Spectacular light shows in Dubai you don’t want to miss!
Dubai is known for its unique attractions – from immersive theme parks and innovative museums to thrilling outdoor activities and record-breaking malls. Other attractions that are always a winner with both tourists and residents are the awesome Dubai light shows!
Taking place in the city’s most popular hotspots, these light shows are jaw-dropping spectacles brought to life with light, sound and state-of-the-art technology. So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best light shows in Dubai.
DUBAI LIGHT SHOWS
Every Dubai light show is unique, making each of them a must-visit. And we’ve prepared a list of the best ones in the city. Please note that these shows are free to watch and do not require an entrance fee. Here you go!
IMAGINE – DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY MALL
Get ready to be awestruck by IMAGINE, a spectacular Dubai light and water show that takes place at the Dubai Festival City Mall. One of the major attractions of the mall, IMAGINE combines light, water, fire and sound with the latest entertainment technology to leave you spellbound.
The Dubai Festival City light show takes place on Festival Bay every night after sunset and does not have any entrance fee or charges.
Boasting the world’s largest water screen projection, 30 fountains and surround sound technology, IMAGINE creates a dazzling spectacle with a beautiful story by harmonising light, water and fire. This spectacular Dubai light show has earned 2 Guinness World Records in its very first year.
- Location: Festive Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall
- Timings: Monday to Thursday 07:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Friday to Sunday 07:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Contact: 800-332
BURJ KHALIFA LIGHT SHOW
One of the iconic and popular night light shows in Dubai has to be at Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world! The Burj Khalifa LED shows highlight public holidays and special occasions, like the UAE National Day, New Year’s Eve and more.
However, there are also daily Burj Khalifa light and sound shows, each of which is unique in its own way. These fabulous shows, consisting of vibrant colours and extraordinary detail, are displayed using a staggering 1.2 million LED lights on the facade of Burj Khalifa — making it the largest LED screen in the world!
The iconic landmark has recently announced the return of its dazzling laser show. The Burj Khalifa laser light show will run from Wednesday to Sunday till 31st March 2023.
Looking for the best vantage point to catch this light show in Dubai? We recommend securing a place early along the Souk Al Bahar Bridge, the perfect spot to capture this Dubai light and sound show!
- Location: Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai
- Timings: Thursday to Saturday 07:45 pm – 10:45 pm (after every 30 minutes)
- Contact: +971-4-366-1688
DUBAI FOUNTAIN
The world’s tallest musical fountain, Dubai Fountain, also uses 6,600 powerful lights to create a dazzling effect. The Dubai Mall Fountain stretches 990 ft, the length of two football fields and blends water, light and music to become one of the top attractions at Dubai Mall.
The fountain is choreographed to different songs every show – offering a new experience for audiences each time. Previous songs include Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Hero by Enrique Iglesias and I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston, with water and lights creating beautiful patterns and shapes in the air.
- Location: Burj Khalifa Lake, Outside Dubai Mall
- Timings: Daily from 06:00 pm to 11:00 pm (after every 30 minutes)
- Contact: +971-362-7500
THE PALM FOUNTAIN
You will catch one of the most spectacular light shows in the city at The Palm Fountain – the largest fountain in the world. It spans across the boulevard of the Pointe at Palm Jumeirah, where two giant floating platforms cover 14,000 square metres of seawater.
The magic begins as 3,000 LEDs light up the night sky as the 105-metre-tall fountain dances to renowned musical hits from around the world.
- Location: The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah
- Timings: Monday to Friday 06:00 pm – 10:30 pm | Saturday and Sunday 06:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Contact: 800-625-4335
AYA
Ever wanted to venture to the world beyond the stars? Well now’s your chance because AYA allows you to commune with the natural beauty of the mysterious cosmos. This light and sound park offers 12 unique experiences, including traversing star-filled observatories, strolling through gardens blooming with breathtaking illuminations, and crossing rivers flowing through the infinite. Pretty special, right?
- Location: Wafi Mall
- Timings: Sunday to Thursday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm | Friday and Saturday 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- Contact: 971-4-542-0300
DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL DRONE SHOW
If you’re looking for more options to explore, the DSF Drone Light Show is totally worth checking out! This much-loved spectacular takes place twice nightly from mid-December to late-January each year.
- Location: Bluewaters | The Beach | JBR
- Timings: Mid-December to late-January annually| 07:00 pm – 10:00 pm
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ARE THERE ANY UPCOMING EVENTS IN DUBAI?
Yes, tons! The golden city is a bustling social hub and there’re plenty of annual events in Dubai you can look forward to in 2023. The major ones include Dubai Shopping Festival, Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, Jazz Festival and Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championship.
ARE THERE ANY FREE PLACES TO GO TO IN DUBAI?
If you’re on a budget, you’ll be pleased to know that there are quite a few places to visit in Dubai with family for free. You can go exploring the streets of Al Seef to experience Emirati culture or visit a beach library at Al Mamzar Corniche and Umm Suqeim 1.
That brings an end to our list of light shows in Dubai. You must see it at least once in a lifetime! If you’ve ticked these outdoor attractions in Dubai off your list already, there are plenty of other things to do in Dubai, from VR experiences to ziplining!
If you want to see more of Dubai’s unique attractions, we recommend visiting the most beautiful mosques in the city for a wonderful cultural experience.
