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The grandest seasonal theme park in the world is back! Global Village Dubai, a one-stop destination for tourism, offers entertainment, dining and shopping, beckoning visitors from around the world to witness this global extravaganza. Season 28 brings even more attractions, including rides, an ice skating rink, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! exhibition, over 200 eateries and a representation of over 90 cultures.
Global Village Dubai runs from October to April, taking advantage of the city’s fantastic weather for a mind-blowing outdoor adventure. Whether you are already in Dubai or planning a visit soon, exploring Global Village Dubai should be on top of your bucket list. We have created a practical guide to ensure you make the most of your visit to this amusement park, guaranteeing a fun-filled experience at Global Village Dubai.
Best time to visit Global Village Dubai
The best time to visit Global Village Dubai is during the winter. The weather is exceptionally pleasant, making it ideal for enjoying outdoor activities. This seasonal theme park opens every year during the winter months and closes for the summer. In 2023, Global Village Dubai opened its doors on October 18 and is expected to close on April 28, 2024.
Things to do at Global Village Dubai
Shop to your heart’s content at the 27 pavilions
Global Village Dubai offers a shopping extravaganza with 27 pavilions that cater to a wide range of tastes and interests. Whether you’re looking for Turkish carpets, K-pop merchandise, Italian stoneware, or Arabic board games, you will find it all in these beautifully designed pavilions. Each pavilion represents the lifestyle of over 90 different cultures and features local artefacts that could be the perfect addition to your home.
These pavilions showcase the diversity of cultures, including countries like Korea, Bahrain, Kuwait, Palestine, Oman, Qatar, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Europe, Yemen, Egypt, Morocco, Americas, Afghanistan, Turkey, Japan, Africa, UAE, China, Pakistan, India, Khalifa Foundation and Al Sana’a. It’s a global shopping experience like no other!
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Savour culinary delights from around the world
Global Village Dubai is a culinary paradise with over 200 restaurants, cafes and street food kiosks offering a wide array of dishes, from authentic street food to fusion delicacies. It’s a place where your taste buds can embark on a global journey, and we have made a quick foodie guide to help you navigate the culinary wonders of Global Village Dubai. You can enjoy the local cuisine of the various cultures represented in the pavilions.
Besides the pavilions, you will find themed streets like the Road of Asia, Railway Market, Happiness Street, Fruit Bazaar, Indian Chaat Bazaar, and Floating Market. These themed lanes are a treasure trove of street foods from all over the world, ensuring you’re never short of options to satisfy your cravings. If you are overwhelmed by the choices, we have highlighted some of the most famous dishes below that you must try at Global Village.
Treat yourself to Luqaimat, a delightful Middle-Eastern dessert made from fried sweet dough balls served with date syrup, available at Luqayamat Al Fareej. Sample Cevapi, traditional Bosnian kebabs served with pita bread, from the Bosnian House. Relish a Crepe Brulee Ice Cream Cone from Little Sugar, a fusion of ice cream, crepes and creme brulee. Snack on Ice Cream Fries from Hoka, or try the classic Thai dessert Mango Sticky Rice from Coco Mango. Don’t miss the viral Fried Potata Wheels from Get Fried, the crispy noodles from Seven, a giant slice from Super Slice Pizza, Korean Corn Dog from Tuck Inn, and the crispy chicken sandwiches from Chiki. These dishes are not only delicious but also Instagram-worthy.
Experience the thrills of adventure rides
Global Village Dubai offers a wide range of themed rides that promise an exhilarating experience for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re seeking childlike fun or heart-pounding excitement, you’ll find rides to suit your preferences. From haunted rides and water rides to Ferris wheels, bumper cars, bungee jumping and roller coasters, the amusement park features everything. Children, adults and even the elderly can enjoy these rides safely.
Keep in mind that the rides are individually priced, between AED 12 (approximately HKD 25) and AED 70 (HKD 149) per person, and your admission ticket to the park grants you only access. So, get ready to have the time of your life on these thrilling adventures!
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Go Ice Skating at the Snowfest Ice Rink
Have a true winter experience within Global Village Dubai at the Snowfest Ice Rink. This outdoor rink provides the perfect setting for you to put on skates and glide across the ice. What’s even better is that you don’t need to worry if you’re a novice at ice skating or lack the right equipment. The Snowfest Ice Rink will provide you with all the necessary gear, including skates, skating seal aids for beginners and a pair of fluffy socks.
A 20-minute session at the Snowfest Ice Rink is priced at AED 50 (approximately HKD 106).
