The Dubai Fountain plays every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 11 PM, and watching is free. Two afternoon shows run at 1:00 and 1:30 PM, and at 2:00 and 2:30 PM on Fridays. The best free spot is the lakeside promenade outside The Dubai Mall, and the abra Lake Ride from about AED 70 puts you on the water. This guide covers show times, viewpoints, the boardwalk, summer heat and how to pair the show with a Burj Khalifa ticket, from $55.
By SB Excursions · Published 28 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026
Tour on this route: Burj Khalifa Observation Deck — From $55 per person, 1.5-2 hours.
What time is the Dubai Fountain show?
Evening shows run every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 11 PM. There are also two afternoon shows, at 1:00 and 1:30 PM, moving to 2:00 and 2:30 PM on Fridays. Each lasts a few minutes. Timings can change with maintenance, weather and holidays, so check the posted schedule or Emaar's channels on the day.
This guide also answers:
- Is the Dubai Fountain show free?
- How long is the Dubai Fountain show?
- Where is the best place to watch the Dubai Fountain?
Five ways to watch the Dubai Fountain
#1
The Dubai Mall promenade
The default and the closest: the promenade runs along Burj Lake in front of the mall, with the jets, the music and the lit tower in one view. It is free and needs no ticket. On Fridays, weekends and holidays it fills 30-45 minutes before a show, so arrive early or take a spot further along the rail.
#2
The Souk Al Bahar bridge
The arched footbridge by Souk Al Bahar gives a wider, side-on view of the jets with the tower beside them, and it costs nothing. You stand further back, so you hear less of the music, but it is easier to move around than on the promenade, and the souk's restaurants are just behind you.
#3
Burj Park
The park at the foot of the Burj Khalifa has open lawn, more room to sit than the promenade and the best angle for photographing the tower itself, which you cannot do from inside it. It is a longer walk from the Metro and the mall, with little shade by day, so it suits the evening.
#4
A restaurant terrace on the lake
Terraces along the lake sell you a seat for the show along with dinner, so there is no standing for 40 minutes. Book ahead and ask for outdoor tables at the time of a show, because they go first. In summer an indoor window table keeps the view and loses the heat. Check the menu prices before you book.
#5
The Lake Ride by abra
A traditional-style abra takes you out on Burj Lake for about 30 minutes, with the jets and the tower seen from water level. Tickets cost from about AED 70 per person, are for a fixed boat that leaves shortly before a show, and are best booked online. Check the official page for current prices and age rules.
Dubai Fountain show times: the short answer
Evening shows run every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 11 PM, and watching is free. There are also two afternoon shows, at 1:00 and 1:30 PM, moving to 2:00 and 2:30 PM on Fridays. Each show lasts only a few minutes, so you do not need to plan around the music; you need to plan around where you stand.
The shows we would pick are the ones after dark. In winter the 6 PM show is already dusk or darker (sunset is about 5:30 PM in November and December). In June and July sunset is just after 7 PM, so the first shows play in daylight and the jets look best from about 7:30 PM. The Fountain reopened on 1 October last year after a five-month renovation, Emaar said, and a second phase with new technology was scheduled for the second quarter of this year. As of 29 October 2026 we have found no announcement of changed show times, but schedules can change with maintenance, weather and public holidays, so check the posted timetable at the lake or Emaar's channels on the day.
What you are watching
The Dubai Fountain sits on Burj Lake, directly in front of The Dubai Mall and at the foot of the Burj Khalifa. It is about 275 m long, and the biggest jets reach about 150 m, roughly the height of a 40-storey building. Water, lights and music are choreographed together, and the music rotates between Arabic, classical and international pop, so two shows in a row can look quite different.
It is a show you watch, not one you queue for or pay for. That is why it appears on our lists of the best free things to do in Dubai and the best things to do at night.
| What to know | |
|---|---|
| Cost to watch | Free from the lakeside promenade, the Souk Al Bahar bridge and Burj Park |
| Evening shows | Every 30 minutes, 6 PM to 11 PM |
| Afternoon shows | Two: 1:00 and 1:30 PM (2:00 and 2:30 PM on Fridays) |
| Length of a show | A few minutes |
| Paid extras | Lake Ride by abra from about AED 70; a ticketed boardwalk when it is open |
| Nearest Metro | Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, then a 10-15 minute walk |
Times and prices change; check the posted schedule at the lake and the official booking page for the Lake Ride.
