These days, Global Village is known as a family-friendly centre where UAE residents and tourists can shop, eat and be entertained all in one place.
But when it first opened in 1997, things looked a bit different. It was a modest collection of kiosks along Dubai Creek, built around a simple idea: to give people a taste of different cultures through food, handicrafts and small performances.
Over time, the concept has grown into something much bigger. It has since shifted from its temporary spot on the Creek to larger venues, eventually finding a permanent home near Exit 37 on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Nearly three decades later, Global Village has become one of the UAE’s most popular attractions. With more than 3,500 shopping outlets and 250 dining options representing 90 cultures in the past season, it now draws millions of visitors each year.
The new season, which will open on October 15, marks the attraction's 30th anniversary. In honour of that milestone, here are 30 facts to celebrate three decades of Global Village.
1. Global Village welcomed its first visitors during the Dubai Shopping Festival on October 4, 1997.
2. In its early years, pavilions were set up in tent-like structures.
3. The attraction was also in the Oud Metha Area near Wafi City before finally settling in its permanent location in 2005.
4. Each season introduces new pavilions or attractions, meaning new experiences for repeat visitors.
5. Pavilion designs often incorporate recognisable global landmarks, such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the Egyptian pyramids.
6. The park is organised into regions representing Mena, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas and South Asia.
7. Seasonal programming ensures that attractions and line-ups change each year.
8. Global Village has set several Guinness World Records, including the world’s largest cup of tea and the largest lantern display.
9. The venue features more than 3,500 retail outlets in one location.
10. Shoppers can find handmade goods such as carpets, ceramics and jewellery.
11. There are more than 250 food outlets, covering a wide variety of cuisines.
12. The Mini World zone displays 25 miniature landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and Burj Khalifa.
13. About 40,000 live performances are staged each season, ranging from music to theatre.
14. Global Village has expanded its food options to include floating markets and themed dining areas.
15. Global Village schedules fireworks displays twice a week throughout the season.
16. Ticket prices start at about Dh25, making it one of Dubai’s more affordable entertainment venues.
17. Entry is free for children under 3, senior citizens and people of determination.
18. Across its history, Global Village has welcomed more than 100 million visitors.
19. Visitors have access to free shuttle trains and buses from the parking areas to the main gates.
20. Global Village regularly features international performers, such as Jason Derulo, Zara Larsson, Amr Diab and Bollywood singers Atif Aslam and Fawad Khan. Film stars also regularly make appearances to interact with fans.
21. More than 90 cultures are represented in pavilions each year.
22. In some seasons, the park has drawn more than nine million visitors.
23. Entertainment has included stunt shows, musicals and street performances.
24. Global Village celebrated its silver jubilee season in 2020.
25. The park’s seasonal format runs from mid-October to early May, aligned with Dubai’s cooler months.
26. In 2023, it was named the most popular attraction in the UAE by British market research company YouGov.
27. Roaming performers and parades are part of the daily entertainment schedule.
28. Facilities are designed to be wheelchair-accessible, with ramps and adapted toilets available.
29. The venue is consistently listed among the most-visited seasonal attractions worldwide.
30. For the 30th anniversary, management has announced special programming and celebrations.
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.”
Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
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How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.
“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December."
Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
- Steve Baker
- Peter Bone
- Ben Bradley
- Andrew Bridgen
- Maria Caulfield
- Simon Clarke
- Philip Davies
- Nadine Dorries
- James Duddridge
- Mark Francois
- Chris Green
- Adam Holloway
- Andrea Jenkyns
- Anne-Marie Morris
- Sheryll Murray
- Jacob Rees-Mogg
- Laurence Robertson
- Lee Rowley
- Henry Smith
- Martin Vickers
- John Whittingdale
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Planes grounded by coronavirus
British Airways: Cancels all direct flights to and from mainland China
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific: Cutting capacity to/from mainland China by 50 per cent from Jan. 30
Chicago-based United Airlines: Reducing flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong
Ai Seoul: Suspended all flights to China
Finnair: Suspending flights to Nanjing and Beijing Daxing until the end of March
Indonesia's Lion Air: Suspending all flights to China from February
South Korea's Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air and Jin Air: Suspend all flights
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
