone at the DSF right from film festivals for the movie buffs to children’s functions to keep the kids happy.

Souks are a popular place to hang out especially for the women, as Dubai is known for its gold jewelry and spices available at duty free rates. If you are a good bargainer then you can hit the pot of luck with incredible discounts offered by dealers. Gold Souk at Sikkat al-Khali Street and Spice souk on Al Sabkha are some of the famous joints to shop. Do visit the Fish Souk in Deira even if you are not intending to buy. The market is worth a watch with fisherman pitching their voices to sell their catches and buyers haggling for a good price.

For those who are ready to spend a few extra dirhams can go for Persian carpets sold by traders from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The DSF co-ordinates various events and exhibitions under one space, where hundreds of traders not only get together to sell their wares but also showcase their country’s cultural highlights.

As the theme of this year’s DSF goes, One world, One family, One festival; the world citizens are looking forward to the opening ceremony of the Dubai Shopping Festival 2010.