Dubai Shopping Festival opens on January 5

The Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE) has announced the dates for the 17th edition of the globally renowned event - Dubai Shopping Festival. The 32-day festival will be held from January 5 to February 5, 2012.

Attracting millions of visitors each year, the festival showcases the region's best in shopping, winning, and family entertainment.

'Dubai at its best' is the marketing slogan for the 2012 edition of DSF and symbolises the best of what Dubai has to offer for residents and visitors. More than 6,000 retail outlets are expected to offer spectacular discounts throughout the festival in addition to chances of winning prizes ranging from luxury cars and gold to cash each day of the event. It is interesting to note that around Dh1.4bn worth of prizes has been given away since the first DSF in 1996.

In addition to the shopping and prizes, hundreds of events await residents and visitors. From international concerts, musicals, and shows to sport, outdoor, and fashion events, Dubai Shopping Festival caters to every age segment.

"Dubai Shopping Festival is renowned as a global event that attracts visitors from across the world making Dubai a meeting point for diverse cultures. DSF celebrates its seventeenth edition in 2012 with 32 days of intense shopping, entertainment, and chances to win prizes worth millions of dirhams. Apart from being the anchor in Dubai's annual events calendar, DSF is a celebration of Dubai at its best," said the DEPE Media Centre in a statement.

Launched in 1996 under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to position Dubai as a leading tourist destination, DSF attracts people of over 200 nationalities, reflecting its famous slogan 'One World, One Family, One Festival'.

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