The Dubai Global Village shall open its gates for visitors from all parts of the world from today. Yes, you heard it right. The larger-than-life glimmering extravaganza is just couple of days away from inaugurating its 22nd edition.

What is Global Village

One of its kinds, Global Village as the name suggests, is an amalgamation of fun, leisure, shopping and food experiences. It is UAE’s first ethnic, cultural, entertainment and shopping destination and it also claims to be the largest in the world. Covering a sprawling area of 17,200,000 square feet, it is located on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai.

While it has become an international attraction, the Global Village began humbly at a small site on the Creek side opposite to Dubai Municipality. Back in 1996 it was a small space shared by kiosks and counters from different countries of the world, showcasing their regional food items, shopping articles and much more. In its maiden year, it welcomed nearly 500000 visitors which has today grown to unbelievable 7 million visitors per year.

Global Village Timing and Duration

Every year, the village opens around November and closes in April. This year it will start on November 1, 2017 to April 7, 2018. Operating for all seven days a week, it remains accessible for visitors from 4pm to 12am from Saturday to Wednesday. On Thursday, Friday and public holidays, it remains open a little late till 1am. In a quest to attract maximum public, special days and timings are planned regularly for women, children and families.

Facilities and Amenities At Global Village Venue

To make it easy and convenient for visitors, free parking shuttles are operated throughout the day for carrying people to and fro from the parking areas. With an enormous parking space designed with a capacity to park 17000 cars at a time, it also boasts of additional overflow parking spaces to be used during peak times. With a wide array of restaurants, cafes, play areas, gaming zones, resting rooms, and prayer halls, it has everything to keep one hooked.

Shopping at the Global Village

What lies at the heart of the Global Village is none other than shopping. Right from artifacts to traditional items, clothes to electronics, watches to accessories, everything is sold under one umbrella. Amongst millions of products available for sale, African soaps, wooden home decor articles from African jungles, herbal cosmetics, Shea Butter, aroma oils, varieties of honey and dates stand out peculiarly, These items are most popular among buyers.

Participating Countries

A large of countries participate on this platform exhibiting their local talents and resources. Right from Russia to Africa, Australia to China, one can find numerous kiosks. In addition to bringing in foreign trade, Global Village has also provided an impetus to Arabic trade. Local sellers have excelled in items of leather, perfumes and many more.

Pooling in food, culture, entertainment and traditions altogether, Global Village truly stands by its name. One of the most exhilarating places in Dubai, it must be explored for those seeking entertainment attractions, concerts, games and activities, fun rides, lip-smacking food coupled with insane shopping sessions.

You can buy Global Village general admission tickets from their official website or app alternatively you can also get the tickets at the gates from 3.30pm every day until half an hour prior to park closure. Last year, the event ended with a record-breaking attendance of 5.6 million guests over its 159 days of operation. So, make sure you don’t miss a bit. If you are thinking about how to reach. So, here you go. RTA has announced two new bus routes to Global Village starting today i.e. November 1, 2017