Global Village returns with food and fun after a seven-week break

Lajla Hamzic, owner of Bosnian House stall, says: "We missed the Global Village and the people and our customers." On how she spent her time in the past month, she says, she was still enjoying her time in Dubai. "We enjoy when we are not working." She also mentions how her regular customers were quite excited that they had opened again. "They are always asking and texting, when are we opening."

Alvi-Nora, a Filipina at the America stall, shares her excitement on being back. "I was in the Thailand pavilion before, this is my first time at the Americas," she says, explaining that she has been in Dubai for 18 years, and a vendor at Global Village since 2011.

After a month-long closure triggered by the Iran–Israel–US conflict, Global Village has reopened with renewed energy, and a sharpened focus on safety. As we are told by security, the priority is clear: Keep calm, stay alert, and protect every visitor who walks through the gates.

We have to be calm. Don’t have to panic, says a guard, describing the mindset drilled into the team during recent briefings. The emphasis, he explains, is not just on individual vigilance, but collective responsibility. “We inform all our team to protect our tourists, our visitors.”

Preparation now defines daily operations. Across the sprawling venue, multiple safety zones and exit strategies have been reinforced. “Yes, we have the exit points here,” he notes, gesturing toward one of several designated areas. In the event of an emergency, there is no hesitation in the protocol: “We have to open all the exit points to the visitors. And we have to protect them.”

These exits are not limited or obscure; they are widespread and clearly mapped. There are five gates. Gate 5C, Gate 1C, Indian Gate, Gate of the World. Each serves as a crucial channel for crowd movement, which is meant to ensure swift and safe evacuation if required.

The approach is firm, sans confusion and less delays.

Global Village officially reopened its doors today continuing its milestone 30th season, and it's bringing more than just nostalgia.

Since first welcoming visitors in 1997, the beloved shopper's attraction has grown into one of the UAE's most loved destinations, drawing a record-breaking 10.5 million visitors last season alone.

Looking for an Insta-perfect backdrop for your feed? Here's something that might make the cut.

Global Village has a new installation of Terracota Warriors Army, a famous archaeological discovery from Xi An China, consisting of unique lifelike clay soldiers with each distinct facial features and clothing.

As the doors opened, a number of visitors lined up for their entry into Global Village.

How are you planning to get to Global Village? Start your visit with a seamless experience, suggest Salik × Parkonic.
Use the smart parking system that combines automatic payment via the Salik eWallet with advanced artificial intelligence technologies from Parkonic, from the moment you arrive until the moment you depart.

Chandrasekhar with his wife and kids, who are six and nine. He is here with his wife, Kusumanjali. The Indian expats, who hail from Andhra Pradesh, are celebrating their anniversary today. This is their second visit to Global Village with their family. "We took a little day off for the kids from school to come here," she said.

David Baldwin and Sharda Dullabh are tourists, and they have been in Dubai for 10 days. After a whirlwind of a tour around Abu Dhabi, they wanted to catch Global Village before leaving tomorrow. The pull of good food and shopping is irresistible, they admit. "We came here two years ago, and we plan to come back again next year."

Biju, who owns a small refreshments stall outside Global Village, is excited to be back. As he says, he hasnt been here for a month, and has missed it sorely. He is waiting for business to get back on track again. "I am just waiting to go inside whenever I can, and also meet my friends who just might give me free stuff."

Ahmed Alhosin arrived early with his friends at 4pm, and is waiting to head in. What excites him about Global Village opening again? As he says, he is just happy to be back. "Looking forward to burger and chicken and buying from stalls, like clothes, perfumes and just looking around."

Global Village is gearing up for a reopening after a month-long pause. The excitement is evident, as visitors are expected to slowly start to line up as well as for the vendors. We spoke to the vendor Rabiya Bilal from No. 17, Pakistan stall, who expressed her excitement on the return to Global Village. "I sell Indian shawls, Pakistani shawl and Hijabs. I have so many designs and I am excited to share them. I was very sad to be away from my stall, but back now."