Winter in Dubai is the time of year where the weather is perfect, and the city comes to life with all manner of shows and activities. One event that happens around this time is the highly anticipated Dubai Global Village season.
The Global Village is a festival event and shopping exhibition that has been happening annually for over 20 years now. The whole thing runs for a little over five months and puts cuisines and the cultural heritage of multiple countries from around the globe on display.
For those looking to get in on the fun, one question that gets asked often is, “What is the entrance price at the Dubai Global Village”? The Global Village entrance fee is AED 15, with children under 3-years, adults over 65, and special needs persons allowed free entry. Visitors can also opt for activity-packed deals (with costs ranging from AED 100 to AED 5,000), which offer more when it comes to access and activities.
Read on to find out more about the exact cost of touring the Global Village, what to expect, and everything that a first-timer needs to know.
Why Visit Dubai Global Village?
The Global Village first took place in 1996. It took on a life of its own and soon became an annual celebration that keeps getting bigger and better with each passing year.
Over the 2018/19 season, the Global Village saw a record 7 million visitors turn up for the event.
So, what makes the Global Village such a popular hotspot? Well, it comes down to these three simple reasons.
1. A Once in a Lifetime Cultural Exposure
The Global Village is rightly named because this occasion literally brings nations from all over the world together in one area. Its original goal of celebrating different cultures and traditions remains intact to date. Over 70 countries from 5 continents (Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America) have representation during the event, with each nation showcasing its cultural heritage through colorful pavilions set up in an open-air theme park.
Each pavilion offers something unique, including souvenirs you can take home. Some of the popular items on sale include UAE & Saudi Arabia perfumes, authentic honey from Yemen & Oman, cute vintage outfits at the Turkish & Egyptian stands, and antiques from the Indian pavilion.
Besides checking out what is on display, you can also indulge in the cultural practice of some of the represented countries. For instance, you could try to find out if you have a knack for Egyptian pottery. If you have an artistic eye, test your Japanese calligraphy skills, or have your hands and feed henna-painted like an Indian bride.
Musical performances from different cultures also showcase at the Global Village.
2. Affordable Fun for the Whole Family
If you are looking for an ideal family vacation spot, the Global Village is an excellent pick. There are a ton of activities offered at the park that you will have a hard time deciding on what to try out first. Included are a floating market, the circus & carnival grounds, a huge Ferris wheel overlooking the park, over 50 kid, family, & thriller theme rides, hundreds of arcade games, thousands of live shows over the season, and 3500 shopping outlets.
3. Delectable Worldwide Culinary Treats
Featuring over 100 food kiosks serving traditional dishes from across the world and around 20 restaurants, the Global Village is a dreamland for food lovers. From popular Mexican, Indian, & Turkish cuisines to the less known Uzbeki and Bosnian dishes, you can get a taste of international flavors from just about every corner of the planet. Additionally, spices and gourmet ingredients are on sale, allowing you to bring a little taste of exotic cuisines back home.
Where is Dubai Global Village Held?
The Global Village venue is at Exit 37 of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road. Getting to the location is easy, but it is only possible through bus or car since there are no direct metro lines to the Global Village.
If you opt to travel by bus, there are several options to choose from, including:
- Bus no. 102 – leaves from Rashidiya bus station next to the Rashidiya metro station (on the red line), which is near the Dubai International Airport
- Bus no. 103 – departs from Union metro station
- Bus no. 104 – takes off from Al Ghubaiba bus station
- Bus no. 106 – travels from the Mall of Emirates metro station
The buses operate from mid-afternoon and late into the night (3:15 pm to 11:15 pm), making it possible to travel into the Global Village at your convenience.
The bus service also follows a flexible schedule with buses heading into the Global Village every 30 minutes.
When Does the Global Village Open?
As mentioned earlier, the Global Village is a seasonal event held in winter. The exact dates change each year, but it usually starts at the end of October and runs through to the beginning of April. You can find out when the event begins and ends by visiting the official Global Village website.
What is the Entrance Fee?
The Global Village offers affordable fun for the whole family. The best part is that gaining entry to the venue is very affordable. What’s more, children aged 3-years and below, seniors over 65, and people with special needs who have a designated caretaker can enter free. Everyone else pays a mere AED 15 (per head) to enter the park.
Are there Special Pass Options?
The fixed AED 15 entrance fee gets you inside the park and buys you access to pavilion areas and select shows, including a recently added fireworks display. So, this leaves you having to pay extra for a go at the rides or to watch main attractions such as the circus or concert shows.
The good news is that activities at the Global Village do not cost much. Ride prices range from 10 to 30 Dirham, the circus charges 15 Dirham, while the stunt show survivor spectacle charges the low cost of 10 Dirham. You can, however, save big if you go for package deals instead. Available choices include:
I. Wonder Pass
The wonder pass is a special card loaded with points, which you can use to gain access to rides and a host of showings (e.g., Ripleys Believe it or Not gallery, Stunt Show Survivor, and Carnaval rides). It comes in several options, starting with a tier 1 card that charges AED 100 for 105 points. A tier 2 card costs AED 200, with the price rising in increments of AED 100 for progressive tiers. The highest tier card costs AED 1,000.
