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Dubai Summer surprises 2025 starts tomorrow with an epic opening weekend to kick-start a summer well spent

Dubai Summer surprises 2025 starts tomorrow with an epic opening weekend to kick-start a summer well spent

Zawya26-06-2025
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
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Skechers USA Al Zarooni Group Majid Al Fut hld AWRostamani Majid Al Fut hld Commrcl Bk Dubai Emirate
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The 28th edition of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) kicks off tomorrow, transforming the city into a 66-day summer playground with the most-value packed programme ever from 27 June to 31 August, 2025. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), DSS 2025 promises a summer well spent for everyone with thousands of offers and things to do, see, discover, and explore. For the first-time ever, DSS brings a brand-new shopping experience with three themed shopping seasons to keep the city buzzing all summer long, together with show-stopping headline concerts, live entertainment, world-class gastronomy, and much more. The first wave of flash sales and mega raffles commences with Summer Holiday Offers from 27 June to 17 July, brimming with exclusive promotions, unbeatable offers, and family-friendly deals across more than 800 brands at over 3,000 outlets.
Check out the lineup of events and experiences taking place in the first week of this epic DSS summer programme:
Summer Holiday Offers
Date: 27 June to 17 July
Location: Citywide
About: Summer Holiday Offers, the first dedicated retail season of DSS 2025, launches with 25 to 75 percent discounts across hundreds of participating brands citywide, alongside spend-and-win activations at Mercato Mall, Majid Al Futtaim malls, Dubai Festival City Mall and Dubai Outlet Mall, loyalty-programme rewards from Tickit and AURA, as well as the DFRE signature Lucky Receipt promotion.
Opening Weekend Concerts At Festival City Mall & City Centre Mirdif
Date: 27 and 28 June
Location: Dubai Festival City Mall and City Centre Mirdif
About: The most value-packed edition of DSS ever kicks off with an action-packed weekend of live entertainment at City Centre Mirdif and Dubai Festival City Mall. And the best part? It's free. On 27 June, Festival Square at Dubai Festival City Mall comes alive with America's Got Talent quarter-finalist dance crew Sabrina and Arab pop artist Reina Khoury, followed by pioneering Emirati singer Abri & the Band and singer-songwriter Noel Kharman on Saturday, 28 June. Meanwhile at City Centre Mirdif on 28 June, Jordanian indie rock band Jadal and Syrian vocalist Al Shami take to the stage, with roaming entertainers and high-energy live acts punctuating the mall atmosphere all weekend.
Jazziyat Feat. Banah Live
Date: 27 June
Location: Dubai Opera
About: Regional pop sensation Jazziyat joins forces with Lebanese vocalist Banah for an electrifying opening-night performance. Tickets are on sale now from AED 132.
Miami Band & Mutref Al Mutref
Date: 28 June
Location: Coca-Cola Arena
About: A Khaleeji-pop double-bill featuring Kuwaiti star Mutref Al Mutref alongside Dubai's own Miami Band. Tickets are on sale now from AED 150.
Modesh & Dana Appearances
Date: 28 and 29 June
Location: Ibn Battuta Mall and The Outlet Mall
About: Meet Dubai's favourite characters Modesh and Dana for surprise giveaways, photo ops and family-friendly fun with appearances at Ibn Battuta Mall on 28 June and The Outlet Mall on 29 June.
Dubai Hills Mall Indoor Run Powered By Skechers
Date: 28 June
Location: Dubai Hills Mall
About: Dubai's favourite summer festival brings endless ways to stay active this season with a series of indoor mall runs designed for all ages and abilities - perfect for friends, families, and fitness fans alike. High-energy mornings of movement, prizes, and fun for everyone kicks off on 28 June at Dubai Hills Mall, inviting friends, families, and fitness fans of all ages and abilities. Participants can choose from 1 km, 2.5 km, 5 km or 10 km indoor routes that wind through the luxury mall, complete with upbeat music, aid stations, medals and trophies for the top three finishers. Registration is now open, starting at AED 50.
Atul Khatri Live
Date: 27 June
Location: Dubai College
About: Veteran Indian stand-up comedian Atul Khatri brings his trademark wit to kick off the weekend. Tickets are on sale now from AED 119.
A Tribute To Adele
Date: 27 and 28 June
Location: Theatre by QE2
About: Helen Ward-Jackson will be bringing her famed Adele tribute show to Dubai's Theatre by QE2 for a critically acclaimed live homage to Adele's greatest hits, with stunning vocals and stagecraft. Tickets are on sale now from AED 120.
We Call It Ballet
Date: 28 June
Location: Zabeel Theatre
About: A modern dance extravaganza fusing contemporary choreography with immersive set design. Tickets are on sale now from AED 139.
Jeeveshu Ahluwalia
Date: 29 June
Location: Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
About: Punjabi comedy star Jeeveshu Ahluwalia brings his lightning-fast wit and viral sketches on food, family and life as a Punjabi for one hilarious night in Dubai. Tickets are on sale now from AED 130.
