A recap of the epic adventures at Global Village!
Global Village, the region’s largest and most diverse outdoor attraction, has just closed its doors for the summer. As we wait for this six-month cultural extravaganza’s reopening in October 2024 (tentatively), let’s look at all the fun it offered.
HIGHLIGHTS OF SEASON 28
A trip to Global Village Dubai gives visitors a fresh understanding of the diverse tapestry that makes up our planet. It’s a place where cultures connect, differences are celebrated, and lifelong memories are created.
Season 28 was a spectacular hit, with many memorable guests and performances. From handcrafted souvenirs to tasty meals from around the world, Global Village’s 28th edition had it all—an event that featured 27 pavilions representing over 90 countries. Since one can easily get to Global Village with public transport, it became an attraction that many residents visited over the weekends.
This year, the hub of good times also featured various activities packed with lots of fun for people of all ages. So, without further ado, let’s revisit the memories of chapter 28.
HAPPINESS GATE
There were three entrances to Global Village Dubai: The Gate of the World, the Cultural Gate and the Happiness Gate. The Happiness Gate maintained the traffic flow and ensured shorter distances from parking areas. Valet parking was also available near the gate. However, Gate of the World was used for the self-parking option.
ROAD OF ASIA
“Road of Asia,” a special boulevard with kiosks from 13 Asian countries, was introduced in Season 27 and has since become an absolute hit. Fans of the region’s art could purchase genuine arts and crafts. The countries represented were Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Brunei, Laos, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and the Philippines.
CARNAVAL THEME PARK AT DUBAI GLOBAL VILLAGE
As the perfect family-friendly destination, the ‘Carnaval’ area topped the list of kids’ activities in Global Village in the last season. This area featured more than 195 rides, 125 arcade games, attractions and an array of skill-based games to keep kids and adults busy for hours.
Let’s look at the top attractions from Carnaval:
DIGGERS LAB
Diggers Lab, the hydraulic digger experience, was an exciting attraction of Global Village for the younger kids. Here, the little ones could don a construction hat and participate in an entertaining edutainment activity. This lab allowed young builders to operate dumpers, diggers and other construction equipment near the Carnaval entrance.
MEXICAN BALLOONS
There have always been some fabulous rides in Global Village for adventure lovers. Among them, Mexican Balloons took people up the sky for a spin. The balloon-shaped ride was a memorable and fun experience at the Carnaval.
HOUSE OF FEAR
Visitors enjoyed some spooky and exhilarating moments in an all-new horror house! House of Fear was the scariest experience in Global Village. Nine unique adventures were featured, including a haunted cemetery, hospital psych ward and screaming tree.
House of Fear featured the latest animatronic technology for an immersive experience. This came complete with creaking, shrieks from ghouls and spooky characters popping in to scare those who dared to enter!
MEET THE WONDERERS
The Wonderers were the mascot of the global attraction. Fascinated by the famous Legend of the Staff, Waleef, Zoya, Ozka and Aiyah set off on an adventure that gave them the power to go anywhere in the world. And guess where they decided to go? Yes, they landed in this enchanting tourist attraction we call Global Village!
Little ones loved the adventure-packed “The Wonderers’ Kids Fest” at Kids’ Theatre. PJ Masks and Peter Rabbit took to the stage to entertain their little fans. The event started on February 9th and continued until the 25th of the month, from 5:00 p.m. onwards. It featured classic board games, interactive shows, exciting skill competitions, fantastic prizes and much more!
That’s not it. All kiddos who participated in the festival enjoyed a free ride at the Carnaval. Now, that’s what we call fun at the next level.
Global Village also released a new product line for these special guests.
RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT!®
The world’s first (and most famous) ‘Odditorium’ was open to fans at Global Dubai Village. Exhibits and interactive elements, along with new additions, were present. Fans could get spooked at a mirror Maze, moving theatre, VR adventure or shop for oddities in this area.
