Dubai Shopping Festival 2026-27: Dates and Visa from India

Published 2026-10-28 · 7 min read · By the Travlys visa team

The 32nd Dubai Shopping Festival runs from 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, covering Christmas and New Year's Eve. Here is how Indians can get a UAE visa for it, what it costs, and how to plan for peak season.

The Dubai Shopping Festival 2026-27 runs from 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027. It is the 32nd edition and lasts 45 days, covering Christmas and New Year's Eve. Most Indians need a UAE tourist visa before they fly, usually 30 or 60 days, unless they hold a valid US, UK or EU visa or residence permit, which can make them eligible for visa on arrival.

At a glance: DSF dates: 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027. Last year: 5 December 2025 to 11 January 2026. Global Village: open from 14 October 2026 until May 2027. Tourist visa: 30 or 60 days, single or multiple entry. Government fee: from AED 200 plus 5% VAT. Processing: about 48 hours. Visa on arrival: 14 days for AED 100 if you hold a qualifying US, UK, EU or other listed visa or residence permit. Passport: at least 6 months validity.

Dubai Shopping Festival 2026-27 dates and what is confirmed

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, announced the dates on 14 October 2026. Visit Dubai's official DSF page shows the same dates. The full programme, including mall sales, raffles and concert line-ups, had not been published when we checked.

Events confirmed so far:

• etisalat Beach Canteen at Sunset Beach, 10 to 27 December 2026. New this year.
• etisalat MOTB market at d3, 8 to 24 January 2027.
• DSF Nights, DSF x Hatta Wadi Hub and DSF Auto Season are returning. Dates are still to be announced.

Last year's 31st edition ran from 5 December 2025 to 11 January 2026. This year's festival is a week longer, which gives you more room to avoid the most expensive dates.

New Year's Eve in Dubai

New Year's Eve falls in the middle of DSF. The Burj Khalifa show in Downtown Dubai is the main event. Last year fireworks were also held at many other locations, including Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Creek Harbour, Bluewaters, Expo City Dubai and Global Village.

As of 28 October 2026, the official 2026-27 details, such as the list of fireworks locations, road closures, Metro timings and Burj Park ticket prices, had not been published. Last year, free viewing areas along the Downtown boulevard worked on a first-come basis and filled early. Plan to arrive by afternoon if you want a free spot, or book a paid venue.

Global Village Season 31

Global Village opened its 31st season on 14 October 2026 and will run until May 2027, according to the Dubai Media Office. The exact closing date has not been announced. Evening tickets were reported at AED 25 on weekdays and AED 30 on weekends and public holidays. A new roller coaster, Tokyo Rush, is due to open later in the season.

UAE visa options for Indians

Option 1: Tourist visa before you fly

This is the route for most Indian travellers. The visa is sponsored by a UAE tourism company, hotel or airline. GDRFA Dubai offers 30-day and 60-day tourist visas, for a single entry or multiple entries.

• 30-day single entry: AED 200 government fee plus 5% VAT.
• 60-day single entry: AED 300 plus 5% VAT.
• 30-day multiple entry: AED 300 plus 5% VAT.
• 60-day multiple entry: AED 500 plus 5% VAT.
• Processing: about 48 hours, according to GDRFA.
• Documents: passport valid at least 6 months, photo, onward or return ticket, and medical insurance valid in the UAE.

You may see 14-day visas advertised. On the official GDRFA and ICP portals, the 14-day option for Indians is the visa on arrival described below, not a standard tourist visa. For a DSF trip of five to ten days, a 30-day single-entry visa is usually enough.

Option 2: Visa on arrival with a US, UK or EU visa

Indians with an ordinary passport can get a visa on arrival if they hold a valid visa, residence permit or green card from the United States, the UK or an EU country. Since 13 February 2025, valid residence permits from Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Canada also qualify.

• 14-day visa on arrival: AED 100. It can be extended once while you are in the UAE.
• 60-day visa from ICP: AED 250 issuance fee plus AED 100 smart services fee, so AED 350. Single stay, cannot be extended. Apply online before you travel; ICP says it takes about two days.
• Validity: your passport and the qualifying visa or residence permit must be valid for at least 6 months.
• Overstay fine: AED 50 a day.

Carry the original US, UK or EU visa or card. Airline staff in India check it at boarding. If your US visa expires in less than six months, apply for a regular tourist visa instead.

Is OK to Board still needed?

Yes, for some passengers. As of October 2026, airlines including Air Arabia and flydubai still ask certain Indian passengers travelling on a printed e-visa to get an OK to Board message added to their booking. Air Arabia asks for it at least 24 hours before departure. Requirements differ by airline, departure airport and passport type, such as ECR passports. Ask your airline or travel agent when you book, not at the airport.

December peak-season tips

• Book flights and hotels now. The weeks around Christmas and 31 December are usually the most expensive and the first to sell out.
• Avoid the 30 December to 2 January window if you are flexible. Early December, or 5 to 17 January, usually costs less and DSF is still on.
• Choose your area by plan. Downtown is closest to the New Year show but costs most. Deira and Bur Dubai are cheaper and on the Metro.
• Apply for the visa two to three weeks before travel. It is fast, but December sees more applications and document queries.
• Book the visa only after your flights are fixed. Each visa must be used within the entry period printed on it, so check that date matches your flight.
• Keep a return ticket and hotel booking handy. Airlines and immigration officers can ask for them.

Who should go during DSF, and who should not

DSF suits families, first-time visitors and shoppers who want festival events, raffles and pleasant winter weather. It is less suited to travellers on a tight budget who need New Year dates, because prices peak then. If you only want to shop, the mid-January end of the festival is often quieter.

How Travlys helps

Travlys files UAE visas for Indian passport holders from ₹2,500 in service fees, with government fees extra. We check whether you qualify for visa on arrival, pick the right 30-day or 60-day visa, and remind you about OK to Board for your airline. We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. Message us on WhatsApp at +91 82009 18967.

Last checked: Rules and dates were checked on 28 October 2026 against the listed sources: Visit Dubai, the DFRE announcement, GDRFA Dubai, ICP and the Dubai Media Office. Visa rules and event dates can change, so check the official sites before you travel.