Explore the enchanting Mini World
Embark on a captivating journey through the Mini World at Global Village Dubai, where the beauty and cultural richness of the world are elegantly condensed. This recent addition to the array of attractions at the amusement park showcases iconic landmarks from around the world, including Paris’ Eiffel Tower, Rome’s Colosseum, and Agra’s Taj Mahal, among others. These miniature wonders, a total of 25, will leave you awestruck with their intricate details. The best part? You don’t need a separate ticket for Mini World; it is included in your Global Village Dubai admission.
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Tour the fascinating exhibits at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!®
If you have grown up watching the famous TV show Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, then visiting this exhibit will feel surreal. As you walk down the halls of the museum, you may feel like you are living an episode from the show!
From authentic samurai armour and a Komodo dragon skeleton to real shrunken heads, you will be astounded by the bizarre artefacts. The first “Odditorium” in UAE has an impressive collection of 250 exhibits and interactive experiences that could easily fill your entire day. You can even catch some shows at the 4D Movie Theatre or get lost in the Mirror Maze, both of which are part of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not experience.
Bear in mind that the attractions here are individually priced and not included in your admission ticket to the park. You’ll need to purchase tickets priced at AED 40 (approx. HKD 85) for the museum, AED 35 (approx. HKD 74) for the Mirror Maze, and AED 35 (approx. HKD 74) for the 4D Movie Theatre. Alternatively, you can also pay AED 55 (approx. HKD 117) for any two of the above attractions or AED 75 (approx. HKD 159) for all three.
Test your golfing skills with Mini Golf
Take on the exciting new addition to Global Village – an 18-hole mini-golf course that promises fun for visitors of all ages. This creatively designed course has doughnut slides, tall towers and winding tubes, keeping you hooked at every corner! This latest attraction offers free entry until November 9, 2023.
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Enjoy iconic live performances
Every year, Global Village Dubai hosts a spectacular lineup of live performances, and Season 28 is no exception, with over 40,000 shows scheduled. From mind-blowing dance performances and action-packed stunts to groovy musicals, you will have the time of your life watching these shows! We highly recommend catching these lively performances during your visit to Global Village.
Catch AAINJAA, the famous drummers from Bogota, and the amazing moves of Urban Crew from America’s Got Talent. Escape to the futuristic world of Cyber City Stunt Show for some mind-bending action and stunts. Enjoy the many kid-friendly shows with your family, like Clowns To The Rescue, Amazing Clowns, Don’t Do The Dodo and Peter Rabbit.
The skies above Global Village Dubai light up with beautiful fireworks every Friday and Saturday at 9 pm. You can catch these from anywhere in the park, so you won’t miss this dazzling display.
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Global Village Dubai: Opening hours and ticket price
Timings
- Sunday, Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday: 4 pm — 12 am
- Thursday, Friday, Saturday & public holidays: 4 pm — 1 am
Ticket price
- Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: AED 22.5 (approx. HKD 47)
- Friday, Saturday & public holidays: AED 27 (approx. HKD 57)
- Free entry for children under three years old, elderly above 65 years old and POD (people of determination)
- Tuesdays are exclusively for ladies and families
Buy the tickets here.
Global Village Dubai: Location and how to reach
Global Village is located on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road E 311 road in Dubai. The best way to get here is to hire a taxi or drive down. There are no metro stations nearby.
By air: Dubai International Airport is 30 km away from Global Village
By road: Dubai’s city centre is approximately 27 km away.
(All currency conversions were done at the time of writing)
(Hero and feature image credit: Shutterstock)
Related: Visit These Theme Parks In Dubai For A Thrilling Vacation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– When does Global Village Dubai open for the season?
Global Village Dubai opened its doors for Season 28 on October 18, 2023.
– What can visitors expect to see and do at Global Village Dubai?
Visitors can enjoy a wide array of live performances, sample street foods from various countries, and have a blast on the rides.
– How many pavilions are there at Global Village?
There are a total of 27 pavilions at Global Village.
– Is there an entrance fee to visit Global Village Dubai?
Yes, there is an entrance fee to access Global Village Dubai, with ticket prices ranging from AED 22.5 (approx. HKD 47) to AED 27 (approx. HKD 57).
– What are the operating hours of Global Village Dubai?
Global Village Dubai is open from Sunday to Wednesday, operating hours from 4 pm to 12 am. On Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and public holidays, it extends its hours from 4 pm to 1 am.
– Are there any special events or festivals held at Global Village Dubai?
Yes, Global Village Dubai hosts a variety of entertaining shows, and their event calendar changes every month.
– Can visitors shop for unique products and souvenirs at Global Village?
Absolutely! The 27 pavilions at Global Village offer a wide range of unique products and souvenirs.
– Is Global Village family-friendly?
Yes, Global Village is a family-friendly attraction.
– Is there wheelchair access at Global Village?
Yes, wheelchair access is available at Global Village.
– Is photography allowed at Global Village?
Yes, photography is permitted on the premises.