Dubai Festival City

Dubai Festival City is a waterfront mixed-use district developed by the Al-Futtaim Group along Dubai Creek. The masterplan combines retail, hospitality, residential neighbourhoods and leisure amenities clustered around a circular marina and a crescent-shaped mall. Key elements of the scheme include Festival City Mall, a flagship IKEA store, two international hotels and the Al Badia residential and golf components.

What the place is and where it is

Dubai Festival City occupies a strategic position on the eastern side of Dubai Creek, within the Dubai municipal area. The development was conceived as a large-scale waterfront destination incorporating retail, marine facilities, high-rise hotel and office towers, dedicated residential precincts and a championship golf course at Al Badia. The masterplan includes significant parking and infrastructure to support retail and event activity around the marina.

Transport and distances

Public transport and road connections make Festival City accessible from central Dubai and the airport. The nearest metro station on the Green Line is coded G30 and is approximately 1,120 metres away, making it walkable for many residents. Road distances to several central destinations are:

• Burj Khalifa / Downtown Dubai — 8.1 km
• The Dubai Mall — 7.6 km
• Dubai International Airport (DXB) — 3.9 km
• Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) — 7.0 km
• Business Bay — 9.5 km
• Palm Jumeirah — 24.5 km
• Dubai Marina — 26.3 km
• JBR Beach — 27.0 km
• Mall of the Emirates — 19.0 km
• Expo City Dubai — 35.4 km
• Global Village — 17.4 km

Urban fabric, buildings and projects

The focal point of the completed sections is Festival City Mall, a large retail complex that includes a flagship IKEA store, one of two in Dubai, and well-known British high-street names such as Marks & Spencer, Early Learning Centre, Mothercare and Boots. The waterfront component of Festival City was delivered under major contracts, with Al-Futtaim Carillion awarded a large construction contract for the initial waterfront phase. This phase included significant retail and marine facilities, two international hotels, InterContinental and Crowne Plaza, a high-rise office component and extensive covered parking for up to 8,000 cars. Its combined built-up area exceeded six million square metres.

The Al Badia precinct forms the residential and golf element of the masterplan. The Al Badia Golf Resort clubhouse was built by a specialist contractor and designed by international consultants. It includes multiple food and beverage outlets, function spaces, locker rooms with wellness facilities and private suites. The championship 18-hole course, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, has a par-72 layout. Early phases of Al Badia Residences were completed and occupied as part of the masterplan rollout.

Substantial groundwork and foundation work supported the parking and mall structures, while the initial waterfront elements progressed during the mid-2000s. Following the early delivery of the mall, hotel and residential components, further parts of the original masterplan continued to be developed in subsequent years.

Projects nearby

Within the Festival City cluster and immediate surroundings are residential blocks associated with the Al Badia Residences scheme, including:

• Al Badia Residences Building 21
• Al Badia Residences Building 23

Sub-communities inside Festival City

The Festival City area contains several smaller neighbourhoods and gated compounds, including:

• Al Badia Living
• Al Badia Villas
• Al Badia Residences

Who the area suits

Dubai Festival City suits buyers and renters who prioritise waterfront living with direct access to large retail and leisure assets. The presence of a major mall, marina and hotel infrastructure makes the district attractive to residents working in hospitality or retail, families who value nearby amenities, and golf enthusiasts because of the Al Badia golf component. Its proximity to Dubai International Airport and central business districts such as DIFC and Downtown also makes it convenient for frequent travellers and professionals seeking short commutes to central employment hubs.

FAQ

Is there metro access to Festival City?
Yes — the closest Green Line metro station is coded G30 and sits roughly 1,120 metres from the main district, a walkable distance for many users.

What major retail and leisure anchors are in Festival City?
Festival City Mall is the main retail destination and includes a flagship IKEA store and a range of international and British high-street brands. The marina promenade and hotels add leisure and dining options along the creek.

Are there shared micro-mobility options in the area?
An e-bike service operates in the district through a partnership involving Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate and an international operator. The scheme offers pay-as-you-go and subscription models, with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h. Bikes are available at the Marsa Plaza promenade and additional points within Festival City.

How close is Festival City to the airport and downtown?
Festival City is approximately 3.9 km from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and around 7–8 km from major central areas such as The Dubai Mall, DIFC and Burj Khalifa / Downtown Dubai.

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