After nearly six months of silence, the Dubai Fountain made its long-awaited return with a newly upgraded showcase that drew thousands to the heart of Downtown. According to local media, by late afternoon, the edges of Burj Lake were packed with visitors families, tourists, and residents, many raising their phones to capture photos and videos. People rushed to secure prime spots along the promenade and boardwalk, eager for the best views as the crowd grew steadily ahead of the 6:30 PM performance.
Ahead of the relaunch, the enhanced sound system at Dubai Mall reportedly began playing music across the waterfront. Boats were observed preparing the lake’s surface for the evening show, contributing to a growing sense of anticipation as the start time neared.
The inaugural performance featured “Emsaha Dubai” by Coral Al Emarat, a four-minute patriotic anthem whose title translates to “The name is Dubai.” The song is dedicated to the city’s leadership, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan , celebrating their vision and steadfast support. This was followed by a second display, choreographed to “Time to Say Goodbye” by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman , a classic orchestral piece that has become a staple in large-scale musical events.
Subsequent shows continued through the evening at 30-minute intervals, including a composition by Grammy-winning artist Christopher Tin, a Mandarin pop song that resonated with visiting tour groups from China, and Adele’s “Skyfall”, a crowd favourite from past fountain playlists. The return program was designed to offer a renewed but familiar experience, blending emotional resonance with technical brilliance.
According to Khaleej Times, large numbers of spectators stayed on to watch multiple rounds of the show, capturing photos and videos of the returning spectacle. Each performance, though built on the same upgraded systems, varied in music and choreography, adding to the draw for those who stayed to watch more than once.
Behind the spectacle: What changed and why it mattered
The fountain's return comes after a five-month closure, announced in February by Emaar Properties , to allow for a full-scale overhaul. The goal was not just cosmetic enhancement, but a reengineering of its foundational systems for better durability and performance.
Key structural and technical upgrades included:
Dubai Fountain: A 16-year journey of awe
Originally unveiled on 8 May 2009 during The Dubai Mall’s grand opening, the Dubai Fountain was designed by WET Design — the creators of the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas. It quickly became the world's largest choreographed (Dancing) fountain, stretching 275 metres across the manmade Burj Lake and capable of shooting 22,000 gallons of water up to 150 metres in the air. The project cost approximately AED 800 million (about ₹18 billion at the time).
Powered by 6,600 lights and 25 colour projectors, the fountain has mesmerised over 14 million visitors annually, weaving stories through movement, light, and sound. Music choices over the years have included global names like Adele, Pavarotti, Edith Piaf, Lionel Richie, and K-pop group EXO, among others.
During the shutdown, Emaar maintained public engagement by installing 500 metres of high-definition digital screens along the Dubai Mall promenade, looping archival footage of past shows in sync with Burj Khalifa’s LED displays — preserving a sense of connection to the fountain, even as physical shows paused.
What’s next: Show timings, viewing spots & visitor tips
With its return, the Dubai Fountain is now operating on new show timings:
Afternoon shows:
Ahead of the relaunch, the enhanced sound system at Dubai Mall reportedly began playing music across the waterfront. Boats were observed preparing the lake’s surface for the evening show, contributing to a growing sense of anticipation as the start time neared.
The Dubai Fountain returns to dazzle visitors with innovative shows pic.twitter.com/40pyr0JaWj
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) October 1, 2025
The inaugural performance featured “Emsaha Dubai” by Coral Al Emarat, a four-minute patriotic anthem whose title translates to “The name is Dubai.” The song is dedicated to the city’s leadership, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan , celebrating their vision and steadfast support. This was followed by a second display, choreographed to “Time to Say Goodbye” by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman , a classic orchestral piece that has become a staple in large-scale musical events.
من جديد، نافورة #دبي تنبض بالحياة، وتُطلّ على العالم بثوبها المضيء وعروضها الساحرة… حيث الماء يرقص على أنغام الموسيقى، في مشهد يجسد روح دبي المتجددة وجمالها الذي لا ينطفئ. pic.twitter.com/fyancOvIJs
— Mohamed Al Rasheed محمد الرشيد (@m3_alrasheed) October 1, 2025
Subsequent shows continued through the evening at 30-minute intervals, including a composition by Grammy-winning artist Christopher Tin, a Mandarin pop song that resonated with visiting tour groups from China, and Adele’s “Skyfall”, a crowd favourite from past fountain playlists. The return program was designed to offer a renewed but familiar experience, blending emotional resonance with technical brilliance.
According to Khaleej Times, large numbers of spectators stayed on to watch multiple rounds of the show, capturing photos and videos of the returning spectacle. Each performance, though built on the same upgraded systems, varied in music and choreography, adding to the draw for those who stayed to watch more than once.
Behind the spectacle: What changed and why it mattered
The fountain's return comes after a five-month closure, announced in February by Emaar Properties , to allow for a full-scale overhaul. The goal was not just cosmetic enhancement, but a reengineering of its foundational systems for better durability and performance.
Key structural and technical upgrades included:
- Complete draining of the 30-acre Burj Khalifa Lake , which allowed access to the fountain’s underwater base.
- New reinforced concrete flooring, replacing the old surface prone to cracks, along with added waterproofing and insulation layers to reduce water loss and increase durability.
- Installation of glowing blue tiles to improve visual aesthetics and underwater visibility during performances.
- Introduction of robotic choreography systems, enabling better synchronisation between water jets, lights, and music cues.
- Enhanced audio-visual suite, with sharper lighting effects and clearer sound for a richer sensory experience.
- Upgraded playlist management, now featuring over 48 tracks across genres — from Arabic and classical to pop and international — each programmed over weeks to perfect its choreography.
Dubai Fountain: A 16-year journey of awe
Originally unveiled on 8 May 2009 during The Dubai Mall’s grand opening, the Dubai Fountain was designed by WET Design — the creators of the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas. It quickly became the world's largest choreographed (Dancing) fountain, stretching 275 metres across the manmade Burj Lake and capable of shooting 22,000 gallons of water up to 150 metres in the air. The project cost approximately AED 800 million (about ₹18 billion at the time).
Powered by 6,600 lights and 25 colour projectors, the fountain has mesmerised over 14 million visitors annually, weaving stories through movement, light, and sound. Music choices over the years have included global names like Adele, Pavarotti, Edith Piaf, Lionel Richie, and K-pop group EXO, among others.
During the shutdown, Emaar maintained public engagement by installing 500 metres of high-definition digital screens along the Dubai Mall promenade, looping archival footage of past shows in sync with Burj Khalifa’s LED displays — preserving a sense of connection to the fountain, even as physical shows paused.
What’s next: Show timings, viewing spots & visitor tips
With its return, the Dubai Fountain is now operating on new show timings:
Afternoon shows:
- Saturday to Thursday: 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM
- Friday: 2:00 PM and 2:30 PM
- Daily from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, every 30 minutes.
- Waterfront Promenade (Dubai Mall) – the most popular and direct spot.
- Souk Al Bahar terraces – dining with a view.
- Burj Park – offers a more laid-back atmosphere.
- Dubai Fountain Boardwalk – a floating path that brings you closer to the action (Tickets: AED 20–25).
- Abra lake ride: AED 65 per person for an on-the-water show.
- Thiptara (Palace Downtown) – Thai seafood in a luxurious setting.
- Armani/Hashi & Armani/Amal (Armani Hotel) – upscale Japanese and Indian cuisine with panoramic fountain views.
- Mausam (Dubai Mall) – casual Indian dining with a scenic view.
- Time Out Market (Souk Al Bahar) – vibrant food court-style experience with outdoor terrace seating.
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