Dubai Festival City FAQS – Everything you need to know
Dubai Festival City (DFC) is a modern, family-oriented district that has gained immense popularity in a relatively short space of time. This massive 5.2 million sq.m mixed-use development set along the Dubai Creek is home to Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall, and the immersive laser, light and fountain show – IMAGINE Dubai. Whether you are a tourist, a Dubai resident or visiting from a neighbouring emirate, Dubai Festival City has so much to offer.
We’ve put together a list Dubai Festival City FAQs to inform on absolutely everything you could possibly need to know about this vibrant area of the city.
DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY FAQS
Dubai Festival City Mall might be the most popular location in the area, with more than 400 outlets and 75 cafes, restaurants and bistros…but there’s a lot more to DFC than just the mall. Read our FAQs about to find out everything you can see and do in Dubai Festival City.
WHAT IS DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY?
Dubai Festival City is a popular district in the city comprising residential, commercial and entertainment options.
WHERE IS DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY LOCATED?
DFC is located alongside the serene Dubai Creek. The address is Crescent Drive, Festival Boulevard Dubai. Nearby areas include Al Garhoud, Umm Ramool, Nad Shamma and Ras Al Khor.
IS DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY MALL OWNED BY MAJID AL FUTTAIM?
DFC’s star attraction, Dubai Festival City Mall, is owned by Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate, a different entity from MAF.
WHAT ARE THE BEST 5-STAR HOTELS IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY?
There are two 5 star hotels in DFC – the InterContinental Dubai Festival City and Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City. Besides these, you’ll also find the 4-star InterContinental Residence Suites in DFC.
WHAT IS THE BEST SCHOOL IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY?
The list of top schools in DFC and the nearby vicinity includes the Deira International School, Universal American School and Cambridge International School .
GETTING TO DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY
If you are new to Dubai or heading here on a vacation, this section of Dubai Festival City FAQs should prove useful. Here is how you can reach Dubai Festival City using different modes of transport.
HOW TO GO TO DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY?
You can reach DFC either by bus, personal vehicles or taxis.
The RTA buses that can get you to DFC include 24, 32C, 43, 44 and 53.
Those travelling via personal cars can reach the destination via Sheikh Zayed Road and taking exit 58 on Al Garhoud Bridge. Similarly, those driving from Al Khail Road, can come via Al Jaddaf, and pass by the Business Bay Crossing to get to DFC. If you are coming from Sharjah, Rebat Street is a good route to take.
HOW TO GET TO DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY BY METRO?
Dubai Metro, at this point in time, doesn’t serve Dubai Festival City directly. However, you can take a bus from the Emirates Metro Station (Red Line), which is just 8 minutes away from the district.
Other nearby stations include Creek Metro Station and Al Jadaf Metro Station served by the Green Line of Dubai Metro. You can reach both stations in less than 10 minutes via the Business Bay Crossing. Both stations have buses that serve DFC.
HOW TO GO TO DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY FROM BURJUMAN?
Reach BurJuman Metro Station and use the Red Line to get to Airport Terminal 1 Metro Station. Alight and board a bus that stops at Dubai Festival City, IKEA1.
HOW FAR IS DEIRA CITY CENTER TO DUBAI FESTIVAL MALL?
It is roughly a 30 minute drive to reach DFC from Deira City Centre.
HOW FAR IS IT FROM ACADEMIC CITY TO FESTIVAL CITY DUBAI?
It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach DFC from Academic City.
HOW FAR IS FESTIVAL CITY FROM BUR DUBAI?
It is roughly a 50-minute drive to reach DFC from Bur Dubai.
HOW TO GET FROM JOOD PALACE TO DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY?
The 53 Bus runs between DFC and Jood Palace.
HOW TO GET TO BOWLING CITY IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY?
It will take just under 30 mins to reach Bowling City from DFC using the 53 Bus.
IS THE INTERCONTINENTAL DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM THE MALL?
It is a 20-to-25 minute walk from DFC Mall to the InterContinental DFC.
THINGS TO DO IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY
Planning a visit to Dubai Festival City? The things to do section of our Dubai Festival City FAQs list is the perfect guide.
WHAT TO SEE IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY?
There are some outstanding attractions in Dubai Festival City.
- Festival Wheel: A 40-metre high ferris wheel with 30 capsules for visitors to enjoy spectacular views of Dubai.
- IMAGINE – Dubai Festival City Laser Show: Record-breaking air, fire and water show.
- Dhow Rides: Enjoy a traditional Abra ride.
- Dream Aero Flight Simulator: Experience what it feels like to fly up close and personal on a Boeing 737.
- BOUNCE-X: World’s first Freestyle Terrain Park
- Fabyland: Indoor play area for kids
- Stay & Play: Indoor play area for kids
- Dubai Festival City Cinema: Watch the latest blockbusters at Novo Cinemas.
- The Arch: A thrilling experience at the state-of-the-art Xtreme Adventure Park
WHAT IS THERE FOR KIDS AT FESTIVAL CITY DUBAI?
Fabyland and Stay & Place are two fabulous indoor play areas for kids where they can enjoy dozens of rides and games.
WHAT ARE THE STARTING TIMES OF THE DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY FOUNTAIN SHOW?
You can enjoy the breathtaking IMAGINE fountain show at at the following times:
- Sunday to Wednesday: 6:30pm, 7:30pm, 8:30pm, 9:30pm
- Thursday to Saturday: 6:30pm, 7:30pm, 8:30pm, 9:30pm, 10:30pm, 11:30pm.
ALL ABOUT THE DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY MALL
Here is everything you need to know about Al Futtaim’s DFC Mall.
WHAT IS THE BEST MALL IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY?
Dubai Festival City Mall is universally recognised as the best mall in DFC. With over 400 local and international retail stores, it is one of the top malls in Dubai.
WHAT ARE THE BEST STORES IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY MALL?
There are over 400 stores in Dubai Festival Mall, so it’s tough picking the cream of a very special crop. It’s better to check our comprehensive guide to the stores in Dubai Festival City Mall.
IS THERE A DAMAS IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY?
Yes, you can visit Damas Jewelry on the first floor of the Dubai Festival City Mall.
WHERE IS THE KHAADI OUTLET IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY?
Khaadi is located on the ground floor of Dubai Festival City Mall. It is among the best Dubai Pakistani boutiques.
WHAT ARE THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY?
There are 35 restaurants and 19 cafes in DFC Mall, so you have plenty to choose from. Some of the most popular include Hard Rock Café, Café Bateel, P.F Chang’s, Cheesecake Factory, Motomachi Japanese Restaurant, Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe, Sugar Factory and Paul. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy a royal feast at Festival Bay.
Check out our overview of the best restaurants in Dubai Festival City to find out more.
WHERE IS STARBUCKS LOCATED IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY MALL?
Starbucks is located on the ground floor of DFC Mall.
IS THERE TIM HORTONS IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY?
At the time of writing (May 2021) there is no Tim Hortons branch in DFC.
This concludes our list of Dubai Festival City FAQs. As you can see there are a variety of things on offer in DFC. It has one of the best malls in Dubai, some wonderful outdoor attractions, a host of top-class restaurants and more. As for transportation, it is fairly easy to reach from most areas of Dubai.
Thinking about moving to DFC? Our article on the pros and con of living in Dubai Festival City is very much worth 5 minutes of your time. Spoiler alert – there’s definitely more pros than cons!
Want to know what it’s living like in other Dubai neighbourhoods? Read Bayut Area Guides for comprehensive overviews.
