Dubai Festival City Guide: Mall, IMAGINE Show, Dining, Location & Living

Dubai Festival City is not just a destination—it is one of Dubai’s most carefully planned waterfront communities, designed to function as a self-contained urban district along the historic Dubai Creek. Developed by Al-Futtaim Real Estate, this 5.2 million square metre mixed-use development blends residential living, hospitality, retail, business, leisure, and waterfront culture into a single, highly integrated ecosystem.

Unlike stand-alone shopping or tourism zones, Dubai Festival City (DFC) reflects Dubai’s long-term urban planning philosophy: connect lifestyle, mobility, commerce, and culture within one walkable, service-rich environment. This guide explores Dubai Festival City holistically—from its origins and location to daily life, attractions, transport, and future outlook—positioning it clearly within Dubai’s broader urban and cultural fabric.

Table of Contents

Dubai Festival City at a Glance

Dubai Festival City (Arabic: دبي فستيفال سيتي), historically known as Al Kheeran, sits on the eastern bank of Dubai Creek, directly opposite Al Jaddaf. Its strategic location—just 2 kilometres from Dubai International Airport (DXB)—makes it one of the closest waterfront communities to the city’s primary aviation gateway.

Key defining characteristics:

Waterfront urban district along Dubai Creek
Integrated residential, retail, hospitality, and office zones
Home to Dubai Festival City Mall and Festival Bay
Family-oriented, master-planned environment
One of the largest privately developed projects in the Middle East

Dubai Festival City is often mistaken for its mall alone, but the mall is only one component of a much larger, carefully structured urban development.

Related: City Centre Deira

History & Urban Development Evolution

Early Vision and Launch (2003–2007)

Dubai Festival City was announced in the early 2000s as Dubai accelerated its transformation into a global city. Construction began in 2003, with Al-Futtaim Carillion appointed as the main contractor.

The first milestone came in 2005 with the opening of the Festival Power Centre, anchored by the UAE’s first IKEA—a move that positioned the area early on as a regional retail magnet.

By March 2007, the Festival Waterfront Centre opened, introducing cinemas, dining, and leisure facilities along Dubai Creek, setting the tone for waterfront-led urban living.

Recommended: Dubai Outlet Mall

Hospitality Expansion (2007–2009)

Recognizing the site’s proximity to DXB and Dubai’s growing business tourism sector, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) launched a hotel cluster that included:

InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City
InterContinental Residence Suites

This positioned Dubai Festival City as both a leisure and corporate hospitality hub.

Modernization & Landmark Enhancements (2015–Present)

In 2015, Al-Futtaim invested AED 1.5 billion into a major mall expansion and refurbishment. The defining outcome was the launch of IMAGINE in December 2016, transforming Festival Bay into a global entertainment landmark.

Further developments included:

A new mall wing (2017)
Enhanced waterfront promenade
Festival Arena event space
Expanded residential communities

Today, Dubai Festival City stands as a mature, fully operational urban district rather than a development in transition.

Location, Connectivity & Urban Context

Dubai Festival City occupies a pivotal position between old Dubai (Deira) and new Dubai, offering both heritage proximity and modern infrastructure.

Road Access

Crescent Drive connects directly to the community
Close access to Al Garhoud Bridge and Ras Al Khor Road
Quick links to Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai–Sharjah corridors

Metro & Public Transport

While there is no dedicated metro station within DFC:

Emirates Metro Station (Red Line) is the most commonly used
Creek and Al Jaddaf Metro Stations (Green Line) are nearby
Free shuttle services and RTA taxis bridge the final distance

Bus & Marine Transport

RTA bus routes: 64A, 24, F08, 44, F58, 53, 103
Abra and water taxi services connect DFC to Al Jaddaf Marine Station

This multimodal connectivity reinforces DFC’s role as a transit-friendly waterfront district.

Dubai Festival City Mall: Retail, Leisure & Urban Entertainment

Dubai Festival City Mall is the district’s most visible landmark and one of Dubai’s most immersive lifestyle malls.

Retail Landscape

Over 400 retail outlets
Flagship stores: IKEA, Marks & Spencer, Zara, H&M
International fashion, electronics, homeware, and lifestyle brands
Market Island: curated dining and artisanal food concepts

With a gross leasable area of approximately 230,000 sq m, the mall caters equally to residents, tourists, and transit visitors from DXB.

