Sixty days of shows, discounts and family attractions run across Dubai until the end of August, with plenty aimed squarely at kids.
Dubai Summer Surprises is back for its 29th edition, and this year’s programme leans hard into family entertainment. Running from July 2 to August 30 under the theme “Make it a Dubai Summer,” the festival packs 60 days of shopping, dining, live shows and children’s attractions into the hottest stretch of the year, according to organiser Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment.
For families spending the summer in the city, it is the easiest way to keep children busy without leaving Dubai. Air-conditioned malls turn into performance stages, mascots tour the emirate, and the whole calendar is built around indoor, heat-proof fun.
Here is what is on, from the returning favourites to the new additions worth planning a weekend around.
Modesh World and the Family Favourites
The centrepiece for younger children is Modesh World at Dubai World Trade Centre, running from July 3 to August 23. Built as a single indoor family zone, it splits into a Fun Zone, a Modesh Market and a Family Zone, with free access to the event grounds along with workshops and performances.
Modesh and Dana, the festival’s long-running mascots, are also touring the city this summer with school visits and surprise appearances at leading attractions. For families who shop the malls, the Modesh Scholarship offers a chance to win one of 10 scholarships worth 20,000 dirhams each through qualifying purchases at participating stores.
Live entertainment runs throughout the season. The DSS Performance Arts Fest brings parades, acrobatics and aerial acts to select malls across three weekends from July 24 to August 16, while opening weekend featured free concerts across Dubai Hills Mall and City Centre Mirdif.
Deals and Dining That Stretch a Family Budget
DSS has always been about value, and 2026 is no exception. The Great Dubai Summer Sale delivers discounts of up to 90 percent along with flash deals and exclusive brand offers across participating malls.
Families eating out can take advantage of the 10 Dirham Dish campaign, where restaurants across the city serve selected dishes for just 10 dirhams, alongside Summer Restaurant Week for those wanting a sit-down treat.
For anyone planning a break closer to home, around 100 staycation packages are on offer at hotels across the emirate, turning a weekend into a mini-holiday without the airport.
The festival also runs its headline raffles, including the long-running Win Your Home in Dubai draw and luxury car giveaways, which sit alongside the retail offers as part of the season’s rewards.
Back to School and How to Plan Your Summer
As the holidays wind down, the Back-to-School campaign runs from August 3 to 30, with promotions on school essentials, uniforms, electronics and student technology. A Back-to-School Carnival on August 7 and 8 adds live performances and family entertainment ahead of the new academic year.
The simplest way to keep up is to follow the official Dubai Summer Surprises channels, since individual mall line-ups, concert dates and offers are released and updated through the season. Most attractions are indoors and either free or low-cost, which makes DSS an easy default for families looking to fill long summer days.
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