Dubai Festival City Mall

Dubai Festival City Mall

Dubai Festival City is one of Dubai’s most exciting retail, dining and leisure precincts. Located only five minutes from Dubai International Airport, it is also a popular vantage point for spectacular sunsets and an evening light show over the surrounding water.

 

The Dubai Festival City Mall is a key highlight, offering over 350 stores at your disposal, including mega-department stores such as Ikea Dubai and Robinsons. You’ll also find brands such as Top Shop, H&M, Coach, DKNY and so many more. Add to that a cinema complex and a variety of dining options including cafes, bakeries and a large food court.

 

Visitors will love IMAGINE, the record-setting water, light and laser projection show that takes place daily after sunset at Festival Bay. Festival City is also the location of some of the city’s most popular festivals including the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in March and Dubai Shopping Festival in January each year. Bordering Dubai Creek, Festival City also offers a selection of world-class hotels like the Intercontinental.

Photo by jc dubi from Pexels

 

Find Dubai's only IKEA, plus Arabic and international fashion labels, accessories, jewelry, home furnishings, and more. Then dine by the waterfront and watch dazzling water screen projections.

 

One of the distinct features of this mall is the waterfront area called the Festival Bay, which overlooks Dubai Creek. In this complete guide to the mall in Dubai Festival City, we highlight the key attractions, shops, restaurants, hotels, timings and more. 

 

SHOPS, RESTAURANTS AND THINGS TO DO IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY MALL 

Dubai Festival City Mall is one of the most popular malls in Dubai, operated by the famed Al Futtaim group with over 400 stores housing luxury international and local brands, 90 local and international restaurants and cafés, and an 18-screen cinema along with a trendy bowling alley. A lot of restaurants in Dubai Festival City Mall offer outdoor seating so visitors can enjoy delectable meals with fabulous views of Dubai Creek.


Dubai Festival City Mall is home to luxury fashion brands ranging from renowned designer options such as Coach, DKNY, and Armani Exchange to staple high street brands such as Zara, Topshop, Koton and H&M.

 

SHOPS IN FESTIVAL CITY DUBAI

To give you a good idea of the wide variety of shops and brands in Dubai Festival City Mall, we have attempted to highlight some of the popular retailers for fashion, beauty, accessories, homewares and more.

 

Popular fashion brands in Dubai Festival City Mall

There are well over 300 fashion stores in the Festival City Mall, so shopaholics will certainly find no shortage of options in this mall. Here are some of the most popular stores in DFC stocking the season's latest fashions.

  • Marks and Spencer

  • Zara

  • H&M

  • Old Navy

  • Aeropostale

  • River Island

  • Topshop

  • American Eagle Outfitters

  • Banana Republic

  • Massimo Dutti

  • GAP

  • Kiabi

  • Koton

  • Iconic

  • Centrepoint

 

Popular DFC stores for shoes and accessories

It’s not just clothes that fashionistas can pick at this mall in Dubai. Here are some of the best Festival City Mall shops for shoes and accessories in this mall.

  • Nine West

  • Aldo

  • Anne Klien

  • Rockport

  • Charles and Keith

  • Steve Madden

  • Accessorize

  • Kate Spade

  • Nicoli

  • Guess

 

Jewellery and Watch shops in DFC Mall

For special occasions, when you want to find the perfect gifts, you can visit one of these stores in the Festival City mall. 

  • Ahmed Siddiqi & Sons

  • Damas Jewellery

  • Hour Choice

  • Pure Gold

  • Swarovski

  • Pandora

 

Furniture shops in Dubai Festival City Mall

One of the main attractions of this mall is the fact that it is home to the only IKEA outlet in Dubai. 

  • IKEA

  • Pan Emirates

  • Royal Furniture

  • Danube Home

  • Dwell

  • Zara Home

 

Apart from these popular stores, DFC is also home to Robinsons which features a variety of designer brands such as Michael Kors, Ted Baker, Ralph Lauren and more. There are also anchor stores in Festival City such as Plug Ins, Stadium, Sun & Sand Sports and so on. Makeup lovers will also not be disappointed. There are outlets of Sephora, Bobby Brown, Nyx, MAC and more to stock up on the season’s hottest mascaras, bronzers and lipsticks. All in all, Dubai Festival City Mall is a paradise for those who love to indulge in some retail therapy.

 

RESTAURANTS IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY

Foodies will enjoy visiting this popular waterfront mall in the city as there are several notable eateries, cafes and high-end restaurants here. One of the best things about the restaurants in Dubai Festival City Mall is the fact that a wide variety of cuisines are offered here. So whether you fancy Chinese or want some hearty Italian, there are plenty of places to eat at the Festival City Mall in Dubai. Most of these restaurants are on the Festival Bay wing of the mall with stunning waterfront views. This mall is also home to the only Hard Rock Cafe in Dubai, so fans of the franchise can be seen sipping on pints of beer while snacking on delectable bar bites. 

