Why Dubai's Best Festivals are Some of the World's Top Events

While local festivities are a major draw for tourists regardless of the destination, Dubai seems to have perfected the art of making its local festivals a global event. Although the city is best known for its shopping festivals, nearly every one of the red letter days in the Dubai calendar tends to attract overseas visitors in their thousands. Let us explore the reason why Dubai's festivals are such a big hit with the travelling masses. 

The Summer Surprises

Kicking off in the month of June, the Dubai Summer Surprises are only second to the Dubai Shopping Festival in terms of popularity. Heralding in a period of unbelievable discounts, the 65-day event draws countless holidaymakers to the desert capital to experience promotional offers at all manner of shopping, entertainment and dining hotspots. During the Dubai Summer Surprises, it's not uncommon to see nearly every Dubai mall, restaurant, theme park and hotel offer price concessions and slashed rates for visitors while the best hotel deals in Dubai are also accessible during this time of year. The festival is also headlined by some of the world's leading comedians, pop stars and live acts. As an ingenious strategy to draw visitors to Dubai during its off-season, the DSS as it is widely known is one example of how the city- state capitalizes on its commercial value, even during the most inhospitable months of the year.                                              

Teeraza88, Shopping at Dubai Festival City Mall, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Bargain Shopping Opportunities 

Having been a fixture of the Dubai tourism strategy since 1996, shopaholics around the world flock to Dubai to experience the annual Dubai Shopping Festival. This 30-day event which attracts a whopping 3 million tourists each year begins in January and lasts till the end of February. Although the chance to stock up on branded luxury products at a fraction of their original price is the main reason behind the festival's supremacy, the exciting contests hosted by Dubai's leading businesses during this time have also elevated the festival to new heights. Concentrated around the Dubai Mall, Dubai Festival City and countless other department stores in the city, tourists based at Oaks Liwa Heights will also find that the city's main souqs also participate in this annual event. 

The Chance to Savour Global Cuisine 

The Dubai Food Festival is a foodie's dream come true especially because the event brings some of the world's finest chefs to Dubai. Exploring the rich culinary traditions of Emirati cuisine, the mouthwatering experiences up for grabs during this annual festival are simply impossible to resist. Hosting countless food tours, cooking demonstrations and culinary workshops, the Dubai Food Festival also caters to those with different dietary preferences by including vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free treats. Some of the biggest highlights of the DFF are the beach canteens that crop up around Jumeirah Beach and the food trucks and food-themed competitions that take centre stage during the festival.

The Diversity of Dubai's Music Festivals 

Although music festivals are held in all corners of the globe to honour different musical genres, Dubai is one of the few travel hubs in the Middle East to organize a grand celebration of jazz music in the form of the Dubai Jazz Festival. With world-renowned bands and artists including Deep Purple, Mariah Carey, James Blunt, John Legend and Duran Duran having graced the festival in previous years, it's little wonder why music lovers from different destinations feel the need to congregate in Dubai every February.

The Authentic Cultural Experiences 

The National Day Festival, on the other hand, is an occasion when Dubai embraces its roots and cultural heritage and where visitors can witness traditional performances and sporting events. The falconry displays and the Ayala dance recitals alone make this December event a must-experience highlight for culture buffs as they are just as mesmerizing as the fireworks showcase that's also part of the National Day celebrations.