THINGS TO DO AT GLOBAL VILLAGE
SHOPPING
The fair is ideal for anyone who wants to experience “bazaar-style” shopping at its best. In the last season, numerous global retail brands and businesses had set up their pavilions and outlets at the festival.
To make the most of your experience, explore the many pavilions and the crafts they offer. For example, the African pavilion sold African beads and shea butter lotions, while the Morocco pavilion featured skin-transforming skincare from the country.
The South Korea pavilion is where you can find Korean skincare and K-pop merch in Dubai (for excellent prices), and the China pavilion has all sorts of makeup, knickknacks and accessories. Drifting in and out of the pavilions is an activity and loads of fun!
NEON GALAXY X CHALLENGE ZONE
This year, a new attraction for adventure seekers beyond rides at the Carnaval, called the Neon Galaxy X Challenge Zone, was open to the public. There were ten games to get everyone moving and diving through obstacles.
This zone was divided into an Orbit Zone, a Gravity Zone, a Climbing Zone, a Trail Zone and a Slide Zone. Each one made visitors feel like ninjas. A package for AED 55 offered full-day access to the Neon Galaxy X Challenge Zone.
DINING
What’s a fair without food? There were plenty of street food stalls and dine-in restaurants at Global Village. Guests savoured flavours from around the world. Some delicious street food items offered were pizza in a cone, steamed dumplings, doner kebabs, upgraded hot dogs and more.
Inspired by Thailand’s Umbrella Market, the Railway Market had pastries and other delicacies from Asia and other destinations.
For a more offbeat foodie experience, there was the Floating Market — with stalls aboard boats offering East Asian cuisines.
SHOWS AND EVENTS
Aside from retail therapy, Global Village Dubai had street shows and kid-friendly entertainment. These included signature shows with performances by artists from all around the world. Let’s look at the most popular shows that got everyone in a good vibe.
CLOWNS TO THE RESCUE
Clowns to the Rescue was one of the family shows offered at the venue. Featuring Columbian Clowns, this show saw them performing slapstick comedy to their audience’s delight. Skits like one showing firefighters trying to extinguish a fire had the audience laughing loudly and cheering for the performers, especially the little ones.
LASER SHOW
Laser and light shows make everyone feel like a child again as you watch shimmering lights cut across the night sky. Global Village offered visitors the delight of watching a kaleidoscope of colours that used light, water and videos for a brilliant laser show.
ORCHESTRA
Classical music fans were in for a treat at Global Village, as they hosted a 30-piece Arabian orchestra on the main stage. The best classical songs were performed for sixty minutes, with instruments including the violin, cello, qunoon, oud key and percussion to evoke emotions in the audience.
PETER RABBIT!
A favourite amongst the little ones, the ‘Peter Rabbit!’ show featured cute furry characters, including Peter, Lily Bobtail and Squirrel Nutkin, as they embarked on an adventure. They stole a radish and went through hoops, leading to comedy and laughter for the kids.
GLOBAL VILLAGE TIMINGS
The Global Village timings usually remain the same throughout the seasons. Please note that, just like last season, Tuesday was family day, which means that the venue was only open to women, couples and families on this day.
The opening hours of Global Village Season 28 were:
- Monday to Sunday: 04:00 pm to 02:00 am
TICKET PRICES
Here is an overview of the Global Village Dubai ticket price for season 28, which will follow for the next season:
- Global Village Ticket Price: AED 25 (Value day ticket) | AED 30 (Any day ticket). You can buy tickets at the entry gate.
- Get a 10% discount when you buy your Global Village online ticket on their official website or app. Any Day tickets cost AED 27 online. Similarly, Value tickets are available for AED 22.5 if purchased via the website or app.
- Free entry for children under three and senior citizens above 65.
- People of Determination with one attendant can enter free of charge.
- Children under three and seniors over 65 also enjoy complimentary entry.
GLOBAL VILLAGE VIP PASS
If you’re looking for a more bougie experience at Global Village, you can opt for a VIP Pack. It is available on a limited basis and gives you access to a VIP concierge, VIP parking at the entrance, a VIP Wonderpass that gives you access to Carnaval and a dedicated dashboard on the Global Village app. Additionally, you will get access to visit attractions in Dubai such as the Burj Al Arab, Sea Breeze, Roxy Cinemas and Dubai Parks and Resorts.
