10 Things to Do in Dubai Festival City That’ll Have You Feeling Festive
We went to Dubai Festival City thinking we’d grab lunch, maybe do a little shopping, and head home. Spoiler alert: we ended up spending the whole day there…and didn’t even get around to shopping.
From canal rides and indoor trampoline fun to waterfront dining and even an awesome light show, this area really lives up to the liveliness of its name!
So if you’re bored, hungry, or just trying to escape the heat like we were, here are 10 things to do in Dubai Festival City that’ll keep you cool, full, and entertained.
1. Go on a Dhow Cruise Dinner
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Website: www.atyourservice.ae
Address: Mall – Retail Unit MSS01 – Dubai Festival City – Dubai
Contact Details: +971 4 326 6651
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
Admission Cost: Start at AED 270
You can’t go to the Dubai Festival City and not go on a canal cruise! We tried it and let’s just say—we’re still thinking about that buffet.
The boat was a traditional wooden dhow, kind of like a fancy pirate ship (minus the pirates, plus a dinner buffet), and it sailed slowly along the Dubai Water Canal while the city lights did their thing.
We picked the top deck for fresh air and awesome views. Dinner was a big buffet with all kinds of food–there was grilled meat, rice, salads, and a pasta station that kids loved!
There’s live entertainment too! A saxophonist performs tableside to serenade couples and families. For outgoing guests, dancing is encouraged–great news for those looking for the perfect moment to show their best moves and test their balance!
Pro Tip:
The top deck has the nicest view of the skyline and a cool breeze while you eat. Those seats fill up fast, so it’s worth arriving a little ahead of time.
2. Ride an Abra along Dubai Creek
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Website: www.atyourservice.ae
Address: Mall – Retail Unit MSS01 – Dubai Festival City – Dubai
Contact Details: +971 4 326 6651
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
Admission Costs: Start at AED 70
If you’re around Dubai Festival City and want to skip the usual taxi or metro ride, try something a bit more fun–like hopping on an abra! We gave it a go, and honestly, it was way more enjoyable than we expected. Plus, it didn’t hurt our wallets.
For a quick and super affordable trip, the RTA air-conditioned abra that runs between Al Jaddaf and Dubai Festival City (BM2 route) is a great option! It’s only AED 2 one-way, and the ride is very comfortable.
The boats are more modern than traditional. Still, it’s a convenient way to connect from the Creek Metro Station without having to deal with traffic!
But for those who really want the full experience, go for the sightseeing abra cruise that departs right from Dubai Festival City instead. We did the one-hour ride in the late afternoon, and it was such a relaxing way to see the city!
The wooden abra itself felt authentic and charming, and gave us views of the Burj Khalifa and Business Bay Bridge from the Dubai Water Canal.
Pro Tip:
For those doing the Sightseeing cruise, make sure to book your slots fast! The sunset schedule is the best time to go…but it’s also very popular and the slots run out quickly.
For those taking the RTA, keep a few dirhams handy because the tickets are cheaper than coffee!
3. Watch a Movie at VOX Cinemas
Media Credit: https://www.instagram.com/voxcinemas
Website: https://uae.voxcinemas.com/
Address: Dubai Festival City – Dubai (in Dubai Festival City Mall)
Contact Details: 600 599905
For those looking to spend a few fun hours in Dubai Festival City, check out VOX Cinemas!
We went for the IMAX experience, and at some point, we forgot we were just watching a movie. The screen was super clear and the sound was so strong and real, it felt like we were inside the movie—thankfully without any lion fights (it was the Mufasa movie).
The whole place is tidy, and the seats are comfy enough to make you consider a quick nap.
Another highlight is the staff! The team at the snack bar were all smiles and efficient–they had our snacks ready before we even finished arguing about who gets the large popcorn.
The ushers were like friendly ninjas—calm, quick, and super helpful. They showed us to our seats so smoothly, we completely forgot we were running late!
Pro Tip:
Book your tickets online—it’s quick, easy, and time-saving. The VOX app or website lets you pick your seats without waiting in line!
