Are you ready?
Global Village turns 30! The world-famous destination opens today for its milestone season, in what will be its “most spectacular edition” yet.
This year, the hype is stronger than ever, with new attractions such as the Dragon Kingdom — an immersive walkthrough experience — and an exotic display called Gardens of the World set to wow crowds. Familiar sights such as the iconic Main Stage, Fiesta Street and the landscaping throughout the Village have undergone upgrades, to keep things fresh and exciting for this new season.
The opening day promises to be extra special, with Global Village pulling out all stops. Visitors can expect to be entertained from the second gates open at 6pm.
Stay tuned as Khaleej Times brings you all the action as the doors open on Global Village Season 30.
How to get there
If you want to use public transport today, RTA has you covered! Four direct bus routes are available from Dubai to Global Village.
They are as follows:
Route 102: Al Rashidiya Bus Station – Global Village (every 60 minutes).
Route 103: Union Bus Station – Global Village (every 40 minutes).
Route 104: Al Ghubaiba Bus Station – Global Village (every 60 minutes).
Route 106: Mall of the Emirates Bus Station – Global Village (every 60 minutes).
Opening celebrations
While one might argue any day at the attraction is a special one, the first day of the season always stands apart.
Global Village has said that the best way to enjoy the opening ceremonies is by entering through the Gate of the World — although the Cultural Gate and Happiness Gate are open as well.
Photo: Global Village
All parking areas are available today except P3, which will remain closed until 8pm.
From car park fair to world-famous attraction
Global Village’s humble beginnings go back to 1996, with a handful of kiosks set up in a dusty car park opposite Dubai Municipality. It was meant to be part of the Dubai Shopping Festival — a way to showcase international flavours and crafts.
Fast forward a few decades and you have Global Village as it stands today — an attraction that pulls in over 10 million visitors every year, with over 40,000 shows, international pop star performances and 30 country pavilions.
Crowds wait to enter
There is a buzz in the air as crowds start forming outside the gates, waiting to enter the park at the iconic Gate of the World entrance.
Families and groups are making their way toward the entrance. Some carry picnic baskets and camping gear, ready for an evening of fun!
Did you buy your tickets?
Global Village announced its ticket prices for this season earlier this week. Each weekday entry (Sunday to Thursday) is Dh25, and the weekend/any-day tickets cost Dh30 each.
Entry is free for children under the age of three, seniors above 65 years, and people of determination.
Although tickets are available online and through the app, people are seen lining up at the ticket booths ahead of the grand opening.
Buying a ticket this year automatically enters you into lucky draws which offer cash rewards, iPhones, gold, and cars, and lead up to a Dh10-million grand prize at the end of the season.
Warm weather
The weather outside is warm, with a breeze flowing through entrance of the park. Even so, visitors should be prepared for high temperatures — to avoid the fate of this poor ice cream.
Parking fills up
Over an hour to go for the opening, and parking lots are already filling up! It is hard to find an empty spot at the P1 parking at Global Village.
Celebration starts outside
The visitors waiting outside the gates don’t have much to do till they open — so why not indulge in an icy treat?
Lines form at ticket counters
The ticket counters are expected to open at 5.30pm, according to a security guard stationed near the booths. Visitors have already started forming a line in anticipation.
Some are chatting with staff and many are keeping an eye on the counters, ready to grab their Global Village tickets as soon as sales begin.
“We have been waiting for nearly half an hour,” said Farheen Ibrahim, who is 11th in place from the ticket counter.
Accessibility around the park
More than a hundred wheelchairs, scooters, and electric wheelchairs are ready for people of determination to explore the park comfortably. A normal wheelchair costs Dh15 per hour, while an electric wheelchair can be rented for Dh50 per hour or Dh250 for the whole visit.
Scooters are also available at Dh75 per hour or Dh300 for a full visit, making it easy for everyone to move around and enjoy the park at their own pace.
First look inside!
As soon as visitors walk through the main entrance, they will be greeted by sight of the world at a one glance.
Replicas of iconic landmarks such as London’s Big Ben, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Rome’s Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower of Paris, and Sydney’s Opera House create a picturesque backdrop.
The view takes the visitors across continents — and is perfect for insta-worthy photos inside the park.
Dress for weather — and rules
As visitors currently waiting outside the park are feeling the heat, it is advised to wear light, breathable fabrics, and to cover the head with a cap to protect oneself from the weather.
When dressing up for an evening out at Global Village, visitors must also heed the official dress code. The website says men and women must wear “respectful attire (covered torso, including shoulders and covered legs, including knees) at all times”.
Visitors can be denied entry to the park if they fail to follow the dress code.
Igniting the senses
Bukhor Al Dar Perfume store, constructed in the replica of the Taj Mahal, has been busy upgrading their store and experimenting with new fragrances for the last five months.
The team has been working to perfect their blends and enhance customer experience. Now, the staff is all set and excited to welcome visitors and perfume lovers.
Excited to perform
Yemeni folk artists are getting ready for a traditional performance to entertain visitors.
Dressed in their cultural attire, Mohammed and Rashid are getting all ready.
“We’re performing the traditional Yemeni dance today,” said Mohammed. “We are sharing a piece of our culture with everyone here,” added Rashid, adjusting his outfit as they prepare themselves.
