Global Village: what to expect from the new season at Dubai's international theme park

A world of food, entertainment and shopping is set to open for its 24th exciting season on October 29

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 8, 2018. 

Visitors at Global Village.

(Photo by Reem Mohammed/The National)

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Dubai's Global Village is set to reopen its doors for another thrilling season on Tuesday, October 29. The international theme park is returning for its 24th season, and will remain open until Saturday, April 4, 2020.

For the upcoming season, there will be more than 3,500 shopping outlets from almost 80 countries that will be "bringing the world to you", offering products from around the world, across 25 country pavilions.

As well as shopping, there will also be international dining, thrilling entertainment, including the Ripley's Believe it or Not! attraction, and carnival shows.

According to Global Village, it will have more than 20,000 entertainment shows, with concerts featuring international superstar singers' every Friday of the season at 9pm. Jason Derulo, Atif Aslam, Liam Payne and Elissa have all played at the venue in the past. There are also fireworks displays every Thursday and Friday night.

Last season, more than seven million people visited Global Village, and they rated it an impressive 9.1 out of 10 on Dubai's happiness scale.

The park is open from 4pm until midnight, from Saturday to Wednesday; 4pm until 1am on Thursdays, Fridays and public holidays. It is expected that entry will remain Dh15 per person.

VIP packages 

Global Village has launched VIP packages – which will give visitors access to a host of new benefits, and are set to go on sale at 10am on Saturday, September 28, 2019.

The benefits include a VIP parking car pass as well as VIP entry tickets, Carnaval cards, and Circus cards. Plus, new features this season include cards to enter the region's first Ripley's Believe it or Not! attraction museum, in addition to access to Stunt Show: Survivor.

The packs are available in three categories, Platinum, Gold and Silver, all offering the same benefits but in varying quantities.

Only guests over the age of 18 will be able to purchase VIP packs, they are limited to a maximum of two per guest and a valid Emirates ID is required at the time of purchase.

The Platinum package costs Dh5,000 and includes dedicated reserved parking in the VIP parking zone; Gold costs Dh1,900 and Silver is Dh1,300. They are available to buy from Virgin Megastores.

Things to look out for at Dubai's Global Village 

In the shopping areas, you can find everything from Persian rugs to locally made incense burners, and Moroccan-style home decor to leather sandals from India. If you're looking for something slightly cultural to add to your life or abode, you're bound to find it here.

There are also stalls selling gourmet treats for you to take home and stock your pantry with. Historically, one of the most coveted is pure honey from the Yemeni mountains that can be picked up for Dh250 per kilo.

This year, the region’s first Ripley's Believe it or Not! museum is coming to Global Village.

The American attraction is "known for offering exotic and unique intricacies from around the world and will be offering a brand new entertainment experience for the millions of Global Village’s guests," the park has announced.