Dubai festivals gears up to welcome record number of visitors to celebrate Eid break with family and friends, great line up of activities
Eid is around the corner and Dubai is most certainly the best place to celebrate with family and friends as they expect more visitors this year visiting family and friends. TravTalkBreakingnews had a quick chat with Mohamad Feras, AVP Retail & Strategic Alliances, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment about their latest offerings to attract more visitors this Eid.
Can you share some of the special programmes for Eid to attract more visitors?
We have curated an unforgettable line-up of experiences across Dubai until 6 April, as part of the Eid in Dubai campaign organised by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), in collaboration with government, semi-government, and private sector partners. Our programme spans cultural celebrations, A-list concerts, fireworks, family entertainment, shopping, dining, and much more.
Families and friends can look forward to fireworks displays on the first two days of Eid at multiple locations, live concerts by both local and international stars, thrilling sporting events, and must-visit outdoor pop-ups like e& Beach Canteen. In addition, we're offering world-class dining across Dubai's top hotels, exclusive Eid stay packages, and a variety of family-friendly activities at iconic attractions.
The city will also be buzzing with major retail promotions and grand raffles, giving visitors the chance to win incredible prizes. One of my personal favourite retail highlights this year is The Great Online Sale, which is now live until 30 March. In addition to the biggest-ever bargains of up to 95 per cent off and an extra day of discounts spanning four thrilling days, the citywide sale features the launch of Dubai's all-new immersive shopping experience this year. This interactive virtual mall enables shoppers to digitally explore hundreds of top participating brands, enjoy exclusive additional savings, stand a chance to win a whopping AED100,000, and unlock bonus cash prizes of AED50,000.
Dubai is the ultimate place to be this Eid, and we're excited to welcome everyone to experience the joy and vibrancy of the season through this packed and diverse programme.
What are the expectations from residents and visitors this Eid?
We're expecting a vibrant response from both residents and visitors this Eid. With such a diverse and citywide line-up of experiences, from spectacular fireworks and concerts to outdoor pop-ups and exclusive hotel offers, there's truly something for everyone. We anticipate large turnouts at our major activations – especially our world-class family-friendly attractions and iconic shopping malls.
Dubai continues to be a top destination during Eid, not just for its celebrations but for the way it brings people together. Whether it's families looking to enjoy quality time, food lovers exploring global flavours, or visitors seeking a festive escape, our goal is to deliver memorable experiences that keep people coming back each season.
Could you share more details about the Great Online Sale?
The Great Online Sale is one of Dubai's biggest online shopping weekends, and this year's edition is truly our biggest yet. Running until 30 March, we added an extra day this year to give shoppers four full days of unbeatable discounts of up to 95% off across a wide range of categories and top brands.
What makes this year particularly exciting is the introduction of an all-new immersive online shopping experience – the first of its kind in the history of the citywide sale. We have created a virtual mall where shoppers can explore participating brands in a digital space, access exclusive savings, and enjoy an interactive, gamified shopping journey. There are also major prizes up for grabs, including a grand prize of AED 100,000 and bonus cash prizes worth up to AED 50,000 for shoppers who digital explore five categories or more. It's all designed to make shopping easier, smarter, and more rewarding – with everything just a click away and delivered straight to shoppers's doorsteps.
