Are you looking for the ultimate relaxing weekend away in the UAE? Dubai Festival City is well known as one of the most popular residential communities in Dubai. But with many luxury hotels, an incredible mall, a new world-breaking show and lots more attractions, it has plenty to offer weekend visitors, too.
Here’s why Dubai Festival City makes for a fun-filled family weekend, romantic getaway or the ideal place to enjoy the company of your friends.
1. Shop at Dubai Festival City Mall
This popular mall is home to over 400 shopping and entertainment brands, making it one of Dubai’s biggest malls. This mall is guaranteed to have almost everything you are looking for. It’s best-known for its large IKEA, the biggest Zara clothing store in the UAE, and a fantastic place to browse leading automotive brands.
Fancy taking a break from shopping? Then Novo Cinemas may have the solution with their 7-star luxury film experience where you can sit back and enjoy a top movie on an IMAX screen. Or, if you need to burn off some energy, then why not head to Bounce X trampoline park? There are also several play areas for young families, including the chance to drop off your child for a few hours of fun in ‘Stay & Play’ while you shop peacefully.
2. Be mesmerised at IMAGINE
IMAGINE is an unmissable experience. Every evening after nightfall, watch Festival Bay’s fountains come to life in a multi-sensory show like no other. The immense power of the fountains is combined with high-powered lasers, dazzling light in every colour imaginable, fire, and water screens.
It is billed as a state-of-the-art show where science and technology meet art. This show is a jaw-dropping achievement. In recognition of its incredible features, IMAGINE has been awarded two Guinness World Records for the largest water screen projection and largest permanent projection mapping.
IMAGINE is fun for all ages. Everyone can come together to enjoy the magic of this show before going on to enjoy more of what Festival Bay has to offer.
3. Dine at Festival Bay
As well as IMAGINE, Festival Bay in Dubai Festival City is home to many restaurants, cafes and entertainment options. Festival Bay is part of the mall complex and is the outdoor dining and entertainment area.
Here, you can dine with waterfront views of Dubai Creek and Festival Bay’s fountains. Choose from regionally and internationally renowned eateries, like Cheesecake Factory, Eataly and the only Hard Rock Cafe in Dubai. What makes eating at Festival Bay so special is its range of cuisines and styles of dining, from the finest dining to fast food favourites. There’s something for every taste, every mood, and every occasion.
4. Cruise the creek aboard a dhow
A traditional dhow ride is one of Dubai’s most iconic experiences. Not only is a dhow ride incredibly relaxing, but it also feels like stepping back in time. These beautiful vessels have been sailing Dubai Creek since long before this modern metropolis grew up around it. You can really feel like you are immersing yourself in history and the old fishing and trading traditions of a bygone era.
The views are also spectacular any time of day. From the water, you see Dubai from a unique vantage point. Many of the city’s most recognised, record-breaking buildings rise up from behind the charming waterside buildings of Old Dubai. The creek is the beating heart of the city and the best way to explore it is by dhow.
Dubai Festival City offers several dhow cruise experiences, including a luxury dinner cruise with live entertainment.
5. Relax at Al Areesh Health Club
Al Areesh Health Club is a friendly and welcoming lifestyle destination. As the area’s premium health club, it offers swimming pools, a fully equipped gym and aerobics studio, and ample all-weather courts.
The club is set in lush green surroundings that give it a calm ambience. It’s a lovely place to de-stress, to enjoy brunch or relax poolside, to get a beauty treatment, or to finish the week with a stress-busting workout.
The whole family is invited to enjoy the Al Areesh Health Club. There’s lots on for children and inviting play areas for them to explore. The relaxed, congenial atmosphere means that many Dubai Festival City residents gather here at weekends to catch up with family and friends. As a visitor, you’ll be extended the same warm welcome.
A weekend like no other
What makes Dubai Festival City so special for a weekend getaway is that, in a small area, you really can have it all. Whether you want to do something high-energy or just sit back and relax, there are plenty of options for you and your companions.
With the best shopping, dining and entertainment choices, you won’t have any problem filling your weekend away with 48 hours of fun at Dubai Festival City.
AUTHOR BIO: Muhammad Raheel Walayat manages 360-degree digital marketing for Al Futtaim Group Real Estate, one of the largest real estate developers in Dubai. Having joined the company in 2017 with an extensive 10+ years of experience in marketing, Raheel has been instrumental in developing and managing the digital ecosystem for Dubai Festival City that drives results in terms of brand awareness, brand positioning and commercial benefits to the business.
