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Dubai Shopping Festival transforms Hatta Wadi Hub into a magical mountain festival of light, nature and adventure

Dubai Shopping Festival transforms Hatta Wadi Hub into a magical mountain festival of light, nature and adventure

Dubai,TNM: This Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), the majestic mountains of Hatta is hosting one of the emirate’s most spectacular winter experiences. DSF x Hatta Wadi Hub returns with an expanded, month-long festival of light, adventure, music, gastronomy, and family play, offering unforgettable moments amid the UAE’s breathtaking natural landscapes. 

 

Running until 31 December 2025, this year’s edition promises unprecedented world-first debuts and rare regional highlights, including Hatta’s first Roxy Cinema Dome, a thrilling Dinner in the Sky overlooking the Hajar Mountains, and the region’s inaugural Candlelight Concerts by Fever. Visitors can also look forward to mesmerising immersive light trails, dazzling weekend fireworks, and a vibrant lineup of homegrown dining concepts. 

A festival where nature, light, and play converge 

Set within the dramatic ridges and wadis of the Hajar Mountains, DSF x Hatta Wadi Hub reimagines this stunning destination as an open-air festival grounded in four captivating pillars: Nature, Play, Light, and Family. 

Visitors can expect: 

Immersive light installations and scenic night experiences 

 

●           Path of the Wild: a magical 1km illuminated immersive night hiking trail, featuring glowing wildlife figures, enchanting LED pathways, and educational stops that reveal Hatta’s native ecosystem. 

●           Vortex of Light, River Gate, and The Pulse: a trio of breathtaking experiential light zones that create the festival’s glowing atmosphere, perfect for family discovery and unforgettable photography. 

 

Spectacular weekly fireworks 

 

●           Every Friday and Saturday at 8pm, culminating in a special New Year’s Eve fireworks show at midnight to ring in 2026. 

 

 

Headline experiences only at DSF x Hatta Wadi Hub 

 

1.          Candlelight Concerts by Fever (tickets from AED70): A series of four breathtaking candlelit performances held outdoors amid the mountains, surrounded by thousands of glowing candles. Themes include: 

●           A Century of Iconic Arabic Medley (19 December) 

●           Piano Through the Ages (27 December) 

        Each concert runs from 7.15pm to 8.30pm, perfectly timed with the 8pm fireworks display. 

 

2.          Roxy Cinema Dome – Hatta’s First Cinema (tickets AED65, complimentary pop-corn and a soft drink included): DSF proudly introduces Hatta’s first cinema experience, a custom-built movie dome offering blockbuster films against the stunning mountain backdrop. Enjoy premium snacks and comfortable beanbags while watching titles such as Zootopia 2, Wicked: For Good, El Selem W El Thoban, Now You See Me – Now You Don’t, and more throughout the festival. 

 

3.          Dinner in the Sky (tickets AED300): For the first time, DSF brings the globally renowned Dinner in the Sky to Hatta Wadi Hub. Guests will be lifted 50 metres above the ground for an unparalleled gourmet experience with spectacular panoramic views. Running 12-20 December, each session hosts 22 guests and offers the unique chance to view the weekend fireworks from the sky (Fridays and Saturdays). 

 

Adventure for every age and thrill level

 

With more than 30 exhilarating adventure attractions, Hatta stands as Dubai’s ultimate mountain playground. Visitors can unleash their adventurous spirit with: 

 

●           High-flying thrills: Ziplines, free-fall, belay, and zig-zag zipline 

●           Target sports: Archery, axe-throwing, spear-throwing 

●           Physical challenges: Wall climbing and bungee trampolines

●           Unique fun: Drop-in slides, net-walking, bag jump 

●           Exploration: Mountain karts, e-scooters, rovers, and zorbing 

●           Nature treks: Horseback riding and pony rides, mountain biking with Hubbers 

 

Festival timings: 9am to 10pm/11pm, with mix of free , ticketed, and guided experiences available. 

 

Free daily experiences for families 

 

●           The Pulse – Festival Heart Zone: A vibrant, glowing social hub featuring live DJs, energetic bands, delicious food trucks, dedicated kids’ play zones, and comfortable chill-out seating. 

●           Padel Court (Free): Hatta’s first padel court offers 13 daily time slots from 4pm onwards, available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

●           Kids Activity – Build Your Mini Hatta Farm (Free): Children receive a hands-on “farm kit” to build their own mini farm, plus daily quizzes with exciting prizes from Wadi Hub. 

●           Redbull Iconic DJ Truck: Bringing its signature energy to Hatta, Red Bull will electrify the festival with its iconic DJ Truck and live DJ performances on two weekends: Friday & Saturday:  December 19 & 20 and December 26 and 27 

 

 

Festival of flavour: dining across the mountains 

 

Hatta transforms into a culinary destination, showcasing a curated mix of local heroes and Dubai’s most trending food concepts. 

 

Hype F&B concepts (daily) 

 

●           Omar Odali (charcoal knafeh) 

●           Yamanote Atelier (Japanese bakery) 

●           Mimi San (Japanese street food) 

●           Maison Matcha (specialty matcha) 

●           Home Bakery (home chocolate) 

 

Guest pop-ups 

 

●           Emirati Street Food Weekend: 26-28 December 

●           Tushiz Sweets 

●           Mahshy Station 

●           PDL Café 

 

Local Hatta F&B 

 

●           Adrina Pizza, Taste of Hatta, Hatta Wild Café, Janam Restaurant, BBQ Department, and more – proudly supporting local entrepreneurs at Wadi Hub. 

 

Stay the night: Hatta Resorts glamping 

 

Guests can extend their DSF experience with luxurious glamping stays at Hatta Resorts, with  special discounts available during the period of the festival, and its Wadi Hub by Dubai Holding: 

●           Damani Lodges 

●           Domes with private plunge pools 

●           Campers and vintage campers 

Featuring private fire pits, BBQ facilities, and exclusive access to 20 adventure activities across Wadi Hub.