DSS 2025 Launches Gahwa Beats This Summer: A New Coffee-and-Music Pop-Up Taking Over the City
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A first-time-ever DSS debut series set in some of Dubai’s most exciting locations, from art galleries and cinemas to ice rinks and rooftops
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Five consecutive weekends of beats, brews, and surprises, powered by homegrown coffee, local DJs, and immersive atmospheres
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 15 July 2025: Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2025 has announced the full programme for its first-ever DSS Gahwa Beats, a brand-new series of high-energy pop-ups celebrating Dubai’s vibrant coffee culture with live music, community vibes, and surprise giveaways at unexpected venues across the city. Taking place on 26 July, 2 August, 9 August, 16 August, and 23 August, the five-part series creates a new DSS Saturday ritual, blending brews, beats, and surprises across Dubai.
Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) as part of the DSS programme of thousands of things to do all summer, each Gahwa Beats experience features a line-up of local DJs and artisan brews by homegrown favourite DRVN Coffee, the official coffee partner for the series. Together, they will transform iconic venues into high-energy, vibe-filled pop-ups. Running across the upcoming DSS retail seasons of Great Dubai Summer Sale from 18 July to 10 August and Back to School from 11 to 31 August, DSS Gahwa Beats add energy and experience to two of the season’s busiest and best-value shopping periods.
The series kicks off on 26 July at TODA Theatre in Souk Madinat Jumeirah, where DJ Akmaral takes over the mesmerising 360-degree digital art space for an immersive pop-up where art, music, coffee, and community collide.
On 2 August, DSS Gahwa Beats head to Sky Views Observatory, where guests can enjoy DJ Whiteboy’s live set from 220 metres above the city between 10am and 2pm. Tickets for this experience are priced at AED 80.
On 9 August, the Platinum Lounge at ROXY Cinemas, The Beach JBR hosts DJ Swannahh on the decks from 10am to 2pm and coffee served by DRVN Coffee’s signature brew bar. Admission is free with online registration. This event is for guests aged 18 and above, with limited capacity on a first-come, first-served basis.
The following weekend, on 16 August, DSS Gahwa Beats takes over Dubai Ice Rink at The Dubai Mall for a music-meets-motion experience led by DJ Whiteboy. Tickets are priced at AED 120 for entry from 10am to 3:15pm.
The fifth and final event takes place on 23 August at Deep Dive Dubai, bringing a one-of-a-kind experience in the world’s deepest pool. Full details and ticket prices will be revealed in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
DSS Gahwa Beats is part of a bold new line-up of DSS 2025 activations designed to bring the city together through unique, value-driven experiences that celebrate local culture and creativity. The series invites residents and visitors to explore Dubai in new ways each weekend, through live music, coffee, and connection.
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.
For more information, visit the Dubai Summer Surprises website and follow @DubaiFestivals on Instagram and TikTok.
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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.
