Dubai Summer Surprises is back on 2 July. The retail and entertainment season runs for 60 days, ending on 30 August. This year's theme is "Make it a Dubai Summer."

The season is run by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of the Department of Economy and Tourism. DFRE says this is its most value-packed edition yet. The line-up spreads shopping, dining, family shows and prize draws across malls, hotels and venues citywide. Commercial Bank of Dubai is the lead sponsor.

For residents, this is the season when the deals and the fun move indoors. DFRE times it for summer because the heat keeps shoppers in malls and tourist numbers ease. July and August are the hottest months of the year. The offers below run right through the summer.

Sales and shopping

The Great Dubai Summer Sale anchors the season. Stores cut prices by up to 90 percent. There are also flash deals and brand offers at taking-part stores. The discounts run at malls, outlet centres and high-street stores across the city.

The Back to School campaign follows from 3 to 30 August. It covers school basics, fashion, electronics and student tech. The timing lands just before the new term starts.

Dining deals

Summer Restaurant Week runs for three weeks, from 13 July to 2 August. Restaurants across the city serve set menus at fixed prices. It is an easy way to try a new spot without guessing the bill.

The 10 Dirham Dish promotion takes over from 3 to 30 August. Venues put one signature plate on the menu for 10 dirhams each. The fixed price makes it one of the season's cheapest ways to eat out.

Family shows

Modesh World, the long-running family attraction, returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre. The Beat the Heat DXB concert series is back and expanded this year. The Miami Musical Show plays the Coca-Cola Arena on 28 August. It is the show's first staging outside Kuwait.

There is more for families in the malls. Opening-weekend celebrations run across several malls as the season starts. Indoor Mallathons offer group fitness sessions out of the heat. A three-week DSS Performing Arts Fest brings live shows to mall floors. A new Back-to-School Carnival lands on 7 and 8 August.

Win a home

The season carries one headline prize. The "Win Your Home in Dubai" draw runs from 22 May to 30 August. Shoppers who spend 500 dirhams or more at taking-part stores can enter. To join, scan the QR code on the campaign signs and upload the receipt. Each extra Dh500 spent adds another entry. Entries stay open through the campaign, so spending across the summer adds more chances.

There are 12 homes on offer, all from Binghatti Developers. 11 are studio flats and one is a two-bedroom apartment. One studio is given away each week. The two-bedroom flat is the grand prize in the final-week draw. The first winner is announced during the season. More than 1,000 brands across 3,500 stores are taking part. Major operators such as Majid Al Futtaim and Al-Futtaim Malls join in, alongside partners including Emirates, ENOC, e& and talabat.

"Dubai has long been a place where people from around the world come to build a life and invest in their future," said Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of DFRE.

DFRE publishes the full schedule, the list of taking-part stores, and the offer terms through the official Dubai Summer Surprises channels. Residents can check there before they shop or book.

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