Dubai Summer Surprises is back with its 19th edition, themed ‘Own The Summer’. The 43 day long summer festival runs from 9 July until 20 August 2016 offering a line up of events, activities, shopping deals and competitions. Whether you’re looking for discounts on shopping, things to do with the family or want to win, check out what’s in store this DSS.

Ibn Batutta Mall

  • For all the little Lego fans, get a chance to build your own Lego City at Ibn Batutta Mall from 28 July to 06 August 2016. Lego City workshops are a good opportunity for kids to both play and learn at the same time. Timings are from 2 pm to 10 pm and entry is free.
  • Ibn Batutta Mall will be hosting the ‘Miss Fortune Circus’ which is a combination of four shows put together for a non-stop dose of laughter. The fun filled performances will run from 11 to 20 August and entry is free.
  • Make friends with the little pony at Magical Ponyville. Sing along and dance as you watch performances with your kids from 15 to 25 July between 5 pm to 8 pm. Little girls can also dress up at the beauty corner from 2 pm until 10 pm and entry is free.

The Dubai Mall

  • Join the adventure, collect clues and find your path through the Gruffalo Trail to the Gruffalo Wood. Also, let your kids take part in the art and crafts workshop at Gruffalo Wood. Children aged two years and above can take part in the adventure and entrance is free for all. The event will be held from 11 to 17 July, between 10 am to 10 pm.
  • From 5 to 20 August enjoy various activities such as educational workshops, live performances and fashion shows to entertain the entire family. Activities for children include tea parties, mad scientist laboratory and catwalks. The events will be spread out across the mall and there’s no admission fee.

[Related: Summer Camps your kids will love]

Mall of the Emirates

  • Watch the Chipmunks come to life during their live performance at Mall of the Emirates. Parents and kids also get a chance to take part in interactive workshops and meet and greet the Chipmunks. Entrance is free for all from 27 July  to 2 August. Show timings are: 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm, 7.30 pm and 9.30 pm.

Ramadan-social

Dubai Festival City

  • Take part in the Angry Bird fun activity with your little one and also meet and greet life sized Angry Birds. Activities will be on for 12 hours each day from 10 to 19 July and free of charge.
  • The mall will be themed around beach, park and sports. During DSS take part in different activities which include arts and crafts workshops, photo booths, and interactive simulators. Events will take place from 2 pm until mall closing hours.

Dragon Mart

  • Inspired by the upcoming 2016 Olympics, Barbie will be performing live on stage. The event will also feature interactive sessions, games, activities and Barbie products. The event will be held from 11 to 20 August between 10 am to 10 pm.
  • From 14 to 20 July, Dragon Mart 2 will be featuring a variety of life-sized board games twice a week for you and your family. Enjoy popular Hasbro games such as Battleship, Connect 4 basketball and more.
  • Learn the traditional Chinese sugar painting at Dragon Mart from 21 to 30 July. Enjoy the live performances and delicious sweets free of cost from 5 pm to 9 pm.

[Related: How to get discounts at the cinema]

Mercato Mall

  • Mercato Mall is hosting circus acts and performances during the Dubai Summer Surprises. Watch Argentinian performances, a show filled with music, dance, jugglers and comedians at the Circo Latino from 18 to 30 July 30. Entry is free for all age groups.
  • Beijing Chinese Circus is coming from 9 to 16 July. Witness traditional acts and thrilling performances such as glass balancing and juggling, unicyclists and contortionists and the traditional dragon parade. The Circus will be take place at 4.15 pm and 7.45 pm and there’s no entry free.
  • Watch the contemporary Italian circus acts at  ‘Il Circo, the whimsical act’. Shows will run for 25 minutes from 1 to 20 August between 5 pm to 9 pm. and entry is free for all.
  • Keep your kids entertained at the Kids Circus Workshop with various activities such as live performers, face painting, meet and greets, jugglers and acrobats from 9 to 20 July. Timings are 4.45 pm until 6.45 pm and entry is free for all.

Citywalk

  • Watch The Jungle Book come to life during a 30 minute show. Also, enjoy other fun filled activities and games. The event will be showcased from 14 July to 20 August and entry is free for all.

Deals to watch out for

  • Shop and win airline tickets for two to a destination of your choice. Spend a total of AED 300 at City Centre Deira or City Centre Mirdif to enter the draw. Also, win instant prizes such as airline tickets, travel bags, passport covers or a selfie stick when you spend AED 1,500 and above. The promotion is valid till 20 August 2016.
  • Get a chance to drive home a brand new car this DSS. All you have to do is spend AED 200 at any of the 25 participating malls to receive a raffle coupon to the draw. You could be a lucky winner of one of the 12 INFINITI Q50 that will be given away. This promotion will run from 9 July until August 20. Participating malls include Box Park, Citywalk, Dubai Outlet Mall, The Beach amongst others.
  • Shop at Ibn Batutta Mall and for every minimum spend of AED 300 receive a raffle coupon to enter a draw to win vouchers worth AED 10,000. There will be five winners every week between 9 July to 20 August 2016.
  • Get free fuel worth AED 100 when you buy a VIP tag for AED 250 at any EPPCO or ENOC station across Dubai. This offer is valid from 6 June to 28 August 2016.

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