Come summer and, the entire city of Dubai gears up every year for the Dubai Summer Surprises, a month-long celebration of entertainment and shopping. You can explore the treasure trove of family fun, and make the most out of Dubai’s bright summers catching up with live concerts, fireworks, and discounts in abundance, anywhere you wish.
The Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) is an annual citywide summer celebration, offering six weeks of retail experiences and events, culminating with a Grand Finale Sale wherein shoppers are given the final opportunity to snap up the best discounts.
The 23rd edition of city’s annual shopping and entertainment festival returns this year on 9th July, with the seven-week season bringing forth a range of incredible bargains and activities for visitors and residents alike in the form of spend-and-win promotions and daily deals.
To add to the festive spirit, top brands and shopping malls are adding their bit, while families will find a range of activities of their interest everyday throughout the season.
Just as is the case every other year, this year too, the DSS comes with opportunities to win prizes, have fresh experiences and entertainment to create a memorable summer.
The event which concludes on 29th August will give you every reason to visit your favourite malls this DSS, as there will be best offers in town, and a range of family entertainments. So, do not miss on the daily surprises, shopping deals, shop-and-win promotions, and thrilling competitions. The organizers have also arranged for a lot of digitally-led initiatives this year.
What’s more, there will be fun character shows to keep the little ones engaged when sweeping through the malls and celebrating the festive spirit of summer.
DSS 2020 Dates
From 9th July 2020 to 29th August 2020
Why attend DSS 2020?
If you are running a low budget this summer vacations, DSS is your best time to explore Dubai, as it will be raining discounts in malls, retail shops and luxury hotels.
Organized by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), this DSS 2020 is packed with endless excitement spanning well over 6 weeks. These are the reasons for which you should consider making to DSS 2020:
- Enjoy the best retail experience with awesome deals and promotions
- Participate in the amazing shop-and-win competitions
- Enjoy weekly performances by talented musicians and dancers
- Enjoy thrilling activities like Ice Skating and Waterpark Rides
- Have fun watching several fun character shows and games for the little ones
DSS 2020 highlights
Shop non-stop
Almost every venue in Dubai is celebrating DSS, and is timed perfectly with the city’s re-opening. It is the ideal opportunity to explore Dubai from corner to corner while also exploring new extraordinary deals. With all the necessary safety precautions mandated by the Dubai government, shoppers can now think of giving a new-look to their wardrobes, get the latest gadgets, book luxury staycations in Dubai, or just have splash of fun with family.
For some great savings for the RAKBANK and Mastercard customers, there are exclusive discounts across the apparel group fashion stores, while 50 percent discount is being offered at premier hotels such as the Fairmont Hotel, the Movenpick Hotel and The Palm.
RAKBANK customers are celebrating DSS by offering 25 percent cashback on all spends by RAKBANK Mastercard Credit Cards during the festival period. If you are a RAKBANK Mastercard Credit Card holder, you can participate by sending ‘DSS’ to 7010 from the mobile number you registered with the bank. You can make 75 transactions worth any value using your card and gain eligibility for 25 percent cashback on all your domestic purchases during the period 25th June to 29th August.
Location: Across the city.
12-hour Flash Sale
Just as is the case every year, this year too, the DSS will kick-off with a 12-hour sale on 9th July. Select retailers at six malls under the Majid Al Futtaim portfolio will be offering discounts ranging from 25 percent to 90 percent to shoppers from 10am to 10pm.
Among the malls in this list are Mall of Emirates, City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Me’aisem, City Centre Al Barsha and City Centre Al Shindagha.
Apart from this, one lucky shopper will be crowned the first-ever DSS 12-Hour SHARE Millionaire! The winner will receive one million reward points on the SHARE app, worth Dh.100,000. The points can be redeemed at any participating MAF brands or used to purchase MAF gift cards. To win, you have to spend at least Dh.300 at any of the participating stores to be able to enter the draw.Note: Al
malls in Dubai have reopened based on the latest guidelines by the UAE government and are adhering to the safety and sanitisation rules. Visitors are required to cooperate with the staff for checking temperature and for other precautionary steps taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and to make the best of their shopping experience.
Location: Mall of Emirates and City Centre malls in Dubai.
Fireworks at the Pointe
The Pointe, the outdoor dining and shopping destination on the Palm Jumeirah will host three nights of fireworks and other delicious deals at its popular restaurants. The fireworks will happen from 16th to 18th July at 8.30pm. Visitors and residents get to enjoy a special DSS menu every day from 12th July to 18th July, saving 30 percent to 50 percent, and “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” offers on select dishes in the participating dining outlets.
