Global Village Reopens in UAE in October, Dubai Fitness Challenge Returns

For residents of the United Arab Emirates, October marks the beginning of the most exciting period of the year. After the summer ends, closed attractions resume operations, allowing for the planning of outdoor activities with family and friends.

October offers a rich calendar of festivals and experiences across the UAE, including the return of Global Village, the Dubai Fitness Challenge, and other cultural and gastronomic events.

Resumption of Parks and Attractions in Dubai

The Dubai Parks and Resorts theme park will reopen its doors on October 7, 2026. Guests will have access to Motiongate Dubai, Real Madrid World, Legoland Dubai Resort, and The World of Riverland. These three theme parks cover an area of approximately 25 million square feet and offer numerous exciting entertainment options for families.

Dubai Miracle Garden, known for its colorful installations, will open its gates for its 15th season on October 8. This gives residents and visitors another chance to experience one of the emirate's most popular seasonal attractions. This floral attraction transforms much of Dubai into a vibrant garden every winter and will host guests with flower arrangements, themed rides, and family events.

One of the favorite seasonal attractions for Dubai residents, Global Village, will return on October 14, starting its 31st season. It will run until May 2027 and feature international pavilions, dining spots, entertainment, and family rides. Under the slogan 'A More Wonderful World,' this family destination will bring back its entertainment, culinary, and retail zones, while also adding several new elements. Global Village recently released VIP packages for the upcoming season, which are being sold in phases exclusively through the Coca-Cola Arena website.

Dubai Safari Park will officially resume operations on October 12 and introduce a new brand platform called 'Live More Wild Life.' This platform continues to develop based on the park's growing mission of nature conservation following a successful seventh season. Furthermore, Dubai Safari Park is launching a private tour, the 'Royal Safari Experience,' which lasts 4 hours and is designed for groups of up to 10 people. The tour includes VIP service, reserved seating, and private tours of the park.

Return of the Dubai Fitness Challenge

The outdoor activity, Dubai Fitness Challenge, returns on October 31, marking its 10th edition. This monthly initiative across the city will last until November 29 and encourages residents to dedicate at least 30 minutes to physical activity daily for 30 days. Fitness villages, community events, and activities will reappear in the emirate. DFC 2026 promises to be the largest and most community-focused edition, building on the influence of the nine previous seasons, helping to change attitudes towards physical activity and making an active lifestyle an integral part of urban life.

Cultural and Gastronomic Events

The Abu Dhabi Festival will begin on October 10 and run until December 19, offering a program of musical performances, shows, and cultural events in the capital. The annual festival is one of the largest cultural events in the UAE and will feature artists and performances from around the world.

Dubai Design District (d3) has announced the schedule for the next Dubai Fashion Week (DFW). The event, focusing on Spring/Summer 2027 collections, will take place from October 22 to 26, 2026. DFW, co-founded by Dubai Design District (d3) and the Arab Fashion Council, will present a curated program showcasing regional creative potential, continuing to support emerging designers on the global stage. The SS27 season will bring together designers, leading buyers, and key industry participants.

Global Food Week 2026 will take place at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from October 6 to 8. This event will unite the entire global food ecosystem under one roof, offering an extensive exhibition, significant GFSS thought leadership sessions, and a robust platform for business interaction aimed at defining the future of the food industry.

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www.khaleejtimes.comSeptember 20, 13:17

Global Village in Dubai announces pre-sale of Season 31 VIP packages starting September 21

Global Village has announced the start of pre-registration for its thirty-first season's VIP packages. This sale begins on September 21st at 10 am.

According to the announcement, the 31st season of Global Village will open on October 14, 2026, and will last for more than seven months, concluding in May 2027. The event will be themed 'A More Wonderful World' and will offer visitors its usual entertainment, gastronomic, and retail attractions.

Furthermore, the upcoming season will feature a number of new elements, providing guests with additional reasons to visit, return, and experience Global Village in an updated format.

www.khaleejtimes.comSeptember 19, 15:37

Dubai Police Warns About Fake VIP Packages for Global Village

Dubai is preparing for the opening of Global Village in Season 31, scheduled for October 14th. While this time generates excitement among UAE residents and tourists wishing to visit the various pavilions and attractions at this popular venue, the police warn about the need to avoid fraudulent offers and scams.

The Dubai Police have issued a warning to the public regarding fake websites and social media accounts promoting fraudulent packages for the new Global Village season. Scammers are attempting to exploit the demand for Season 31 offers to steal money and personal data.

Global Village recently released VIP packages for the upcoming season, which will be sold in stages exclusively through the Coca Cola Arena website. Pre-sales will run from September 21st to 25th, allowing guests to purchase desired packages in advance for an additional fee, followed by general sales starting on September 26th.

Fake Pages Mimicking Official Ones

The Dubai Police reported that such fraudulent schemes occur annually during the announcement period for Global Village Dubai events and packages. Scammers create or clone websites and social media accounts to closely resemble official pages, thereby misleading users about the platform's legitimacy.

Victims may be redirected to make fraudulent purchases or disclose personal information, which scammers can then use.

The Dubai Police strongly advises the public not to fall for unusually low prices or unrealistic offers. Tickets and packages should only be purchased through official and authorized channels, and users are advised to avoid links or accounts from unknown sources.

Taking a few minutes to verify the source of an offer can help protect personal information, prevent financial losses, and ensure a safe purchasing process.

What is the cost of the packages?

The package costs are as follows: the Diamond VIP Pack is 7,900 dirhams plus an additional 1,000 dirhams for priority booking. Platinum is available for 3,490 dirhams with a 500 dirham fee. Gold will cost 2,490 dirhams with a 300 dirham fee, and Silver is 1,890 dirhams with a 200 dirham fee. Anyone aged 18 or older with a valid Emirates ID can purchase the packages.

How to report suspicious accounts and links?

The Dubai Police urged citizens to report suspected fraud, suspicious accounts, and fraudulent links through the eCrime platform or by calling 901. Reporting suspicious activity helps combat cybercrime and protects others from becoming victims of such schemes.

www.khaleejtimes.comSeptember 14, 12:37

Minister states that tourism in the UAE is preparing for active growth in the coming months

The Minister of Tourism of the United Arab Emirates announced that the country's tourism sector is preparing for a significant upturn over the next few months.

The Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdullah bin Tuk Al Marri, noted that despite difficulties, it was possible to successfully navigate the complex situation, and now the sector is ready for the next month.

He emphasized that hotel operators played a significant role in maintaining the health of the sector, as they managed to preserve employment levels and refrained from increasing booking prices.

Furthermore, Al Marri mentioned that over the past two months, the Gulf countries jointly accelerated the process of digital transformation. He added that the collective results achieved in the Gulf region are being studied by global businesses.

These statements were made by the minister during a panel session at the Arabian Travel Market—a global travel and tourism event held at the Dubai World Trade Centre over four days.

Earlier, the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassem Al Budaiwi, reported that in 2025, the Gulf countries welcomed 75 million tourists, representing a 4.3 percent increase compared to the previous year, while domestic tourism in the Gulf countries reached 20 million.