Concerts and shows
Apart from Merchants of Bollywood, one of the world’s best known shows, that starts Saturday, November 26 and runs until December 24, international stars from across the world will be taking the main cultural stage every Friday at 9pm with no additional cost at all apart from its Dh15 entry ticket price. Upcoming performers include Melhem Zain, Cheb Khalid, Mika Singh and Nancy Ajram.
Irish show Spirit of Dance has been a box office success in over 20 countries and won nine awards. The 20-minute show combines Irish dance with tango, flamenco and salsa and will be performed three times a day.
Pasha – one of Turkey’s most famous shows – is based on a beautiful tale of love in the ancient land of Anatolia. Featuring 25 professional dancers and acrobats, the show includes poetry, Balcanian dances and lyrical melodies from Horon the Dance of the Waves to the steps of the brave Zeybeks, the enemies of injustice.
45th National Day celebrations
From December 1 to 6, a 40 members of Ornina Theatrical Dance Group perform operetta UAE The Nation of Tolerance will be held on the Main Cultural Stage along with concerts by the popular Emirati singers Mohammad Al Minhaly and Walid Ebrahim.
UAE’s homegrown Shaabiat Al Cartoon characters will entertain little visitors while Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre presents popular shows such as Al Yolla, Ayyala and Al Harbiya.
A blood donation camp will also be held near Gate of the World.
And, of course, no National Day celebrations are not complete without fireworks which will take place while the Carnival of the World takes to the streets of Global Village.
Cultural Square
Inspired by the history and culture of Arabia also features a new Cultural Gate. The shape of the gate is based on Middle Eastern architecture icons such as the Burjeel and ancient buildings in Egypt and North Africa. Dallah, an emblematic representation of the UAE, can also be found here, making for a nice selfie backdrop. Cultural Square continues with the same theme and has 30 food kiosks on both sides of the street created in old style clay buildings. In the centre of the square is a sitting area covered by a canopy of lights. Cultural shows from different countries entertain here.
Global Village Boulevard
Green patches allow guests to enjoy leisurely strolls from the parking to the gates of Global Village.
New Stunt Arena
A specifically built 900-seater arena will house a never-seen-before show, Speed, Chase, Action! The show’s more than 30 international and professional actors will recreate a scene from an action movie.
The Haunted House
Walk through a scary maze, covered with all sorts of gruesome objects that will make your skin crawl. But, it is still under wraps with no opening date at present.
Stage shows
Look out for Movies Live, a voyage through the world of movies, paying tribute to some of the best known and most loved genres.
Park Life is a themed circus act with trapeze acts and contemporary choreography.
City Jam is a commercial dance show set up in an urban landscape using different levels, ramps, and projection surfaces.
Globo’s New Adventures where Globo, Global Village’s mascot, and his friends — a bat and a kangaroo — will overcome different obstacles with the help of kids in a show.
Revamped Roman Amphitheatre: With new lighting and sound projections this year, the Roman Amphitheatre will host a circus and interactive workshops for kids to learn juggling, ball spinning, mini-stilts, and more.
For the kids
For the first time in the Middle East two famous cartoon shows: Angry Birds and Chhota Bheem from India, apart from other kids’ activities.
Street entertainment
Super Helpful Heroes and the Mobile Magicians return in their creative automobiles. A one-man-band will also be seen playing different instruments. Globot, the new Global Village robot, will also be working his way through the crowds.
Shopping experience
Offering everything from massages to Grade 1 Saffron to real gold and diamond jewellery, over 75 countries are present at 30 pavilions. Making their debut at Global Village are the Far East pavilion representing Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines; the Algeria pavilion; and the Eastern Europe pavilion representing Romania, Serbia, and the Ukraine.
Global Village merchandise
Globo Center sells Globo branded cups, caps, t-shirts, yo-yos, hair wigs, clappers, football and beach balls
Architecture
The pavilion facades have been designed keeping in mind the heritage of the respective countries, with indigenous merchandise.
Dining
Over 150 food and beverage outlets covering cuisines from all around the world including 120 kiosks offering street food experience and 19 restaurants, such as the Portuguese Natta’s Café and the Spanish Churros Café.
Fantasy Island
50 rides and skill games provide fun for the entire family. Mellors Group, which is managing the rides and operations at Fantasy Island has added games designed for younger children this year. From 4 to 6pm, funfair runs a Happy Hours promotion every day with 50 per cent discount on ride prices.
Make memories
In the UAE pavilion you can wear traditional clothes and can take pictures or dress up in different nationalities at the studio near the Gate of the World.
Transportation
In case you don’t want to take the trouble to look for parking or the hassle of battling traffic, the RTA has set up two bus routes to get to Global Village. The first route (103) starts from Union Station, while the second route (104) starts from Al Ghubaiba Station, from 3.15 until 11.15pm, with 30 minutes of travel time. For more information call 8009090.
Global Village in Numbers
- 12,000 shows will be held in just over five months at Global Village
- 11,000 square metres India Pavilion is the largest.
- 4,200 new trees have been planted inside and outside to enhance visitor experience.
