Quick answer
The Dubai Shopping Festival 2026 is the 32nd edition, reported to run for 45 days from 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027. Expect shopping promotions, mall prize draws, concerts at Coca-Cola Arena, free candlelight music in Hatta and nightly light shows from JBR to Bluewaters.
Key takeaways
- The 32nd festival is reported to run from 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, a total of 45 days.
- Light shows run every evening from 7.30pm to 10.30pm on the waterfront from JBR to Bluewaters.
- Rashid Al Majed opens the festival at Coca-Cola Arena, and Steve Aoki plays the same arena on 5 December.
- A free Khaleeji candlelight concert in Hatta on 2 December comes before the official opening.
- Mall raffles and prize draws are part of the programme, with retailer details still to come.
In this article
The Dubai Shopping Festival 2026 is the 32nd edition of the city's long-running winter season of retail offers and entertainment. It is reported to begin on 4 December 2026 and close on 17 January 2027, a span of 45 days. Visitors can expect shopping promotions, prize draws, concerts and nightly light shows, with opening celebrations stretching from the coast at JBR to the mountains of Hatta. This guide sets out what is known so far, how the programme fits together and what is worth confirming before you plan a trip.
Festival dates at a glance
Several sources give the same window. Visit Dubai lists the official festival dates as 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, and Gulf News gives the festival window as 4 December to 17 January. The 32nd edition is reported to begin on 4 December, and the closing date is 17 January 2027.
Counted from the first day to the last, the festival lasts 45 days. That is a long season, so visitors do not need to build a whole trip around a single date. Some events sit on fixed days, such as the opening concerts, while others, such as the light shows, take place every evening.
One event comes before the official start. A free candlelight concert in Hatta on 2 December falls two days ahead of the opening. Travellers who arrive early may be able to include it before the main programme begins.
Opening concerts at Coca-Cola Arena
The festival opens with a concert at Coca-Cola Arena by the singer Rashid Al Majed. Tickets for the Rashid Al Majed show are sold through Platinumlist, so that is the place to look for availability and pricing.
The arena hosts a second headline night on 5 December, when DJ Steve Aoki plays the same venue. Details of the Steve Aoki concert will be posted on the Coca-Cola Arena website, so anyone who is interested should watch that site for ticket information as it appears.
Together, the two shows give the start of the festival a strong live music element, one from a singer and one from a DJ, both at the same arena in Dubai. Visitors who care more about shopping or outdoor events can treat the concerts as optional extras rather than the main reason to attend.
Nightly light shows from JBR to Bluewaters
Light shows run every evening from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. They continue until the final day, 17 January, so the display is available throughout the festival and not only on special dates.
The shows are set on the waterfront stretch from JBR to Bluewaters. They include drone displays with music, lasers and architectural mapping. In short, the programme combines aerial drone formations, laser effects and building-based visuals, with music as part of the drone element.
Because the shows are listed across a three-hour window each evening, visitors have some flexibility about when to arrive. The facts available give only the overall evening window, so it is sensible to confirm the timing of individual displays on the day.
The waterfront setting also makes the light shows easy to combine with an evening out in the area. Anyone staying near JBR or Bluewaters may find that the displays fit naturally into a dinner or a walk along the coast.
Free candlelight concert in Hatta
Opening celebrations stretch from the coast at JBR to the mountains of Hatta. That range shows the festival is not limited to one district or one type of setting, and it gives visitors a reason to look beyond the city's central areas.
A Khaleeji music candlelight concert in Hatta is free to attend. It takes place on 2 December, before the official opening on 4 December. For visitors who enjoy regional music and a quieter evening, it offers a no-cost way to begin the festival season.
Because the event is free, it may attract strong interest. Anyone who wants to go should look for the organiser's venue and timing details closer to the date, as the information here does not cover them.
Shopping promotions and prize draws
Shopping promotions and prize draws are part of the festival, although retailer details come later. This means the full list of participating brands and the terms of each offer are not yet available.
Malls and destinations will offer chances to win prizes during the festival. Mall raffles and citywide shopping offers return alongside earlier experiences, which suggests the shopping side of the programme follows the familiar pattern that regular visitors will recognise.
When retailer information is released, it is worth reading the conditions of each raffle or draw carefully. Details such as entry requirements and draw dates will be set by the individual mall or destination, so they may differ from one place to another.
With a festival season of 45 days, shoppers also have time to compare offers across different malls and destinations rather than rushing to decide in a single visit.
Who the festival suits
The programme is broad, so it suits several kinds of visitor.
- Shoppers who enjoy promotions and prize draws can follow the mall raffles and citywide offers throughout the 45 days.
- Music fans have the Rashid Al Majed opening concert, the Steve Aoki show on 5 December and the free Khaleeji candlelight concert in Hatta.
- Evening visitors can use the nightly light shows from 7.30pm to 10.30pm, with drones, lasers and architectural mapping along the waterfront from JBR to Bluewaters.
- Budget-conscious travellers can note that the Hatta candlelight concert is free to attend.
Because the festival runs from 4 December to 17 January, it also suits people who want flexibility. A trip can be planned around one concert, around the light shows or around the shopping offers, depending on what matters most.
What to check before you go
Start with the dates. The festival is reported to run from 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, and both Visit Dubai and Gulf News give that window, but official announcements are the final word.
Next, check tickets. The Rashid Al Majed concert is sold through Platinumlist, while details of the Steve Aoki concert will appear on the Coca-Cola Arena website. The Hatta candlelight concert is free, but the organiser's venue and timing information is still worth confirming.
Then look at the light shows. They are listed every evening from 7.30pm to 10.30pm until 17 January, on the waterfront from JBR to Bluewaters.
Finally, watch for retailer announcements. Shopping promotions and prize draws are part of the festival, and retailer details come later.
Check dates, prices and availability with the organiser before you go.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Dubai Shopping Festival 2026?
The 32nd festival is reported to begin on 4 December 2026 and close on 17 January 2027. Visit Dubai lists these as the official dates, and Gulf News gives the same window.
How long does the festival last?
The festival lasts 45 days, starting on 4 December and ending on 17 January 2027. A free candlelight concert in Hatta on 2 December comes just before the official opening.
Who is performing at Coca-Cola Arena?
Singer Rashid Al Majed opens the festival with a concert at Coca-Cola Arena. DJ Steve Aoki plays the same arena on 5 December. Rashid Al Majed tickets are sold through Platinumlist.
What time are the festival light shows?
The light shows run every evening from 7.30pm to 10.30pm until the final day, 17 January. They are set on the waterfront from JBR to Bluewaters and include drones, music, lasers and architectural mapping.
Is there a free event at the festival?
Yes. A Khaleeji music candlelight concert in Hatta is free to attend. It takes place on 2 December, before the official opening of the festival on 4 December.
Will there be shopping prizes and promotions?
Yes. Shopping promotions and prize draws are part of the festival. Malls and destinations will offer chances to win prizes, and mall raffles and citywide offers return. Retailer details come later.
