Latest news with #familyEntertainment
Zawya
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Zawya
Dubai Summer Surprises 2025 starts today with over 7,500 offers, free things to do, and the season's biggest-ever prizes
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The most eagerly awaited and valued-packed edition of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2025 officially commences today, with thousands of unbeatable offers, free experiences, and family-friendly entertainment designed to make this a summer well spent for everyone. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the 28th edition of Dubai's favourite summer festival runs until 31 August with pocket-friendly prices and great value for everyone across unbeatable shopping, jaw-dropping discounts, show-stopping headline concerts and live entertainment, the season's biggest-ever prizes, world-class gastronomy, and endless family-friendly experiences at every turn. Bringing a brand-new shopping experience for the first-time ever this year are three specially curated retail seasons - kicking off with Summer Holiday Offers, live now until 17 July. From massive savings of up to 75 per cent across hundreds of brands citywide and exclusive giveaways to surprise pop-ups, dining deals, and incredible entertainment for all ages, this early summer shopping campaign delivers exceptional value to residents and visitors at the very start of the DSS season. Whether planning a staycation, shopping spree, or weekend outing, the shopping season is packed with ways for residents and visitors alike to enjoy more of the city for less. Several more surprises are waiting to be unlocked every single day at citywide attractions, hotels, as well as star-powered performances, thrilling live entertainment, diverse culinary delights, enchanting experiences with everyone's favourite Modesh and Dana, and so much more. FREE THINGS TO DO FOR ALL AGES Families and visitors can enjoy a line-up of free entertainment and activations throughout DSS. The celebrations kick off with a spectacular weekend of family fun, cultural celebrations, and show-stopping entertainment across the city. On Friday, 27 June, Dubai Festival City Mall hosts Japanese dance crew Sabrina and Palestinian-Jordanian pop artist Reina Khoury, while Abri & the Band and singer-songwriter Noel Kharman takes to the stage on Saturday, 28 June. Over at City Centre Mirdif, Syrian vocalist Al Shami and Jordanian indie rock band Jadal perform live on Saturday, 28 June, with roaming entertainers and energetic live acts bringing extra vibrancy to the weekend atmosphere. DINE OUT FOR LESS One of the most anticipated events of DSS - Summer Restaurant Week - makes its eagerly awaited return this July, inviting diners across the city to experience some of Dubai's best-loved restaurants at exceptional value from 4 to 13 July. Exclusive set menus will be available at more than 55 casual dining destinations, with two-course lunches priced at AED 95 and three-course dinners at AED 150. From Emirati comfort food to modern Asian plates, the line-up reflects the diversity that defines dining in Dubai. Bookings are open now, exclusively through OpenTable. Adding to the incredible gastronomy programme this DSS is the first-ever 10 Dirham Dish from 1 to 31 August, celebrating the richness of the local dining scene by offering dishes at an accessible price point of just AED 10. The full list of participating restaurants will be announced soon. FAMILY OFFERS DSS is the best-value time of year to enjoy Dubai's world-class leisure scene, with exclusive summer offers at more than 100 hotels, 15 top attractions, and 10 spas across the city. Whether planning a weekend escape, a city break with the kids, or meaningful indoor fun, DSS 2025 offers something for every age, interest and budget. Think resident rates, family packages, free upgrades, added extras, and surprise perks designed to help friends, families, children, parents, grandparents, and every extended family member in between relax, recharge, and experience more of Dubai for less. One of the summer's most popular value products, the DSS Entertainer returns for 2025 with over 7,500 Buy One Get One Free offers across premium and casual dining, brunches, delivery, attractions, leisure, spas, salons, fitness, and more. Customers can enjoy three months of unlimited access to ENTERTAINER Dubai from the date of purchase, with each participating merchant offering up to three redemptions valid seven days a week. The exclusive DSS edition is available throughout the festival period, giving residents and visitors ample time to explore everything on offer. Top venues confirmed for 2025 include Wild Wadi, Motiongate Dubai, IMG Worlds of Adventure, Shake Shack, STK, Asia Asia, Black Tap, Real Madrid World, Bounce, Le Pain Quotidien, Café Bateel, and many more across Dubai. The excitement continues for families with creative and educational summer camps running at cultural institutions across the city. Highlights include Al Jalila Cultural Centre's 'Burst of Imagination' arts programme, heritage and leadership camps at Etihad Museum and Al Shindagha Museum, and archaeology-themed adventures for young explorers. Seasonal camps will also take place at Dubai Municipality's Children's City, offering hands-on fun throughout the school holidays. EPIC BARGAINS AND MALL PROMOTIONS An epic 9 weeks of unbeatable promotions and exclusive in-store offers kicks