Global Village Dubai has been a cultural and entertainment destination that brings together the world's traditions, cuisines, and attractions in one vibrant outdoor location! This annual festival park has been an ultimate hit ever since its opening and first season in 1997. Showcasing countries like Turkey to even continents like Africa and Europe through pavilions that feature authentic crafts, foods, and live performances–this is your chance to experience every nook and corner of the world in one place!
If you’re planning your visit to Global Village, there are some key points to keep in mind to maximize your experience. With so much to see and do, a little preparation can help you make the most of your time there.
Opening Hours
Global Village is open seasonally between October to April and it’s open daily during these months.
- Sunday to Saturday: 4pm to 12am
- Thursday to Saturday and on Public holidays: 4pm - 1am
Best time to visit
Global Village:
Since there’s no peak season and off-season due to the limited number of functional months, the question is, when are the best days of the week to visit?
- Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday are the best days to visit Global Village! Not much of a crowd owing to weekdays.
- Tuesdays are exclusively reserved for women, families and couples (unless it falls on a public holiday when it’s open to everyone).
- Thursday is nearing the weekend so it is possible to be crowded.
- This leaves Friday and Saturday as the most crowded days to visit Global Village because it’s the weekend!
Rules
- Global Village rules state that visitors must be dressed modestly. So, make sure your clothes are not too revealing, tight and short.
- Pets are not allowed inside the venue.
- Couples, this one's for you. Public display of affection is strictly prohibited!
- Scooters, bicycles, hoverboards and roller skates are not allowed to prevent chaos and disturbance of movement.
- You’re allowed to click photos and record videos from your phone. It’s alright as long as it’s not invading someone’s privacy. Don't take a picture of someone without their permission.
- You are strictly prohibited from carrying tripods, professional cameras and drones inside Global Village for photography and recording!
- Don’t litter and maintain the cleanliness of the venue.
Tips for visiting Doge's Palace
- When you park your car, make sure to take a picture of the parking spot and the number! It’s easy to get confused since the parking space is huge.
- If you’re taking your kids with you, make sure to keep them close. Global Village is humongous and kids can get lost without supervision. We recommend registering with the Guest Service Team and strapping a wrist band on your child. It tracks their movement, in case they get lost!
- Check out special events or performances on the official website before you visit! It will help you plan your visit around different pavilions and uncover as much as you can.
- It’s handy to have a map of Global Village. You can narrow down the main pavilions and attractions you’d like to explore first and then make your way to secondary ones!
Getting to Global Village Dubai
🚗 By Car:
If you plan to drive to Global Village, getting there is quite convenient. Since it’s located along Exit 37, take Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road or Emirates Road, Dubai to get there!
And once you get there, there’s no need to worry about parking. There are around 23,000 parking slots available! If you want free parking, P1 & P2 are free. While Areas 1 & 2 are reserved for VIP Parking.
🚌 By Bus:
If you opt to reach Global Village by bus, there are 5 route options available.
- Bus 102 from Rashidya Metro Station
- Bus 103 from Union Metro Station
- Bus 104 from Ghubaiba Metro Station
- Bus 106 from Mall of Emirates Metro Station
- Bus 107 from Al Nahda 1 Bus Station
Make sure to hop on one of these buses because service runs daily between 3:30pm to 11:15pm.
🚕 By Taxi:
If driving to Global Village does not interest you so much, there’s always a taxi available! Here are some taxi services you can depend on.
- Uber
- RTA Taxi
- Careem
🚇 By Metro:
Take the red line and get off at the Mall of Emirates Metro Station. From there, head towards the bus terminal and take Bus 106 to reach Global Village.
Amenities and accessibility
- Childcare: Baby changing rooms are available to change diapers and feed.
- Child Safety: We’ve mentioned above that Global Village is a huge venue and it’s easy to get lost. So, the Guest Service Team has taken a step further to ensure your child’s safety. All you have to do is register and strap a wristband on your child’s hand. If they get lost by chance, it will be easy to track and bring them back to you!
- Wheel-chair friendly: Global Village has been designed to be a wheelchair-friendly venue. All the attractions can be accessed by wheelchair and there are special restrooms available.
- Free Wifi: Free wifi is offered in several public places in Dubai. Global Village isn’t an exception.
- Restrooms: Well-maintained washrooms are available in every part of Global Village.
- VIP Pass Benefits: A dedicated room provides comfort for feeding or changing babies.
Porters: If you shop too much and need help carrying out all your bags, porters are available on standby to help you carry your bags out!
Car Wash: A surprising amenity! But there it is – a car wash. This perk is available specifically for VIP Pass holders.
In-Park Taxi: Commute within Global Village via in-park taxi to different attractions.
What to see at Global Village:
‘The World Brought to Dubai’–Global Village presents a captivating piece of different corners of the world through 27 pavilions! You can find several mini-countries offering a glimpse into the rich cultures. From the vibrant bazaars of India, the ancient civilization of Egypt, and the authentic flavours of the UAE, it’s probably the only place in the world where you can embark on an unforgettable exploration of global traditions, crafts, and cuisines in one place!
Global Village is packed with unlimited entertainment to keep you on your toes.
Main Stage Shows: There are spectacular live performances on its main stage, including cultural dances, musical acts, and theatrical productions from around the world.
Street Performers: Throughout the park, you’ll encounter a variety of street performers such as magicians, acrobats, and musicians.
Cultural festivities and holidays are never left behind. Throughout its operating season, you can expect to see themed decorations, performances, and activities to celebrate such special occasions. Not to forget the New Year’s Eve celebration at Global Village. It’s a grand spectacle not to be missed with fireworks displays timed to different time zones and more.
Have you heard of the word Odditorium? It’s a museum housing unusual curiosities. And Ripley’s Believe It or Not!® is the first ‘odditorium’ in the region and that too in Global Village! So, if you’re interested in seeing eccentric items, this is the place for you.
Nearby attractions
Global Village Dubai is located on the highway, which means it’s pretty far from Dubai's city center. Nevertheless, there are many attractions and landmarks along the way! Here are some other nearby attractions to visit:
IMG Worlds of Adventure is one of the biggest indoor theme parks in the world! It's perfect for families. with cool rides and attractions featuring your favorite cartoon characters and superheroes. From crazy roller coasters to zones like Marvel, Lost Valley and Cartoon Network zone – it's the perfect way to escape the Dubai heat and have a blast indoors.
Floral displays spanning over 72,000 square meters? Welcome to Dubai Miracle Garden! What makes the garden dreamy is that all the flowers are arranged in beautiful designs. You will find a life-sized house and even a castle! It's open from November to April, so plan your visit during these cooler months. You won't want to miss it!
Right next to the Miracle Garden lies the breathtaking Dubai Butterfly Garden. You get to enter a world of thousands of butterflies dancing amidst stunning enclosures. Thanks to the garden's climate-controlled domes, you can enjoy a visit in comfort at any time of the year.
If you're into motorsports, the Dubai Autodrome should be checked off your bucket list! The 5.39 km FIA-sanctioned race track hosts all kinds of international racing events. Most importantly – it's not just for the pros. You can get in on the action too! Take a spin on the karting track, go for a thrill ride in a high-performance car like Ferrari GT, Formula DXB and more! But if you don’t want to go for a spin, you can always enjoy a passenger experience with a pro driver.
