UAE Festival & Shopping Sale Calendar 2026

Last year, the Dubai Summer Surprises sale saw a 100% increase in spending, rivaling even Black Friday and White Friday sales. This goes to show that in the UAE, shopping is a favorite sport of many. From luxury malls to gold souks, there’s always something pulling people in. Brands have picked up on this habit, which is why they offer regular deals throughout the year, so that you can shop and save. The only problem is figuring out which ones are worth your time. So we put together a UAE Festival & Sales Calendar that lays it out clearly, so you can plan ahead and not miss the big ones.

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Major UAE Shopping Sales & Retail Events 2026: A Snapshot

Sale Event	Typical Timeline
Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF)	December – January
Christmas & New Year	December – January
Chinese New Year	January – February
The Great Online Sale	March/April
Ramadan & Eid Al Fitr	Dates Vary
3-Day Super Sale (3DSS)	May & Nov
Eid Al Adha	Dates Vary
Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS)	July – August
Back to School	August
Dubai Home Festival	October
Diwali	October – November
Black/Yellow/White Friday & Cyber Monday	Late November
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad)	December 1 – 3

Detailed Breakdown of the UAE Festival & Sale Calendar

In the UAE, e-commerce platforms and popular brands hold plenty of sales, starting from the Ramadan Sales to Black Friday events. Let’s get a closer look at these sales events, when they occur, and what kind of offers to expect from various brands.

1. Dubai Shopping Festival/DSF (December – January)

 

Dubai Shopping Festival first began in 16th February 1996. It was the brainchild of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The festival is an annual month-long event curated by the Dubai Festivals & Retail Establishment (DFRE). During this festival, shops and e-commerce platforms offer discounts on their products. Plus, you can also expect offers on activities and enjoy live shows throughout Dubai.

What to Expect from Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF)

During DSF, the entire city operates on a “discount-first” mindset. You can expect price cuts ranging from 25% to 75%, with final-weekend sales reaching up to 90%.

• Major fashion houses in Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue, including Gucci, Prada, and Burberry, offer markdowns or “gift-with-purchase” offers.
• Brands like Zara, H&M, Mango, and Marks & Spencer slash prices across all categories. Club the discount with Marks & Spencer promo codes for extra savings.
• Retailers like Sharaf DG, Jumbo Electronics, and Emax are famous for “DSF Bundles.”
• Amazon.ae and Noon launch dedicated DSF landing pages, offering deep discounts that rival Black Friday.

What to buy during the Dubai Shopping Festival

You can get gold jewelry, designer bags & shoes, and premium electronics during this sale. During DSF, jewellery retailers like Joyalukkas offer 50% off on making charges or discounts on diamond carats and free gold coins with purchases. Plus, brands like Aldo, Charles & Keith, and Steve Madden often run “Buy One Get One” (BOGO) deals.

Malls that participate in DSF: The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Festival City Mall, Ibn Battuta Mall, City Centre Mirdif & Deira

2. Christmas & New Year (December – January)

This period represents the end of the year, when retailers host clearance and festive sales. The two-week period overlaps with the DSF. But the brands that don’t participate in the DSF usually host their very own end of year clearance sales.

What to Expect: Brands, Platforms & Offers

The first week of sales, that is December 15th – 24th, focuses on gifting and fashion (up to 50% off), while December 26th – January 5th sees clearance sales (up to 90% off) as brands clear stock for the new year.

• Zara, H&M, Mango, and Pull & Bear launch their massive winter clearance during the last week of December. These sales often continue for 3-4 weeks, with deeper discounts towards the end of the sale.
• Bloomingdale’s, Harvey Nichols, and Marks & Spencer offer premium festive hampers and luxury fashion markdowns that can reach 60% by New Year’s Day. For better savings, you can always use Bloomingdale’s discounts from GrabOn UAE.