The Global Village VIP Pass prices are as follows:
- Diamond VIP Pack
- Cost: AED 7,000
- Highlights include four car wash vouchers, 200 VIP entry tickets, two VIP Wonder Passes worth AED 3,050, four access to mini golf, four Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!® Combo tickets and more.
- Platinum VIP Pack:
- Cost: AED 2,950
- Highlights include 160 VP Passes, 4 access to mini golf. 2 VIP Wonder Passes worth AED 1,640, star seating at the stunt show and more.
- Gold VIP Pack:
- Cost: AED 2,250
- Highlights include 2 VIP parking vouchers, 2 Wonder Passes worth AED 1,250, 2 Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!® Combo Tickets, 2 free access to mini golf and more.
- Silver VIP Pack:
- Cost: AED 1,750
- Highlights include 100 VIP entry tickets, 2 Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!® Combo Tickets. 2 free access to ‘Adventure Land’, two access to mini golf, star seating at the stunt show and more.
The following terms and conditions usually apply to the purchase of Global Village entry tickets:
- Entry tickets are valid till the end of the season.
- All purchased Global Village tickets are non-refundable.
- A ticket is only valid for a single entry for one person on the day of purchase. The same cannot be used for multiple entries.
- Free entry for People of Determination is guaranteed based on their ID cards.
- The ticket price includes 5% VAT.
Aside from ticket pricing, visitors must be mindful of these regulations:
- Pets and animals are not permitted inside the Global Village park.
- Smoking is prohibited in all park areas, including restaurants and the funfair.
- You cannot bring hoverboards, tricycles, bicycles, roller skates or skateboards inside the Global Village park.
GLOBAL VILLAGE LOCATION AND CONTACT
- Global Village Address: Exit 37, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road
- Contact: +971-4-362-4114
FAQS ABOUT GLOBAL VILLAGE 2024
What are the ticket prices for Global Village season 29?
Tickets for Season 29 Global Village will be on sale later this year. It typically costs AED 20 for entry.
Which bus goes to Global Village?
For those relying on public transport services, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) operates five bus routes to accommodate visitors. AED 10 is the fare for a single trip to the park.
Here are the details of the bus routes:
- Route 102: Available from Centrepoint Bus Station every 60 minutes
- Route 103: Service runs at 40-minute intervals from Al Ittihad Bus Station
- Route 104: From Al Ghubaiba Bus Station to the Global Village every 60 minutes
- Route 106: From the Mall of the Emirates Bus Station at 60-minute intervals
- Route 107: From Al Nahda Bus Station
Additionally, RTA resumed operating electric Abra tours for visitors.
What is the route to take to reach Global Village?
Located along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), it is easily reachable by car. It is also conveniently accessible for those living in Motor City or villas in Arabian Ranches.
Has Global Village Dubai been a part of the World Records?
Yes, the massive entertainment venue has been the backdrop for several world records in Dubai. The most LED lights in a car, the most number of videos in a music medley video and the world’s largest cup of tea were three world records set in Dubai at Global Village.
What will be the Dubai Global Village opening date for the 29th season?
The Global Village opening date for Season 29 will most likely be October 2024, as it previously opened for Season 28 on October 18th, 2023.
IS THERE PARKING AVAILABLE?
There are spaces available for around 23,000 cars at the venue, with multiple exits and entry points.
A visit to Global Village is one of the best things to do in Dubai. You can consider going there with your family during the public holidays in the UAE. Once you do, you will know that it celebrates diversity in its truest sense.
If you want budget-friendly pursuits for your children, check out the several free activities in Dubai for kids. For a better experience, consider the many play areas for kids in Dubai.
Stay tuned to MyBayut for more updates on the ultimate shopping extravaganza of the year.
Note: The cover image is courtesy of the official Global Village Facebook page.