off today as part of the summer-long DSS Sales Season, commencing with the exclusive Summer Holiday Offers until 17 July. Shoppers can enjoy discounts of up to 75 per cent at more than 800 brands and over 3,000 stores, along with chances to win incredible prizes through a line-up of exciting mall and retailer campaigns. Highlights include one million SHARE points at Majid Al Futtaim malls, one million AURA points at all participating brands citywide, AED 10,000 in Tickit points, a brand-new Polestar 4 LRSM car up for grabs at Dubai Festival City Mall, a Soueast S06 SUV from Dubai Outlet Mall, daily cash prizes as part of the Slide Into Summer Surprises activation at Mercato Shopping Mall and Town Centre Jumeirah, the "Shop. Win. Drive" campaign at Dubai Festival Plaza to win one of six brand-new SUVs or be among 20 lucky winners of AED 5,000 cash prizes each, and several more instant wins throughout the city. Expect surprise deals daily, with limited-time campaigns like The Lucky Receipt promotion, which returns from 27 June to 17 July to crown 210 lucky winners with 10 prizes from 10 brands across 21 days, when spending AED 300 or more at select retailers. Participating brands include Odora, Jawhara, EMAX, Chattels & More, Eros, Sharaf DG, Early Learning Centre, Flormar, Ecity, and The White Company. Plus, don't miss the first-ever Interiors Warehouse Sale from 28 June to 5 July at Dubai World Trade Centre, featuring premium furniture and home décor from globally renowned brands including Giorgio Collection, Michael Amini, Theodore Alexander, Fama, and several other campaigns offering unbeatable value on fashion, tech, and luxury favourites - perfect for refreshing wardrobes, restocking essentials, and treating loved ones to something special. Shoppers can also win the season's biggest-ever prizes in citywide raffles, including the Dubai Shopping Malls Group DSS Raffle from 27 June to 31 August, which is giving away the keys to nine brand-new cars; the Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group Raffles from 27 June to 30 August, offering 30 gold bars to 30 winners; and the Visa Jewellery Programme from 27 June to 30 August, with 50 winners receiving a share of AED 175,000 in jewellery vouchers. Several more chances to win will be announced in the coming weeks. Mall shoppers can unlock unique experiences and big rewards at every turn, from Jurassic Café by VOX Cinemas at Mall of The Emirates to Ripe Market Indoor Summer Markets, Summer at City Walk, and Cool Off this Summer at The Beach JBR, plus many more promotions throughout the summer. For football fans, The Messi Experience at Dubai Festival City Mall promises an immersive journey into the world of football until 31 August, packed with interactive games, photo ops, and engaging zones for all ages. SPECIAL PERFORMANCES IN CITYWIDE MALLS A dynamic mix of free-to-attend music, dance, and performing arts at all leading citywide malls bring even more incredible ways to thrill and entertain the whole family. With nearly 20 high-energy roaming acts happening every weekend throughout DSS, there's nonstop action for all ages with dazzling parades, roller skating performers, acrobatic shows, circus acts, folk dancers, and plenty more surprises. Lastly, everyone's favourite Dubai characters Modesh and Dana are lighting up the city with special appearances. Families can meet them live at Dubai Festival City Mall on 28 June, City Centre Mirdif on 29 June, and Ibn Battuta Mall on 30 June, with more surprise pop-ups planned at attractions and malls throughout the summer including Dubai Frame, Bluewaters, Dubai Children City, Nakheel Mall, and Mall of the Emirates. From playful city décor to themed giveaways and roaming entertainment, Modesh and Dana bring extra magic to families at DSS each year. Dubai Summer Surprises 2025 is supported by Key Sponsor Commercial Bank of Dubai and Strategic Partners which include: Al Futtaim Malls (Dubai Festival City Mall & Festival Plaza), Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, DHAM (Al Seef, Bluewaters, Ibn Battuta Mall, Nakheel Mall, and The Outlet Village), Emirates Airline, ENOC, e&, Majid Al Futtaim (City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, Mall of the Emirates), Merex Investment (City Walk and The Beach, JBR), and talabat. About Dubai Summer Surprises 2025: Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2025 takes over the city for its 28th edition from 27 June to 31 August, showcasing the summer as one of the best value times of the year to experience Dubai. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the most value-packed edition of DSS this year promises a summer well spent for everyone with thousands of offers and things to do for 66 non-stop days. For the first time ever in DSS history, the city's retail sector is anchored around three distinct shopping seasons - Summer Holiday Offers from 27 June to 17 July, Great Dubai Summer Sale from 18 July to 10 August, and Back to School from 11 to 31 August. Each period unlocks exclusive new retail promotions, spectacular mall activations, and life-changing raffles, alongside world-class gastronomy, hospitality, indoor family fun, and a packed events calendar. Bringing together a mix of not-to-be-missed, brand-new experiences and returning festival favourites for every preference and price point, there are endless reasons to stay, play, shop, and celebrate an exciting summer season together. DSS 2025 truly delivers unforgettable moments for everyone, whether families, friends, couples, residents, or visitors. About Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment: Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), is responsible for developing Dubai's retail and festival sectors and supporting the positioning of Dubai as a world-class tourism destination with year-round family entertainment, shopping and events.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Aliens, space and a blast of air-conditioning: 'Elio,' reviewed by 7 kids, 2 parents and 2 grandmas
