Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2025 continues to transform the city into the ultimate summer playground during its third week, offering unbeatable value, non-stop entertainment and family fun for all.
This week marks the final stretch of Summer Holiday Offers, but the dynamic DSS programme of thousands of offers and things to do continues all summer with a vibrant line-up of concerts, fitness events, mall activations and cultural summer camps taking place citywide.
Final Week: Summer Holiday Offers
Date: until 17 July
Location: Citywide
About: Summer Holiday Offers, the first dedicated retail season of DSS 2025 is counting down its final days with 25 to 75 percent discounts across hundreds of participating brands citywide, alongside spend-and-win activations at Mercato Mall, Majid Al Futtaim malls, Dubai Festival City Mall and Dubai Outlet Mall, loyalty-programme rewards from Tickit and AURA, as well as the DFRE signature Lucky Receipt promotion.
Viva La Frida
Date: 9, 13, 16, 23, 30, 31 July
Location: TODA – Theatre of Digital Art
About: Step into the world of Frida Kahlo with Viva La Frida, a captivating 360° immersive exhibition celebrating the iconic artist’s life and work. Held across select dates this July at Theatre of Digital Art (TODA), the experience brings her vivid self-portraits and symbolic paintings to life, each telling stories of resilience, identity, and personal triumph. Explore how Frida transformed her challenges into powerful visual narratives that continue to inspire generations.
The Laughter Factory July 2025
Date: 11-12 July and 18-19 July
Location: Various venues across Dubai
About: Get ready for non-stop laughter as The Laughter Factory returns this July with a powerhouse line-up of international comedic talent. Headlining the show is Steven Briggs, followed by Kelsey De Almeida, and Maher Barwany. The world-class comedians kick-off their tour on 11 July at Mezz, The Agenda; followed by Studio One Hotel on 12 July; before heading to Radisson Hotel DAMAC Hills on 18 July and concluding on 19 July at Dukes, The Palm.
Around the World in 60 Minutes
Date: 13 July
Location: TODA – Theatre of Digital Art
About: Join the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra on a magical journey with Around the World in 60 Minutes, a family-friendly concert at Theatre of Digital Art designed to inspire young minds. Featuring a lively ensemble of string and wind instruments, this interactive performance blends live music with engaging storytelling and colourful visuals. Children will travel across the globe through music, learning fun cultural facts while enjoying timeless pieces from Spain to Argentina. It’s an enriching, entertaining way for families to experience live classical music together in a welcoming, relaxed setting.
TJ Monterde Live
Date: 13 July
Location: Coca-Cola Arena
About: Get ready to sing along as award-winning Filipino singer-songwriter TJ Monterde brings his Sarili Nating Mundo World Tour to Dubai, joined by special guest and wife KZ Tandingan. Tickets are on sale now from Dhs 199.
Summer Mall Run 2025 at Ibn Battuta Mall
Date: 13 July
Location: Ibn Battuta Mall
About: Dubai Summer Surprises hosts its first-ever indoor run at Ibn Battuta Mall, inviting participants to beat the heat with a 2.5 km, 5 km or 10 km race through the air-conditioned venue. All runners receive a T-shirt and finisher medal, with age group podium prizes up for grabs. Registration is open now from Dhs 95.
Future Cultural Guides Summer Camp
Date: 14 July to 18 July
Location: Etihad Museum
About: This two-week camp, taking place from 9 AM to 3 PM, blends history, science, culture and adventure through themed days of storytelling, crafts, games and excursions. Designed to build leadership and teamwork skills, the programme encourages children to explore how they can contribute to their communities and the Nation. Registration is Dhs 500 per child.
Archaeology Adventures Summer Camp
Date: 14 July to 25 July
Location: Al Shindagha Museum
About: This hands-on camp introduces children aged 6 to 12 to archaeology and heritage through themed workshops, discovery games and interactive sessions in a real museum setting. Running from 8.30 AM to 2.30 PM (Monday to Thursday) and 8.30 AM to 12.30 PM (Friday), activities include artefact restoration, badge challenges and history exploration. Registration starts from Dhs 500 per child.
