Dubai Summer Surprises 2025 to start soon: 11 unmissable experiences

Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) is back for its 28th edition, running from June 27 to August 31.

Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), this year’s festival is packed with more than two months of unbeatable shopping, dining, entertainment, and family fun across the city.

From exclusive retail promotions and world-class concerts to raffles, hotel deals, and pop-up food experiences, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of DSS 2025.

The festival is sponsored by Commercial Bank of Dubai with major partners including Al Futtaim Malls, Majid Al Futtaim, Emirates Airline, ENOC, talabat and many more.

1. Three curated shopping seasons

• Summer holiday offers (June 27–July 17): Early-season deals, family-friendly offers, and first-round raffles.
• Great Dubai Summer Sale (July 18 – August 10): The biggest citywide bargains—over 800 brands, 3,000+ retailers.
• Back to School (August 11–31 ): Essential term-time savings + giveaways and scholarship chances.

2. Dubai Summer Surprises: Opening weekend extravaganza

June 27–29: Family-focused activities and free concerts at major venues.

• Dubai Festival City Mall: Regional acts (Abri & Band, Sabrina, Reina Khoury, Noel Kharman)
• City Centre Mirdif: Live music by Jadal and Al Shami, plus roaming entertainment
• Headline shows: Miami Band and Mutref Al Mutref, Tribute to Adele, Adnan Sami, and more.

3. Mall Raffles and big wins

Immediate chances to win big: Polestar 4 car, SUVs, electronics, jewellery, and Skyward Miles through retailer loyalty programmes (Mercato, Majid Al Futtaim, Festival Plaza, Dubai Outlet Mall).

4. Dubai Summer Restaurant Week (July 4–13)

Enjoy set-menu dining across 50+ family and international restaurants at exclusive value. Reserve via OpenTable.

5. DSS Gahwa Beats

Weekend café pop-ups on July 26, and August 2, 9, 16, 23: enjoy live music, coffee culture, and vibrant vibes at city hotspots. Locations TBC soon.

6. 10 Dirham Dish (August 1–31 )

Discover affordable eats across Dubai — restaurants offer a special dish for just Dhs10.

7. Headline concert series and live shows

• Beat The Heat DXB (July 4–13): Arabic pop, indie, hip-hop acts
• Individual concerts: Adonis (July 3), TJ Monterde (July 13), Shreya Ghoshal (July 19), Sufi maestro Sagar Bhatia (August 16), Natalie Imbruglia (August 23), Made in Kuwaiti theatre (August 29–30)

8. Shop and save citywide

Nine weeks of retail excitement: themed flash sales, “Cool Off at The Beach, JBR”, “Win Your School Fees”, loyalty promos: Amber Millionaire, AURA draw, Win 1 Million Skywards Miles, and more.

9. Staycations and family fun

Exclusive deals at 100+ hotels and 15 attractions, plus the DSS Entertainer BOGO offer (Dhs 195) unlocking 7,500+ discounts—covering theme parks, dining, gyms, spas.

10. Fitness events

Get moving at mall-based runs:

• Courtyard run at Dubai Hills Mall (June 28, in partnership with Skechers)
• RX Run series at City Centre Mirdif (July 6) & Mall of Emirates (August 3)
• Fun runs at Ibn Battuta Mall (July 13) and Festival City Mall (August 31)
• Messi Experience at Festival City Mall until August 31— interactive football fun for all ages.

11. Modesh and Dana mascot moments

Keep an eye out for Dubai’s most-loved mascots making surprise appearances at malls, schools, attractions, and interactive pop-ups. Enjoy themed décor, meet-ups, and new merchandise across the city.