There are a lot of music fountains in the UAE. However, there is none like the Dubai Fountain. UAE has a unique romance with water in general, and you will find a lot of squares where water is an essential element of landscaping. This love for water has inspired Emaar to build something massive, innovative, and inspiring. Something that would complement the world’s most enormous Mall and the world’s tallest Tower. That is how Dubai Fountain happened.
Dubai Fountain is among the most loved, visited, and beautiful “watermarks” globally. With a backdrop of Burj Khalifa, this fountain system is located on the humanmade Burj Khalifa Lake that expands to 2 hectares (30 acres) at the center of Dubai’s Downtown master development.
The making of the Dubai Fountain
A California company, WET Design, was commissioned to design and build this great lake with a fountain system by Burj Khalifa developer Emaar Properties. Interestingly the same company had previously designed and built the fountains at the Bellagio Hotel Lake in Las Vegas.
6,600 lights and 50 colored projectors illuminate Dubai Fountain. Dubai Fountain is 275 m (902 ft) long, and the giant fountains shoot water up to 500 ft (152.4 m) into the air. The fountain system sways to the tune of a range of classical to contemporary Arabic and world music.
The fountain system at Burj Khalifa was built for AED 800 million (USD 218 million).
The master developer ran a competition in 2008 in UAE to name the fountain that would be part of the humanmade lake built between Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. Thus, Emaar chose the name Dubai Fountain and was approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates prime minister.
Dubai Fountain was officially opened on May 8, 2009, when the Dubai Mall was opened.
The Dubai Mall fountain, as it is also known, consists of 5 circles and two arcs in which the waterjets are organized. In 2010 an element of fire was added as part of the 2011 New Year celebration and later discontinued.
The central light beam of the Dubai Fountain can be seen from 20 miles away.
Dubai Fountain Show
The Dubai Fountain show started on May 8, 2009, and since then, it has swayed to hundreds of set pieces in front of millions of adoring fans who throng every day and wait with bated breath on the banks of the lake. The mesmerizing show happens once every hour and lasts 30 minutes.
There is a general show every day and unique shows on certain occasions. These occasions have both music and lighting to a particular theme. Emaar, the master developer of Dubai Fountain, decides and directs Wet design the do special shows. The most popular are UAE National Day, December 31, Eid Al Adha, etc.
Dubai Mall Fountain boasts a lake ride so you can have an intimate, personal experience during the showtime. The experience can be described by the only word, i.e., “Magical”! The fountain at Burj Khalifa adds a different musical, harmonic aesthetic, illuminated, and supercharged dimension.
The magical fountain of Dubai Mall lacks no superlatives. The Burj Khalifa Fountain is the world’s most extensive choreographed fountain system ever made by man.
Dubai Fountain is an art made with 22000 gallons of water, 6600 lights, and 50 colored projectors. This is an art that moves and dances to the choreographer’s music. The shot-up water comes down, creating another dimension of sound and music.
The Dubai Fountain show starts with a tribute to Sheikh Muhammed, and then it slowly picks up the tempo along with the music. From initial tiny droplets to a blast of water jetting up into the sky to the oohs-aahs of approving visitors, who enjoy every sway of the fountain.
Best place to watch the Dubai Fountain Show
Dubai Mall visitors can see the Dubai Fountain show from inside it. The blast of water that gets released creates a massive aura of mist and droplets, giving the fountain a rainbow edge.
The musical fountain show is free to watch, and it can be seen from many places Downtown. However, the best vantage is possible from the Dubai Mall Promenade (outside the Mall). As this area becomes crowded just before the Dubai Fountain show starts, it is advisable to be there much before and book yourself a free ‘best-for-selfie’ spot. It is advisable to reach at least 30 minutes before the show starts to catch the fountain, music, and aura around it without being pushed around by the crowd.
However, the Souk Al Bahar walkway is usually less congested and offers a better viewing experience.
A paid option is also available for those who want a more intimate experience. You may pay Aed 20/= and get onto the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk, a floating viewing ramp built over the lake that takes you almost 10 meters to the Musical Fountain, Dubai.
For those, who like to enjoy this art by water, on water, and from water, you may take Abra, which would cost you around Aed68.25 (At the time of writing this piece on Dubai Fountain). The Abra ride on the canal starts before the start of the Dubai Fountain, and it gives you an immersive experience.
Another way to watch Dubai Fountain is to book yourself and your friends/ family a table in one of the fine dining restaurants that line Dubai Fountain and inside the Dubai Mall. You will have an undisturbed and clear view.
Restaurants near Dubai Fountain
- Dubai Mall – Wafi Gourmet, TGI Fridays, Joe’s Café, Carluccio, Texas Roadhouse, Entrecote café de Paris, Tribes Carnivore
- Taj, Dubai (5 start hotel) near Dubai Fountain – Bombay Brasserie and Miss Tess
- Souk Al Bahar – Bice Mare, Baker and Spice, and Claw
- Steigenberger Hotel – Bayside Restaurant and Terrace, Backyard (A street Art inspired Café)
- The Min Leaf of London – Indian fusion food, 15th Floor on South Tower-DIFC offers a fantastic view of Dubai Fountain from its floor-to-ceiling windows.
- Al Grissino – The bar of Al Grissino, located on the 15th floor of South Tower, DIFC, offers excellent viewing of the Dubai Fountain.
- Palace Downtown – Asedo, Ewaan, and Thipatra
- Burj Al Khalifa – At.mosphere located a 122 level, giving you a once a lifetime experience
Many hotels have a fantastic view of the Dubai Fountain if you are lucky to have one facing the fountain. Most of these hotels are 5-star hotels.
Hotels near Dubai Fountain
- Roda Al Murooj
- The Address, Dubai Mall
- Ramada Downtown
- The Palace Downtown
- Damac Maison Mall
- Taj Dubai
- Steigenberger Hotel
- Armani Hotel
- Manzil Hotel, Downtown
- Rove Downtown Dubai
- DoubleTree by Hilton
Apart from these, there are scores of hotels located Downtown or on Sheikh Zayed Road, from where you can reach Dubai Fountain in no time. These include Dusit Thani,
Dubai Fountain Show Timings
Dubai Fountain, the world’s largest choreographed fountain, is open daily, and the show begins in the afternoon. Then there are evening shows also. They are as follows;
- Saturday to Thursday – 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM
- Friday afternoon shows 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM.
Evening Shows start at 6:00 PM and continue up to 11:00 PM. There is one show every 30 minutes.
During the Eid celebrations, the Dubai Fountain shows up at 2 PM. During this period, the other timings are the 1st and 2nd Day of Eid Al Adha: Afternoon Shows: 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, and 5:00 PM (one show every hour). • Evening shows for the Dubai Fountain are 6:00 PM until 12:00 midnight (shows every 30 mins). On Arafat Day: 7:30 PM until 11:00 PM (shows every 30 mins).
How to get there
The world’s most extensive humanmade Fountain system is located in Downtown Dubai. Dubai Fountain is very easy for each. There is Red Line Metro that you may board and get down at the “Dubai Mall” Metro station. From there, you may take a brisk walk through the Skywalk (Overhead ramp that links Dubai Mall to Dubai Metro Station) would take you 15 minutes to reach.
Instead of walking, you may take F13 from the metro station to Dubai Fountain in 5 minutes flat. The whole walking area is live with many kiosks etc. Bus No. X22 will take you from Business Bay metro station to Dubai Fountain in 7 minutes.
You may flag down a taxi and reach Dubai Fountain from anywhere in Dubai.
Several tour operators make special tours to Downtown and Dubai City. They ensure you reach Dubai Fountain in time to see that spectacle.