Dubai's Summer Surprises wrap up an unprecedented DSS 2025 run, awarding a whopping Dh20 million in prizes.
Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2025: A Summer of Fun, Entertainment, and Scholarships
Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2025, a city-wide festival that lasted 66 days, brought a wave of excitement and entertainment to the city. The festival delivered a plethora of activities, from concerts and raffles to dining experiences, hotel stays, and family fun.
The festival saw the return of Summer Restaurant Week, with curated menus at 64 venues, and the inaugural 10 Dirham Dish, which proved to be a hit with 682 restaurants. The city's culinary calendar saw 746 restaurants taking part in the festivities.
For families, children, and fitness enthusiasts, DSS 2025 offered a variety of activities. The ever-popular Modesh World featured 112 attractions across five zones, with 423 live shows and 28 workshops. Eight indoor mall runs were organized, encouraging wellness and fitness activities. Beloved mascots Modesh and Dana entertained younger visitors across malls and attractions. At Dubai Festival City Mall, children enjoyed a Modesh Splash Park, pizza-making workshops, and an exclusive "Modesh Recommended" guide to kid-friendly spots.
The festival also focused on education, with more than Dh1.5 million in scholarships and tech prizes awarded during the back-to-school season. One of the winners of the DSS 2025 raffle was Sweety Stanly, a 27-year-old woman from Kerala who won AED 1 million. However, a complete list of all 1,200 prize winners is not available in the search results.
Organisers and partners of DSS 2025 reported strong results, including higher footfall in malls, bigger transaction values, and increased engagement. The average spending rose by 110% between June 27 and August 31 during the festival.
The DSS Entertainer app provided access to over 7,500 offers across dining, spas, salons, attractions, and city breaks, valid throughout the summer. Over 180 hotels and attractions offered deals during DSS 2025, including staycation packages and kids-go-free promotions.
The Great Dubai Summer Sale's "Shop, Scan & Win" campaign generated Dh150 million in transactions. The festival contributed to Dubai's seasonal tourism strategy, aiming to make the city one of the best cities in the world to visit, live, and work.
DSS continues to be a significant part of Dubai's tourism strategy, offering a summer full of fun, entertainment, and opportunities for everyone.
