UAE

Dubai Shopping Festival (January 15 to February 15)
Started in 1996, The Dubai Shopping Festival is centerd around the unique theme of bringing the world to one stage. The slogan being "One Family, One World, One Festival", the month-long event plays a vital role in Dubai's tourism industry. It is segregated into many major attractions all with one purpose, to have as many ways of entertaining the guests in the city, and catering to each and every visitor segment arriving from around the world.

Aimed at enhancing the economy in general and the tourism sector in particular DSS has now turned out to be one among the largest, and a much awaited event in the region providing the right combination of shopping, winning, and entertainment.

During Dubai Shopping Festival, shops offer discounts and special offers. Daily car raffles are drawn, kilos of gold are on the give away list. Fireworks light Dubai’s night sky. The global village, a shopping village, with many nations participating with their wares and styles in their traditional or cultural ways. Dubai shopping festival was segregated into many major attractions all with one purpose, to have as many ways of entertaining the guests to the city. Dubai Shopping Festival plays a vital role in Dubai's tourism industry.

Website: http://www.mydsf.com

Dubai Summer Surprises - Lasting 72 days (June to August)
Dubai Summer Surprises is an equivalent of Dubai Shopping Festival during the summer months. The slogan of DSS is "Big Fun for Little Ones", unleashing summers full of fun and learning for little ones in Dubai. Ever since the launch of Dubai Summer Surprises, summer has been the favourite season for family and kids, the main targets of the annual summer extravaganza that features a plethora of unbelievable shopping offers along with bundles of edutainment activities.

Website: http://www.mydsf.com

Dubai World Cup (March 28, 2009)
Dubai World Cup is the World’s richest horse race with purse of US $ 6 million, held at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse in Dubai.
Website: http://www.dubaiworldcup.com

Jordan

Jordan: (On the second Friday April)
The Dead Sea Ultra Marathon (DSUM) is held annually every April on the second Friday, from Amman to the Dead Sea. It is the main fund raising event for the Society for the Care of Neurological Patients (SCNP), which provides neurological patients with medical aid and covers the costs of necessary surgeries for the needy. Participants from around the world are invited to 'Run to the Lowest Point on Earth'. The race begins on the high ground of Amman and follows a course that drops by 1,300m (4,265ft) ending at the low ground of the Dead Sea. The event includes five separate categories: the Ultra Marathon, the Marathon, the Half Marathon, the Fun Run and the Junior Marathon. Each year over 1,500 runners take part in this fun event usually representing about 50 different nationalities.
Website: http://www.deadseamarathon.com

• Amman International Festival for Independent Theatre, Amman (Mar-Apr)
• Jordan International Rally, Various towns (May)
• Jerash Festival for Culture and Art (Jul-Aug)
  Two weeks of Jordanian and international folklore groups, artists and musical performances

Lebanon

Lebanon (July - August)
The Baalbeck International Festival (BIF) is the oldest and the most prestigious festival in the Middle East. The BIF has been taking place annually during the months of July and August in the Roman ruins of the Baalbek Temples. Baalbek, Heliopolis, meaning City of the Sun, is considered as one of the wonders of the ancient world. The temples in Baalbek are not only the largest Roman temples ever built, but also among the best preserved all over the world. The BIF is a major cultural event celebrating classical music, opera, jazz, modern world music, Lebanese Nights, rock and pop music as well as ballet and theatre. Many of the world’s leading artists appeared on the BIF stages.
Website: http://www.baalbeck.org.lb/

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Oman

The Muscat Festival - Muscat
The Muscat Festival is usually held at the beginning of every year. During this event, traditional dances are held, temporary theme parks open, and concerts take place.

Khareef Festival in Salalah, Dhofar - August
Much the same as the Muscat Festival.

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Egypt

• The Cairo International Film Festival (December)

The Film Festival includes the following films:
• Feature films for Children's and Youths up to 14 years
• old and for their families.
• Short documentary and education films.
• Cartoon films.
• TV films and programs.
Website:  http://www.cairofilmfest.org

Other festivals at a glance:

•  January: Cairo Book Fair
•  April: Sinai Liberation Day & Images Festival of Independent Film and Video
•  September: Experimental Theatre Festival
•  October: National Day & Pharaohs' Rally
•  November: Arabic Music Festival