Dubai:The Etisalat Market OTB’s mix of music, fun, fashion and food has proven to be a big hit with residents and visitors attending the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF).

Taking place at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai, and featuring 100 retail brands and 27 F&B vendors, the Etisalat Market OTB has been wowing guests from the opening weekend when it hosted a super performance by Arabic superstars Hussain Al Jassmi and Tamer Hosny on day one before a live show by pop singer Anne-Marie and DJ set by Clean Bandit on day two. 

Visitors this week have been exploring the outdoor venue’s NEWTRO theme. Created as an exciting mix of ‘New’ and ‘Retro’, NEWTRO is one of the most eclectic, stylish and exciting trends to emerge from Korea and Japan’s word famous blend of tradition and pop culture. NEWTRO combines elements of the 90s with contemporary customs and modern life with an emphasis on merging together different types of music, fashion and lots of colour.

To deliver an authentic experience, organisers Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) worked with the UAE’s Korean and Japanese communities to host cultural activities such as Japanese flute performances as well as super-fun KPOP dance challenges. This year’s theme for the kids’ area is ‘Candy and Slime Park’. It will feature a series of activations from inflatable play, including a dedicated ‘Glitterati – Crafts Station’ for decorating, colouring and slime-making workshops. For the first time at the market, the kids area will also include a kid’s bungee trampoline. Etisalat Market OTB will also host regular basketball workshops and competitions at the Slam Dunk Court. Led by players from the  Phases Basketball Academy the workshops are open to kids aged 14-16 and are free to attend.

NEWTRO at the Etisalat Market OTB also features unique vendors from the UAE and overseas as well as Food Alley, an F&B concept that serves delicious Korean, Japanese and Asian street food treats. Other food vendors include Soul Sane cafe, The Butcher, Grapes & Dates, Koshari Square, Moshi, Semi Sweet and Bunz.

Etisalat Market OTB will welcome guests until 2 January and daily opening hours are Sunday to Wednesday from 4pm to 10pm, Thursday from 4pm to 12am and on Friday and Saturday the Etisalat Market OTB is open from 12pm to 12am. The event follows all of the important health and safety rules including temperature checks, social distancing and masks worn at all times.