Where to watch the Dubai Fountain for free
Three spots cost nothing. Which one you want depends on whether you value being close or having room to breathe.
| Spot | Cost | What you get | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Dubai Mall promenade | Free | The closest and loudest view, with the jets and the tower in one frame | Packed on Fridays, weekends and holidays; arrive 30-45 minutes early for the rail |
| Souk Al Bahar bridge | Free | A wider, side-on view from above the water, with more room to move | Further from the jets, so you hear less of the music |
| Burj Park | Free | Open lawn at the foot of the tower, the best place to photograph the Burj Khalifa itself | A longer walk from the Metro and little shade by day |
| A restaurant terrace | The price of a meal | A seat and a view, so no standing for 40 minutes | Book ahead; terrace tables at show times go first |
No ticket is needed for any of the free spots.
If the front row is full, do not give up: the second row on the same promenade still sees every jet, and a show repeats 30 minutes later. A good trick is to watch one show from the back to see the whole picture, then move forward for the next.
The Lake Ride and the boardwalk: paying to get closer
The Lake Ride is a traditional-style abra that takes you out onto Burj Lake for about 30 minutes, with the jets and the tower from water level. Expect to pay from about AED 70 per person, with very young children free. Tickets are for a fixed boat, and boats leave shortly before each show, so they are not flexible: book online for the evening you want and arrive early. Check the price and age rules on the official booking page, because they change.
A ticketed boardwalk on the lake is the other way to get closer from the shore. Whether it is open on your date and what it costs changes, so we cannot quote a price. Check the official Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall pages before you plan around it.
Is it worth it? The ride is a nice extra for a couple or a family with a spare evening and a budget, but it is not necessary: the free promenade shows you the same jets. Do not confuse it with the Creek abra in Old Dubai, which costs AED 1-2 for a few minutes and is included in our Old Dubai walking tour, from $35.
When to go: season, day of the week and the heat
October to April is the time for standing outdoors for an hour: evenings are warm rather than hot, and the promenade is busiest. Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays bring the biggest crowds, so a weekday evening is the easy option.
From May to September the 6 PM show is still in heat and humidity, and the pavements hold the day's warmth. Pick one show, go late, drink water before you leave the mall, or watch from an air-conditioned window table. The afternoon shows fall in the hottest hour of the day, so in summer we would not plan around them. Our guide to Dubai in summer lists what works at 40°C.
Shows and opening hours can change during Ramadan, which is expected to begin around 8 February, subject to the official moon sighting. The Ramadan guide covers what else shifts for visitors.
Pairing the Fountain with the Burj Khalifa
The neat evening is a Burj Khalifa slot about an hour before sunset, then the Fountain on the way out. There is no time limit on Levels 124 and 125, so one Burj Khalifa ticket, from $55 per person, shows Dubai by day and at sunset, and from October to January you come down while the shows are running. SKY Level 148 starts from $115.
Sunset and other prime-time slots cost more, and we confirm the price for your slot on WhatsApp. Tickets are paid in full in advance and cannot be refunded or changed once issued, so check the date and time first. Our guide to the best time to visit Burj Khalifa has the slot to ask for in each month, and Level 124 vs 148 explains the SKY upgrade.
If you would rather end the evening on the water, the shared yacht tour in Dubai Marina, from $32 per person, leaves hourly. It is on the other side of the city, so choose one or the other for the same evening.
Getting there and getting home
By Metro, take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall and follow the signs for the Metro Link bridge: it is a 10-15 minute air-conditioned walk with travelators, then a few minutes through the mall to the lake. Allow 20-25 minutes from the platform to the promenade. Our Metro guide covers cards and fares, and the Downtown area guide maps the lakeside spots.
