Dubai is undoubtedly a land of riches. There are numerous centers for shopping and fun. There are even places where you can have both fun and shop to make things. The Dubai Festival City Mall, or the DFC as an acronym, is one destination. There, you can find everything from retail stores to dining opportunities and fun activities.
Another thing that makes it attractive is that it is situated along the quintessential creek—the same Creek where Dubai began as a small fishing hamlet a couple of centuries ago. Dubai Festival City is on the opposite side of Creek Park Dubai and next to the Dubai Creek Yacht and Golf Club. The other end of the mall borders the massive development project called the Dubai Creek Harbor, which is underway.
This can easily qualify as the biggest attraction in the vicinity in the whole old Dubai area.
Things to do in Dubai Festival City
The Festival City Mall is a prime destination for anyone who lives in or near the old part of Dubai. This place is an option to spend time even if you are not for a shopping visit. A complete list of things to do in Dubai will help plan the itinerary before arrival.
Festival City Laser Show – IMAGINE
The laser show was first featured in Festival City in 2017. It was recognized as the world’s most extensive permanently installed projection mapping system at the time. However, in 2018, that title was removed from the MART in Chicago. Even then, this show is worth watching every time you go there. If you haven’t been to the show before, you can visit the mall to watch the latest show. The regular Dubai city tour does not include the mall; however, you must book an exclusive shopping tour to visit Festival City.
Imagine is an extension of the Festival City mall in a small lake that meets the creek. The show features a dancing fountain accompanied by light and sound effects. It also uses pyro techniques to add more spice to the show. The cost of the IMAGINE is a whopping s1.5 billion dirhams. The Souk Madinat Jumeirah will be the first option if you are interested in a traditional Mall.
The show happens every one-hour interval from 7 pm to midnight. However, the dancing elements show will start from midnight onwards, but this won’t have the laser show. You can see the dancing fountain and other things anyway. Also, it’s free for everyone, so why don’t you go there?
The show at Dubai Festival City
The Intercontinental hotel walls, a part of the Dubai Festival City, double as the projection screen for the show.
You can watch this show while enjoying your food inside the mall’s food court. This is a good choice of action in summer because it can be pretty hot outside, even after the sunset. Apart from the hotel walls, holograms are strategically placed in the Festival City lake that function as screens.
The Al Futtaim group developed and operated the Festival City Mall in the mid-2000s. Its entertainment and outdoor activities set it apart from other malls in Dubai.
Ride an Abra Wooden Traditional Boat
A small artificial waterfront area in the Festival City Mall is called the Festival City Bay. Another popular attraction in this bay is the Abra ride. This is the only place in old Dubai where you will find air-conditioned Abras.
They let you experience the Abra rides even at the height of the summer. These Abras run between The Festival City Mall and the Creek metro station. To make things even better, they only cost 2 dirhams, which is a steal. The Dhow Cruise Marina is the only option for a family cruise dinner.
Festive Wheel
The Ferris Wheel was the latest addition to Festival City in 2017. It is 40 meters high on the mall’s south bay. Although it doesn’t have any height records, it is worth a ride for the creek’s magnificent view. The wheel has 30 passenger pods.
There are a few chances for you to take the ride to get the best experience. A sunset ride gives a fantastic view of the sun setting over the tall buildings of downtown Dubai. Otherwise, you can time yourself to catch the IMAGINE laser show from the top of the wheel, which is also a great experience. The wheel starts running at two o’clock in the afternoon.
The ticket rate is 40 AED for adults and 25 AED for children under 12. But if you are a family with two kids, you can purchase the family passes for 100, allowing two kids on board. If you want to splurge a little more, VIP capsules sell for 300 AED with a glass floor and leather seating for six people.