Left to right: Rashid, Mohammed
Driverless patrol
Visitors at Global Village today might come across DPR 02, Dubai Police’s newest recruit — an autonomous robotic patrol. It has been deployed to help officers respond faster.
The self-driving patrol moves on its own and stays connected to the Command and Control Centre, meaning it can spot issues and alert officers in real time.
Dubai Police to put on a show
The highlight of the opening evening is the performance by the Dubai Police band, which is all set to take the stage.
Inside the park, the excitement is building as Dubai Police rehearse with their impressive lineup of sports bikes, bicycles, and supercars.
The officers are gearing up for a traditional show that combines music, discipline, and national pride.
Almost open
With near 10 minutes to go, people rush to queue at the opening gates, tickets in hand and excited to start the season with a bang.
Global Village Dubai 30th Season Opening Day 2025
Season 30 is here!
After a long wait, Global Village has finally started its milestone season — which promises to be the best one yet. Those waiting cheered as fireworks lit up the sky, replacing the setting sun and welcoming visitors to the park.
Let’s go
Visitors entered the park with looking equal parts relieved and excited to be starting their evening.
Celebration in the air!
The mood is infectious — everywhere you look, it’s wide smiles and happy cheers as gold streamers fill the air, raining down on the excited crowds.
Bring on the drums
Crowds cheer as parade goes through, the rhythmic beating of the drums building on the festive atmosphere. Listen to the catchy beat — can you resist drumming along?
What’s new at Global Village this year?
While the attraction features new events, shows, and activities for families every year, this edition is set to be more breathtaking than ever.
Here’s what has been added this year:
Gardens of the World
The Dragon Kingdom
New rides: York Bikes, Toronto Tornado, Desert Dashers, Cape Glider, Rio Rocket and The Little Wonderers
Season 30 cake monument
Light up the skies
The opening fireworks were just a taste of what is to come! Global Village will continue its tradition of weekly fireworks shows every Friday and Saturday at 9pm.
In addition to this, a new fire and light show is set to debut this season near the Dragon Lake.
Photo: KT File
Spectacular drones
The festivities have just started, with an eye-catching drone show lighting the skies above the crowds, spelling out the number 30 to mark the 30th season. Airplanes were seen creating swooping patterns in the sky, adding to the magic of the moment.
Who gets free entry?
Did you know that children under the age of three, people of determination (and one companion) and seniors above 65 years of age get to enter Global Village for free?
Now add to that list anyone with an S30 stamp.
Dubai announced on Sunday, October 12, that all visas issued from the emirate would bear the Global Village Season 30 logo. Travellers arriving in the UAE will also receive a special entry stamp bearing the logo.
Any visitor who has the stamp will get free entry to Global Village, for a period of 10 days starting from today. The stamp must appear alongside the entry stamp, and the offer can be redeemed once only.
Passport at Global Village
While you don’t need your passport to enter the attraction, you can certainly get one while you’re there! The Global Village passport costs Dh10 and allows you to record memories of your day at the attraction. You can get a stamp from each pavilion you visit.
Photo: Global Village
Waiting for 7 months
Ramesh Kumar, who lives in Bur Dubai, said he and his family had marked the opening date in their calendar.
“We have been waiting for this for nearly seven months. Every year we come on the first day,” he said. “It’s a nice place where we can spend time, eat, and see performances from different countries.”
Fatima H., a resident of Sharjah, arrived with her friends soon after 5 pm. “We visit every season, and it’s always something we look forward to,” she said.
“There’s so much to do. Shopping, food, and music, and it’s good to see people from so many backgrounds coming together.”
Happiness = food
If the main event is the fireworks, this is the second best one — food! Global Village lives up to its name when it comes to dining options. Your tastebuds can truly travel the world, while also making pitstops for some familiar local flavours.
Happiness Street bustled with visitors, immersed in the delicious aromas of tasty dishes. If you weren’t hungry before entering the street, you are now!
Do it for the ‘gram
Did you even go to Global Village if you didn’t post about it online? Visitors were seen taking aesthetic photos of their surroundings, food, and their families to save and share memories from this special day.
Go online
Are you a visitor to the UAE and want to share your experiences with friends and family? If your unlimited data on your free tourist sim is over, you can always connect to Global Village WiFi! According to the website, the connection is one of the fastest in the region
Walk through the world
The iconic pavilions at Global Village are up and running, ready to welcome keen visitors. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a regular, the country pavilions never fail to fascinate with their intricate designs and attractive shops.
First evening fireworks of the season
The crowds at Global Village kept up their energy, cheering happily as fireworks burst into the sky, bringing (more) light and colour to the park.
Majestic dragon
The majestic sculpture at Dragon Lake lit up, lending an air of elegance and wonder to the evening. The figure, which looks like a dragon coiling its way in and out of sparkling waters, was a big hit, with multiple visitors stopping in their tracks to look at the creature in awe.
Opened with a bang
The first day of Global Village Season 30 was marked with wonder and whimsy. Happiness was in the air as residents and visitors took in the sights — both familiar and new.
People cheered and clapped along to the opening day parade and the spectacular fireworks. With a plethora of events, country pavilions and dining options, visitors had their pick of activity on opening day. It gave us a taste of what is to come this season — one that is bigger and better than ever.
Follow Khaleej Times as we get all the latest developments and find the best to watch, eat and experience at Global Village this year.
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