Dubai Shopping Festival The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) was started in 1996 by the government to promote retail trade in the city, and has since grown into the foremost shopping event in the world, an annual extravaganza of shopping and entertainment that promotes tourism and attracts millions of people from around the world to Dubai every year. The city is already known as a shopping paradise, but for a whole month thousands of retail outlets offer further specials, with hotels, travel companies and airlines also extending special discounts to visitors during this period. Besides
the shopping malls and souks, one of the most popular shopping spots is the Carpet Oasis, showcasing thousands of exclusive carpets from around the world. Other events include nightly fireworks, laser/light shows, international fashion shows, street performances, music concerts and many cultural events. Daily raffle draws offer very attractive prizes of money, gold, cars and 4x4s. The festival also coincides with the richest horse race in the world, the Dubai World Cup (US$15,250,000 in prize money). Venue: Throughout the city, but the main focal point of the festival is the Global Village, Emirates Road Date: January to February 2010 TBA Website: www.mydsf.com
Dubai Desert Classic Part of the European PGA tour, the Dubai Desert Classic takes place at what was the first grass golf course in the Middle East, which was entitled The Desert Miracle in 1988. The tournament attracts prestigious international players to compete for the trophy and US$2.2 million in prize money. Venue: Majlis Course of the Emirates Golf Club Date: 1 - 7 February 2010 Website: www.dubaidesertclassic.com
Dubai Rugby Sevens The Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens heralds the opening of the IRB Sevens World Series, and features 16 of the best international rugby sevens teams each year. The event has grown rapidly over the last few years and attracts over 70, 000 fans from around the world, drawn by its carnival-like atmosphere, making it one of the most popular events in the Middle East. Venue: Dubai Exiles Rugby Ground Date: November 2009 TBA Website: www.dubairugby7s.com
Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival Ten of thousands of jazz lovers flock to see some of the finest international acts in the world performing in a variety of genres including rocket-fuelled funk and bluegrass, pop, blues, rock, reggae, and afro-centric music. The increasing number of fans has helped secure it an award for the Best Festival in the UAE. Venue: Dubai Media City and at Madinat Jumeirah Outdoor Amphitheater Date: February 2010, TBA Website: www.dubaijazzfest.com
Dubai World Cup The Dubai World Cup is the richest horse race in the world, offering a purse of US$6 million, with US$3.6 million going to the winner of the mile-and-a-quarter race. The event attracts the best horses and jockeys from around the world every year. A visit to the state-of-the-art racecourse is an event in itself with its floodlit sand and dirt track and television monitors in all areas. The competition is almost as fierce off the track among the style conscious who compete for title of the best dressed. Venue: Nad Al Sheba Racecourse Date: 28 March 2009 Website: dubairacingclub.com/dubaiworldcup
Global Village Dubai The Global Village is a shopping, eating and entertainment extravaganza which runs throughout the winter months in Dubai. Bringing together traditions from across the globe, thousands flock each year to sample exotic foods, buy international goods and experience the sounds and smells of hundreds of diverse cultures. Many countries are represented, each housed in its own enormous pavilion and decorated in accordance with that country's heritage. Each year, organizers strive to make the attractions and pavilions at the Global Village bigger and better. In recent years attractions have included a five hundred meter man-made canal and forty meter Ferris wheel overlooking the desert. Venue: Located at Dubailand. Emirates Road, Exit 37 (+971 4 362 4114) Date: Exact dates vary but tends to open in November and close towards the end of February. Time: 4pm until Midnight Website: www.globalvillage.ae
Dubai Tennis Championship The world's top tennis stars descend on Dubai in February for the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships 2009. It marks the 16th year the competition has been held in the Emirate and will feature the top ten men's and women's players from across the globe. All four current women's Grand Slam champions, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic and Venus and Serena Williams, have been confirmed to appear on Center Court. The two week extravaganza coincides with the 2008/2009 Dubai Shopping Festival. Tickets for the sports event are on sale now. Grandstand seating is free. Venue: Dubai Tennis Stadium Date: February 2010, TBA Website: www.barclaysdubaitennischampionships.com
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