Hello, people of Earth. I'm Suzy Byrne, and I've been covering entertainment at Yahoo for over a decade. I'll be the first to tell you that I'm no hardcore cinema buff. Since I had a child, though, I've made it a point to see as many kid-friendly movies as possible. Maybe it's because I'm a big kid ✔ and I love a cheerful ending ✔. But also, as a busy working parent, is there greater joy than getting two hours to turn off your phone and put up your feet while your child is fully entertained?! So that's what this is — one entertainment reporter + her 10-year-old child + usually friends seeing family-friendly fare, indulging in film-themed treats and replying all, to you, about the experience. Welcome to kids' movie club. Space isn't such a bad place to be for two hours during a hot, sticky heat wave. That's the energy I brought for our journey from Earth to the Communiverse, where much of Elio is set. Not only is the final week of school here in New York — shakes fist at sky — but it's 99 degrees when I pick up my daughter and friends for a matinee. I'm hot and wilted and have a pile of non-movie-going work to do, but away we go … to outer space. We movie-d with seven children (who are in 1st through 4th grade) and four adults, including two very cool grandmas. The theater was full. The adults put all the kids together in one row and sat behind them, which I highly recommend. Outta sight, outta mind — which is great because this parent is outta stamina. The long-delayed original film tells the story of a space-obsessed orphaned boy (voiced by Yonas Kibreab), being raised by his Air Force major aunt (Zoe Saldaña), who is struggling to make sense of his place in the world. His connections to his Earthling peers are short-circuited, and the eyepatch- and strainer-wearing kid is hoping with all of his might to be abducted by aliens. His wish comes true. Passing himself off as the 'leader of Earth,' he makes friends through the experience — so what if they're extraterrestrial ones? — and ultimately builds a closer relationship with his aunt. The animated sci-fi film clocks in at 1 hour and 39 minutes and is — as my mother replies to every one of her text messages — 'fine.' There's nothing particularly surprising about it. It has a happy ending. It's not Lilo & Stitch or How to Train Your Dragon, though it definitely mirrors some of the Lilo storyline with Elio and Aunt Olga's relationship. The film also borrows from Inside Out about the importance of identifying feelings. Feeling like an outsider is relatable for all ages. 'What if there's nothing about me to want?' cape-loving Elio asks at one point. 'I thought Earth was the problem, but what if it's me?' There's also coping with bullies — that's why Elio has the temporary eyepatch, in a very non-interesting twist — and multiple characters feeling like they're not meeting the expectations of a caregiver. 'I may not always understand you, but I still love you,' Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett, who voices the antagonist) told his son Glordon (Remy Edgerly) in a humanizing — er, alienizing — moment in the movie. It's a Disney film, not a horror flick by any means, but there were moments that were 'super creepy,' my young moviegoing friends felt. They mostly involved Elio's clone — like when his strand of hair slithered around the house, Olga examined it under a microscope, and then, realizing it wasn't her nephew, she went into Elio's room and suspensefully pulled up clone Elio's eyepatch. 'I closed my eyes, but watched it through my fingers,' one girl in the group said on the ride home. I'll add that I don't think that — when there was hopefulness about the eyepatch, as far as representation — filmmakers needed to make it suspenseful like that. Also, the kids were freaked out when Elio's clone did the zombie walk to distract the guard before melting so that the real Elio and Olga could get to the spaceship. 'I did not like the clone,' my daughter said. Other unsettling parts were when the bullies with alien masks took Elio, and the 'Bring us your leader… please' part, despite the good manners. This adult — and several of the kids — loved the slug-like alien Glordon, who is hands-down my favorite character. My friend told me that I need to add a nap-o-meter because he predicted Elio would be the perfect film to doze off in. But the film started, he chuckled at a few parts, and I knew he wouldn't be sleeping. Plus, his food order took forever to come, so his burger anticipation kept him awake. I fully would have slept if I weren't responsible for three of the seven kids. Though it's good, I didn't, as I got a 'Suzy, I have to go to the bathroom' midway through. I did, however, think about how I wasn't napping each time I saw a swaddled alien. Speaking of food, my daughter and I had popcorn and cherry Icees — with 24-hour red tongues to prove