The Dubai Fountain

The Dubai Fountain performs on Burj Lake, the artificial lake between The Dubai Mall, Souk Al Bahar and the foot of Burj Khalifa. It was designed by WET Design, the Californian firm behind the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas, and opened on 8 May 2009 alongside The Dubai Mall. The system is 275 metres long, its most powerful jets can fire water around 150 metres into the air, and more than 6,600 lights and 25 colour projectors illuminate the shows after dark.

Each show lasts a few minutes and is choreographed to a single piece of music, which might be Arabic classical, a film score or international pop. The water sways, bursts and hisses in time with the soundtrack, and the deep boom of the largest jets can be felt as much as heard. The fountain reopened on 1 October 2025 after a five-month renovation, and Emaar has said a second phase of improvements is due to be completed in 2026.

Watching is free. Afternoon shows run at 1pm and 1.30pm from Saturday to Thursday and at 2pm and 2.30pm on Fridays, and evening shows run every 30 minutes from 6pm to 11pm. The evening performances are the ones to see, when the lights and Burj Khalifa behind make the full effect. Good free viewpoints include the waterfront promenade outside The Dubai Mall, the bridge to Souk Al Bahar and Burj Park, which is a little calmer. For a closer look, the floating Dubai Fountain Boardwalk, a 272-metre walkway that brings you within about nine metres of the jets, and short lake rides in traditional wooden abras are ticketed.

Crowds build quickly at weekends and on public holidays, so arrive ten minutes early to find a spot at the railings, or book a table on one of the Souk Al Bahar terraces overlooking the lake. Staying for two or three shows gives you a sense of the variety. The promenade is flat and step-free, which makes it easy for wheelchair users and buggies.

The fountain is a natural end to a day in Downtown Dubai, after a visit to the Burj Khalifa decks or the mall. Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro station on the Red Line is linked to the mall by an air-conditioned walkway, and the fountain is a short walk from the mall's waterfront exits.