What to Buy During the Christmas & New Year Sale

Even though the UAE is warm, global brands like Columbia, North Face, and Timberland slash prices on winter gear in December. You can even get electronics, because January is the “Clearance Month” for white goods. If you need a new Samsung washing machine or a Dyson vacuum, the New Year sales offer the lowest prices of the year. Many brands like  Nike, Lululemon, and Sun & Sand Sports capitalize on “New Year’s Resolutions” and offer big discounts on workout gear.

3. Chinese New Year (January – February)

In the UAE, the Chinese New Year (CNY) has evolved from a niche cultural event into a major event. While it officially falls in mid-February, the festivities usually span two weeks, turning the UAE’s luxury hubs into a sea of red and gold.

What to Expect from the Chinese New Year

The CNY sale is unique because it focuses heavily on limited editions, decor, and luxury gifting rather than just general clearance.

• Houses like Dior, Burberry, and Balenciaga release “Lunar New Year Capsules.” You can expect to see iconic items like the Dior Saddle bag or Burberry trench coats reimagined with red silk, gold embroidery, or subtle equestrian motifs to honor the Fire Horse.
• Since gold represents prosperity, brands like Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Harry Winston offer exclusive CNY gift packaging and limited-run timepieces with zodiac engravings.
• Beauty giants like Sephora, Charlotte Tilbury, and MAC release sample sets and palette collections for the celebration. Even with no offers, you can save on your orders with Sephora coupons from GrabOn UAE.

What to Buy During the Chinese New Year in the UAE

If you are shopping in the UAE during this window, get limited-edition luxury items, sample gift sets of makeup, and skincare. Major skincare brands like SK-II and Estée Lauder release jumbo-sized versions of their bestsellers in limited-edition festive bottles.

Malls that participate in the Chinese New Year: Dubai Mall (Chinatown), Mall of the Emirates, Dragon Mart, Global Village (China Pavilion), Galleria Mall, Yas Mall.

4. The Great Online Sale (March – April)

If you prefer shopping from your couch rather than from crowded malls, then The Great Online Sale is just for you. It happens every year in March-April.  Introduced by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), this is a three-day “e-commerce extravaganza” designed to rival international events like Cyber Monday.

What to Expect from The Great Online Sale

Unlike mall-based festivals, this event is 100% digital. You can expect site-wide discounts of up to 95%, along with exclusive promo codes and “App-only” early access.

• Amazon.ae and Noon.com are the multi-brand retailers, offering massive price drops on electronics and daily essentials. You can combine these sales with Amazon coupons and noon discounts for more savings.
• The Apparel Group participates heavily, bringing deep discounts to their online storefronts (such as 6thStreet.com). Expect brands like Aldo, Beyond the Beach, Lululemon, Tommy Hilfiger, Skechers, and Charles & Keith to offer “Extra 20% Off” codes on top of existing sale prices.
• Specialist platforms like Crate & Barrel, Homes R Us, and IKEA offer major markdowns on a wide selection of products.

What to Buy from the Great Online Sale

This is the best time to get Eid pieces from platforms like 6th Street and Namshi. You can also stock up on skincare & makeup because high-end brands and platforms like Rituals, Forest Essentials, Carrefour, and Noon Daily give away discounts and sample offers.

5. Ramadan & Eid Al Fitr Sales

Ramadan is a holy month. It is also the most significant retail period of the year in the UAE. The “Ramadan Sale” typically transitions into the “Eid Al Fitr Sale,” creating a six-week window of peak savings.

What to Expect from the Ramadan & Eid Sales

You can expect discounts from 30% to 90%, with a heavy focus on groceries, modest fashion, and home upgrades. Both online and in-store sales occur during this period, with malls staying open until 2 am.

• Carrefour UAE and Lulu Hypermarket create “Ramadan Kits” (pre-packed boxes of essentials) and offer up to 65% off on fresh food and kitchen appliances. GrabOn UAE has active Carrefour offers that can come in handy while shopping as well.
• IKEA and Home Centre launch specialized Ramadan collections. Look for “Ramadan Sale” folds on the home page. You can also find BOGO and bundle offers on festive lighting, lanterns, and home decor.
• noon and Amazon.ae dominate the Ramadan sale campaigns, offering up to 70% off on decor, lights, and gifts.

