Dubai iconic Dubai Fountain—a magnet for international tourists that has drawn over 90 million visitors to the Downtown Dubai area in 2024 alone—is unexpectedly closing its doors. The world’s largest performing fountain, the Dubai Fountain, announced today by developer Emaar, will undergo a five-month period of extensive renovations, starting in May. While the news has sent ripples of surprise through the travel community, the move promises a significantly enhanced Dubai Fountain experience upon its return in October.

What are you most excited about for the Dubai Fountain upgrade?

“This temporary Dubai Fountain closure, while impacting near-term Dubai tourism, is a crucial investment in the future,” stated Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar. “The Dubai Fountain is more than a spectacle—it is a reflection of Dubai’s soul, where art, innovation, and emotion come together in perfect harmony. As we elevate this iconic Dubai landmark, we continue to create experiences that connect people, inspire wonder, and stand the test of time.”  

The Dubai Fountain has been the heartbeat of Downtown Dubai since its opening. The Dubai Fountain show, held every 30 minutes daily in the evening in front of the Burj Khalifa and visible from Dubai Mall, has quickly ascended to global fame, known for its breathtaking choreography and its mesmerizing blend of water, light, and music. The Dubai Fountain consistently ranks among the top attractions in Dubai. This period of unparalleled popularity, with visitor numbers to the Downtown Dubai area exceeding even pre-pandemic levels, makes the timing of the Dubai Fountain closure all the more noteworthy.

The five-month Dubai Fountain closure will facilitate a comprehensive upgrade, focusing on several key areas. These include:

• Advanced Dubai Fountain Technology: The Dubai Fountain will receive cutting-edge technological upgrades, though specific details are yet to be fully disclosed by Emaar. This promises a more dynamic and reliable Dubai Fountain performance.
• Improved Dubai Fountain Choreography: The Dubai Fountain’s movements will be refined and expanded, likely incorporating new sequences and patterns to keep the Dubai Fountain shows fresh and engaging.
• Enhanced Dubai Fountain Sound and Lighting System: A completely upgraded sound and lighting system will be installed for the Dubai Fountain. This will provide a more immersive and vibrant Dubai Fountain experience for spectators, with richer colors and crisper audio.

Emaar has assured that they are “committed to delivering exceptional Dubai Fountain experiences” with these upgrades.

The temporary Dubai Fountain closure is expected to have a noticeable impact on Downtown Dubai’s foot traffic, particularly during the peak Dubai summer season. “As an expat living in the UAE, I’ve seen firsthand how the Dubai Fountain draws crowds from all over the world. While I’ll certainly miss the breathtaking outdoor shows during the upgrade, and I’m sure it will impact foot traffic in Downtown Dubai in the short term, I understand the need for these enhancements. Dubai is always evolving, and this investment in the fountain’s future will only make it even more spectacular. It’s also worth remembering that visitors can still experience the beauty of the indoor waterfall fountain within Dubai Mall while the outdoor fountain is being upgraded. This just shows the depth of offerings that Dubai has. In the long run, these improvements will undoubtedly solidify the Dubai Fountain’s position as a must-see attraction and continue to draw tourists to this incredible city”said Kim.

The Dubai Fountain show currently sprays up to 22,000 gallons of water as high as 140m in the air at any one time while accompanied by lights and music featuring songs like Thriller by Michael Jackson, Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman’s Time to Say Goodbye and Power by Korean pop band EXO.

Visitors who had planned trips to see the Dubai Fountain during the closure period are advised to check the official Emaar local na rede Internet and social media channels for Dubai Fountain updates. While the Dubai Fountain is undergoing enhancements, visitors to Downtown Dubai can still enjoy a wealth of other experiences, including exploring the vast Dubai Mall and taking in the panoramic Dubai city views from the Burj Khalifa.

The five-month Dubai Fountain closure, while a temporary disruption, underscores Dubai’s commitment to continuous improvement and delivering world-class Dubai experiences. The ambitious Dubai Fountain renovations promise to elevate this already iconic Dubai landmark to even greater heights, ensuring its continued success and solidifying its place as a must-see Dubai destination for years to come. The anticipated Dubai Fountain reopening in October is already generating significant buzz among travel enthusiasts worldwide.