The Dubai Fountain is a free, five-minute water show that runs on a lake at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, and it is one of the most popular things to do in Dubai after dark. Jets shoot water as high as 150 metres in time to music while thousands of lights change colour, and you can watch from the promenade, from a floating boardwalk or from a traditional boat. This guide explains the show times, the best places to watch, the paid experiences, how it works and how to plan an evening around it.
Is the Dubai Fountain Show Worth Seeing?
Yes. It is free, it is short, and it is one of the best-value attractions in Dubai. Plan to watch at least two shows from different positions, because the experience changes depending on where you stand. If you only have time for one, watch an evening show after sunset, when the lights are most striking and the Burj Khalifa glows behind the water.
The Dubai Fountain at a Glance
- Location: Burj Khalifa Lake in Downtown Dubai, next to the Dubai Mall
- Opened: 2009, designed by the American company WET Design, which also made the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas
- Size: about 275 metres long, on a lake of around 30 acres
- Jets: water rises as high as about 150 metres, with around 22,000 gallons in the air at any moment
- Lights: more than 6,600 lights and dozens of colour projectors
- Show length: about five minutes
- Cost: free from the promenade, with paid boardwalk and boat options
Dubai Fountain Show Times
- Evening shows: every day from around 6 pm to 11 pm, with a show roughly every 30 minutes
- Afternoon shows: usually at 1 pm and 1:30 pm, and on Fridays at about 1:30 pm and 2 pm
- Each show: lasts around five minutes and uses a different song
Schedules can change for weather, special events and public holidays, so check the official timetable on the day. In summer, the afternoon shows are the quietest, but the evening shows are far more atmospheric.
Where to Watch the Dubai Fountain
The waterfront promenade at the Dubai Mall
The promenade runs along the lake outside the mall and is the easiest free viewing area. It gets crowded for the evening shows, so arrive 20 to 30 minutes early to find a spot at the railing. See our guide to the Dubai Mall for what else is nearby.
Burj Park
Burj Park is a lawn on the lake side opposite the Dubai Mall, with a good wide-angle view of both the fountain and the Burj Khalifa. It is a good choice for families who want space and for photography.
Souk Al Bahar bridge and terraces
The bridge and the restaurant terraces of Souk Al Bahar overlook the fountain from the side, so you can watch from your table. It is a good option if you want dinner with a view, but you should book in advance for the evening shows.
Restaurant terraces
Several restaurants along the Dubai Mall waterfront have outdoor seating that faces the fountain. Reserve a table for the 7 pm to 9 pm window if you want a front-row spot.
Paid Dubai Fountain Experiences
The Dubai Fountain Boardwalk
The Boardwalk is a floating platform of about 272 metres that crosses the lake and brings you within roughly nine to ten metres of the jets. Recent listings show prices from around AED 20 to 35 per person, depending on the seller, and the walk lasts about half an hour. It is the best-value paid option, because you can feel the force and the spray of the fountain.
The Dubai Fountain Lake Ride
The Lake Ride is a 30-minute trip on a traditional abra boat that takes you around Burj Khalifa Lake and holds a spot near the jets during a show. Operating hours are usually in the evening from around 5:45 pm to 11:30 pm, and prices in recent listings range from about AED 65 to 100 per person. Each boat carries only a small group, so book ahead for the evening shows.
Free options versus paid
If you are on a budget, the free promenade view is excellent. If you want to feel part of the show, choose the Boardwalk first and the Lake Ride second.
What to Expect From the Show
The fountain performs to a changing playlist that mixes Arabic and international music, including songs such as “Baba Yetu” and “Shik Shak Shok”. The nozzles are arranged in rings and lines across the lake, and they can shoot different patterns, from a gentle fan of spray to a tall column that reaches the height of a 50-storey building. Colour projectors and lights change with the mood of each song, and the Burj Khalifa often forms a backdrop. It is also loud enough to hear from the surrounding walkways, so you do not need to be right on the rail to feel the music.
How to Get to the Dubai Fountain
- Metro: take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station and follow the covered walkway to the mall and the waterfront, which takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes.
- Taxi or ride-hailing: the easiest option, especially for families. Ask for a drop-off at the Dubai Mall or the Burj Park entrance.
- Car: there is parking at the Dubai Mall, but it fills up on weekends and evenings.
Allow extra time to leave after the last show, because taxi queues are long around 10 pm.
How Much Does It Cost?
- Free: watching from the promenade, Burj Park and the bridges
- Low cost: the Boardwalk, from around AED 20 to 35
- Mid-range: the Lake Ride, from around AED 65 to 100
- Dining: a meal on a fountain-view terrace is the most expensive way to watch
Prices change by seller and season, so check the current price before you book.
Best Time to Watch the Dubai Fountain
- Best overall: a show after sunset, when the lights and the Burj Khalifa are brightest
- Quietest: late shows after 9:30 pm on weekdays, or the afternoon shows
- Busiest: weekends, public holidays and the Dubai Shopping Festival
- Best season: November to March, when the evenings are cool enough to stand outside. See our Dubai weather guide.
How to Plan Your Fountain Evening
If you have 1 hour
Arrive 20 minutes early, find a spot on the promenade and watch two shows from different positions.
If you have a full evening
Visit the aquarium or shop in the mall, have an early dinner, watch the first show from a terrace and finish on the Boardwalk. Our guide to the Dubai Aquarium explains the nearby options.
If you also want a skyline view
Go up the Burj Khalifa at sunset and come down in time for the first evening show. For more ideas, see our list of the tourist attractions in Dubai.
Practical Tips
- Arrive early for the best spots, especially at weekends.
- Keep your phone on a stable surface for photos, and use video mode for the best effect.
- Bring a light layer, because the breeze by the lake can be cooler than the mall.
- Book Boardwalk, Lake Ride and terrace tables in advance for busy evenings.
- Be ready for the spray if you stand on the Boardwalk, and protect your phone and camera.
- Check the official schedule on the day, since shows can change for weather and events.
The Dubai Fountain: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dubai Fountain show free?
Yes, you can watch it for free from the promenade, Burj Park and the surrounding bridges. The Boardwalk and Lake Ride are paid.
What time is the Dubai Fountain show?
Evening shows run roughly every 30 minutes from around 6 pm to 11 pm, with afternoon shows at about 1 pm and 1:30 pm. Check the schedule for the exact times.
How long is each show?
About five minutes.
What is the best place to watch the Dubai Fountain?
The Boardwalk is the best close-up view, Burj Park is best for photos and the Souk Al Bahar terraces are best for dining.
How high does the Dubai Fountain shoot water?
Up to about 150 metres, the height of a 50-storey building.
How much is the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk?
Recent listings show around AED 20 to 35 per person.
How much is the Dubai Fountain Lake Ride?
Recent listings show around AED 65 to 100 per person, depending on the seller.
Final Thoughts
The Dubai Fountain is one of the easiest and best-value experiences in the city: it costs nothing to watch, it only takes a few minutes and it pairs perfectly with an evening at the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa. Arrive early, watch more than one show and try the Boardwalk if you want to be close. For more ideas on what to see in the city, read our guide to the Burj Khalifa.