What to Buy during the Ramadan & Eid Sale in the UAE

During the festive season, you can get the best deals on kitchen appliances like Air Fryers, NutriBullets, and Stand Mixers. Brands like Philips, Black+Decker, and Nutricook offer their lowest prices of the year to cater to Iftar prep. Many local clothing brands and multi-retailer platforms offer discounts on Eid fits. Home decor, gifts, and perfumes are also heavily discounted.

6. 3-Day Super Sale (3DSS) (May & November)

If the Dubai Shopping Festival is a marathon, the 3-Day Super Sale (3DSS) is a high-speed sprint. Held twice a year, typically in May/June and again in October/November, this event is designed to clear out seasonal stock. Because it only lasts 72 hours, the discounts are often deeper than those found during the longer festivals.

What to Expect from the 3-Day Super Sale

The 3DSS is famous for its “Up to 90%” stickers. Unlike other sales where 90% off might only apply to a small clearance rack, 3DSS sees major international brands applying heavy cuts across a wide range of categories.

• You can expect heavy participation from Lululemon, Puma, Under Armour, Ted Baker, and Sacoor Brothers. Check if you can stack offers and use Lululemon promo codes to get more discounts.
• High-street staples like Marks & Spencer and Debenhams also offer significant markdowns.
• Look for deals on premium eyewear at Ray-Ban and Al Jaber Optical, or luxury footwear at Level Shoes and Steve Madden. Watch enthusiasts can find offers at Rivoli and Daniel Wellington.
• Exclusive rewards for loyalty programs like BLUE Rewards, SHARE, Amber, and more.

What to Buy During the 3-Day Super Sale 

The sale offers unbeatable bargains across fashion, beauty, electronics, lifestyle, homeware, and many more. You can shop at the Dubai Festival City Mall, where shoppers are given the opportunity to win AED 20,000 if they spend AED 300.

Malls that participate in the 3-Day Super Sale: Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, Dubai Festival City Mall, Dubai Hills Mall, Dubai Outlet Mall, and others.

7. Eid Al Adha (Dates Vary)

Eid Al Adha, also known as the “Big Eid,” is one of the most significant holidays in the Islamic calendar. While the event is centered on sacrifice, family, and charity, it has also become a shopping period in the UAE, often acting as the “summer kickoff” for major electronics and home goods deals.

What to Expect from Eid Al Adha Sales

The Eid Al Adha sales are famous for “Flash Offers” and high-value bundles. You can expect site-wide and mall-wide discounts ranging from 50% to 80%.

• In this period, electronics retailers like Jumbo Electronics, Eros, and Sharaf DG offer heavy discounts on major electronics and home goods.
• You can also get deals on the latest 5G smartphones from Samsung, Huawei, and Vivo, along with small cut-offs on MacBooks and iPads.
• Since this Eid involves hosting large family feasts, brands like Samsung, LG, and Ariston offer up to 40% off on refrigerators and ovens. To get more out of the deal, you can stack it with Samsung coupons. Please confirm whether the retailer allows deal stacking before attempting this.
• Noon.com and Amazon.ae also launch Eid Sales campaigns with up to 50% off on fashion, electronics, mobiles, beauty, and more.

What to Buy During Eid Al Adha Sales

If you want to shop smart during this window, focus on getting home goods, electronics, and luxury gifts for the occasion. You can get fragrance sets and chocolate gift sets for the festival as well, from boutiques like Patchi and Godiva

8. Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) (July – August)

It is a sales event hosted during the summer with incredible sales, staycation offers, prize draws, and fun offers. The sale usually lasts for a couple of months (10 weeks). It is famous for its offers on luxury goods and world-class entertainment.

What to Expect from Dubai Summer Surprises

DSS is known for its massive scale, with over 1,000 brands participating. You can expect discounts starting at 25% and peaking at 90% during the legendary DSS Final Sale weekend.