Getting home is the hard part. The taxi rank fills as soon as a show ends and the roads around Downtown are slow, so walk back to the Metro or wait for one more show before leaving. From the Marina, the route to Burj Khalifa is a straight Red Line run. If you drive, the first 4 hours of parking at The Dubai Mall are free Monday to Thursday and the first 6 hours Friday to Sunday; the Dubai Mall guide has the details.
FAQ
What time is the Dubai Fountain show?
Evening shows run every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 11 PM. There are also two afternoon shows, at 1:00 and 1:30 PM, moving to 2:00 and 2:30 PM on Fridays. Each lasts a few minutes. Timings can change with maintenance, weather and holidays, so check the posted schedule or Emaar's channels on the day.
Is the Dubai Fountain show free?
Yes. Watching from the promenade outside The Dubai Mall, the Souk Al Bahar bridge or Burj Park costs nothing. The Lake Ride by abra, from about AED 70 per person, and the ticketed boardwalk when it is open, are optional extras.
How long is the Dubai Fountain show?
A few minutes. Shows start every 30 minutes in the evening, so if you miss one the next is a short wait. If the front row is packed, watch one show from the back, then move forward for the next.
Where is the best place to watch the Dubai Fountain?
For the closest view, the promenade outside The Dubai Mall, arriving 30-45 minutes early on busy nights. For room to move, the Souk Al Bahar bridge. For photos of the tower, Burj Park. For a seat, a restaurant terrace booked ahead.
How much is the Dubai Fountain Lake Ride?
From about AED 70 per person for around 30 minutes on an abra, with very young children free. Tickets are for a fixed boat that leaves shortly before a show. Prices and age rules change, so check the official booking page.
Is the Dubai Fountain worth seeing in summer?
Yes, but pick one show, go after dark and keep the walk short. From May to September the evening is hot and humid, so many visitors watch from an air-conditioned window table. The afternoon shows fall in the hottest hour, so skip them.
How do I get to the Dubai Fountain by Metro?
Take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, then walk 10-15 minutes along the air-conditioned Metro Link bridge. Allow 20-25 minutes from the platform to the lakeside promenade. After the show, walk back to the Metro rather than queueing for a taxi.
Recommended Dubai tours for this guide
Burj Khalifa Observation Deck
It is a ticket, not a guided tour: you pick the date and time slot, we book it and send the e-tickets on WhatsApp, and you make your own way to The Dubai Mall. Levels 124 and 125 suit most visitors; SKY adds Level 148 at 555 m with priority access, a multilingual host and refreshments. On request we also book Sky Views Observatory, The View at The Palm and Dubai Frame.
- Duration
- 1.5-2 hours
- Area
- Downtown Dubai
- Format
- Timed-entry ticket
- Best for
- first-time visitors, couples and families who want Dubai from the observation decks of the 828-metre Burj Khalifa
From $55 per person Full prepayment
View tour
Dubai Marina Shared Yacht Tour
It is the most stylish way to see the skyline without paying for a private charter: a premium yacht with spacious decks and 5-star hospitality, a red carpet at the pier and the crew helping with photos against JBR and Ain Dubai. Full pre-payment secures your slot — the hourly departures sell out — and the yacht leaves strictly on time.
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Area
- Dubai Marina
- Format
- Shared 1-hour sightseeing cruise
- Best for
- families, couples and anyone who wants the Marina skyline from the water without a private charter
From $32 per person Full prepayment
View tour
Old Dubai Walking Tour
It is the Dubai that is walked rather than driven: the Creek where the city began as a trading port, the restored wind-tower quarter and the souks that still trade spices and gold. A local guide tells the story along the way. The $35 walk includes the abra, Arabic coffee or tea, dates and water; the $55 option adds street-food tastings.
- Duration
- 3-4 hours
- Area
- Old Dubai: Bur Dubai and Deira
- Format
- Shared group walk
- Best for
- first-time visitors, food lovers and anyone who wants the old trading side of Dubai on foot
From $35 per person Full prepayment
View tour📚 Keep reading
Photos: The Souk Al Bahar bridge — krebsmaus07, CC BY 2.0, Burj Park — Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons).