The Best Places to Visit in Dubai at Night
You see Dubai during the day and it’s a wonder in the middle of the desert. But when the sun goes down and the lights turn on, this city transforms into a different world.
Here are our top recommendations for the best places to visit at night in Dubai:
- Dubai Fountain
- Dubai Opera
- Global Village
- Zabeel Park
In this guide, we’ll show you why these places should be on your night itinerary in Dubai.
The Dubai Fountain
The Burj Khalifa may be the centerpiece of Downtown Dubai, but thousands of tourists flock to the Burj Lake surrounding the building every night for a spectacular fountain show.
The Dubai Fountain holds the record for the largest choreographed fountain system in the world designed by the same company that created the Bellagio Hotel’s fountains in Las Vegas.
Located on the 12-hectare Burj Lake, this fountain is composed of 50 color projectors, 6,600 WET Superlights and powerful water nozzles that can shoot water up to 500 feet.
The fountain system also has five different-sized circles and two arcs that use up to 22,000 gallons of water in every show.
The Dubai Fountain hosts shows daily starting at 6:00 PM and it runs every 30 minutes for spectators to enjoy.
There are also extra shows that run from the afternoon until midnight during public holidays and during Eid.
To watch the show, you have these options:
Things to Do Near Dubai Fountain at Night
Aside from watching the Dubai Fountain show, there are plenty of other things to do in this area to make the most of your visit:
- See the Burj Khalifa
The tallest building in the world is a sight to behold from outside, but you can also experience what it’s like to be inside by booking the “At The Top” experience.
- Visit the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
While waiting for the show, you can explore the largest suspended aquarium in the world at the Dubai Mall where you can see more than 140 marine animal species.
- Shop at the Dubai Mall
With more than 1,200 shops, the second biggest mall in the world has everything you could possibly think of buying. You can also dine in one of its many restaurants and fast food chains.
- Dine at Armani Amal
If you want a unique view of the Dubai Fountain show while enjoying some of the best Indian foods you could ever experience in Dubai, book a table at the Armani Amal.
This restaurant at the Armani Hotel Dubai in Burj Khalifa accepts reservations for window and terrace tables for 7:00PM to 9:30PM to give you the best views of the show.
The Dubai Opera
If you love the performing arts, you can’t miss catching a show at the beautiful Dubai Opera, a state-of-the-art building that can accommodate up to 2,000 people.
Designed to resemble a “Dhow” or traditional Arabian boat, this building takes center stage at the Opera District in Dubai.
But there’s nothing traditional about the functionality of the Dubai Opera because aside from being a theater, it can also be converted into a banquet hall, exhibition area and concert hall.
Seating wagons and hydraulic lifts are used to tuck in extra seating to free up floor space for other functions.
The Dubai Opera was inaugurated in 2016 with its first performer, the great Placido Domingo. Today, the venue hosts up to 250 performances annually from artists around the world.
Some of the most unforgettable shows in the Dubai Opera include:
“Opening Night featuring Placido Domingo”
31 August 2016
A show featuring the King of Opera, the great Placido Domingo singing “Nemico della Patria” and duets from the “La Traviata” opera.
“The Little Prince”
22 January 2020
An unforgettable show combining acrobatics, singing, dancing and video mapping.
“Umm Kulthum”
December 2019/August 2020
A tribute to the great Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum, the show projected her through a hologram singing to a live band.
“The Phantom of the Opera”
October 2019
The most popular show at the Dubai Opera featured the adaptation of the classic West End show by Andrew Lloyd Weber.
You can also check out the upcoming shows at the Dubai Opera this year to book the shows during your visit.
Ticket prices will vary depending on the show. Here are the rates for some of the shows listed on the Dubai Opera’s calendar this year:
But if you’re not keen on watching these performances, you can opt to take a grand tour of the Dubai Opera instead for $20.42 per adult and $10.89 for children 3 to 16 years old.
Here, you’ll get to see the structure, the stage where performances are held, the backstage area, the dressing rooms, the trap rooms and even the storage area where seats are kept.
Things to Do Near Dubai Opera at Night
While the shows at the Dubai Opera will keep you entertained, here are some of the things that you can do pre- and post-show:
- Dine at the Belcanto.
Located at the top of the Dubai Opera, Belcanto is an upscale Italian restaurant serving some of the best dishes from Tuscan Chef Giacomo Lombardi.
Here, you can book a three-course set dinner before catching the show at the Opera.
- Enjoy some drinks at The Lounge.
If you prefer some drinks and canapes over a huge meal before the show, you can head to The Lounge at the Dubai Opera.
Dubai Global Village
Every year from October to April, the Global Village in Dubai comes to life, especially at night where it becomes one of the most visited destinations in the city.
True to its name, the Global Village will take you to different parts of the world allowing you to experience its sights, sounds and tastes.
This theme park features 27 pavilions representing 78 countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, China, the Americas, Russia, South Korea, Japan and India.
This season, Oman and Qatar will also be making their debut at the Global Village along with the return of the Khalifa and Al Sana’a Foundation’s pavilions.
Here are the top attractions at the Global Village this year:
Ticket prices for the Global Village will vary depending on your time of visit and where you purchase your tickets.
Tickets purchased online usually start at $4.90 per person while those bought onsite costs $5.45. However, these rates are usually higher if you visit during the weekend.
Children under three, people of determination and senior citizens are free of charge.
Things to Do in Global Village at Night
There’s no shortage of things that you can enjoy while exploring Global Village at night including:
- Explore the Floating Market.
If you want to enjoy a unique dining experience while at the Global Village, head to the Floating Market near Dragon Lake for some delicious Asian food.
- Relax at the Fireworks Avenue.
If you’re visiting on the weekends, Fireworks Avenue offers the best seats to the Global Village fireworks show while enjoying some of the best street food.
- Shop at Aaliba Supermarket.
Offering everything from cold drinks to toiletries, Aaliba Supermarket offers a unique convenience store shopping experience with its beautiful facade and wide array of offerings.
Zabeel Park
Spanning the size of 45 football fields, Zabeel Park is one of the largest public parks in Dubai and the UAE.
Its centerpiece is the Dubai Frame, one of the newest landmarks in Dubai and the largest frame in the world with a height of over 150.24 meters.
But Zabeel Park isn’t just any ordinary park because it’s the first technology based green space in the world.
Here, you have three zones: the Communications Zone, the Alternative Energy Zone and the Techno Zone.
You also have a huge lake in the middle of the park, a children’s edutainment center, different picnic spots, a technology themed park, some jogging tracks and an amphitheater.
This huge park is also divided into three areas named Area A, B and C with the Sheikh Zayed Road in between and linked by pedestrian bridges.
While there’s a lot to enjoy in Zabeel Park during the day, this spot transforms into a unique attraction at night with the Dubai Garden Glow.
The largest glow in the dark garden in the world, this attraction inside Zabeel Park features different light installations using millions of energy efficient LED lamps.
All the exhibits in this park are also made from recycled materials with the goal of helping to reduce the world’s carbon footprint and promote energy efficiency.
Dubai Glow Garden is divided into five sections:
The ticket to the Dubai Garden Glow is $17.70 plus 5% VAT per person. Children from 1 to 3 years old can get inside for free.
SInce many visitors flock to the Dubai Garden Glow, it’s best to book your tickets in advance, so you don’t need to line up at the onsite ticketing office on the day of your visit.
You can also take advantage of discounts for group and early bookings online.
Things to Do Near Zabeel Park at Night
Aside from the Dubai Glow Garden, Zabeel Park also has several attractions that you can explore during your visit:
- See the Dubai Frame.
Another massive landmark in the city is the Dubai Frame that offers a panoramic view of the Old and New Dubai on either side.
Head to the glass bridge at the top to enjoy these sweeping views at the largest frame in the world.
- Dine at the Dubai Mall.
The Dubai Mall is just a few minutes away from Zabeel Park and it’s the best place to dine in after your visit from the park.
Here, you have a wide array of options including Din Tai Fung, Gia, Logma, Eataly and Somewhere.
Exploring the Best of Dubai at Night
Dubai never fails to wow its visitors with a wide range of attractions. But this beautiful city brings a whole new charm when it’s lit up at night.
So, if you want to make the most of your trip to Dubai, make sure that you plan an itinerary at night by visiting these important spots.
Whether you’re splurging or on a budget, there’s surely something for you to enjoy at night in Dubai.