Dubai Shopping Festival 2006-07

Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 2006-07, also known as ‘Layali Dubai’ in Arabic, is a 45-day long extravaganza shopping and entertainment that combines the 11th and 12th editions of DSF. The festival will start on December 20, 2006 and run until February 2, 2007.

DSF is an annual shopping and entertainment festival first initiated on February15, 1996 by the Dubai government. It was initially planned to revitalize and promote retail trade in Dubai under the committed leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai. It has gradually blossomed into one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the international travel circuit.

Inspired by the theme ‘One World, One Family, One Festival’, this year’s theme revolves around ‘A World of Festivals’. These include World Cultures Festival, Family Entertainment Festival, The Arts and Cultural Festivals, Musical Festival, Dubai Fashion Festival, The Sports Festival, Food Festival, Records Breaking Festival, The Heritage Festival, Shopping Malls Festival and the most anticipated Raffles and Winnings Festival.

DSF is a shopper’s paradise with more than 2,300 retail outlets participating in the festival. The Dubai Creek, Night Souq and Global Village are some of the most popular hangouts in Dubai during the celebrations besides numerous shopping malls and bazaars. Located at its own custom-built site in Dubailand project on the Emirates Road, the Global Village attracts millions of visitors all through the festival not just for the rich variety of products, games and entertainment programs but also for the large spread of cuisines and eating out options at hand.

Throughout the festival, some of the best brands of the world can be purchased at lowest of prices. To make the shopping more attractive are the raffle draws, lucky draws and various schemes. It is the best time to purchase anything from home appliances to home décor, handicrafts to textiles, gold to cosmetics and haute couture to accessories.

Besides shopping, one can enjoy the several exciting entertainment shows associated with the Dubai Shopping Festival. The important events during the DSF 2006-07 are:

Dubai Balloons Festival

20^th December 2006 – 30^th December 2006, Global Village

Bazaars of the World

20^th December 2006 – 2^nd February 2007, Al Seef Road

Carpet Oasis

20^th December 2006–2^nd February 2007, Dubai Airport Expo, West Hall

DSF Night Souq

20^th December 2006 – 2^nd February 2007, Al Seef Road

Global Village (40 Pavilions)

13^th December 2006 – 9^th February 2007, Dubailand

Hatta Heritage Celebrations

20^th December 2006 – 2^nd February 2007, Hatta Village

HH Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Exhibition

20^th December 2006 – 2^nd February 2007, Al Shindagah Square

Zayed-the Enduring Legacy Exhibition

20^th December 2006 – 2^nd February 2007, Near