 

Take a look at this list of top Dubai Festival City restaurants perfect to grab a quick bite with friends and family.

  • Hard Rock Cafe

  • The Cheesecake Factory

  • PF Chang’s

  • Peppermill

  • Sugar Factory

  • Motomachi

  • Al Fanar Restaurant and Cafe

  • Famous Daves

  • Big Fernand

  • Cafe Bateel

  • Bareburger

  • Eataly

 

In addition to these restaurants and cafes in Dubai Festival City Mall, there is also a food court with popular fast food joints. The food court in DFC has local favourites such as Wendy’s, Hardees, KFC, Krispy Kreme and more.

 

ATTRACTIONS IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY MALL

Shopping and dining are not the only things to do in Dubai Festival City Mall! Take a look at some of the activities in Festival City Mall, that you should definitely try.

 

Festival Wheel

Located on the South Bay of Festival City, this massive wheel is about 40 meters high and consists of 30 capsules for visitors to enjoy spectacular views of the city and the creek. The Festival Wheel is the perfect spot in Dubai to enjoy a magical sunset.

 

  • Tickets are priced at AED 40 for adults, AED 25 for children and AED 100 for a family of four (two adults and two children).

 

IMAGINE – Dubai Festival City Laser Show

Part of the DFC mall’s extension, IMAGINE is the record-breaking air, water and fire show.

  • The spectacular display harnesses innovative entertainment technology in water, pyrotechnics, lasers, lights and music to mesmerise viewers with a truly delightful sensory experience.

  • The AED 1.5B Dubai Festival City laser show boasts the largest water screen projection and largest permanent projection mapping in the world – both Guinness World Record Breakers.

  • The Dubai Festival City laser show is held daily at one-hour intervals during the evenings.

 

Dhow Rides

Visitors can also enjoy a traditional Abra ride along the beautiful Dubai Creek. Dubai Festival City Mall offers tourists and residents a chance to experience Emirati culture while floating along serene waters and soaking in fantastic views.

 

Dream Aero Flight Simulator

Always wanted to be a pilot? This flight simulator in Dubai Festival City Mall is perfect for adventure junkies. You can step inside this simulator and experience what it feels like to fly the Boeing 737.

  • Prices for this activity in DFC starts from AED 375 for a 15-minute session.

 

Fabyland

This is one of the indoor play areas for kids in Festival City with a variety of arcade games. Children can choose from a variety of rides like the Family Swing, XD Dark Ride, Clip N Climb, Bumper Cars and many more. This kid’s attraction in Dubai Festival City also has a soft play area.

 

Stay & Play

Another popular place for kids in Festival City, this is a great option if parents want to drop off their children in a safe and entertaining environment while finishing up all their shopping. This indoor play area in Festival City mall has a variety of stimulating games for kids to kill time. Trained professionals are also appointed to look after the children who are not accompanied by parents. 

 

Dubai Festival City Cinema

Visiting the cinema is one of the most popular things to do in Dubai Festival City Mall.

  • This 18-screen Novo Cinemas is a popular choice with those holding Mashreq Bank cards as they often have buy-1-get-1-free offers.

  • This DFC cinema was refurbished in 2017 to include 6 new screens including an IMAX screen and an MX4D theatre.

  • This cinema in Festival City is also home to the luxurious Novo 7 Star Experience where you get access to plush leather seats, waiter service, pillows and more!

  • Initially called Grand Festival Cinemas, Novo took over the management in 2014.

 

Places to Visit Near Dubai Festival City Mall

1. Dubai Dolphinarium 

Dubai Dolphinarium is Dubai’s unique indoor family entertainment zone where you can walk, swim and dance with the dolphins. There are three regular shows scheduled at the Dubai Dolphinarium – Dolphin & Seal Show, Dolphin Planet and Creek Park Bird Show. 

 

2. Creekside Park 

Dubai’s Creekside Park is the nation's second-largest park enclosing vastly stretched lawns, a playing area dedicated entirely for children, and botanical gardens. You can either indulge yourself in watching the show in water or enjoy some interactive shows at the theatre. 

 

3. Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club 

This golf club offers a luxurious experience with its 18-hole and 3 courses. It is home to a golfing academy, quality restaurants and a clubhouse, and many more attractions to take care of your training and comfort. 

 

4. Essenza Spa 

Essenza Spa is Dubai’s premium spa and wellness centre. This centre provides an end-to-end spa and wellness facility beginning from concept development to ultimate operational services. 