Pinoy Comedy Mixtape
Date: 29 June
Location: Dubai World Trade Centre
About: An all-star showcase of Filipino comedians delivering laugh-out-loud stand-up and sketch comedy. Tickets are on sale now from AED 125.
Adonis Live
Date: 3 July
Location: Dubai Opera
About: Lebanese indie pioneers Adonis bring their signature sound and fan favourites like 'Law Baddak Yani' and 'Sawt El Madini' to Dubai for one night only. Tickets are on sale now from AED 175
Slide Into Summer Surprises
Date: 27 June to 31 August
Location: Mercato Mall and Town Centre Jumeirah
About: Shoppers at Mercato Mall and neighbouring Town Centre Jumeirah have the chance to dive into daily circus acts, giant slide thrills and weekly raffle draws for the whole family. Every AED200 spent earns an entry into an exclusive Dubai Summer Surprises weekly raffle draw with each weekly winner taking home AED10,000 in cash. Each shopper who scans their receipts on the PrivilegePLUS app is also entered into the grand prize draw to drive off with the all-new Jetour T1 SUV.
Jurassic Café by VOX Cinemas at Mall of The Emirates
Date: until 23 July
Location: Mall of the Emirates
About: Embark on a prehistoric journey reminiscent of the iconic Jurassic Park gates, combining specially designed themed stations with hands-on interactive elements to create a memorable adventure for all ages. This exclusive activation also offers a dino-culinary experience with a bespoke menu to fit the Jurassic theme.
The Messi Experience
Date: until 31 August
Location: Dubai Festival City Mall
About: Football fans can immerse themselves in Lionel Messi's world with interactive games, photo ops, skill-challenge zones and exclusive merchandise.
DSS Entertainer
Date: 27 June to 31 August
Location: Citywide
About: Unlock over 7,500 BOGO offers across hotels, dining, attractions, fitness and beauty for AED 195, perfect for families and visitors looking to maximise their DSS savings from day one. Valid for three months from the date of activation and redeemable all seven days of the week, residents and visitors can enjoy exclusive savings throughout the summer and beyond.
Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group Raffles
Date: 27 June to 30 August
Location: Dubai Jewellery Group participating outlets
About: Dubai Jewellery Group brings the finest jewellery offers and golden winning opportunities this DSS. Shoppers can enjoy up to 70 per cent off on a stunning selection of diamond and pearl pieces, up to 50 per cent off on making charges for select gold jewellery, zero deduction on old gold exchange, and complimentary gifts with select purchases. Adding to the excitement, 30 customers have the chance to win 12-gram gold bars, with three lucky winners announced every week through raffles.
DSMG DSS Campaign
Date: 27 June to 31 August
Location: DSMG participating outlets
About: Shoppers who spend AED 200 at any participating mall will receive a digital raffle coupon, giving them the chance to enter an exciting draw to win one of nine brand-new Nissan Magnite cars. With nine lucky winners in total, this thrilling promotion offers every shopper a shot at driving away in style this Dubai Summer Surprises.
Lucky Receipt
Date: 27 June to 17 July
Location: Participating Retailers Citywide
About: Shoppers who spend AED 300 or more at any of the 10 participating brands stand a chance to win one of 10 exciting prizes awarded daily. A total of 210 prizes will be given away throughout the campaign, including premium electronics, luxury watches, and exquisite jewellery.
DSS Win A SOUEAST S06 With Dubai Outlet Mall
Date: 27 June to 31 August
Location: Dubai Outlet Mall
About: Shoppers who spend AED200 or more at any store at Outlet Mall stand a chance to win a brand new SOUEAST SO6 car.
Spend and Win a Polestar 4 LRSM at DFCM
Date: 27 June to 31 August
Location: Dubai Festival City Mall and participating BLUE retailers
About: Shop at Dubai Festival City Mall from 27 June to 31 August to win a brand new 'Polestar 4 LRSM'. Spend AED300 or more to enter the exclusive raffle draw. Plus, lucky shoppers will also win instant prizes every week.
Interiors Warehouse Sale
Date: 28 June to 5 July
Location: Dubai World Trade Centre
About: Debuting as part of DSS Opening Weekend, this limited-time warehouse sale offers an extensive selection of premium furniture and home accessories. From sofas and beds to dining sets and décor, the collection spans both classic and contemporary styles. Shoppers can browse pieces from some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Mariner, Lexington, Giorgio Collection, Alf Italia, FrancoFerri, Nicoletti, Bernhardt, Uttermost, Decor-Rest, Fama, Michael Amini, Theodore Alexander, ART Furniture, and Scappini.
Visa Jewellery Program for Dubai Summer Surprises 2025
Date: 27 June to 30 August
Location: Dubai Jewellery Group participating outlets
About: Dubai Jewellery Group is teaming up with Visa to launch an exclusive DSS campaign for Visa Debit and Credit cardholders. Among the highlights are instant cashback on diamond and pearl jewellery purchases and a thrilling raffle to win a share of AED 175,000 in jewellery vouchers, with 50 winners each receiving a voucher worth AED 3,500.
SHARE Millionaire
Date: 27 June to 31 August
