Dubai by night

Going out at night in Dubai is like travelling to a different city. The whole scene changes!

Carmen Navarro

Carmen Navarro

8 min read

Dubai by night

Dubai Night | ©Through the Lense

Being home to the world's largest shopping mall, and the world's tallest hotel and building, it's no wonder that Dubai is the perfect place for an unforgettable night out.

I have to tell you that at night the city is even more beautiful and impressive than during the day. Firstly because the temperatures are much more pleasant at night, and secondly because the city becomes a futuristic space with hundreds of illuminated buildings and colourful gardens. Not only that, but there is also more movement.

1. Don't miss the Dubai Fountains nighttime show.

Dubai Fountains at Night| ©Tanya Hart
Dubai Fountains at Night| ©Tanya Hart

Enjoying Dubai's spectacular fountains is one of the best things to see at night. Every 30 minutes from 6 PM until 11:30 PM, these famous fountains perform a choreographed show to the rhythm of incredible symphonies. Then at 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm there are two water shows designed by a dance choreographer

There are many places from which you can view the Dubai Fountains for free, but the most spectacular are the Burj Lake, aboard a cruise ship, and one of the nearby restaurants.

The Fountain Show is the second largest choreographed fountain system in the world two shows. Each day the sequence of songs played changes, allowing you to see all the shows in just a few days if you wish.

Book a Fountain Show Cruise

2. Watch Dubai's nightlife from Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa View by Night| ©Sreeni Menon
Burj Khalifa View by Night| ©Sreeni Menon

As you would expect, the best way to see every corner of Dubai at night is from the world's tallest building- book tickets to the Burj Khalifa.

Dubai at night seems to turn into a futuristic city, so enjoy your view from the top. You will be able to see the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountains and all the skyscrapers- there is nothing that can stand in the way of your view, especially on a night with clear skies!

Burj Khalifa at night is obviously one of the top attractions in Dubai, so make sure you book in advance, especially at dusk and at night.

Book tickets to the Burj Khalifa

3. Take a ride on a traditional night cruise

Cruise Dubai Creek at Night| ©Jackie L Chan
Cruise Dubai Creek at Night| ©Jackie L Chan

Another plan to do in Dubai at night is to book a traditional cruise. There are several places to hop on from, including Dubai Creek, the Dubai Canal and Dubai Marina.

Doing it at night is a very special experience that will give you a different perspective of the city as you cruise along the city's many waterways.

Traditional Dinner Cruise

You can also book a dinner cruise where you'll enjoy a gourmet dinner prepared by a professional chef while enjoying pleasant live music by local artists.

Most dhow (traditional) style cruises usually follow a custom of offering hot and cold towels to wash your hands, followed by snacks such as Arabic coffee, fresh dates and juices.

There's also no need to worry if you're vegetarian as you'll find a wide range of dishes and food.

Book a traditional sailing cruise with dinner

4. Hop on a Big Bus at night

Big Bus Tour in Dubai| ©Darren Foreman
Big Bus Tour in Dubai| ©Darren Foreman

One of the best ways to see the city of Dubai by night is to book tickets for a Big Bus Night Tour.

On this tour, you'll see all of **Dubai'**s major landmarks. These include Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, Atlantis on the Palm and the Jumeirah Mosque.

The tour starts at the Dubai Mall and is available in 12 different languages. It's certainly a very sensible way to get acquainted with Dubai at night, you'll even be lucky enough to see the light show at the pyramids of Wafi Mall.

Book the Big Bus Night Bus Tour

5. Go and see the La Perle de Dragone Show

La Perle de Dragone| ©Ameer Basheer
La Perle de Dragone| ©Ameer Basheer

Dubai is a spectacular city offering entertainment and endless nightlife. One of the most amazing shows in the city is La Perle de Dragone, a completely immersive experience of light, water and sound acrobatics.

Set on an aquatic stage with 3D projections, this unique show features more than 65 performers who wow audiences every night with the feats they perform.

From famed artistic director Franco Dragone, you can now enjoy this permanent theatre performance in Dubai. Tickets for La perle de Dragone can be bought in advance from 65 euros. Get your hands on them and prepare to be amazed!

Book tickets for La perle de Dragone

6. Enjoy the Dubai Garden Glow

Dubai Garden Glow| ©Rob Young
Dubai Garden Glow| ©Rob Young

Dubai Garden Glow is one of the most spectacular places to visit in Dubai at night. It is filled with screens made from recycled material and millions of LED bulbs.

You'll feel a magical atmosphere where the garden sometimes seems to come to life. The Dubai Garden is open from 17:00 to 22:00 and tickets cost 65 AED (15.41 euros).

In addition, there are a few different attractions to see inside Dubai Garden Glow such as the Dinosaur Park which features 120 animatronic dinosaurs, or the Ice Park which contains an impressive array of beautiful ice sculptures.