4. Catch the IMAGINE Show
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Website: https://www.dubaifestivalcitymall.com/home/whats-inside/Entertainment/imagine/
Address: Dubai Festival City – Dubai (in Dubai Festival City Mall)
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday – 6 to 10 PM; Friday to Sunday – 6 to 11 PM
Dubai loves breaking records—whether it’s with buildings, malls, or giant landmarks. But it also really loves a good fountain show. Most people have heard of the famous one in Downtown, but not everyone knows there’s another incredible show at Dubai Festival City.
It’s called IMAGINE, and it’s a very creative mix of fountains, lights, lasers, and fire. This show is one of the mall’s biggest highlights and, in true Dubai fashion, it holds not one but two Guinness World Records—for the world’s largest water screen projection and the largest permanent projection mapping.
The show happens every evening at Festival Bay, right outside the mall. We could barely keep up with all the things happening at once—fountains moving in sync, lasers sweeping the sky, and a story playing out on water screens.
The best part? It’s totally free. We watched from the waterfront promenade, but there were plenty of people enjoying the view from restaurant patios nearby too.
Pro Tip:
Shows run every 30 minutes from 7 to 10 PM on weekdays, and until 11 PM on weekends. That means more time to enjoy the show on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!
5. Enjoy a Staycation at Holiday INN
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Address: Gateway Ave – Dubai Festival City – Dubai
Contact Details: +971 4 603 5000
Star Rating: 4-star
Price Range: $$$
We stayed at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Dubai Festival City and didn’t want to leave—except maybe to go shopping next door. The hotel is just a short walk from the Dubai Festival City Mall, and only a quick drive from the airport.
(Super convenient, especially for travelers who are jetlagged and just want a bed and a snack.)
The rooms were spacious, clean, and had everything we needed—from a comfy bed to a minibar we definitely opened more than once. We even had a little balcony!
The rooftop pool quickly became our favorite hangout–we swam, watched the sunset, and felt on top of the world.
We also love the quality of service at this hotel. Everyone was ridiculously nice! When it comes to dining, we enjoyed the food at the Sirocco Restaurant–the buffet has plenty of offerings for adults and kids, so even the pickiest eaters will find something to eat!
Pro Tip:
Got a birthday, anniversary, or just feel like celebrating yourself? Let the staff know—they’ve been known to break out cake, candles, and even a surprise song.
6. Bring the Kids to Leo&Loona Kids Park
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Website: https://leoloona.ae/
Address: Festival City Mall – 2nd floor – Crescent Rd – Dubai Festival City – Dubai
Contact Details: +971 4 237 5454
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday – 10 AM to 11 PM; Friday to Sunday – 10 AM to 12 AM
Admission Costs: AED 89 for one hour; AED 179 for the full day on weekdays; AED 229 for the whole on weekends
We spent an afternoon at Leo & Loona Kids Park in Dubai Festival City, and let’s just say—no one wanted to leave. The kids were living their best lives, and we actually got to drink a smoothie in relative peace. That alone earns it a gold star!
This place is a giant indoor playground filled with long slides, a massive ball pit, a tiny pretend supermarket (where our toddler insisted on “buying” ten pineapples), and a bunch of other fun zones that kept the kids busy and happy for hours.
There’s also a real (yes, not a pretend one) sit-down restaurant in the middle of the playground! We tried the Truffle & Mushroom Rigatoni, Pepperoni Pizza, a Chef’s Burger, and Mac & Cheese from the kids’ menu were all huge hits!
Pro Tip:
Go on a weekday if you can. It’s much less crowded, the kids have more space to play, and everything feels calmer. It’s a lot easier to enjoy when there’s less noise and chaos!
7. Enjoy Emirati Cuisine at Al Fanar
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Website: https://www.alfanarrestaurant.com/
Address: Ground Floor, Dubai Festival City Mall, Near P.F.Chang’s, Canal Walk – Dubai
Contact Details: +971 4 232 9966
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 12 to 11 PM
Price Range: $$
We found Al Fanar Restaurant & Café while wandering around Dubai Festival City Mall and decided to give it a try. The place looked like a little time machine–very old Dubai with sand-colored walls.
(If you see a parked truck by the entrance or a camel in the middle of the restaurants, you know you’ve found the right place!)
