12 Best Performing Arts Venues in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Amphitheatre at DMC

Dubai Marina Fodor's choice

With a capacity of 15,000, open spaces, and natural sloping greens, this is one of Dubai's most popular arenas for festivals and live music. Media City Amphitheatre hosts some huge mainstream acts (e.g. Ed Sheeran, Kanye West, and David Guetta) and is the home of recurring festivals like the Dubai Jazz Festival, Taste of Dubai, and Redfest DXB. The venue is licensed to serve alcohol, usually admits all ages, and is outfitted with an ATM, toilets, and food trucks. Most events also have VIP tickets available (with food and beverage packages, priority viewing and private lounge areas).

Al Falak St., Dubai Media City, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
4-391–4555-Dubai Media City head office
performing-arts Details
Rate Includes: Varies according to event, To keep in touch with upcoming shows and festivals, visit www.ticketmaster.ae/venue/dubai-media-city-amphitheatre-dubai-tickets/dmcam/805

Reel Cinemas, Dubai Marina Mall

Dubai Marina Fodor's choice
A small, six-screen complex with an emphasis on luxury viewing in their Premier Suites, which have large recliners, pillows, and a food service to your seat even while the movie is running. All this is priced lower than most gold-class offers at other cinemas.

Vox Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates

Burj Dubai Fodor's choice
This 24-screen modern cinema has many ways to watch: IMAX, Vox MAX (which means a larger screen), 4DX, special kids cinemas, and gold class. In addition, a collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Gary Rhodes has produced ThEATre by Rhodes, which has all the facilities of gold class (large recliners, private pre-show lounge area, butler service), with satin blankets and a better menu.
Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
600-599--905
performing-arts Details
Rate Includes: From 35 dirhams for standard seating

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DUCTAC

Burj Dubai

Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre is a nonprofit organization that specializes in community-run events. Although most events are local theater, there are also studio facilities, and a gallery for art shows. The center also runs classes that cover a diverse range of subjects from arts and crafts to creative writing, drama, and dance.

Madinat Theatre and Amphitheatre

Jumeirah Beach

Madinat Theatre, an intimate, classically styled space, is smaller in scale and plays international films. Where the Dubai Opera House has picked up the grand classical operas, orchestras, and musicals, Madinat has an eclectic mix of revue-style shows, stand-up comedy, classical concerts and plays to cater to the community's diverse interests. Most of the shows are family-friendly. The group also manage the Madinat Amphitheatre, an outdoor stage that is framed by the waters and glowing wind towers of the Madinat Jumeirah complex. Here they hold festivals and markets, and the occasional evening musical performance.

Novo Cinemas

Outfitted with 21 screens including an IMAX theater, you can opt for the VIP seating as well.

Ibn Battuta Mall, off Interchange 6 Sheikh Zayed Rd., Jebel Ali, Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
4-366–9898
performing-arts Details
Rate Includes: from 35 dirhams for a standard ticket

Outdoor at Galleria

Jumeirah Beach
A single-screen outdoor cinema is just what you need in a city where it only rains about four days out of the year. Seating is on swivel chairs, couches, or beanbags, and tickets include a food and drinks pack, and a blanket.
Al Wasl Rd,. Al Wasl, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
600-559--905
performing-arts Details
Rate Includes: From 130 dirhams for a weekday package, Check website for sessions; expect seasonal closures

Roxy Cinemas at The Beach

Dubai Marina
With 10 screens at this small cinema are broken into three experiences: the premier Director’s Lounge, luxury Editor’s Suite, and standard The Set.
The Walk, JBR, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
800-7699
performing-arts Details
Rate Includes: From 35 dirhams for standard seating

The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

The South Bank

Founded by the current ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to promote cross-cultural understanding, this center has a range of activities, including cultural meals with open discussion on Emirati culture. The center also organizes walking tours of the historic Al Fahidi district and escorted visits to the Jumeirah and Diwan Mosques.

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Vox Cinemas

The North Bank
Vox Cinemas

has 12 screens including VOX MAX (20 m screen), 4DX (with motion simulators), gold class, and Vox Kids. They show current English, Hindi, and Arabic movies.

Al Ittihad Rd., Deira, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
4-294–9000
performing-arts Details
Rate Includes: From 35 dirhams for a standard ticket

Vox Cinemas Mirdif

The North Bank
This is a 10-screen complex with VOX MAX, 4DX, and Gold options as well as standard.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Rd. (E311 Rd.), Mirdif, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
600-599905
performing-arts Details
Rate Includes: From 35 dirhams for a standard ticket

Vox Cineplex

The South Bank

The Vox Grand Hyatt Cineplex has 12 screens showing films in a mix of styles and languages. Standard, 3D, and 4DX viewing options are available.