 

5. Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary 

This is Dubai’s famous wetland reserve.  Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary hosts a wide array of migratory bird species, crustaceans, fishes and other small mammals. If you are a bird lover, you will definitely enjoy your time spent here in spotting and identifying them. 

 

6. Wonderland Theme and Water Park 

Wonderland Theme and Water Park homes to some of the extensive and best collections of amusement rides. The moment you feel things are a bit hectic for you, you can head towards Flood River to seek some relaxation. 

 

7. St. Mary’s Catholic Church 

This is the most serene place in Dubai to seek calmness and blessings of Mother Mary. Locals from nearby villages plan their weekend visit and attend the multi-lingual masses scheduled here. Masses are organized in Malayalam, French, Arabic, English, Konkani, Filipino, and so on. St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Holy Trinity Church, Al Maktoum Stadium are some of the nearby attractions here. 

 

DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY HOTELS

1. InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City

InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City is home to 264 fully furnished extended-stay suites. The services of a hotel, such as 24-hour room service, housekeeping and concierge are available for all guests of the luxury rooms, made up of either studio apartments or one, two and three-bedroom suites. Leisure facilities are also available; with a 25m temperature-controlled indoor lap pool, spa pools and children’s splash pool. The InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City also boasts a warm, Italian themed restaurant, MezzaLuna, and a deli counter. A complimentary shuttle is provided to Dubai Festival City Mall, home of the Imagine Show and neighboring hotels.

 

2. Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City

Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City is located on the banks of the Dubai Creek. The 5 star hotel features 316 rooms and suites, with leisure facilities including a 25m outdoor lap pool, 3 spa pools, children splash pool, and 24-hour gym. The hotel is proud to be the first non-smoking Crowne Plaza with a no-smoking policy in all rooms and public areas, offering our guests a cleaner and healthier environment during their stay. All rooms and bathrooms offer fantastic views of the creek or city skyline, equipped with high speed internet access. Directly joined to the 38,000sq ft Event Centre, Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City is ideal for all business travelers. The hotel has three superb restaurants - Zaytoun ( Olive in Arabic) all-day dining, Mazar lobby lounge, and the authentic Belgian Beer Cafe, each with stunning city and creek views. The hotel is connected directly to the Dubai Festival Mall home to record breaking Imagine show featuring water, pyrotechnics, lasers and lights spectacle.

 

3. Palazzo Versace Dubai

Reminiscent of a 16th century Italian Palace, this urban retreat is a Neoclassical masterpiece with subtle traces of Arabian architecture. Featuring a striking entrance, high ceilings, landscaped gardens, and a range of well-crafted Italian furnishings, the hotel is truly symbolic of the Versace lifestyle. Every single piece of furniture and fabric that adorns the hotel's 215 hotel rooms and suites, and 169 residences, is designed and tailor-made by Versace exclusively for the Palazzo Versace Dubai. Each of the hotel's 8 restaurants and bars is designed to have an al fresco terrace to reflect the heritage of Palazzos, while the beautifully landscaped gardens and unobstructed views of the Dubai Creek and skyline make the hotel an ideal venue for weddings and social events.

 

4. Vida Creek Harbour

Vida Creek Harbour is a new haven within the stunning and iconic Dubai Creek Harbour master development. This new complex is just a 10-minute drive from Downtown Dubai and boasts spectacular views of the city’s skyline, as well as the Creek Marina.

 

5. Grand Hyatt Dubai

Award-winning city resort hotel in Dubai, towering majestically over the edge of Dubai's historic creek or overlooking the glorious Dubai skyline. This city resort offers the comfort and convenience that you seek. With contemporary guestrooms, suites and serviced hotel apartments, experience the luxury of Dubai like never before. Once checked in, be escorted to your spacious guestroom and/or suites. Enjoy in-house activities such as visiting our Ahasees Spa & Fitness Club. Take a stroll through our lavish gardens, bask in the Dubai sun by one of our 4 swimming pools or head out for an evening jog along our jogging track. Conclude your day with an authentic meal at one of our 13 food & beverage outlets spread around the property. If you're here on business, we offer a 24-hour business centre to get your work done. Our hotel also features over 8,000 square meters of event space featuring 2 ballrooms, 22 live kitchens, 14 meeting rooms & several outdoor venues to host events.

 

Timings:

10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Sun-Wed)

10:00 AM to 12 midnight (Thus-Sat)

 

Location: Dubai Creek, Dubai, UAE

 

Highlights: Dubai Festival City Mall is the only mall in the city to be housing a city's only IKEA, a flagship Zara store along with more than 500 other global brands and stores


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