Dubai yesterday announced the dates of its upcoming festivals beginning in June with its annual summer season packed with citywide events and activities for the whole family.

Announcing the dates for its upcoming festivals and special occasions, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, DFRE, an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, DTCM, said that the exciting line-up is designed to offer families many enriching and fun-filled experiences, especially through attractive holiday, entertainment and shopping options catering to all age groups, cultures and nationalities.

"We are once again working closely with our partners in the private sector to come up with strategies that are designed to further boost the retail sector and support tourism growth during the Dubai Summer Festivals season which includes the iconic Dubai Summer Surprises, as well as the Dubai Motor Festival later in the year to ensure that Dubai remains a world famous year-round family tourism destination that offers unique shopping experiences", said Laila Mohammed Suhail, CEO of DFRE Over the past two decades, festivals organised by DFRE have helped boost the retail and tourism sectors, attracting millions of visitors and injecting billions of Dirhams into the economy of Dubai. As key drivers of tourism growth, the festivals and events organised by DFRE are part of the concerted efforts being made to boost the emirate's tourism arrivals to 20 million as envisaged in Dubai's Tourism Vision 2020.

The 2015 summer calendar will begin with 'Ramadan in Dubai', from 19th June to 17th July, that will allow visitors to absorb and experience the special ambience reflecting this important month in the Islamic calendar. The summer line-up also includes the 16th edition of Modhesh World, one of the region's biggest family edutainment destinations, Eid in Dubai – Eid Al Fitr, which showcases the significant festival of Eid Al Fitr, the 18th edition of Dubai Summer Surprises, the region's much-awaited summer festival, and the Eid in Dubai celebrations marking the joyous occasion of Eid Al Adha.

DFRE's 2015 calendar of festivals will have a fitting finale with the 3rd edition of Dubai Motor Festival in November, a citywide celebration of all things motoring aimed at showcasing Dubai as the motoring capital of the region.