This initiative is part of our broader mission to innovate the retail experience in Dubai and make sure residents and visitors enjoy more value and convenience than ever before.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out Abu Dhabi
21 hours ago
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Here's what you need to know about the foreign transaction fees going up on UAE cards
Travelling abroad? Your next holiday might cost more than just flights and hotel bookings – especially if you're swiping a UAE-issued card. Starting September 22, UAE banks will raise the foreign transaction fee to 3.14 percent on all international purchases and ATM withdrawals made using credit or debit cards. Whether you're shopping on a U.S.-based website or booking a boutique hotel in Rome, the fee applies – and it's a noticeable jump from the current 2.09 percent. What's actually changing? Customers across the UAE have begun receiving notices from their banks confirming the change. The new fee structure typically includes: 1 percent currency conversion fee (charged by Visa, Mastercard, or Amex) 2.14 percent bank processing fee That adds up to a total 3.14 percent surcharge – so if you're spending Dhs5,000 abroad, expect to pay an extra Dhs157 in fees alone. The hidden fee trap: DCC One sneaky charge to avoid? Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). It might seem helpful when a foreign merchant offers to convert your purchase into dirhams on the spot, but it's rarely a good deal. DCC often comes with inflated exchange rates – sometimes adding 5-7 percent extra – and you may still be charged the full foreign transaction fee. Tip: Always choose to pay in the local currency, not AED, when using your card overseas. How to dodge the worst of the fees The 3.14 percent fee may be unavoidable for many travellers, but there are ways to cut the cost: Use a travel-friendly or 'no foreign fee' credit card: Some UAE banks offer cards that waive these fees entirely. Withdraw cash strategically: Pull out larger amounts at once rather than frequent ATM visits, which can each trigger fees. Say no to DCC: Stick with local currency whenever you're asked at a store, restaurant, or ATM. Try multicurrency prepaid travel cards: Some UAE fintechs offer these with fixed exchange rates and no added foreign transaction charges. Know your fees: Check your bank's app or fee schedule before you travel so you're not caught off guard. A homegrown alternative may be coming Later this year, the UAE is expected to roll out its Jaywan card internationally – a new payment system that could offer lower foreign transaction fees and better rates. It's not available globally just yet, but watch this space. The upcoming fee hike means UAE travellers will need to be more strategic with how they spend overseas. From choosing the right credit card to dodging costly conversions, a little prep could save you hundreds of dirhams on your next trip. Need some travel inspo? Travelling from Abu Dhabi is about to be so much faster Zayed International Airport is the world's first airport to make this change 18 countries offering visa-on-arrival to UAE residents Here's where to go UAE citizens now get visa-on-arrival for India: a game-changer for travellers That quick trip to India just got even easier
Filipino Times
3 days ago
- Filipino Times
Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel goes ukay-ukay shopping in Cubao
Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel visited Cubao, Quezon City, over the weekend to shop at local thrift stores in preparation for her upcoming trip to South Africa. In a vlog uploaded on Sunday, July 22, Gabriel was seen walking along the streets of Cubao as she explored five thrift shops. She purchased several items, including a top, a dress, and seven leather jackets, which she plans to upcycle for her next fashion collection. Gabriel said she paid P5,000 for the jackets and a rare vest, describing the experience as a 'pot of gold' moment after initially feeling discouraged by her search. The beauty queen also received discounts and a free item from a shop assistant at her final stop. Gabriel said the Cubao trip was a success and asked her followers for recommendations on other thrift stores she could explore during her stay in the Philippines. In previous visits, Gabriel also experienced local culture by riding a jeepney, shopping for fabric in Divisoria, and using a motorcycle taxi to navigate traffic in Metro Manila.
Campaign ME
4 days ago
- Campaign ME
Esports World Cup launches game-first social channel: EWC_Extra
The Esports World Cup Foundation has launched EWC_Extra, a dedicated social channel on X and Instagram to focus on real-time coverage, community reactions and key moments from inside the arena. Built for the most passionate community across EWC's 25 tournaments, EWC_Extra is the home of play-by-play content – from tournament upsets and MVP performances to memes, creator posts and behind-the-scenes access, capturing the competition match by match. EWC_Extra joins the EWC's main channel to form a two-part content ecosystem that reflects the scale of the world's biggest esports event. While the main channel delivers human stories and cultural context, including players, teams, fans, talent and entertainment, EWC_Extra stays focused on the tournament action itself: fast, direct and esports-first. Running through August 24, Esports World Cup 2025 brings together 2,000 players and 200 Clubs to compete in 25 tournaments across 24 games, for a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool. Backed by global icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen, and broadcast in 140 countries with over 7,000 hours of live content, EWC 2025 is redefining how competitive gaming is produced and experienced. Two weeks into the Esports World Cup 2025, eight Champions have been crowned and the stage has seen major upsets and dominant runs. Gen.G continued their historic streak to take the League of Legends title, Heretics won VALORANT in a dramatic reverse sweep, VK claimed Apex Legends with a final-game victory, and Redline defended their Rennsport title. GO1 delivered a shock win over favourite Xiao Hai in Fatal Fury, while Team Spirit dropped just one game on their way to the Dota 2 crown. Team Vitality went unbeaten to take the MLBB Women's Invitational. EVOS Esports triumphed in Free Fire, with 15-year-old wonderkid Rasyah securing the tournament MVP award. With more games, venues and storytelling than ever before, demand for real-time content has never been higher. In the first week alone, impressions have grown 167 per cent, video views are up 267 per cent, and fan engagement continues to rise across all channels.