Dining & Waterfront Experiences

Over 100 restaurants and cafés
Creekside dining terraces with skyline views
Popular venues include The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s, Al Fanar, Belgian Café

Dining at Festival City is designed around visual experience, water proximity, and evening ambience, rather than purely retail convenience.

IMAGINE & Festival Bay: Global Entertainment Landmark

IMAGINE Dubai is one of the district’s defining attractions and holds multiple Guinness World Records for:

Largest water screen projection
Largest permanent projection mapping

Taking place nightly at Festival Bay, the show combines:

Water fountains
Lasers and fire
Building-scale projections
Surround-sound audio

Shows begin at 7:00 PM and repeat every 30 minutes until late evening, creating a consistent nighttime draw that reshapes the waterfront’s social rhythm.

Leisure, Recreation & Outdoor Spaces

Dubai Festival City prioritizes walkability and outdoor engagement—uncommon for large retail-led districts.

Waterfront Promenade

3.3 km continuous creekside walkway
Jogging, cycling, sunset walks
Direct views of Dubai Creek and Al Jaddaf skyline

Family & Indoor Entertainment

VOX Cinemas (premium and family formats)
BOUNCE-X freestyle trampoline and parkour arena
Fabyland and LEGO-based play zones

Golf & Wellness

Al Badia Golf Club: 18-hole championship course
Al Areesh Club: fitness, swimming, tennis, and social facilities

Residential Communities & Living Experience

Dubai Festival City is widely regarded as one of Dubai’s most family-oriented waterfront communities.

Residential Zones

Marsa Plaza: 1–4 bedroom apartments and duplexes
Al Badia Residences: apartments and townhouses near green spaces
Al Badia Hillside & Al Badia Living: low-density, community-centric layouts

The residential design emphasizes:

Creek or golf course views
Low traffic density
Integrated retail and services

Lifestyle Profile

Popular with professionals working in Deira, DIFC, and DXB
Appeals to families seeking schools, green areas, and healthcare nearby
Strong sense of privacy despite proximity to major attractions

Education, Healthcare & Daily Services

Dubai Festival City supports full-cycle living without dependency on external districts.

Schools

Deira International School (British & IB curriculum)
Universal American School (American & IB)
Al Mawakeb School Al Garhoud
Grammar School Dubai

Healthcare & Services

Clinics, pharmacies, and wellness centres within and near DFC
Proximity to Rashid Hospital, Mediclinic Garhoud, and Dubai Healthcare City

Hotels & Business Environment

The IHG hotel cluster within DFC serves:

Business travelers using DXB
Event and exhibition visitors
Long-stay residents

Festival Arena and office zones further position the area as a business-friendly waterfront district, not solely a tourism zone.

Nearby Areas & Urban Relationships

Dubai Festival City connects organically with:

Al Garhoud (residential and airport services)
Al Jaddaf (arts, healthcare, waterfront living)
Deira (heritage, souks, traditional commerce)

This relationship reinforces DFC’s role as a bridge between heritage Dubai and contemporary urban design.

Future Outlook & Long-Term Value

Dubai Festival City’s future growth is focused on:

Waterfront activation
Smart mobility integration
Residential lifestyle enhancements
Event-driven tourism

Its proximity to DXB and alignment with Dubai’s Creek revitalization strategy ensures long-term relevance for residents, investors, and visitors alike.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Dubai Festival City worth visiting?

Yes. It combines waterfront dining, world-class retail, record-breaking entertainment, and cultural proximity to Dubai Creek—making it suitable for families, couples, and short-stay visitors.

Is Dubai Festival City the same as Dubai Festival City Mall?

No. The mall is one component of a much larger mixed-use community that includes residences, hotels, offices, schools, and leisure facilities.

What time is the IMAGINE show at Dubai Festival City?

IMAGINE starts daily at 7:00 PM, with shows every 30 minutes until late evening.

Which metro station is closest to Dubai Festival City?

Emirates Metro Station (Red Line) is the most convenient, followed by Creek and Al Jaddaf on the Green Line.

Is Dubai Festival City good for families?

Yes. It offers schools, healthcare access, green spaces, family entertainment, and low-traffic residential zones.

Final Perspective

Dubai Festival City represents Dubai’s evolution from destination-based development to fully integrated urban communities. With its waterfront geography, cultural relevance, and everyday livability, it stands as one of the emirate’s most balanced districts.

For deeper insights into Dubai neighborhoods, malls, and lifestyle districts, aboutdubai.online remains a trusted Dubai travel and lifestyle resource—helping you navigate the city beyond surface-level attractions.