Dubai is famous for its wide range of shops, malls and markets, so it’s no surprise that the emirate’s annual shopping festival is a huge draw for locals and tourists alike.

The event takes place over four weeks in January and February each year, with participating retailers offering a host of discounts, giveaways, and free merchandise throughout its duration.

Other highlights of the Dubai Shopping Festival include fireworks, children’s activities, fashion shows, and theater performances.

Elsewhere, Dubai is packed with other attractions and activities. You can relax on the beach, take a tour of the emirate to see its most spectacular hotels or haggle for a bargain in the gold souk.

Sportsmen may want to play a round or two of golf, sail, swim a few laps, or perhaps attend one of the major events hosted by Dubai each year.

These include the UIM Class One Powerboat World Championships, the Dubai Sevens Rugby Tournament, the ATP Dubai Tennis Open, the Desert Classic PGA Golf Tournament, and the Dubai World Cup horse race, among others.

If you prefer to explore Dubai’s culture and heritage, you can visit an exhibition at the Dubai Museum at Al Fahidi Fort, the Dubai Municipal Museum or the Naif Museum and Fort.

Dubai is packed with historically important sites and monuments dating back hundreds or thousands of years, including the official home of Saeed Al Maktoum, who ruled Dubai during the early part of the 20th century, and the Burj Nahar watchtower and its beautiful gardens.

Why not take a stroll through the narrow, winding alleys of the Bastakiya district and take a look at the courtyard houses that are something of a United Arab Emirates (UAE) tradition?

Other possible activities include visiting the Dubai Zoo, going on a desert safari, attending the rather bizarre camel races, and taking day and weekend trips to other UAE destinations such as Abu Dhabi and the villages desert bedouin.

Taking a cruise to Dubai could be a memorable way to explore the delights of this Middle Eastern location.