Thousands head to Night Souq in its first days

Thousands of shoppers are making a bee-line to the Night Souq, the unique DSF attraction that has given a new dimension to shopping in an entertaining ambience.

The Night Souq is located next to Al Ghurair Centre in Al Riqqa Street, one of the key DSF destinations, which is also hosting the Monte Carlo Circus, puppet shows, theatrical dances and other entertainment activities. The diverse range of entertainment at Al Riqqa Street is being presented by Al Ghurair Centre.

The large numbers of visitors who have been making their way every day to the Night Souq is a reflection of its growing popularity as a unique DSF concept.

Commenting on the concept of night shopping, The Media Centre of Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE), an establishment under the Department of Economic Development (DED) and organizers of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), stated: “The Night Souq is a fantastic retail concept, which enhances the overall DSF shopping experience. This annual attraction has become quite popular with DSF visitors, especially because it enables people to continue to do their shopping beyond the close of traditional shopping hours. The strategic location of the Night Souq is another important factor in attracting visitors. Not only is it in Al Riqqa Street, a key DSF destination but is just across the road from Al Ghurair Centre, one of the main malls participating in this year’s DSF, and one of our long standing partners that through their support this event was possible”.

Retailers at the Night Souq are offering a variety of merchandise at affordable prices including toys, software, audio and video products, costume jewellery, shoes and clothes. Stalls also offer food such as Arabic sweets, fruit juices and other eatables.

Matloub Ahmed, from Pakistan, who was at the Night Souq together with his wife and son Hamed, praised the concept because it not only brought together the elements of shopping and entertainment but offered a variety of bargains in terms of price.

“We visit the Night Souq every year during DSF. It is an excellent concept, and my wife loves to shop here because she can buy stuff at a good price,” said Aslam. His son Hamed, meanwhile, was busy running after stilt-walkers who were fluttering away in butterfly costumes.

Salem Al Aleli, a UAE national, who was visiting the Night Souq with his wife, and 2-year old son Humaid said that his wife liked to shop at the Night Souq because of the reasonable prices of the products that were being sold at this night bazaar. “Also, we love to take a walk every day because of the pleasant weather and the Night Souq has become the ideal place to visit in a leisurely manner”.

Tareq Hanafi, from Sudan, and five other members of his family were enjoying themselves thoroughly in the entertainment area.

“We visit the Night Souq every year during DSF. We love the street performers and the fireworks. We were there at the Festival Promenade in Dubai Festival City to watch the fireworks display at the DSF opening ceremony,” said Tareq just as the nightly fireworks went off from the nearby Creek.

Talented artistes from around the world perform on the stage that has been set up at Night Souq while street performers including stilt-walkers and musicians roam the area either entertaining visitors or posing for pictures with them. Other entertainment include a funfair featuring thrill rides and games of skill area.

The leader of a Slovakian Chicken Band which is made up of performers mounted on structures resembling chicken, said that his group has already become popular with children even though these are early days of DSF.

Offering visitors a leisurely night shopping experience, the Night Souq is open from 6pm to 2 am (Saturday-Wednesday) and 6pm to 3am (Thursday-Friday).