Global Village prepares for 31st season with refined cultural and entertainment offerings
Global Village, the United Arab Emirates-based cultural and entertainment destination, will reopen on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 6pm, marking the start of its 31st season. Operated by the United Arab Emirates Revenue Department, the park will remain open until May 2027, welcoming families across the Gulf region with updated experiences, dining concepts, and pavilion enhancements.
Reimagined attractions and new rides
A major addition this season is Tokyo Rush, a new roller coaster featuring high-speed curves and a full loop, set to open later in the season. The Festival Wheel will return with redesigned carts for improved rider comfort and visual appeal.
Live performances will total over 40,000 shows across the season, averaging approximately 190 daily. Notable new productions include Bollywood Idol, a musical stage play blending song and narrative, Bank Heist, an acrobatic show inspired by real heists, and Fast Live 2: The Police Strikes Back, a stunt-driven spectacle featuring vehicle choreography. Returning favorites such as the 30 Seasons of Wonder Parade will continue on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 6pm and 7:30pm.
The Kids Theatre will host appearances by Care Bears and PJ Masks, while the Gardens of the World area returns with refreshed landscaping and interactive elements.
Expanded dining and retail
More than 250 dining options will be available, including three new restaurant concepts in the Restaurant Plaza: Robo Al Sham for Levantine cuisine, Hawawshi Al Rabie serving Egyptian street food, and Chicking, a crispy fried chicken outlet. The Trabzon Turkish Restaurant joins as a new standalone dining location.
Three new cafés — Vinci Dolci, Emir Bey Gourmet, and Uzungol Café — will serve specialty coffee and pastries. The Dessert District will reopen with a modernized exterior and expanded sweet offerings.
More than 3,500 retail outlets are spread across 29 pavilions, each representing distinct traditions from over 90 cultures. The pavilions continue to offer artisan crafts, textiles, and cultural souvenirs.
Pavilion updates and cultural realignments
Significant changes include Sri Lanka’s transition into a standalone pavilion, ending its previous shared space with Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Russia and Azerbaijan have merged into a new combined pavilion, reflecting shared regional heritage.
The Syria and Kuwait pavilions return with updated façades and interior displays. Core pavilions — including the UAE, India, Japan, China, Turkey, Morocco, and others — remain central to the experience, preserving authentic cultural representation.
Visitor convenience enhancements
To improve accessibility, bilingual Arabic-English signage has been installed throughout the park, and a new WhatsApp chatbot offers real-time assistance for inquiries about shows, queues, and directions.
Additional upgrades include VIP parking self-service kiosks, expanded Family POD Washrooms, new ticket counters at the Happiness Gate, and enhanced directional lighting at the Cultural Gate and Sharjah tunnel entrance.
A Season 31 Passport, designed for stamp collection at each pavilion, is now available for adults, alongside a dedicated Kids Passport for younger visitors.
Ticket pricing, operating hours, and seasonal passes will remain consistent with previous seasons, with no announced changes. Visitors are encouraged to use the official Global Village app for daily show schedules and real-time queue updates.
