Global Village is Dubai’s big open-air winter fair, a park of country pavilions, street food, shopping stalls, rides and stage shows that runs each year from autumn to spring. Season 31 opened on 14 October 2026 and runs until May 2027. Entry costs AED 25 on weekdays and AED 30 on any day, and it opens at 4pm. Here are the dates, ticket rules, hours and the easiest ways to get there.
Know before you go
- Season 31: 14 October 2026 to May 2027
- Tickets: AED 25 weekday (Monday to Thursday), AED 30 any day
- Free entry: Children under 3, seniors over 65, People of Determination plus one companion
- Hours: 4pm to midnight Sunday to Wednesday, 4pm to 1am Thursday to Saturday
- Tuesdays: Reserved for families, couples and ladies (except public holidays)
In this Article
What Global Village is
Global Village is run by Dubai Holding Entertainment. According to the Season 31 opening announcement, this season has 29 pavilions representing more than 90 cultures, over 3,500 shopping outlets, more than 250 dining options and over 200 attractions. There are also around 40,000 shows across the season, from stage performances to street acts.
The pavilions are the core of it. Each one is a themed facade with stalls inside selling food, crafts, clothes and household goods from its country or region. Season 31 adds refreshed experiences at the Sri Lanka pavilion and the combined Russia and Azerbaijan pavilion, and new facades at Syria and Kuwait.
Global Village Dubai dates for Season 31
Season 31 opened at 6pm on 14 October 2026. The organisers give the end date only as May 2027, so check the official website closer to the time if you plan a late-season visit. In practice the most comfortable months are November to March, when Dubai evenings are cool enough for a long walk outdoors.
Global Village tickets and prices
There are two standard entry tickets, both including 5% VAT:
| Ticket | Price | Valid |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday | AED 25 | Monday to Thursday, excluding public holidays |
| Any Day | AED 30 | Any day, including weekends and public holidays |
The entry terms say these groups enter free:
- Children under 3
- Seniors over 65
- People of Determination ID card holders, plus one companion
Some rules worth knowing before you buy:
- Tickets are sold on the Global Village website, in the app and at the gates. Online tickets arrive by email as a PDF with a QR code.
- Each ticket is for one person and one entry, with no re-entry.
- Tickets are not refundable, and lost tickets are not replaced.
- Tickets bought at the counter or vending machines are only valid on the day of purchase.
Rides at Carnaval, the ride area, and some attractions such as the haunted house are paid separately inside the park.
Opening hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday to Wednesday | 4pm to midnight |
| Thursday to Saturday and public holidays | 4pm to 1am |
Entry gates close half an hour before the park closes. Tuesdays, other than public holidays, are reserved for families, couples and ladies, so groups of men visiting together should pick another day. Some public holidays are also declared family days, which the park announces on its website and social channels.
What to see and do
Most people spend an evening walking from pavilion to pavilion, eating as they go. A few things to look for:
- The pavilions. Look for the regional food stalls, spice and dry fruit sellers, carpets, lamps and textiles.
- Restaurant Plaza, next to Carnaval and overlooking the Falcon Stage, with sit-down dining and live shows.
- Carnaval, the ride area, with attractions such as Dragon Kingdom, Horror Hotel, Secrets of the Lost City and Exo Planet City. A new coaster, Tokyo Rush, is due later in the season.
- The Festival Wheel, back with refreshed carts, for a view over the park.
- The Gardens of the World, a quieter area for photos.
- A redesigned Season 31 Passport and a new Kids Passport, which you stamp at each pavilion.
Indian visitors often head for the India pavilion for snacks, textiles and jewellery, and the shopping stalls from Pakistan, Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan are popular for dry fruits, carpets and sweets. Bargaining is common at the stalls, so ask for a better price before you pay.
How to get to Global Village
Global Village is on the eastern edge of the city, so plan for a 20 to 40 minute ride from most hotels.
By public bus, four RTA routes serve the park during the season:
- Bus 102 from Centrepoint Metro Station
- Bus 103 from Union Metro Station, via Al Rebat Street
- Bus 104 from Ghubaiba Bus Station, via Max Fashion Metro Station
- Bus 106 from Mall of the Emirates Metro Station, via Al Barsha and Al Quoz
The buses usually run from 3.15pm to 11.15pm daily and take about 30 minutes. Pay with a Nol card.
By taxi or ride-hailing app, ask for the main gate. Expect queues for cars at closing time on weekends.
By car, there are several free parking zones 400 to 450 metres from the Gate of the World entrance, a paid zone at AED 75 a day near Happiness Gate and another at AED 120 a day. On weekends and busy days, extra free parking opens about 1 km away, with a free shuttle bus or a rickshaw from AED 10 to the Cultural Gate.
Rules to know
The park has a clear set of entry rules:
- Respectful dress is required. Shoulders and knees should be covered for men and women.
- Outside food and drinks are not allowed in.
- Suitcases and travel luggage are not allowed, and bags may go through an X-ray.
- Pets are not allowed.
- Skateboards, bikes and scooters cannot be used unless rented inside.
- Smoking is only allowed in marked areas.
- Children are given free safety wristbands at the ticket booths and information kiosks.
Tips for a good evening
- Go on a weekday. Monday to Thursday tickets are cheaper and the crowds are thinner. If you are not a family group, avoid Tuesdays.
- Arrive at opening time, 4pm, to see the pavilions in daylight and then stay for the lights after sunset.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The park is large and almost everything is outdoors.
- Carry some cash for small stalls, though cards are widely taken.
- Check the events page for fireworks nights, concerts and festival days such as Diwali celebrations.
Global Village fits well into the evening of a desert or city day. Our Dubai itinerary for 4 days shows how to fit it in, and you could pair it with a desert safari in Dubai on another evening. If you still need a visa, start with the Dubai visa for Indians guide.
FAQ
What is the Global Village Dubai ticket price?
AED 25 for a weekday ticket (Monday to Thursday, excluding public holidays) and AED 30 for an any-day ticket. Both include VAT.
When does Global Village Season 31 close?
The season runs from 14 October 2026 to May 2027. The exact closing date in May had not been announced on the official pages at the time of writing.
Who gets free entry to Global Village?
Children under 3, seniors over 65, and People of Determination ID holders with one companion.
Is Global Village open on Tuesdays?
Yes, but Tuesdays (except public holidays) are only for families, couples and ladies.
Can I buy Global Village tickets at the gate?
Yes. Tickets are sold at the gates as well as on the website and app, at the same price. Gate tickets are valid only on the day of purchase.
How do I get to Global Village by metro?
There is no metro station at the park. Take the metro to Centrepoint, Union, Max Fashion or Mall of the Emirates and change to RTA buses 102, 103, 104 or 106.
Official resources: Global Village plan your visit; Entry terms and conditions; Season 31 opening announcement
Photo credits
Featured image: Abil Ahamed / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; What Global Village is: Slayym / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Global Village tickets and prices: Philosographer / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; What to see and do: Krista / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0; What to see and do: Philosographer / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; How to get to Global Village: Philosographer / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Rules to know: Iarjunphotography / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Tips for a good evening: Fariz Safarulla / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