Location: The Pointe, Dubai
Yoga At the Top, Burj Khalifa
Meant for fitness fans who love heights, Yoga At the Top invites guests to enjoy a unique, one-of-a-kind workout at the viewing deck, Burj Khalifa’s At The Top. This will be held thrice a week during the DSS, and 24 yoga enthusiasts can catch some early morning views as the classes begin from 7am.
Location: At The Top, Burj Khalifa
Artworks at Nakheel Mall
Visitors to Nakheel Mall can enjoy the wonderful art works as they shop through the stores. From 9th July to 29th August, the landmark mall will host an inspiring artwork from international talents displayed as part of DREAMS exhibit, held together with the Alserkal Cultural Foundation.
Location: Nakheel Mall
The Yalla DSS Game
The Yalla DSS game comes with its refreshed version this year, as the game invites players to complete three Dubai themed challenges either online or by visiting the purpose-built gaming venues at the Mall of Emirates, City Centre Mirdiff, City Centre Deira, Nakheel Mall, Dubai Outlet Mall, Mercato Mall, Ibn Battuta Mall and the Dubai Festival City. The game will be held from 16th July to 29th August, and players get to win shopping vouchers as they progress through the game. This year, Modhesh will make a special appearance to help players to help them handle tricky challenges to unlock prizes.
Location: Various malls in Dubai
Entertainment
This year, DSS has decided to make the events a memorable and enjoyable one, bringing about a fantastic experience to visitors. Therefore, you can expect star-powered concerts, kid-friendly and free activities this summer attracting all age groups. Shoppers will get a chance to view acrobats and entertainers across the malls, keeping the place vibrant with their lively antics and acts.
Dubai also has several venues meant to offer memorable experiences and the summer has brought in those delights to one and all at unbeatable prices. Some of the best offers are from Emaar Entertainment, wherein mover-goers at Reel Cinemas can get 50 percent off at two of the top attractions in Dubai, namely the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, and At the Top, Burj Khalifa. The gamers can also sign up for an interactive experience that includes Dubai-centric challenges and chance to win shopping vouchers!
Location: Throughout Dubai.
Ski Dubai Promotions
The Ski Dubai is coming up with three great promotions in DSS 2020, which will continue until 31st August. Budding skiers or snowboarders can learn how to perfect their skills in just 48 hours as the expert team at Sky Dubai will provide an intense two-day training session, and a delicious hot chocolate at the end of the course. Further, the annual Ski Dubai summer pass comes with unlimited access to the Snow park giving up to two hours on the slopes, and access to Penguin Encounter attraction or a one-hour Discovery Lesson.
Location: Ski Dubai
Indoor Ripe Market
Every Friday and Saturday, throughout the DSS, the Ripe Retail Pop Up will offer shoppers at the Nakheel Mall, a range of locally made products from 10am to 7pm, including items from home-grown businesses that sell everything from fashion, jewellery, homeware, art, food and more.
Location: Nakheel Mall
Surprise Wins
Big wins are up for grabs this DSS in Dubai. Everything from raffle draws to spend-and-win competitions which run through the festival will offer a chance to test your luck and bring an opportunity to win cars, cash, gift vouchers and instant prizes every day.
Location: Throughout Dubai
Spend and win offer
Visitors to the malls can find great deals on everything ranging from designer clothes to their dream cars at the Festival Souk at Dubai festival City Mall and Festival Plaza.
The family-friendly mall will attract shoppers with mega deal offers ranging from 50 percent to 90 percent on a range of ‘must-have’ items. Further, one lucky shopper will win Dh.1000 daily in the form of gift vouchers on a spend of Dh.200 in the Festival Souk in both malls.
This will take place from 9th July to 29th August at Al Barsha Mall, Al Bustan Centre, Bin Sougat Centre, City Centre Al Shindagha, Burjuman, city Centre Me’aisam, Etihad Mall, Dubai Outlet Mall and Reef Mall, and they can win weekly cash prizes of Dh.4000 and Dh.50,000, and can win luxury cars by spending Dh.200.
‘Deal of the Day’ offer
From 10th July to 29th July and from 9th July to 26th August, visitors get to explore the city through the DSS ‘Deal of the Day’ offer, wherein, there will be a range of exclusive promotions available for just a day in a single location. Each day’s offer will be revealed just 24 hours in advance. So, you will have to keep checking the DSS social media pages to find out about the best bargains in town.Every day you can expect
exceptional deal that is on offer for 38 consecutive days owing to ‘Deal of the Day’ or Daily Surprises. One store in one location suddenly becomes the lucky spot for discounts galore on a particular day, catering to all kinds of shoppers.
