• Global Village reopened for its 27th season on October 25, 2022. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Global Village reopened for its 27th season on October 25, 2022. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The family-friendly destination returned with various new attractions
    The family-friendly destination returned with various new attractions
  • Drum group Aainjaa perform at the reopening of Global Village
    Drum group Aainjaa perform at the reopening of Global Village
  • The first of many visitors for the new season
    The first of many visitors for the new season
  • The team behind Global Village said they worked all summer to improve existing attractions and dream up new ones
    The team behind Global Village said they worked all summer to improve existing attractions and dream up new ones
  • Global Village is one of Dubai's longest-running and most popular attractions.
    Global Village is one of Dubai's longest-running and most popular attractions.
  • Global Village season 27 ran until April 30, 2023
    Global Village season 27 ran until April 30, 2023
  • Confetti rains on visitors at the opening of season 27
    Confetti rains on visitors at the opening of season 27
  • Global Village opened from 4pm to midnight from Sunday to Wednesday and 4pm to 1am from Thursday to Saturday.
    Global Village opened from 4pm to midnight from Sunday to Wednesday and 4pm to 1am from Thursday to Saturday.
  • The attraction is hugely popular with residents and tourists — especially families with young children.
    The attraction is hugely popular with residents and tourists — especially families with young children.
  • The attraction comes alive at night
    The attraction comes alive at night
  • Entry to the new Road to Asia.
    Entry to the new Road to Asia.
  • Afghan music is played in the country's pavilion
    Afghan music is played in the country's pavilion
  • Joan Capers sells her Vietnamese gifts along the Road to Asia
    Joan Capers sells her Vietnamese gifts along the Road to Asia
  • Mohammed Ayan sells jackets at his stall in the Afghanistan pavilion
    Mohammed Ayan sells jackets at his stall in the Afghanistan pavilion
  • There are plenty of sights and sounds to take in
    There are plenty of sights and sounds to take in
  • The amusement park at Global Village is popular with people of all ages
    The amusement park at Global Village is popular with people of all ages
  • Dancers at the China pavilion
    Dancers at the China pavilion
  • Preparing halwa, a traditional dessert, at the Oman pavilion
    Preparing halwa, a traditional dessert, at the Oman pavilion
  • The fair features performances by singers, dancers, acrobats and many others
    The fair features performances by singers, dancers, acrobats and many others
  • The House of Fear is a fixture for thrill-seekers
    The House of Fear is a fixture for thrill-seekers
  • Many pavilions are given makeovers each season
    Many pavilions are given makeovers each season
  • Preparing traditional Emirati food
    Preparing traditional Emirati food

Lifestyle

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Global Village is so popular, it's coming back earlier this year

The family attraction in Dubai, which closed on April 30, will open on October 18

David Tusing

June 08, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Due to overwhelming public demand, popular family attraction Global Village will now open on October 18, a week earlier than previous years.

The 27th season of open-air entertainment attracted nine million visitors during its last stint, from October 25 to April 30, according to a Global Village representative.

The attraction shuts down for summer each year, and season 28 is scheduled to run from October 18 to April 28, 2024.

One of the main attractions of Global Village are the country and regional pavilions where guests can experience various cultures through food and shopping.

There were 27 pavilions in the latest season, with Qatar and Oman joining the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Africa, the Americas, China, Egypt, Europe, India, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Yemen and Russia.

Several new attractions were also added, including a 660-square-metre House of Fear, Big Balloon observation experience, Diggers Lab for children to play at construction work and Heroes Gallery, a movie memorabilia exhibition. An eco-friendly ice rink also made its debut last season.

Fireworks go off to celebrate Eid Al Fitr at Global Village, Dubai. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Fireworks go off to celebrate Eid Al Fitr at Global Village, Dubai. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Also new was Road of Asia, a pedestrian street with 43 kiosks that offer food and products from countries not represented in the pavilions. The 13 destinations featured along the street include Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Brunei, Laos, Vietnam, Nepal, Bhutan and the Philippines.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium, the section showcasing weird and wonderful oddities, also added more than 50 new exhibits, including a 14-foot-long killer crocodile, a model containing more than one million matchsticks and even a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired display. The attraction is the first of its kind in the region.

Meanwhile, the popular carnival section featured more than 170 rides and games.

Global Village is also known for its extensive food offerings and there were more than 200 restaurants, cafes and culinary kiosks for visitors to try.

Performances in the latest season included shows by Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance, Yemeni singer Balqees, Egyptian singer Mahmoud El Esseily, Bollywood singer Neha Kakkar, and Lebanese singers Myriam Fares and Nancy Ajram.

Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

Updated: June 08, 2023, 8:06 AM
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