Dubai Fountain Show Times at Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa

The Dubai Fountain is one of the city's most visited attractions, drawing travellers from all over the world. A huge artificial lake was created especially for it. Just imagine the scale: the jets reach a maximum height of 150 metres, comparable to a 50-storey building! If you find yourself in Dubai, the fountain show is a must-see, and checking the Dubai Fountain show times in advance makes it easy to fit into your plans.

Dubai's dancing fountains: what makes them special

The Dubai Fountain is one of the largest and tallest fountains in the world. During the show, water and light work together: 25 colour projectors and almost 7,000 spotlights light up the jets beautifully, even in the dark.

The fountain system is built to handle incredible volumes of water, up to 83 tonnes per second. Moving nozzles make the water look as if it is dancing, while several powerful water cannons shoot jets dozens of metres into the air. The most powerful ones are fired only a few times per show to give the system time to recharge.

The fountain is also fitted with gas nozzles and smoke generators, so with the right lighting you can see fire and smoke effects as well as the jets of water. The light beams from the fountain are visible up to 32 kilometres away.

Dubai Fountain show times: when do the shows start?

If you are planning to catch the show, it's best to check the Dubai Fountain timings at Dubai Mall in advance.

The Dubai Fountain puts on evening shows every day from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, with a new show starting every 30 minutes.

There are also daytime shows: from Saturday to Thursday at 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm, and on Fridays at 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm. Pick a time that suits you and combine your visit with a stroll or a trip to the mall.

If you're planning around what time the fountain show starts in Dubai and how late it runs, aim for the evening window from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, when the show is at its most spectacular. If you can't make it in the evening, catch one of the midday shows instead.

Where the fountain is and how to get there

Finding the Dubai Fountain is very easy. It sits right at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, next to Dubai Mall.

If you are already inside the mall and aren't sure how to get from Dubai Mall to the fountain, head for the central exit leading to the square by the Burj Khalifa. You can also easily find the Dubai Mall fountain by following the signs and the routes on the mall's maps.

The fountain has no exact street address, so use Downtown Dubai, Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa as landmarks. The precise coordinates of the viewing areas are 25.196372, 55.276991 on the mall side and 25.196490, 55.275975 next to the Burj Khalifa.

There are several ways to get here:

• Take the metro to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, where pedestrian walkways lead straight to the fountain square.
• If you are taking a taxi, ask the driver to drop you at Souk Al Bahar or on the road around the lake. This spot is slightly closer to the main show area, and taxis can often reach it more easily without getting stuck in heavy traffic. You can see the fountain area from here, and it can be more convenient than getting out at the mall's main entrance.
• If you're renting a car in Dubai, Dubai Mall has parking and is easy to reach from Sheikh Zayed Road.

Around the start and end of the shows, traffic and taxi queues at Dubai Mall are heavy. It's better to leave a little early or stay on for a stroll in the park.

How much does the Dubai Fountain show cost?

The show itself is free, and you don't need a ticket. You can watch the jets and lights dancing to music from any of the main spots around the lake, simply by heading to the waterfront by Dubai Mall or onto the Souk Al Bahar bridge.

If you want to experience the show up close or add something extra to your visit, there are a couple of unusual ways to watch it:

• Dubai Fountain Boardwalk. This floating platform sits just a few metres from the jets, and a ticket gets you closer to the water than you could get from the shore. Tickets cost 25 AED per person, the same for children and adults. Children under 4 are not admitted.
• Dubai Fountain Lake Ride. You can watch the show from the lake itself, aboard a traditional abra boat. The ride lasts 30 minutes and runs while the fountains are performing. Tickets cost 75 AED per person, and children under 3 ride free with a parent.

Book Boardwalk or Lake Ride tickets in advance, especially for the evening shows. Arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes before the start.

The best places to watch the fountain show

You can watch the Dubai Fountain show from several spots, and the best choice depends on how close to the water you want to be and what angle you want for photos or video. Here are the main viewing points:

1. The square in front of Dubai Mall. This is the most popular spot with tourists. You can stand at the edge of the lake and watch the dancing jets at water level. The downside is that it gets very crowded in the evenings, so it's best to arrive early.
2. The Souk Al Bahar bridge. Slightly higher and a little further from the shore, the bridge gives a good view of the whole fountain display. It's less crowded, and you get a great view of the Burj Khalifa as a backdrop to the show.
3. Dubai Fountain Boardwalk. If you want to be as close to the water as possible, buy a ticket for the Boardwalk platform. You'll be literally among the jets, and the experience is incredible.
4. Restaurants with a view of the fountain. These are ideal if you want to combine the show with dinner or a drink. Book a table in advance and ask for one with a view of the show. There is a wide choice of venues; the top-rated include Social House, Carluccio’s, Vapiano, Awani, FRNDS and Zou Zou.
5. From a boat on the lake. If you want to see the show from the water, there are rides on traditional boats. The angle is unique, and the light and water effects feel especially dramatic.

Arrive at least 15–20 minutes before the show begins, especially if you want to watch from the shore. That way you can pick a good spot and enjoy the performance.

The best time to watch the fountain show

You can see the Dubai Fountain show at any time of year, but the best time depends on the season and on whether you simply want to watch or to take great photos.

In winter, from November to March, temperatures are pleasant and the heat is far less intense, so the evening shows are especially enjoyable, though the crowds are bigger. Summer is hot, which makes the daytime shows exhausting and definitely not worth it with children. The evening show is much more comfortable, especially after 8:00–9:00 pm, once the heat eases.

Evening shows

The evening shows from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm are the most popular. After sunset the fountain is lit by coloured spotlights and the jets dance to the music. It's the ideal time to see the show and soak up the atmosphere.

However, in peak season, especially in winter, large crowds gather, so it's best to arrive 15–30 minutes before the start to secure a good spot for watching or taking photos.

Daytime shows

Daytime shows take place in natural light, from Saturday to Thursday at 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm, and on Fridays at 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm. They are less spectacular in terms of lighting, but there are fewer tourists and queues, which is handy if you're with children or want to enjoy the fountain in peace. During the day it's easy to combine the show with a walk around Dubai Mall or a visit to the Burj Khalifa.

What to see near the Dubai Fountain

You can combine the Dubai Fountain show with other attractions nearby and plan a day that takes in several sights. Here is where to go:

• Burj Khalifa. The tallest building in the world stands right next to the fountain. You can go up to the observation decks and watch the fountain show from above.
• Dubai Mall is the largest shopping centre in the world, with shops, cafés, restaurants and entertainment. It's a good place to shop and pass the time before an evening or daytime show. Don't miss the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo right inside the mall.
• Souk Al Bahar is a shopping and entertainment complex beside the fountain lake. It has restaurants with terraces offering an excellent view of the show, as well as small souvenir shops and cafés.
• Dubai Opera is just a few minutes from the fountain square. If you're planning a cultural evening, you can combine a visit to the opera with the fountain show.
• A walk around Downtown Dubai, the area surrounding the fountain and the Burj Khalifa. You can stroll along the lake, admire the architecture, take panoramic photos and round it off with dinner or a coffee at one of the cafés.

You could start by exploring Dubai Mall and Downtown, then head out to the fountain for a daytime or evening show.