Location: Throughout city
Food and Hotel deals
The DSS Chef Masterclass Series will put the culinary skills of the home cooks to test as they learn from Dubai’s best chefs. This is an opportunity for amateur cooks and foods to meet their kitchen heroes. This session will include 10 classes and is the best chance to learn how to make Dubai’s best dishes from the award-winning chefs int eh city.
The Armani Café at Mall of Emirates will offer “Buy 1 Get 1 free” on its Italian pizzas all through DSS, while the More Café will invite customers to cook a meal at home using a specially created DSS recipe. The best foodie creator will win a meal for two at More.
The Ocean Basket at City Centre Mirdiff invites customers to try and dish out its popular fish and chips this DSS, with a meal for two offer for the best dish.
Those visiting the Magnolia Bakery can create their own versions of the café’s famous cookies with a special DSS cookery box. The bakers can post a photo of their creations on the social media channels of the bakery to win great prizes. The café is also offering in-house bakery classes for customers.
Café Nero will teach the coffee lovers to turn their home-made latte into a work of art through live-streamed Master Class Sessions on Instagram. On posting photos of their creations, they get to win a free bag of Café Nero signature coffee beans.
Throughout the DSS this year, some of the biggest luxury hotels and properties will offer affordable stays and have great deals on rooms including spa beaks, F&B packages and fun family experiences. For deals and other details, please visit the DSS website and DSS social media pages.
What’s new this year?
Dubai has been following a phased recovery approach from the impacts of COVID-19 as it re-opens, bringing the city to adjust with a ‘new normal’. Now, malls along with their dining outlets, entertainment spaces, retail stores, business venues and other hotels are welcoming back tourists and residents in time for DSS.
Safety approach measures
Shopping malls and centres have implemented stringent measures to carry out strict sanitisation processes, the trained staff are in-charge of enforcing health and hygiene rules and thermal scanners have been installed in several facilities. The temperature of all guests to the mall will be screened on entry through contactless devices, visitors are required to maintain social distance of two meters and wear a face mast at all times. The stores will specify the maximum number of visitors allowed at a time, and shoppers are required to use hand sanitizers when requested by the staff in the mall. Furthermore, use of cards is recommended, rather than cash transactions. Adults and children of all age groups are allowed entry into shopping malls and all other public places.
Help UAE fight against Covid-19
This year, the DSS shoppers can support the UAE’s fight against Covid-19 with the ‘Shop and Save Lives’ at Mercato Mall promotion. For every Dh.100 spent in the mall, Dh.1 will be donated to the UAE Homeland of Humanity Campaign to combat the virus, supported by Emirates Red Crescent and Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities. Also, visitors to the mall will have the opportunity to win Dh.1000 daily on a spend of Dh.100.
Digital initiatives
This year, there are lot more digital initiatives extended. For instance, if you are looking out for shopping and leisure, but with minimal contact, then most malls and brands have come up with fresh initiatives:
For instance, you can avoid long queues and the crowds at the checkout and opt for safe methods through services such as Call, Come, Collect at Nakheel Mall, the Ibn Battuta Mall and The Pointe, which promote contactless, drive-through collections. For this, before visiting the mall, ensure that you check their website to check for any quick, easy collection services that they may offer.
Carrefour has also launched the free ‘Click and Collect’ option that allows shoppers to fill their online grocery basket, place an order, and choose the store where they wish to pick up their items from, and the timeslot that fits their schedules.
Drive-in Cinemas
The drive-in cinemas are back now with appropriate safety measures for best contactless-movie watching experience. Visit the rooftop level at Mall of Emirates and choose from the wide selection of films from VOX Cinemas Drive-in, apart from family and friends private screening on booking. For the movie-buffs, their favourite blockbusters can be enjoyed in a safe environment with regular deep cleaning happening, and visitors are also required to abide by the same safety guidelines prior to entry. All malls are committed to the wellbeing of their visitors and staff, and the public has been requested to exercise caution.
Plan ahead before stepping out
To optimize your shopping and leisure experience this summer, plan your outdoor visits in advance. Check the official websites of the malls to be aware about the safety standards in place. In case, you are unable to get the necessary information online, you can also contact the customer care centres of the malls.
Also visit the DSS social media pages @DSSsocial for latest news, updates and deals. For your easy access, given below is the contact details of the leading malls in the city. Stay safe and have a fine summer this season in Dubai!!
Contact list:
The Dubai Mall: +971 800 382246255
Mall of Emirates: +971 4 4099000
City Centre Deira: +971 4 2093105
City Centre Mirdiff: +971 4 6023000
Dubai Festival City Mall: +971 800332
Ibn Battuta Mall: +971 4 3685543
Nakheel Mall: +971 4 390 9999
Mercato Mall: +971 4 3444161
