Dubai to light up with dancing drones, lights show during shopping festival
From drone shows to glowing installations, Dubai will light up when its shopping festival begins on December 8. The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) will, of course, feature promotions, retail deals, and raffle draws, but the 38-day event is much more than just shopping and big wins.
Taking place from December 8 to January 14, the 29th edition of the festival will feature pop-up markets, dining experiences, art installations, and sporting events.
Dubai Lights is a public art show that’s free to attend, and as its name suggests, features lighting installations.
Anooki, the inflatable characters: These larger-than-life characters will illuminate Al Seef and d3. Created by French designers Moetu Batlle and David Passegand, the characters are ambassadors for the environment.
Journey of lights: About 40 of Dubai’s abras — traditional boats — will illuminate in neon lighting as part of the event, making the Creek glow.
World of neon: At the old Gold Souk, visitors can stroll through the marketplace adorned with neon signs.
Walkable lights: The West Beach in Palm Jumeirah will feature walkable scenes that include life-size installations of Amazonian parrots, intricate floral artwork, and more, all inspired by the world’s largest tropical rainforest.
According to organizers, this year’s drone show will be DSF’s most sensational yet. From December 10 to January 14, over 800 drones will light up the sky over Bluewaters twice every evening. The dancing drones will take off at 8 PM and 10 PM, to narrate two stories — one about the significance of the Pearl in Dubai; and the other about an Emirati space explorer who enters a portal that takes him to the future.
The Dubai Police Carnival will take place on January 4-8 at City Walk, featuring an impressive line-up of vehicles for visitors to view.
Emirates Classic Vehicles Festival at City Walk from December 15-24 will take visitors back in time.
The Dubai Shopping Festival is known for its extravagant displays and stunning events. This year, the city will not disappoint as it prepares to dazzle locals and visitors alike with a spectacular showcase of lights and technology. From December 8, Dubai will light up with drone shows, glowing installations, and mesmerizing art displays that promise to create an unforgettable experience.
One of the highlights of the festival is Dubai Lights, a free public art show featuring stunning lighting installations. Visitors will have the opportunity to witness the magic of illuminated sculptures and structures that bring the city to life in a vibrant display of creativity.
For those looking for something out of the ordinary, the festival offers unique attractions such as Anooki, the inflatable characters. These larger-than-life ambassadors for the environment will illuminate Al Seef and d3, captivating audiences with their whimsical presence.
The Journey of Lights will transform Dubai’s traditional boats, known as abras, into glowing spectacles. With neon lighting illuminating approximately 40 boats, the Creek will become a mesmerizing sight, combining tradition with innovation.
At the old Gold Souk, visitors can immerse themselves in a World of Neon. Neon signs will adorn the marketplace, creating a retro-futuristic ambiance that captures the spirit of Dubai’s vibrant culture and history.
Meanwhile, the West Beach in Palm Jumeirah will become a haven of walkable lights. Life-size installations inspired by the Amazon rainforest, including intricate floral artwork and vibrant parrots, will transport visitors to a tropical paradise right in the heart of Dubai.
Undoubtedly, one of the most anticipated events of the festival is the mesmerizing drone show. With over 800 drones taking flight twice every evening above Bluewaters, attendees will be treated to a stunning display of lights and technology. The drones will narrate captivating stories, including tales of the Pearl’s significance in Dubai’s history and the journey of an Emirati space explorer venturing into the future.
In addition to the breathtaking light displays, the Dubai Shopping Festival offers a range of other attractions. The Dubai Police Carnival at City Walk will showcase an array of impressive vehicles for visitors to admire, while the Emirates Classic Vehicles Festival will take attendees on a nostalgic journey back in time.
With its diverse range of events and spectacles, the Dubai Shopping Festival continues to enthrall and captivate audiences year after year. As locals and tourists come together to celebrate this extravaganza of lights, art, and culture, Dubai once again solidifies its position as a world-class destination for unforgettable experiences.
So mark your calendars and prepare to be dazzled as Dubai lights up during the shopping festival, offering a sensory feast for all who attend. Whether it’s the dancing drones, the enchanting art installations or the nostalgic classic vehicles, there is something for everyone to enjoy and cherish at the Dubai Shopping Festival.