The advantage of the wonder pass is that you get to choose how you want to spend your points. Every ride and show costs a certain amount of points. Therefore, you can try all rides, watch several survivor stunt shows, or get a taste of everything.
II. Family Package
For this option, you will have to shell out AED 120. However, it provides you with a value of AED 340 worth of Global Village fun.
That amount covers eight entry passes, free valet parking, and a Wonder Pass offering four stunt show entries, AED 50 credit for rides at the Carnival, plus two circus tickets.
For smaller families, there is a slightly cheaper option for AED 99. With this, you get entry passes for four people, a parking ticket, and AED 105 worth of Carnival fairground rides.
III. VIP Packs
If you plan to visit the Global Village once or twice during your vacation, it is better to stick with the wonder pass or family package deals. The VIP packs are the most expensive in the bunch with options including AED 1,300 Silver, AED 1,900 Gold, and AED 5,000 Platinum.
The reason for the high prices is that the VIP packs are not just for one visit. They come with a ton of perks that make them better suited for Dubai residents and corporations looking to send their employees on a fun outing. These perks include:
- 1VIP parking car pass with the platinum pack also getting an additional remote for the designated reserved VIP parking
- 2 VIP parking cards for the silver & gold packs and 4 parking cards for the platinum pack
- 140, 160, & 180 VIP entry tickets respectively
- 4, 6, and 8 circus cards (preloaded with AED 60) respectively
- 4, 6, and 8 Carnaval cards (preloaded with AED 100) respectively
- 2, 3, and 4 Ripley’s cards (loaded with AED 50) respectively
- 5, 7, and 8 stunt showcards (loaded with AED 20) respectively
Details for the VIP packs, including where to get them, are usually posted on the global village website every year. It is not uncommon for season prices and offerings to change for VIP packs and wonder passcards. So, it is advisable to check details of what is available at the global village’s website before deciding on what option to select.
What Hours Does Dubai Global Village Open?
The Dubai Global Village switches up a lot of things each year, but one thing that remains constant is when the venue opens to visitors. With each year, the park’s operating hours start from 4 pm to midnight on weekdays (Saturday to Wednesday), and 4 pm to 1 am on public holidays and weekends (i.e., Thursday to Friday).
Where Can I Buy Tickets to the Dubail Global Village?
For a tourist hotspot, the Global Village is easy to access. There is no need to buy entry tickets in advance because they are offered at the gate from 3:30 pm to 30 minutes before closing time.
The park has two entry points, the Cultural Gate & Gate of the World. Therefore, this makes it possible for all walk-ins to get a ticket without a long wait time.
Once inside, there are a bunch of ticketing booths where you will pay to get tickets to rides, games, and other activities.
Other ticket options (such as family packages, wonder pass, and VIP packs), though, are bought online.
The latter two are available for purchase at the Global Village official website, and you can also find a bunch of travel websites offering the family package deals.
What is the Best Time to Visit?
The Dubai Global Village is a massive area spread across a jaw-dropping 17,200,000 sq ft! Since it is impossible to cover the whole area in one evening, the next best thing is to try and get the best out of your visit. With that in mind, here is a general guideline on the best time to visit.
- When looking to avoid crowds, the best time to visit is any day between Sunday to Wednesday, just as doors open at 4 pm. The place usually gets busy from 7 pm onwards on any day and gets jam-packed on Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays.
- For those who want to do a ton of shopping, it is essential to know the best time to visit. For some reason, pavillions offer great discounts and bargains for items on weekends. Therefore, it is the best time to visit, even though the venue tends to experience large crowds.
- To get the most fun out of your visit, evening and night hours make the perfect time to visit. Fireworks displays light up the night skies at 9 pm every Thursday and Friday. On the other hand, concerts mostly take place at night.
One important thing to note is that you will not be able to enter on Mondays if you are a single man. Monday marks the family day at the Global Village, so the staff reserve entry for families and women only.
Global Village Rules & Regulations
One thing you should always do before going to Dubai is research the rules of the city as a whole and the specific places you will be visiting. At the Global Village, you are allowed to enter with your car and personal belongings such as mobile phones, handbags, travel baby packs, etc.
However, alcohol, pork, pets, and wheeled devices such as bicycles and skates are all forbidden. Smoking is also not allowed inside the Global Village premises.
Another essential point to note is that all visitors are expected to dress modestly. Both men and women are required to wear clothing that fully covers the torso (hands being the only exception) and extends below the knees and a decent part of the legs. Visitors are also expected to behave decently with public displays of affection forbidden.
Final Word
At the Dubai Global Village, there is something for everyone -thrilling funfair rides for the young, more shopping venues than the avid shopaholic can handle, an enriching cultural experience like no other, and highly entertaining shows all round. The best part is that you get to enjoy all this at very affordable prices, be it on entry fees or the food joints and shows.