it. The Elio-themed food offering was a box of Nerds, which I didn't even know they still make, so no. Yes. We waited until the very end because one kid heard from another kid who heard from a third kid (very Ferris Bueller) that there would be bloopers. It turned out to be a teaser for Hoppers, one of Pixar's next offerings, showing a lizard over a phone pushing the lizard emoji over and over as a voice assistant repeatedly said, 'Lizard.' That post-credits moment — technically not even part of Elio — was my daughter's 'favorite part of the movie,' which pretty much sums up our matinee experience. I polled my friend and his kids for their review, using a 1 (worst) to 10 (best) scale. Dad said 6.5, 9-year-old daughter said 5, and 7-year-old boy gave it a more enthusiastic 8. The grandmas? Full approval. But to be fair, they've seen fewer kid flicks lately and aren't running on fumes like the rest of us. While Elio had a slow start at the box office, it's gotten a stellar reception from audiences and critics (with a 83% Rotten Tomatoes score). Here's hoping it finds its audience as summer progresses — or when it moves to streaming — and it has orbiting success.
Zawya
23-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
SCCI, SCTDA launch Sharjah Summer Promotions 2025 on July 1, introduce new mascot character 'Shamsa'
Sharjah, The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), in cooperation with the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), announced the launch of the 2025 edition of 'Sharjah Summer Promotions', which will run from July 1 to September 1. Considered the most prominent events on Sharjah's economic and tourism agenda, the promotion will feature the participation of over 1,000 retail outlets across all cities and regions of the emirate. It is organized in collaboration with SCCI's Shopping Malls Sector Business Group and in coordination with several concerned government entities within the emirate. This year, Sharjah Summer Promotions is introducing 'Shamsa', a newly launched mascot character designed to enhance the campaign's appeal to families and children. As the official promotional icon, Shamsa represents a renewed focus on interactive and family-oriented entertainment, reinforcing Sharjah's strategic positioning as a leading commercial, tourism, and family-friendly destination. The announcement was made during a press conference held on Monday at the Sharjah Chamber's headquarters. The event was attended by H.E Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI; H.E Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA; and H.E Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). Also present were H.E Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; Jamal Bouzanjal, General Coordinator of Sharjah Shopping Promotions; Abdullah Al Baloushi, Head of SCCI's Shopping Malls Sector Business Group; and Fadi Musharafieh, Head of SCCI's Hotel Sector Business Group, as well as several representatives from partner organizations and government bodies in the emirate. The press conference outlined the strategic vision and goals of Sharjah Summer Promotions, jointly organized by SCCI's Shopping Malls Sector Business Group in coordination with several concerned government entities within the emirate. This strategic partnership reflects a unified approach to integrating retail promotions, hospitality offers, and entertainment activities under a single platform. Its objective is to create a memorable summer shopping season for all family members, supported by a wide range of offers across Sharjah's major tourist attractions and family entertainment destinations. In his remarks, H.E Abdallah Sultan Al Owais stated that 'Sharjah Summer Promotions' embodies the Sharjah Chamber's forward-looking vision, inspired by the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to solidify the emirate's status as a premier shopping destination and tourist attraction. He elucidated that the campaign supports ongoing efforts to strengthen the retail and tourism sectors as two key pillars of Sharjah's economic structure. 'Sharjah Summer Promotions not only benefits consumers but also represents a strategic platform that contributes to economic growth, especially as retail sales in the UAE are forecast to surpass AED 417.6 billion by 2026. Through this platform, the Sharjah Chamber and its partners aim to empower the business community to benefit from and contribute to this economic progress,' Al Owais added. Commenting on the campaign, H.E Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, said: "Every year, we renew our commitment to offering a comprehensive summer experience that enriches the tourism sector and enhances the appeal of the Emirate of Sharjah locally, regionally, and globally. The 'Sharjah Summer Promotions 2025' campaign builds on the success of the previous edition, and through it, we aim to support our partners from both public and private sectors, while encouraging visits to tourist, cultural, and entertainment destinations in line with our vision to establish Sharjah as a vibrant destination throughout the year.' He added: 'This campaign is not merely a seasonal initiative but rather a reflection of our strategic vision, which focuses on strengthening collaboration across various sectors and achieving integration in delivering exceptional tourism experiences. We are confident that the 'Sharjah Summer Promotions 2025' will contribute to attracting more visitors, supporting the local economy, and solidifying the emirate's position as one of the leading tourist destinations in the region and the world." For his part, H.E Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer said that Sharjah Summer 2025 campaign reflects Shurooq's strategic vision to position the emirate as a leading and competitive summer destination in the UAE and the wider region. It offers a well-rounded tourism experience centered around diversity, sustainability, and service excellence. 