Dubai Municipality Summer Camp
Date: until 31 July
Location: Children’s City, Creek Park
About: Running Monday to Thursday from 7.30 AM to 2 PM, this summer camp invites children to learn new skills through fun, hands-on activities. Designed to make the most of the summer break, the programme blends creativity, education and play. Registration is Dhs 860 per child.
Modesh Splash Park
Date: until 31 August
Location: Dubai Festival City, Bay Avenue
About: Enjoy a family-friendly water zone inspired by the iconic Modesh World at Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall. A major highlight of this year’s DSS, this all-new exclusive pop-up will give little ones of all ages a chance to explore water slides, splash zones, adventure zones and interactive games. This must-visit summer pop-up opens daily at 4pm with the fun lasting all the way to midnight.
Modesh Summer Pass
Date: until 30 August
Location: Dubai Festival City Mall
About: New for DSS 2025, the Modesh Summer Pass at Dubai Festival City Mall runs until 30 August, inviting families to take part in a stamp-and-win adventure that brings extra fun and rewards to a day out at the mall. At each participating activity station, children can collect stamps by completing fun games and activities, and once the pass is filled, they’ll be entered into a draw to win a gift card. While there, families can also stop by the Modesh Store, stocked with all-new merchandise, interactive activations, and playful souvenirs to take home a piece of the summer fun.
Modesh & Dana at ROXY Cinemas
Date: until 31 July
Location: ROXY Cinemas across Dubai
About: ROXY Cinemas is rolling out a blockbuster line-up of family fun with Modesh and Dana in the spotlight. Little ones can collect stamps in the Modesh and Dana Summer Passport, earning prizes for every three or five family films watched. Surprise vouchers will be hidden under select cinema seats as part of the Lucky Seat activation, while families visiting on weekends can spin the Modesh and Dana prize wheel for a chance to win snacks, merchandise and more. For film-themed fun beyond the screen, the duo take over the T-Rex restaurant at Riverland with a special Modesh-themed meal combo, before settling in for a screening of Jurassic Park. Later in the month, they return to the big screen with a series of playful pre-show videos created for the release of Fantastic Four.
They will also be on the move across the city with the Smurfs, surprising families on the Dubai Metro with cinema giveaways, and visiting Smurfs Village at MOTIONGATE™ for even more themed adventures. Ladies Night also returns to ROXY Cinemas this summer with a DSS twist, featuring Dana, themed photo ops, special gift bag giveaways in partnership with Rituals, and meals included within the ticket prices.
Modesh & Dana in Osteria Mario
Date: until 31 August
Location: Dubai Festival City Mall
About: Families can stop by Italian restaurant Osteria Mario every weekend from 11 July to 31 August, where little ones can take part in a pizza-making masterclass to decorate their own pizza in the shape of Modesh. The experience also includes Modesh & Dana-themed face painting and creative colouring stations featuring exclusive character designs.
Modesh & Dana Appearances
Date: 11 to 13 July
Location: Various malls across Dubai
About: Meet Dubai’s favourite characters for surprise giveaways, photo ops and family-friendly fun with appearances at Me’aisem City Centre and The Outlet Mall on Friday, 11 July; Dubai Festival City Mall and Dubai Festival City Plaza on Saturday, 12 July; and Al Barsha City Centre on Sunday, 13 July.
Beat The Heat DXB Concert Series
Date: 11–13 July
Location: Dubai World Trade Centre
About: The UAE’s coolest indoor concert series returns, bringing the best of Arabic and indie music for its final weekend from 11 to 13 July. The final weekend of the concert series brings high-energy sets from Soulja, Montiyago and Mo Ali on 11 July, followed by a Khaleeji-pop finale from Bader Al Shuaibi.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
