Dubai Summer Surprises 2025 enters last phase with Back to School deals
Up to 75% discounts, live shows and raffles with cars, gold and jewellery
DUBAI – With schools starting earlier this year, Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) enters its final shopping season with an action-packed Back to School countdown.
Families returning from their holidays can shop smart, enjoy giveaways, and unlock major savings on school supplies, gadgets, fashion, and more until 31st August.
Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the themed retail season also offers exclusive bundles, student discounts, and prizes including scholarships, loyalty points, and AI classes.
Adding to the buzz, DSS brings entertainment across the city – from live anime music to British pantomimes, stand-up comedy, and a special edition of Gahwa Beats at Dubai Ice Rink.
Families can look forward to stage shows such as Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Alice in Wonderland and Treasure Island, while concerts and performances create a fitting finale to the summer.
BRAND NEW THIS WEEK
The Laughter Factory
The Middle East’s longest-running comedy club, The Laughter Factory, presents its “Summer, Laughter and Lager Tour” featuring a line-up of international comedians. Running from 15 to 23 August at various Dubai venues, the shows will bring a dose of humour to DSS entertainment.
Dreamlight: Anime Soundtracks Performed Live
On 15 August at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dreamlight presents an evening of live performances of iconic anime soundtracks. The show celebrates beloved anime series, with musicians bringing these songs to life for fans across generations.
Gahwa Beats Special Edition
Taking place on 16th August at Dubai Ice Rink, Gahwa Beats introduces a special summer edition featuring DJ Whiteboy, DRVN Coffee and live performances in a unique setting. The event combines coffee culture with contemporary music, offering a different spin on DSS nightlife.
Dubai Police E-Sports Championship
Gaming fans can join the Dubai Police E-Sports Championship with a prize pool of Dh200,000. Running until 17th August, the event features competitive titles including Counter-Strike, Valorant, League of Legends, and Dota 2, highlighting Dubai’s growing esports scene.
South Border with Kris Lawrence
On 16th August, the popular Filipino band South Border joins singer Kris Lawrence for a live concert in Dubai. The performance is set to delight fans with a mix of classics and new music.
Aladdin
The family stage show Aladdin returns on 16th and 27th August at Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Bringing the much-loved story to the stage, the production blends music, costumes, and interactive elements perfect for children and families.
The Little Mermaid
Performances of The Little Mermaid continue on 15, 17, 26, and 28 August at Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Families can watch Ariel’s adventures in a colourful and musical retelling of the Disney favourite.
Alice in Wonderland
From 19th to 23th August at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, audiences can experience Alice in Wonderland brought to life through live performances, bright costumes and engaging storytelling.
Treasure Island
On 20, 22, and 24 August at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the stage show Treasure Island takes children on an adventure of pirates, treasure hunts and exciting sea voyages.
10 Dirham Dish
Food lovers can still enjoy the DSS 10 Dirham Dish until 31st August, featuring over 700 dining outlets across the city offering unique dishes at just Dh10.
DSS Modesh Scholarship
Families shopping at participating malls can win the DSS Modesh Scholarship, worth Dh200,000 in prizes. The campaign supports students and parents preparing for the new academic year.
Back to School Retail Offers
From LuLu Hypermarket’s School Savers with Dh10,000 scholarships, to Carrefour’s Dh50,000 cash prizes, Emax’s lowest laptop prices, Sharaf DG’s instant wins worth up to Dh5,000, and Adidas’ Dh169 bundle pack, shoppers can enjoy discounts of 25–75 percent until 31st August.
RETURNING FESTIVAL FAVOURITES
Modesh World
Until 25th August at Dubai World Trade Centre, Modesh World welcomes families to explore themed zones, games, rides and interactive shows. The city’s favourite summer park is home to Modesh and Dana, who host live entertainment and activities for children.
DSS Raffles
Shoppers can win big this DSS through citywide raffles. Dubai Shopping Malls Group is giving away nine cars across participating malls, Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group offers 30 gold bars through its campaign, while Visa Jewellery Programme rewards 50 winners with Dh175,000 worth of jewellery vouchers.
Shop & Win Promotions
Ongoing citywide promotions include “Back to School – Spend and Win Dh25,000”, “Win Big This Summer with Emirates Skywards”, and “Shop. Win. Drive – DSS 2025”. With thousands of prizes on offer, shoppers can enjoy extra rewards alongside their purchases.
DSS Entertainer
Over 7,500 buy-one-get-one-free offers are available across restaurants, attractions, spas and more with DSS Entertainer. The promotion allows residents and tourists to enjoy summer experiences at unbeatable value.
Retailer Giveaways
Brands continue to run DSS campaigns citywide. From instant wins at electronics stores to major prize draws at malls, retailers are rewarding shoppers with generous offers, keeping the summer shopping season lively.
Food and Dining
Alongside the DSS 10 Dirham Dish, restaurants and cafés are offering limited-time menus and value-driven promotions. Families and friends can explore Dubai’s diverse dining scene while enjoying summer-exclusive dishes.
Family Entertainment
DSS continues to focus on family-friendly activities. From theatre shows to concerts, workshops to interactive events, families can fill the summer calendar with memorable experiences at affordable prices.
Concerts and Shows
The summer line-up includes local and international performers across venues. With concerts, comedy nights, and themed stage shows, DSS entertainment caters to audiences of all ages and interests.
Modesh & Dana
Beloved DSS mascots Modesh and Dana continue to engage children and families with meet-and-greet opportunities, live shows, and interactive games. They remain an iconic part of the DSS experience.
DSS 2025 Sponsors
This year’s festival is supported by leading partners including Commercial Bank of Dubai, Al Futtaim Malls, Emirates Airline, ENOC, e&, Majid Al Futtaim, and talabat. Their support ensures a wide range of events, retail promotions and entertainment activations across Dubai.