Location: Majid Al Futtaim Malls
About: DSS 2025 is getting shoppers summer ready with 4 million SHARE points up for grabs from 27 June to 31 August, with spends of AED300 or more. Scanning receipts into the SHARE app helps 4 lucky winners take home 1 million SHARE points each, the equivalent of an incredible AED100,000 which they can spend across 16 shopping malls and over 2,000 stores across the UAE.
Win With Tickit Rewards App
Date: 27 June to 31 August
Location: Participating brands citywide
About: Earn points across a wide range of categories at popular lifestyle destinations for a chance to become 1 of 5 lucky winners to take home AED10,000 each in Tickit points.
Shop. Win. Drive – DSS 2025
Date: 27 June to 31 August
Location: Dubai Festival Plaza
About: Shoppers who spend AED 200 or more stand the chance to win one of six brand-new SUVs or be among 20 lucky winners of AED 5,000 cash prizes.
Summer at City Walk
Date: 1 July to 31 August
Location: City Walk
About: City Walk is set to become a vibrant hub of excitement during DSS - from exclusive Coffee Raves, to live entertainment and basketball activations for shoppers spending AED 100 or more. Enjoy special summer dine-out deals with talabat, explore retail offers across leading stores, and enjoy ongoing Business Lunch promotions that promise to make any midday break even better.
Cool Off this Summer at The Beach, JBR!
Date: 1 July to 31 August
Location: The Beach, JBR
About: Discover an extraordinary summer experience at The Beach, JBR. Enjoy exclusive in-app dine-in deals with talabat at over 20 F&B outlets, and spend AED 250 or more at any Pavilion restaurant to enter a weekly draw to win an elevated meal experience worth AED 2,500. Shoppers also stand a chance to win AED 50,000 across five draws as part of the TICKIT summer promotion..
Dubai Summer Surprises 2025 is supported by Key Sponsor Commercial Bank of Dubai and Strategic Partners which include: Al Futtaim Malls (Dubai Festival City Mall & Festival Plaza), Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, DHAM (Al Seef, Bluewaters, Ibn Battuta Mall, Nakheel Mall, and The Outlet Village), Emirates Airline, ENOC, e&, Majid Al Futtaim (City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, Mall of the Emirates), Merex Investment (City Walk and The Beach, JBR), and talabat.
About Dubai Summer Surprises 2025:
Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2025 takes over the city for its 28th edition from 27 June to 31 August, showcasing the summer as one of the best value times of the year to experience Dubai. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the most value-packed edition of DSS this year promises a summer well spent for everyone with thousands of offers and things to do for 66 non-stop days. For the first time ever in DSS history, the city's retail sector is anchored around three distinct shopping seasons - Summer Holiday Offers from 27 June to 17 July, Great Dubai Summer Sale from 18 July to 10 August, and Back to School from 11 to 31 August. Each period unlocks exclusive new retail promotions, spectacular mall activations, and life-changing raffles, alongside world-class gastronomy, hospitality, indoor family fun, and a packed events calendar. Bringing together a mix of not-to-be-missed, brand-new experiences and returning festival favourites for every preference and price point, there are endless reasons to stay, play, shop, and celebrate an exciting summer season together. DSS 2025 truly delivers unforgettable moments for everyone, whether families, friends, couples, residents, or visitors.
About Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment
Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), is responsible for developing Dubai's retail and festival sectors and supporting the positioning of Dubai as a world-class tourism destination with year-round family entertainment, shopping and events.
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Five Luxe JBR review: Where Dubai's party brand meets refined beachfront luxury
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Five Hotels is synonymous with Dubai's party scene, but Five Luxe JBR – the latest offering from homegrown brand Five Holdings – aims to strike a middle ground, offering a more balanced atmosphere than its JVC and Palm properties. Opened in April last year, the beachfront property is meant to be the most premium offering of the three, hosting an impressive line-up of bars and restaurants, including the Ibiza-famous Pacha brand, acquired by Five in 2023. Located in a quieter part of the vibrant Jumeirah Beach Residence area, the hotel offers sweeping views of Ain Dubai, Bluewaters Island, the Arabian Gulf and Palm Jumeirah. Plus, it can be easily accessed by taxis and the tram in the neighbouring Dubai Marina. It houses 222 rooms and 222 residences and, I'm told, is already frequented by celebrities, from sports stars to movie producers and DJs. The National checked in to find out what you can expect from this glamorous resort. 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After a decade under lights, Amna Al Qubaisi steers her career in a new direction
After a decade under lights, Amna Al Qubaisi steers her career in a new direction