The food stayed true to the theme. We had dishes that tasted like home-cooked Emirati favorites—Legaimat, Karak tea, Arabic coffee, and even all-day traditional breakfast dishes. Everything had that comforting, traditional flavor that reminded us of home!
The staff were super friendly. Our server made sure we knew which sauces went with what, and he even convinced us to try something we wouldn’t usually pick that turned out to be a really good call.
But perhaps one of the best parts of our experience was getting to sit outside by the water and view the fountain show–so basically it was all the highlights of being in Dubai all in one dinner!
Pro Tip:
If you want a table with a great view of the fountain show, it’s best to come early or make a reservation. The outdoor seats with the view are super popular and go quickly, especially in the evening/
8. Bounce Around at Bounce-X
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Website: https://bounce.ae/venue-bounce-x/
Address: Bounce X – Dubai Festival City – Dubai
Contact Details: +971 4 304 9333
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 12 AM
Admission Costs:
I was already tired just at the thought of spending an afternoon in a trampoline park, but Bounce X in Dubai Festival City made me a little jealous of the kids by the end of it!
This place is huge—4,500 square meters of trampolines, ninja warrior-style courses, and wild parkour zones. It’s a giant indoor playground great for kids with lots of energy (and tired parents like us who need them to burn it all off).
The space is big, bright, and packed with connected trampolines, obstacle courses, and interactive zones that keep kids and adults moving–a great place for families to get active and have a laugh (at least when mom and dad aren’t panicking when the jumping gets too high).
The whole place feels clean and well-kept. Staff were kind and helpful, keeping an eye on everything and making sure everyone stays safe. And for moms and dads, there’s a small café to catch a break in the middle of all the crazy!
Pro Tip:
Shy kids or kids who don’t speak English will still have a great time here. The staff are kind and patient, and they make sure everyone feels safe and included.
9. Shop Til You Drop During the Dubai Shopping Festival
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Website: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/whats-on/dsf
Address: Dubai Festival City Mall – Crescent Rd – Dubai Festival City – Dubai
Contact Details: +971 800 332
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 12 AM
Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is one of the biggest annual events we look forward to, because honestly, it’s not just about shopping!
For first-timers, DSF is a month-long celebration packed with concerts, fireworks, food, entertainment, raffles, and more! It usually runs from mid-December to mid-January, right when the weather in Dubai is perfect for being outdoors.
The whole city gets involved, but one of our favorite spots to experience it is in Dubai Festival City Mall! The mall and Festival Bay turn into festival grounds for 38 days straight during this time—yes, every single day.
The nights kick off with the famous IMAGINE shows, but during DSF, brand-new shows are created just for the festival, so there’s something to look forward to each year! There are also firework shows and concerts by famous Arab artists every Saturday.
And it’s not a festival without delicious food! Trendy food trucks and pop-up restaurants keep us very well-fed.
Pro Tip:
Make sure to follow the official social media accounts of Dubai Festivals for the latest info on the DSF! They post all the latest updates—concert times, surprise performances, new food stalls, and any last-minute changes!
10. Find Comfort in Comfort Food at The Cheesecake Factory
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Website: https://www.thecheesecakefactoryme.com/uae/en/home/
Address: Dubai Festival City Mall – Dubai Festival City – Dubai
Contact Details: +971 4 419 0880
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday – 10 AM to 11 PM; Friday to Sunday – 10 AM to 12 AM
Price Range:
If you’re visiting Dubai Festival City and want a filling, comforting meal, The Cheesecake Factory is a great choice! Believe it or not–the place doesn’t only offer cheesecake–they’ve got a wide selection of savory comfort food too!
As soon as we sat down, they brought some warm buns. It didn’t even stand a chance—we finished it before the menus were even opened.
We went for the Chicken Madeira and the Cajun Salmon–both full of flavor and clearly made fresh! There was enough food to share, but we pretended not to notice and powered through.
Dessert, obviously, was non-negotiable. We started with the Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake—it was so rich and chocolaty that we ordered a light and fruity Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake to balance things out (and you know, for the pineapple vitamins).
Pro Tip:
Sharing is a smart move, especially if you’re not a big eater! The main dishes are huge—more than enough for two people. You’ll still have room left for dessert, which is the real star anyway.