• Global favorites like Zara, H&M, Massimo Dutti, and Gap offer end-of-season clearance prices across most inventory. GrabOn UAE has offers on GAP that you can use to further lower the prices.
• High-end retailers in Fashion Avenue (Dubai Mall), Via Rodeo (Mall of the Emirates), Kenzo, MCM, and Coach offer markdowns to make room for Fall/Winter collections.

What to Buy During Dubai Summer Surprises

This sale offers good deals on summer pieces that will go out of style in a few weeks (because of the new season). But you can snag high-quality summer apparel, swimwear, and linen. Plus, this sale coincides with the Back to School period, when you can get laptops, backpacks, and stationery on sale as well.

Malls that participate in Dubai Summer Surprises: The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, Modesh World at Dubai World Trade Centre, IKEA at Dubai Festival City Mall, and Dubai Hills Mall.

9. Back to School Sale (July – August)

The Back to School may not be such an important period in the UAE (as compared to other sales events), but there are still brands that participate in this sale. You can expect a massive surge in late August, right before the new academic year.

What to Expect from Back to School Sale in the UAE

The Back to School market in the UAE is highly competitive, with retailers offering everything from “Bundle Kits” to high-tech education pricing. Discounts generally range from 25% to 70%.

• Apple offers discounts on the latest MacBooks and iPads, with special pricing for students.
• Retailers like Jumbo, Sharaf DG, and Emax often include “Freebie Bundles” (e.g., a free printer, mouse, or Microsoft 365 subscription) with laptop purchases from HP, Lenovo, and ASUS.
• Stationery brands like Faber-Castell, Camlin, and Nataraj offer 50% on products.

What to Buy during the Back-to-School Sale in the UAE

Get prepped for school and get electronics like laptops, tablets, backpacks, and stationery. Some brands also offer discounts on chairs, like Home Centre.

10. Dubai Home Festival (October)

The Dubai Home Festival (DHF) is the city’s largest annual celebration of all things home, interiors, and appliances. Typically held over two weeks in October, this festival is a great place for getting homeware on discount.

What to Expect from Dubai Home Festival

DHF is famous for its First-Time Home Buyer program, where you can get exclusive benefits to become a property owner in Dubai. Plus, you can also get discounts on homeware.

• Furniture giants like IKEA, Crate & Barrel, CB2, Chattels & More, and Interiors participate with exclusive discounts. GrabOn UAE offers discounts on home decor & furniture all year round, so you don’t have to wait for DHF to shop.
• A fan-favorite feature where a “surprise (Daily Home Drops)” flash deal is revealed every 24 hours. These are usually high-value items (like a Dyson vacuum or a Nespresso machine) sold at a fraction of the cost for one day only.

What to Buy from the Dubai Home Festival

If you’re planning a home makeover, DHF is the absolute best time to purchase items like Sofas, Dining Tables, and Bedroom Sets, Ring Video Doorbells, Philips Hue lighting kits, and Google Nest systems, kitchen essentials, soft furnishings, and decor.

Malls that participate in Dubai Home Festival: Dubai Festival Plaza, Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, Dubai Festival City Mall, Ibn Battuta Mall, Mercato Mall, and others.

11. Diwali Sale (October – November)

The UAE welcomes various cultures. So, Diwali (the Festival of Lights) has grown into a major celebration where retailers participate as well. This period is famous for its “Dhamaka” (explosive) deals.

What to Expect from Diwali Sale in the UAE

Diwali in the UAE is synonymous with Gold, Tech, and Home Makeovers. You can expect discounts ranging from 25% to 75%, often accompanied by high-value “Buy and Win” offers.

• This is the peak season for gold. Brands like Damas, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, and Joyalukkas offer incredible jewelry offers, such as free gold coins and 0% making charges on specific 22K gold collections.
• Stores like Home Box, Home Centre, and Danube Home release specialized “Diwali Decor” collections.
• Lulu Hypermarket and Al Maya are the go-to for “Diwali Kits,” offering bulk discounts on Indian sweets (mithai), dry fruits, and traditional snacks.