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After a decade under lights, Amna Al Qubaisi steers her career in a new direction

Emirati racing driver Amna Al Qubaisi didn't realise the impact of her story until she saw it through the eyes of others. From the day she first took the driver's seat at 14, her dream was to finish what her father, Khaled Al Qubaisi – the first Emirati to reach a podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France – had started. She wanted to win, to hear the UAE's national anthem play where it had never been heard before. 'I was always just trying to represent my country in a really good manner,' she tells The National. 'I was focused only on results. I wanted to prove to the world that we were not there just to participate – but to win.' In those early days, as she began turning heads on the track, she was unaware of the effect she was having. 'When I was 14, my dad was very strict with my social media. He took full control – I barely even had a phone. And I'm glad he did, because of him I thought everything was normal.' 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'In F1 Academy, I was always starting from the back and I took that as practice for overtaking,' Al Qubaisi explains. 'I learnt to get through traffic and find a gap. Now, in endurance, I'm always catching up to the guys up front, because I know how it's done. 'In endurance racing, you have to really plan – you have tyre management, fuel consumption and overtaking through traffic – because you're racing with different categories. 'It's so much more enjoyable. In single seaters, you're just praying and hoping for something to happen. But in endurance racing, anything can happen. Someone can be leading a race and then have a problem and you have a whole hour to strategise.' Al Qubaisi and her sister will continue their new path towards endurance racing on August 22 and 23 the Spa – Francorchamps Heat as part of the 2025 Ligier European Series. The series marks the third tier on the endurance racing ladder of Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), the company behind the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. 'Sharing a car, we work together and help each other. We go through data together and strategise together. Having each other makes this decision easier, as we're both really good and we know each other, so we have an advantage.' What is the future of women in F1? Back in Formula racing, Al Qubaisi is rooting for the many young women working towards a spot in F1 but believes the sport as not a level playing field. 'It's very difficult to have a female in Formula One, no matter how good she is, no matter how big her achievements are. The Formula One teams need to have really big trust in those female drivers. 'They will need to invest in women drivers from a young age. I think they just need to start trusting women more to be able to reach that point too. 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She will rely less on how others tell her story and start to take an even greater hand in telling her own. 'I have a cameraman and we're doing our own YouTube docuseries for the racing championship. Every race weekend we show everything from our perspective and it's very authentic and very natural,' she says. 'I've learnt that I don't need anything polished and professional. These days, I just have to be real.'

Dubai-Based Author's Book Makes it Jimmy Fallon's Book Club Shortlist
Dubai-Based Author's Book Makes it Jimmy Fallon's Book Club Shortlist

UAE Moments

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Dubai-Based Author's Book Makes it Jimmy Fallon's Book Club Shortlist

A Dubai-based author has achieved an extraordinary milestone as her novel earns a place on the Jimmy Fallon Book Club shortlist, bringing international recognition to her decade-long literary journey. The announcement came after producers contacted her publisher six weeks ago, requesting copies for coverage consideration, a moment she initially thought was unlikely to lead to anything. However, the news that Jimmy Fallon himself mentioned her name on national television has left her both humbled and exhilarated. The novel, which has been in the making for ten years, tells a sweet and humorous story centered on a Palestinian American family in New York City, offering poignant insight into their displacement from Jaffa in the 1940s. While deeply personal, the narrative resonates with today's global audience, especially amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine. Actor Mo Amer has described the work as 'timely, yet timeless,' capturing the delicate balance between cultural heritage and universal themes of identity, resilience, and belonging. This recognition is the latest in a string of accolades for the author, whose work has already been featured on The New York Times, Yahoo, Forbes, Goodreads, and Vogue must-read lists. Yet, she admits that seeing Fallon hold her book was a surreal high point, one she stumbled upon by pure chance while scrolling Instagram. The achievement also shines a spotlight on Dubai's literary and cultural ecosystem, which has supported her at every stage. She credits the encouragement of Ahlam Bolooki, Isobel (Um Mansoor) Abulhoul, Hind Seddiqi, Seddiqi Holding, the Emirates Literature Foundation, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Dubai Future Foundation, and Emirates airline, which featured her on its in-flight podcast. With backing from her publisher Macmillan Henry Holt and United Talent Agency, the author sees this recognition not just as a personal win, but as a moment of pride for Dubai and for Palestinian storytelling on the world stage.

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