'Designed to meet the expectations of travelers of all ages, the campaign embodies Sharjah's commitment to delivering a dynamic tourism ecosystem that blends authenticity with innovation. It spans a wide range of hospitality assets and integrated destinations developed by Shurooq across Sharjah, Khorfakkan, Kalba, and other key locations — reinforcing the emirate's tourism infrastructure and driving sustained growth across both the tourism and hospitality sectors,' he added. Meanwhile, H.E Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi noted that promotional campaigns play an active role in revitalizing Sharjah's tourism sector, offering visitors an integrated experience that combines retail with cultural, family, and hospitality offerings. He emphasized that the Sharjah Chamber and its partners are committed to making the Summer Promotions a comprehensive marketing initiative that drives economic value and boosts the contribution of both the retail and tourism sectors to the emirate's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). As part of Sharjah Summer Promotions 2025 program, organizers introduced a newly designed child-friendly cartoon character dubbed 'Shamsa' which is created to bring a cheerful and lively spirit to the promotional campaign. Derived from the Arabic word 'shams' meaning sun, the mascot represents brightness, optimism, and creativity. Shamsa is positioned as a central element of Summer Promotions 2025's entertainment offering, which features a variety of recreational activities, artistic workshops, games, and live performances tailored to young audiences. As a key feature of this year's edition of Sharjah Summer Promotions, the Sharjah Chamber will organize an interactive children's festival titled 'Shamsa Entertainment City', set to be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from July 15 to August 15. The festival is designed to offer an enjoyable experience for both children and their families, featuring a blend of games, recreational activities, and entertainment events. With a dedicated play area for children and diverse culinary offerings, the festival aims to attract families seeking a vibrant and festive summer atmosphere. Aisha Saleh, Director of Festivals and Promotions Department at SCCI and official spokesperson for Sharjah Summer Promotions, presented an overview of this year's program, highlighting the extensive participation of key shopping centers and retail stores throughout the emirate. Running over a two-month period, the Sharjah Summer Promotions 2025 program includes an extensive lineup of promotional events, with a strong focus on large-scale discounts, reaching up to 75 percent across a broad selection of products and top local and global brands. This year's promotions include valuable prizes and raffle draws, with shopping vouchers for both retail customers and hotel guests, in addition to gold bars. Participating malls, central markets, and retail outlets across Sharjah have also allocated a wide selection of premium prizes, gifts and giveaways to enhance the overall shopping experience. The press conference featured remarks from campaign partners and a comprehensive overview of the exclusive offerings available across 19 summer destinations. Participating shopping centers and markets will introduce engaging promotions supported by an entertainment program and 6 scheduled raffle draws. The program also encompasses various entertainment events, retail offers, and hotel deals, with over 35 hotel packages provided by 23 hotel establishments. These packages include discounted rates on accommodation, dining, and beverages. Additionally, guests can enjoy complimentary tickets to popular tourist destinations in Sharjah, along with free credit for use at various hotel facilities. 'Sharjah Summer Promotions' features this year over 75 summer offerings including entertainment events, educational workshops, summer camps, and a wide range of family-friendly experiences. These are organized in collaboration with the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Sharjah Museums Authority, Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, and commercial shopping centers. The schedule also includes weekly children's workshops and recreational events, in addition to marine activities hosted in the city of Khorfakkan. Sharjah Summer Promotions will introduce a smart application enabling users to participate in electronic raffle draws. The organizing committee has also launched an integrated digital platform at providing a full overview of all offers, discount packages, and services provided by event partners. The website includes direct booking links for hotels, shopping malls, entertainment programs, destination experiences, and more. Customers who make purchases at participating shopping centers or book hotel stays in Sharjah through the website will be eligible to enter raffles and win valuable prizes.