What to Buy during Diwali Sale in Dubai

Diwali is the best time to invest in gold. Not only is it auspicious, but it is also the cheapest during the period, with major gold retailers offering freebies and discounts on making charges. You will also see huge markdowns on ethnic Indian fashion, festive decor, and delicacies.

12. Black/White/Yellow Friday & Cyber Monday (Late November)

Black Friday in the UAE has many names. It is called White Friday/Yellow Friday, whatever the brands choose to go with. The global sales event has been localized into a month-long fest. This sale culminates in Cyber Monday with huge discounts on electronics. Big platforms like Amazon.ae and noon also host Black Friday in November with huge discounts.

What to Expect from Black/White/Yellow Friday & Cyber Monday

This is the only time of year when online platforms and physical malls compete head-to-head.

• Amazon’s flagship event focuses on “Prime Early Access” and deep discounts on popular electronic brands such as Apple, Samsung, Bose, and Philips.
• noon hosts Yellow Friday with up to 80% off on everything
• Namshi, 6th Street, and Styli launch Black Friday early, with stackable coupon codes and free delivery on every order.

What to Buy During Black Friday/ Cyber Monday in the UAE

During this sale, you can get the lowest price on iPhones, Samsung S-series, and high-end Laptops. Retailers often drop the price of last year’s models by 40 to 50%. Electronics of any form: home ware or kitchen essentials are also heavily discounted. Beauty and fashion brands like Zara, H&M, Sephora, and Bath & Body Works also offer BOGO deals and deep markdowns. Wishlist your favorites and get them during Black Friday at the lowest prices.

13. UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) (December 2)

UAE National Day, officially rebranded as Eid Al Etihad, commemorates the historic unification of the seven emirates in 1971. Celebrated annually on December 2nd, it is a period of intense national pride marked by spectacular fireworks, drone shows, and military parades. For residents, it also means National Day Sales in the first week of December.

What to Expect from the UAE National Day Sale

Most of the local retailers like Sharaf DG, Namshi, and Carrefour host National Day sales and run offers like

• • Deep price cuts on Samsung 4K TVs, Philips Air Fryers, and HP/Lenovo laptops

• Namshi and Trendyol offer site-wide discounts of up to 80%

• Fashion brands like M&S, GAP, and Next offer 10-20% discount on the regional site and in-store.

What to Buy During the UAE National Day Sale

Eid Al Etihad usually extends into a long weekend, so you can buy trip essentials like camping and outdoor gear. Home appliances are also discounted. Travel booking platforms like Emirates and Air Arabia often give away discounts for local travel. You can also use travel deals to save more on your weekend trip bookings.

FAQs

When is the Dubai Shopping Festival in 2026?

The Dubai Shopping Festival lasted from 15th December 2025 to 29th January 2026. This year, the event will also take place around the same period (mid-December 2026 to Late January 2027). No official dates have been announced yet.

Which month is the biggest sale in Dubai?

December has the biggest sale in Dubai with DSF. It starts with the UAE National Holiday Sale, then bleeds into Christmas offers. The Dubai Shopping starts in mid-December, lasting until January next year. You can find plenty of clearance and year-end sales during this period (both online and in-store). But you don’t have to wait for sales. You can save all year round if you look for deals on popular coupons & deals websites in the UAE. Find offers that work and apply them while shopping. This way, you can save even when there are no ongoing sales events.

What are the major shopping festivals in the UAE this year?

The biggest shopping festivals in the UAE are the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), and 3-Day Summer Sale (3DSS). It also hosts other festival sales like Eid and Diwali.

What are the key dates for cultural celebrations and public holidays in the UAE?

Here’s a list of the key cultural celebrations and public holidays in the UAE:

• New Year’s Day (January 1)
• Ramadan
• Eid Al Fitr
• Arafat Day
• Eid al Adha (Festival of Sacrifice)
• Islamic New Year
• UAE National Day/ Eid Al Etihad (December 2)