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15 Oct 2025

Why Global Village should be on your Dubai bucket list this season

Wide view of global village while the main gate is lit up in pink

The world in one place

Global Village Dubai is much more than a seasonal attraction. It’s an incredible celebration of hundreds of different cultures from across the world. With an amazing combination of entertainment, food, shopping and live performances, it offers visitors a chance to experience the entire world – without leaving Dubai.

As a hotly anticipated event in the city, Global Village is a must-visit for both residents and tourists. For its landmark 30th season, Global Village will run from October 15th 2025 to May 10th 2026.

In this guide, we’ll take you through what to expect – from the entertainment, to the food, shopping and all the visitor information you’ll need to get the most out of your visit.

Global Village main entrance during day time

A magical journey across continents

The heart of Global Village is in its cultural pavilions. Representing countries from every corner of the world, the pavilions showcase traditional crafts, performances and food. Whether it’s exploring Turkish bazaars or sampling Japanese delicacies, every pavilion offers a unique window into a different culture.

Live folk shows bring the traditions to life - making each pavilion a truly immersive experience.

Pavilions have included the Americas, Africa and Europe. With countries like China, Egypt, India, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and South Korea all having their own pavilions alongside many others.

For its 30th season, Global Village organisers have introduced a new area; Gardens of the World. This themed area of the attraction will include stunning exotic flower arrangements and landmark icons from across the globe. Look out for it at the front of the Egypt pavilion.

New too is The Dragon Kingdom. In 11 highly themed rooms, visitors will explore the enchanting world of Blackstone Hollow. It promises to be fun for all the family as you solve puzzles and uncover clues to help a lonely lost dragon recover his powers.

The area after the main entrance of Global Village

Shows, concerts and family fun

Global Village is also one of Dubai’s biggest entertainment hubs. Visitors can look forward to spectacular live shows, thrilling concerts by a range of international artists and daily cultural performances. 

For families, there are carnival rides, funfair games and a wide variety of kids’ activities that make the experience enjoyable for all ages. Fireworks and special seasonal events add extra magic to the evenings too.

As well as shows at dedicated stages, street performers bring other public spaces to life with everything from drums to clowns.

In Season 30, guests can expect a huge selection of shows, from fireworks on a Friday and Saturday evening, to Toyshop, where a variety of toys are brought to life for a party like no other. For fans of technology, the incredible Laser Show at Dragon Lake is a feast for the eyes as colourful lights and water are choreographed to music.

A group of drummers performing at night on the Global Village stage

A feast of global flavours

Food lovers will find themselves absolutely spoiled for choice with over 200 restaurants, cafes and kiosks offering snacks from around the world.

Whether you’re craving authentic shawarma, Asian street eats or sweet treats from Europe, there’s something to satisfy every craving. For those seeking a sit-down experience, international restaurants across the park provide dining options from casual to gourmet.

Season 29 introduced a brand new plaza dedicated to dining, in the shadow of the stunning Falcon Stage. It offers a glorious space, particularly in the evenings, with a mix of food and entertainment in one dedicated area.

One must-visit area for culinary lovers is the Floating Market. If you’re a fan of Asian cuisine, this is the space for you. With everything from baos and barbecue to incredible street food, it’s a flavour sensation. Whether you love your seafood or are craving Indonesian ramen, Floating Market has it all.

Brand new for Season 30 is the incredible Dessert District. Those with a sweet tooth will find themselves in culinary bliss as 32 sweet-treat-specialising kiosks all clamour for your attention. Whether its cakes, chocolates, ice creams or pastries, visitors will certainly find something to enjoy.

A vendor serving a lady tea

Treasures to cherish from around the world

Shopping is a highlight of the Global Village experience. Visitors can browse thousands of unique products, from handcrafted jewellery, pearls and traditional clothing to artisanal home décor and specialty foods. 

Many items are one-of-a-kind and made by hand, making them perfect souvenirs or gifts. Those who love to seek out a bargain will also enjoy the chance to discover exclusive finds not available elsewhere in Dubai. Go on, treat yourself or someone else.

For something truly unique, look out for stalls selling origami, the Japanese art of paper folding.

A Japanese vendor showing a female shopper a collection of Japanese ceramic plates

Key visitor information

All the information you’ll need to make sure your visit to Global Village is as magical as it can be.

Season dates

Global Village reopens for season 30 on October 15th 2025. The season runs right through until May 10th 2026, so there is plenty of time for you to book your visit.

Tuesdays are dedicated to families and female guests. Entry of other guests is not permitted on this day. The only exception is if a Tuesday coincides with a public holiday.

Tickets

Affordable entry tickets are available through Arabian Adventures, providing access to all pavilions and live performances. Additional fees may apply for rides and special shows. Transfers to and from Global Village are not included in the admission ticket. You may check the tickets here.

Children under 3 years old and Seniors above 65 are eligible for complimentary tickets to Global Village. These tickets should be claimed at the ticket booths.

Getting to Global Village

Global Village is located on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and is accessible by car, taxi and public transport. Shuttle buses also operate from key points across Dubai.

By car or taxi

Driving to Global Village is straightforward. On Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road take Exit 37. There are more than 20,000 parking spaces available with several exit and entry points.

By bus

There are five RTA bus routes going to Global Village with services running regularly from 3:15-11:15pm daily. Travel time is around 30 minutes depending on traffic.

Dress code

Respectful clothing, which includes covered torso, including shoulders and covered legs, including knees, must always be worn by male and female guests. 

Item safety

Guests can keep their belongings secure in one of many dedicated lockers on site. There are three different sizes available, with prices starting from AED 15 for the entirety of your visit.
If you’re low on battery power for your devices, don’t worry. Global Village offers dedicated stations with power banks for on-the-go charging. These are AED 10 for 60 minutes – and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll want to keep your phone topped up with charge to snap photographs of the amazing scenery around you.

Guests of determination

Global Village welcomes People of Determination and a companion for free. Reserved parking, as well as accessible facilities and wheelchair friendly access to all attractions means that all guests can enjoy their visit.
Wheelchair and electric scooters are available to hire from AED 10.

Good to know

  • Animals or pets are not allowed inside Global Village.
  • Outside food or drink is not permitted within the attraction.
  • Guests are not permitted to bring wheeled items (skateboards, hoverboards etc.) inside Global Village. 
  • Filming is not permitted without a permit and permission from the attraction directly.
  • Free Wi-Fi is available for all guests.
Fireworks show behind the Kuwait pavilion

Our top tips for visiting Global Village

  • Best times to visit: weekdays are less crowded than weekends, making them ideal for families. Arriving early gives you more time to explore before the evening shows begin.
  • Family-friendly advice: make sure you plan your route in advance - there’s a lot to see. Check the kids’ activities section and save some energy for the funfair rides.
  • Child safety: parents are encouraged to pick up a free wristband for their children. This is registered with the Global Village staff, and in the event your child becomes separated from you, the guest services team will be able to contact you.
  • Tired legs: for tired toddlers, guests can rent a baby cart (modelled on high-end cars) from the guest services team. Available from AED 15 per hour.
  • Must-try experiences: definitely don’t miss the fireworks, try to sample at least one dish from a pavilion you’ve never tried before, and take home a unique souvenir to remember your visit for a lifetime.

With its mix of culture, entertainment, food and shopping, Global Village really does live up to its name as a world brought together in one vibrant destination. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning for another season, it always promises something new and exciting every single year.

A group of kids gathered for a photo against the fireworks display