Craig C. Leslie The Global Village Dubai is a large-scale international event that is transformed into a shopping, leisure and entertainment hub for the duration of the event. Over the many years of its existence (25 this year), it has already changed several venues. The World Village was originally located in Creekside, then at Oud Metha and has now moved to the famous Dubailand theme park. There are 2 entrances to the village – Cultural Gate and Gate of the World. The fair usually lasts for around 5 months. During that time, the number of visitors reaches several million people. Let’s go there too!
Pavilions and fairs
There are over 30 stylised pavilions on the grounds of the Global Village in Dubai, each representing a different country. Each can be described as a unique miniature, combining key landmarks, national flavour and cultural characteristics of the participant. You can see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a matryoshka doll, the Taj Mahal, cowboys and other distinctive images.
As conceived by the organisers, the event is open to all countries of the world. Representatives from Vietnam, Turkey, the USA, China, the Arab Emirates, Russia and Germany come to the Global Village on a regular basis.
In addition to national costumes, food and thematic paraphernalia, there are products at the fair which can be purchased. These include souvenirs, spices, cosmetics, clothes, jewellery, perfumes, leather goods and much more. The number of outlets operating in the Global Village is up to 4,000, many times more than those in Dubai Mall. Such diversity not only emphasises the globality of the idea itself, but also makes a visit to Global Village a veritable round-the-world voyage.
Shows and events
The Global Village in Dubai hosts thousands of shows and activities for visitors of all ages. These include international street parties, traditional cultural performances, stunner shows and special commemorative events. Let’s look at just the main ones.
Concerts
The Main Stage, the complex’s main concert stage, hosts spectacular performances, fashion shows, performances, etc. 4-5 times a day. They don’t last more than 20 minutes, but are fun to watch. Most of them are about Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. But to understand something, you need to know Arabic or the language of those countries.
In the evenings, free concerts are organised in the pavilions to promote folk art. Circus, music, acrobatics and folk costumes are considered to be the most popular performances. You can keep track of their venues and schedules in the app.
Carnival
Carnival operates in the Global Village centre in Dubai. It is an amusement park with merry-go-rounds, roller coasters, trampolines and other attractions. There are options for the little ones and those who like extreme entertainment.
There are also arcade games, interesting museums and themed galleries filled with artefacts, visual oddities and interactive exhibits. The only downside is the high prices. If you want to play all the amusement machines and have a go at the rides, you will need at least AED 1,000. The payment can be made by Wonder Card.
The Wheel of Peace
With a height of 60 metres, the Wheel of the World lets you see the Global Village in all its glory. The wheel glows in the dark, so it’s easy to spot it from anywhere in the park.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
A museum with a mirror maze, wax figures, photographs, installations and facts that are impossible to believe. It’s up to guests to choose whether it’s true or false. It is an expensive but interesting place to visit. You can buy a combination ticket.
Stunt Show
Stunt car, buggy and motorbike shows are held in a special arena 4 times a day on all days except Tuesdays. According to tourist reviews, it’s not very interesting and the acoustics in the arena are not at a high level.
Kid’s theatre
Younger visitors are advised to check out the Kids Theatre (free admission). There are regular ten-minute shows featuring familiar characters such as Angry Birds, Masked Heroes, Holly and Ben and others. The repertoire is good, but everyone communicates in English.
Aqua Fantasia
Dancing fountains with laser illumination, fireworks and light showers. They are switched on several times during the evening for about 30 minutes.
Another interesting feature is the artificial river. Several bridges are built over it, and excursion boats sail across the water. There are also street musicians, clowns, actors on stilts and puppets on the streets of Global Village in Dubai. You can take a picture with them for free.
Where to eat?
Walking around the World Village, you won’t go hungry. There are more than 100 eateries – cafés, restaurants, kiosks and stalls. You can enjoy food from all over the world – Arabs, Pakistanis, Indians, Americans and more.
Fast food is particularly popular – a quick snack can be prepared right in front of you. There are also kid’s food establishments. Most are close to children’s entertainment venues.
Ticket prices
Admission to Global Village Dubai costs AED 15 (amount includes tax). Free entry for senior citizens over the age of 65, children under the age of 3 and people with disabilities. Tickets are sold at the ticket office (Dh5 more) and online at www.globalvillage.ae.
The rides in the park have to be paid for separately, but you can buy a Wonder Pass which costs 105 Dhs and allows you to ride them at no extra cost. It’s much better value than paying for everything separately. There is also a Family Pass package which includes a Wonder Pass, entry ticket and parking pass. Its price is AED 120.
Operating time
This season the Global Village in Dubai runs from 26 October 2021 to 10 April 2022. Its timetable is as follows:
- Saturday-Wednesday: 4pm to midnight;
- Thursday to Friday: from 4 yesterday until 1 a.m.
Only families and women can visit the park on Mondays (except holidays). Outside the season, it is not open.
How do I get to Global Village Dubai?
The World’s Fair is located at Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road – Exit 37 – E311 – Dubai – UAE. There are 3 ways to get to Dubai Global Village.
Method 1: By car
Take Highway 37, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road. There is a car park near the World Village with a capacity of 23,000 vehicles. There are several entry and exit points for the convenience of visitors.
Method 2: By taxi
Major taxi services in Dubai include Careem, RTA Taxis and Urban. These companies offer standard and economical services. However, due to the long distance of the fairgrounds from the city, a trip will still cost a lot of money.
Mode 3. By bus
During the season, RTA city buses provide access to Global Village Dubai. They depart from the main areas of the city and take four routes – Nos. 102, 103, 104, 106.
Public transport runs according to the fair’s timetable. There are services from 15:15 to 23:15 with an interval of half an hour. For a day trip, you can use the tourist bus offered by the hotel.
Rules of conduct
There are certain rules to follow when visiting the Global Village in Dubai:
- Follow the dress code – clothes should cover both knees and shoulders.
- No public displays of affection and no riding of any kind (bicycles, rollerblades, scooters, hoverboards, skateboards, segways).
- Please take note of the information signs – filming without a permit is prohibited.
- Pets are not allowed in the park.
Useful tips
When deciding to visit the Global Village Dubai, take heed of these helpful tips:
- Don’t plan your visit for Friday and Saturday – these are the days when the locals have the weekend off, so there are a lot of people;
- It’s best to get to the park towards evening – it’s particularly beautiful at sunset;
- To avoid waiting in line, book your tickets via the app. Among other things, it shows the schedule of scheduled events, allows you to pay for a parking space and much more;
- Prices in Global Village Dubai are much higher than in the city, but you can haggle – this will bring the cost of goods down by a factor of 2 or 3;
- Bring cash with you – cards are not accepted everywhere;
- If you want to see the fireworks, come on a Thursday or Friday – though public transport afterwards is crowded, so it’s better to take an excursion to your hotel;
- The park covers a huge area (1.6 million square metres) – to avoid getting lost, download an app or use the pocket guide (available at the entrance). There are also maps and navigation signs throughout the complex to make it easy to find where you’re going;
- For children, it’s worth using a free wristband – if a child gets lost, the guest services team will be able to find him or her.
