Dubai Fountain, one of the city's best-known attractions, is closing for five months for renovation. Its last show will take place on April 19. Upgrades are set to begin in May to introduce advanced technology, improved choreography and an enhanced sound and lighting system to make the experience more immersive, say developers Emaar.
While the popular Downtown Dubai attraction is closed there are other spots in the UAE to watch a dancing fountain show. Here are some to visit.
Atlantis The Royal, Dubai
Luxury hotel Atlantis The Royal wowed the world with its ambitious design elements, which through a mix of sculptures, fountains and installations pay tribute to the power of water. At the centre of this is Skyblaze, a 28 metre-high fire and water fountain that encapsulates myriad water forms, fire bursts, lights and music each night.
Marina Walk, Dubai
The Marina Dancing Fountain by Emaar is on the 7km pedestrianised Marina Walk. While it may be smaller than others, the fountain still offers an impressive and colourful nightly display that lights up in time to music. There are shows every 20 minutes, from 9am to 11pm and 6pm to 10pm. The fountain can be found between Starbucks and NRG gym.
Imagine, Dubai Festival City Mall
Dubai Festival City Mall’s Imagine Show, which takes place nightly in Festival City Bay, is a multisensory experience that combines lasers, lights and flames all working in time with music. Using lasers, Imagine projects images and stories on to the water fountains. The shows take place every half an hour starting from 7pm to 11pm.
Al Majaz Waterfront, Sharjah
At Sharjah’s Al Majaz Waterfront, a nightly schedule of fountain shows follows themes of poetry, music and heritage. The colourful shows are set against the backdrop of Sharjah’s skyline, and can also be watched from the deck of abras and dhows floating by the waterfront. From Saturday to Wednesday, there are shows from 6.30pm to 11.30pm, while on Thursday and Friday the last show is at 12.30am.
The Fountains at Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi
Several restaurants at Yas Mall offer al fresco dining overlooking The Fountains, which light up throughout the day to entertain shoppers. The shows between noon and 2pm, and 6.30pm and 10pm each day are choreographed to light and music, making those the best times to stop by. All shows are 30 minutes.
Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
The Emirates Palace Fountain is a pleasant spot to visit, with water displays set to music and lights. Located in front of the entrance of the hotel, it offers a relaxing atmosphere, especially in the evening when the lights come on. The fountain operates daily from 3pm to 11.30pm. During the cooler months, there's even an outdoor cafe nearby.
Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi
Yas Marina’s fountain is a family favourite, where children often gather during the day to run between the plumes of water that shoot from the ground. By night, the fountain lights up to music, to be enjoyed by parents and children alike.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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SQUADS
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