Fireworks, free concerts: Family-friendly activities during last week of Dubai Shopping Festival

The last week of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is upon us, along with the last chance for residents and visitors to take advantage of the festival's signature deals and family-friendly experiences around the city.

The 31st edition focused on festivities specifically designed to entertain and engage all ages, offering activities for the whole family to enjoy together. These included live shows, interactive entertainment, outdoor adventure, and large-scale spectacles across Dubai.

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The festival will close for the season on January 11, 2026. Here are some of the things you can enjoy before it ends.

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Festival Bay

Festival Bay at Dubai Festival City Mall is hosting a multitude of activities and shows for people of all ages to enjoy. It is free to enter the festival zone and attend the concerts here.

On January 10, visitors to the Bay can catch the Arabic pop duo Dalia Al Turky and Mahmoud Al Turky, who are set to deliver energetic performances for a truly immersive musical journey as the last concert of e& DSF Nights.

Daily kids' shows, which are free stage performances featuring beloved characters, will include:

• Sesame Street

• Nickelodeon’s DORA

• DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls

• Animaccord’s Masha and The Bear

• PJ MASKS

These shows are complemented by dancers and musicians, and allow families to drop in, explore and stay as long as they like.

True Gamers will host interactive family-friendly gaming competitions, featuring quizzes, tournaments and challenges with prizes totalling Dh30,000. The gaming zone at Festival Bay is designed to be accessible to children, teens and parents alike. The zone has proven especially popular during DSF as a post-school activity for older children and teens.

Visitors can also enjoy free light, fountain and laser shows across the waterfront before the festival ends.

Bluewaters and The Beach JBR

The DSF Drone Show will run daily twice — at 8pm and 10pm — until January 11. This year's edition also features daily pyro-drone fireworks, making it the largest aerial show in DSF history.

Entry is completely free to the shows, which are held at Bluewaters and The Beach JBR.

Dubai Design District

The e& Market Outside The Box (MOTB) will continue to run until January 11. The open-air lifestyle destination features:

• Over 80 F&B outlets and retail pop-ups, showcasing homegrown brands, emerging designers and independent food concepts

• MOTB-exclusive menus, limited-edition drops and interactive brand activations across food, fashion, beauty and lifestyle

• Live music, DJs and roaming entertainment creating a constant day-to-night festival atmosphere

• Community-led programming, including dance performances, fitness sessions and creative showcases

• Hands-on workshops and customisation zones designed for children, teens and adults

• Dedicated family-friendly spaces and relaxed social zones, ideal for after-school visits and early evening outings

• The Glow Bloc, a premium showcase featuring established global and regional brands through immersive beauty, lifestyle and dining experiences

DSF Auto Season

Here are some family-friendly automative highlights to catch before DSF ends:

• Middle East Car and Bike Week: This will run from January 10 to 11, 2026 at Dubai Studio City. The tickets cost Dh75 for one day and Dh100 for two days. It provides a safe environment where children can see supercars, bikes and custom builds up close, and also features stunt zones, displays and live entertainment.

• Mirdif Motor Show x DSF Auto Season: This will be open on January 10 with free entry and over 1,000 vehicles on display, from supercars and classics to bikes and RC models. It will also feature live DJs, entertainment and a relaxed atmosphere suited to children and teens.

Supreeta Balasubramanian

supreeta@khaleejtimes.com