Dubai Shopping Festival 2009

All are invited to take advantage of discounted duty-free prices on world-class brands and the latest fashions, superbly crafted gold and jewellery, the latest electronic goods and gadgets and Middle Eastern textiles, carpets, arts, crafts, pottery, wooden furniture, trinkets and more.

Food and festivities include fireworks, float processions, artists and more.

The Carpets and Arts Oasis will showcase some 150,000 masterpieces by 71 exhibitors, providing art lovers the opportunity to purchase hand-woven carpets made of wool, silk and other premium materials in addition to featuring unique arts and crafts including paintings, brass work, ceramics, wood engravings and other antiques.

There's also daily promotional activities that include prize draws, the chance to win a bar of gold a day, luxury cars and this year; the opportunity to win an apartment in the Jumeirah Village worth AED 3 million and a AED 4 million in the Mashreq Millionaire Raffle.

The Lexus Mega Raffle will provide visitors with the opportunity to win one of two luxury Lexus cars coupled with cash prizes in various denominations. The Nissan Grand Raffle will give visitors the opportunity to shop and win and walk away with one of 43 exciting new Nissan models.

Located in Dubailand, The Global Village will house pavilions from around 60 countries selling goods and food from all over the world as it brings together diverse customs, culture and entertainment shows in activities that will include music, goods, dances, arts and handicrafts, theatre, costumes, cuisine and food from different parts of the world.

The ever-smiling, ever-happy cute, little yellow cartoon character and mascot, Modesh will be on hand to entertain the little ones with his enthusiasm and positive outlook on life.

The signature events for DSF 2009 are:

• Dubai Fashion 2009 - 9 to 11 February - fashion showcase by world-class designers held at the Madinat Jumeirah.
  
• DSF Desert Camp by Watani - 15 January to 15 February - experience a night in the desert or enjoy desert adventures during the day or shop at the traditional souk.
  
• Creations - 23 to 30 January - see the best of amateur fashion designers from some of the world's most exotic locations at the BurJuman Shopping Mall.
  
• Dubai Food Festival - 1 to 14 February - enjoy the best of international cuisine at Uptown Midriff with celebrity chefs, live cooking counters and culinary workshops, interactive events, exciting prizes, Sampling Sundays, Buffet Tuesdays and floating restaurants along Al Seef Street. Don't miss the Emirates Culinary Guild attempt at a world record for the world's largest desert featuring 2009 varieties of dessert on the 14th February.
  
• House of Talents - 31 January to 9 February - housed at the Eye of Horus in Wafi City, witness gifted women showcase their talents and skills in handicrafts, architecture, fashion design, sculpting, information technology, drawing, interior design, music, jewellery designing, photography, perfume making, poetry and writing.
  
• Dubai Records - 14 February - already world-renowned for its innovation and firsts, Dubai has over the years played host to many world records. This year, it will be the world's largest dessert buffet (featuring 2009 dessert choices).
  
• Dubai Carnivals - held over weekends, this will feature 300 colourful performers who will take to the streets in a parade that will showcase different cultures and traditions reflected in their spectacular costumes and music.
  
• Al Zarooni Fireworks - Dubai Festival City is where the dazzling firework displays will take place over weekends.
  
• Carpet Oasis - 15 January - 7 February - a spectacular display of exquisitely crafted carpets, rugs and handicrafts from renowned carpet-making areas such as Iran, Pakistan, India, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan exhibited at the Dubai International Airport Exhibition Center.
  
• Night Souk - located against the picturesque backdrop of the Dubai Creek, this provides leisure shopping, fine food and entertainment for the whole family.
  
• Global Village - non-stop entertainment and awe awaits visitors.
  
• The Walk Festivities - located at the Jumeirah Beach Residence, this colourful venue will brim with street paintings, recycled art displays, metal art, stand-up comedy shows, sand sculptures, photography displays and kiosks selling a wide range of goods.
  
• Al Seef Street - this entertainment hotspot will feature a fun fair, Skill Games Zone and Floating Restaurants and will host various cultural shows on a specially built stage.
  
• Dubai Mall - the largest mall in the world, this is a must-do-venue. Here, you will find the new gold souk and the best of brand shopping, food and entertainment amidst traditional Arabic architecture. The mall will also host the Themed Forest Circus Show featuring 28 Chinese acrobat and circus artists who will perform gravity-defying acts, set amidst a spectacularly created forest.
  
• Jumeirah Road Drive-Through - stretching along the scenic Jumeirah Road, visitors will find the street transformed into a carnival of open-air cafes and restaurants with a host of performers entertaining diners and passers-by.
  
• Biggest Biryani Bowl - yet another record attempt at the Global Village to create the world's biggest Biryani bowl set to weigh approximately 2,5 tons.
  
• Concerts - witness some of the best musical talent in the world including Zakir Hussain, Tamer Hosny (one of the most versatile Arabic singers, known for his melodies and range), Fatboy Slim, Iron Maiden, Shaggy, Pankaj Udhas and Ghulam Ali (who was trained by Bade Ghulam Ali, a maestro of his generation and regarded as the finest Ghazal singer ever).

For more information on the Dubai Shopping Festival, visit www.mydsf.ae or contact the Government of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing on 011 785 4600.