7. Visit Dubai Global Village

Global Village, Dubai| ©Syed Ali
Global Village, Dubai| ©Syed Ali

Visiting Global Village is a bit like visiting all the world's greatest monuments at once. This open-air marketplace features smaller, glittering versions of Big Ben, the Taj Mahal and many others.

This space aims to be the world's largest night-time entertainment project and for only 15 AED ( 3.66 Eur) you can enjoy absolutely everything! Global Village is open from Saturday to Wednesday from 6:00 pm until midnight (Monday only for ladies). Thursday and Friday from 6:00 pm to 1:00 am.

Besides this, it is also a great place to buy food and do some shopping, not forgetting that for me it is the perfect place for some Dubai souvenirs.

Carmen's Traveller Tip

If your intention in Global Village is shopping, I recommend you to go in the month of April in Dubai, as at the end of this month many vendors offer huge discounts to clear their items.

8. Take a night stroll along La Mer Beach

La Mer, Dubai| ©Gabby Canonizado
La Mer, Dubai| ©Gabby Canonizado

This new beachfront destination in Dubai is as popular at night as it is during the day. The beach's festive atmosphere begins at sunset with colourful food trucks and lights illuminating the entire promenade.

La Mer is Dubai' s most attractive beachfront for evening plans and has everything from beaches to shopping, dining and entertainment venues.

It's located at Jumeirah 1, along 2.5 kilometres of white sand, lined with boardwalks and overlooking the pristine, crystal-clear waters of the Persian Gulf.

9. Take a look at the Dubai Night Market

Dubai Night Market| ©Viator
Dubai Night Market| ©Viator

One of the things to do in Dubai at night is to visit the vibrant night markets filled with traditional designers, traders and local artists.

The night market is located along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Avenue/Road and is lined with attractive neon lights. This night market is open Thursday to Friday (7pm to 1am), and Saturday to Monday (7pm to 11pm).

Inside you will find traditional products from up to 70 countries (handicrafts, musical instruments, clothes, decorative items, accessories...). In other words, it's a mega fair for night-time shopping lovers.

10. Sign up for the Yoga de Luna plan

Yoga| ©MakeIt
Yoga| ©MakeIt

Do you love yoga? Then why not spend a night in Dubai performing your favourite poses under the moonlight? At Talise Spa you can do just that.

Moon Yoga costs 95 AED (23,21 Eur) per person and I firmly believe it is a spiritual experience worth trying.

11. Dine in the dark at Noire Fairmont

Fairmont Hotel| ©Asif Ali Yousafzai
Fairmont Hotel| ©Asif Ali Yousafzai

Book a table and have a dining experience like never before at the Noire Fairmont, where waiters wear night vision goggles to serve you dinner in the dark. The price is approximately 70 euros for two people and with access from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM.

Normally, you will be served a three-course meal with refreshments in a darkened room so that you can appreciate the taste of what you are eating even more.

The condition is that you do not turn on any light-emitting appliances. If you want to go to the toilet or go out you simply have to speak out loud so that an assistant can help you. It is also a great way to connect with the person you are with in Dubai.

12. Visit the best nightclubs in Dubai

Club Cavalli| ©Sabirnada
Club Cavalli| ©Sabirnada

Visiting one of the nightclubs is one of the best things to do in Dubai at night. The nightlife in this city is legendary. Be prepared to dance the night away and party until the sun comes up.

The Cavalli Club, Billionaire Mansion, Toy Room and White Dubai are some of Dubai's best known clubs, but be aware that the legal drinking age in Dubai is 21.

The best restaurants and dining ideas in Dubai

Late night brunch in Dubai

Who told you that brunch is a totally daytime concept? In Dubai, late night brunches are almost more famous than daytime brunches. But it's usually an event reserved for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

Dubai has a variety of different late-night dining options to choose from, whether you're into Asian cuisine, Greek dishes, fast food or traditional Italian fare.

Blushing Dragon at Karma Kafé

Karma Kafé in Souk al Bahar not only offers one of the best nighttime views in Dubai, overlooking the nighttime spectacle of the Dubai Fountain at Burj Lake, but also hosts some of the most varied dishes. You can enjoy your dinner from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

  • Address: Karma Kafé, Souk Al Bahar Level 3, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashi Boulevard, Downtown Dubai.

The Stage Brunch

The Stage Brunch specialises 100% in late night brunch and from 8:00 pm until 11:00 pm you'll have the chance to sample one of Dubai's flashiest international food spots. If you like pizza and all genres of fast food, Stage Brunch is a place I highly recommend.

  • Address: Jazz Pizza Express, Cluster A, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai.

Kanpai

If you are interested in Japanese cuisine, Kanpai has one of the best brunches. As well as offering unlimited drinks, it has a varied menu including tiger prawns, black cod, yakitori... The restaurant is open from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

  • Address: Shop No. G-5, Level 3, Souk Al Bahar, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashi Boulevard, Downtown Dubai.