Dubai Opera Guide
The entire planet knows Dubai as the recognized capital of entertainment. In addition to a huge number of attractions, the Arabs decided to create something that the city in the middle of the desert sorely lacked — its own opera! Now the greatest world stars sing on its stage, and tourists line up to pave the way to high art.
You can touch the art as soon as you step off the plane in Dubai by ordering a luxury car for yourself not only for convenient travel around the city but also to experience the posh life of the Emirates fully. Imagine yourself driving up to the entrance of the Dubai Opera for a magnificent performance in an exclusive car from Trinity Rental — you will immediately feel like part of an oriental fairy tale. All you need is a luxury car rental without a deposit and pleasant prices which already include full insurance coverage, VAT, full tank, toll roads, and 300 km/day with no extra charges.
Trinity Rental provides you with a wide choice of exclusive car fleet to make your driving experience as pleasant as possible — more than 80 vehicles with minimum mileage and even 2024 models among them. A dedicated manager will help you complete your booking, provide car delivery to any point on the Dubai map, answer all your questions about the rental process, and be in touch until the car is returned.
Having dealt with the transport, let's move on to the Dubai Opera guide itself.
About Dubai Opera
Situated in the bustling heart of Downtown Dubai, Dubai Opera is a cultural and architectural marvel that has quickly become a symbol of the city’s artistic ambitions. The building roughly follows the silhouette of a traditional Arabian boat “dhow” — tall, with a soaring roof and a forward-leaning glass exterior. The main entrance is covered in lacy ornamentation in the Arabian tradition. The architect was Janus Rochstock, a renowned Dutch architect.
A cultural icon that attracts intellectuals and theatre-goers from around the world, Dubai Opera opened in 2016 to great fanfare, including the world’s greatest tenor, Placido Domingo. The state-of-the-art venue has established itself as a leading cultural institution, hosting a variety of world-class performances, including opera, ballet, concerts, and traditional theatre.
Why You Must Visit The Dubai Opera House
There are countless reasons to visit Dubai Opera, but let's look at the most obvious ones:
- More than just an events venue, the building itself is a remarkable piece of architecture that reflects the city’s maritime heritage while incorporating contemporary design principles.
- You can choose from a variety of incredible live performances thanks to the opera's extensive shows, which range from fashion shows to classical musicals.
- Reverberation is made possible by the sophisticated acoustic shell made up of a number of overhead towers and reflectors, which guarantees the best possible sound quality.
- When the opera house's concert hall is converted into a banquet hall, it can also be used to host weddings and other sizable events.
- In addition to its role as a performance venue, Dubai Opera serves as a vibrant cultural hub. The building includes art galleries, rehearsal studios, and a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of the city. These spaces provide visitors with the opportunity to interact with art beyond the main stage.
The list can go on, but seeing is believing!
Scintillating shows at Dubai Opera
What can you see at the Dubai Opera? In its short history, the Opera has already seen many great concerts and productions featuring world-famous stars. Among them are pop concerts, classical, opera, and ballet performances, magic shows, stand-up comedy, and dance evenings. The list can go on and on, but here are the ones you've definitely heard of.
The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera, the world’s most popular musical seen by over 160 million people worldwide, makes a triumphant return to Dubai Opera.
Swan Lake
Dubai Opera presents the Hungarian National Ballet’s critically acclaimed production of Swan Lake, one of the most famous classical works in the ballet repertoire, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic music, adapted by Rudi van Dantzig and Thor van Schaik in 1988.
La Scala Theatre Orchestra
The Orchestra of La Scala Milan makes its UAE debut with the gala concert “A Concert for Tomorrow”.
Ticket prices and booking information
Tickets to the Dubai Opera House can be purchased on the official website. Select the concert or other event you are interested in, and the date and time of the event. As soon as you confirm the date, a map of the hall with available seats and ticket prices will open.
Ticket prices typically range from 200 AED to 1000 AED, depending on the Dubai Opera show and seat category. The most expensive tickets are in the stalls in the VIP and Platinum zones (as well as similar zones on the balconies — Royal and Grand Circles) and in the boxes closer to the stage. In the amphitheater, in the Gold and Silver zones, tickets are cheaper, but the view will be slightly worse.
Tickets will be sent to you by email. When paying, you can choose Dubai Opera tickets with a drink or dinner in the Belcanto restaurant or the Grand Circle area before the show. If you bought a ticket with drinks, get them before the show, as huge queues form in front of the buffets during the intermission. Drinks are allowed to be taken into the hall with you.
Tips For Your Dubai Opera House Visit
Here are some things to consider before visiting:
- Carefully read the information about the Dubai Opera show before buying tickets, whether there are age restrictions, what dress code is required, etc. Also, buy Dubai Opera tickets in advance to have a wider choice and discounts;
- While organizing your trip to the Opera, take the opportunity to explore nearby landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and Dubai Fountain;
- There is an opportunity to get a Dubai Opera tour behind the scenes that provides an in-depth look at the building's architectural and historical significance;
- Entry to the show is 2 hours before it begins. Guests are admitted to the auditorium 30 minutes before the show begins;
- It is best to print out your ticket in advance; simply showing it on your smartphone is not allowed;
- To avoid the long lines at the food stalls during the break, order your snacks in advance;
- Avoid bringing a bag larger than a rucksack because it will need to be inspected by a security guard;
- Although there isn't a strict dress code, it's advised that you dress as formally as you would for a ballroom event.
Follow these tips, and your Dubai Opera tour will go smoothly.
Opening Hours & Directions
The static ancient boat, stylized in a futuristic manner, is not just a separate building: it is part of the Opera District, located in this location. The Opera District is located in one of the most prestigious areas of the city — Downtown Dubai. It is planned that the Opera District will become a cultural bridge uniting countries and continents, peoples and cultures. The opera building stands surrounded by huge skyscrapers, including the Burj Khalifa Tower. Also, the legendary Dancing Fountains splash nearby.
How can you get to this paradise?
- Metro — get off at the Dubai Mall metro station and then walk;
- Car — if you start from the central location of the city, the trip will not last more than five minutes;
- Bus — route number F 14, stop 8 Boulevard Walk Tower.
Dubai Opera is generally open from 10 am to 10 pm, but hours may vary depending on the show schedule. It is recommended to check the official website for up-to-date information on opening hours.
Summing up
Dubai Opera stands as a remarkable symbol of Dubai's dedication to fostering a dynamic cultural landscape while honoring its heritage through contemporary creativity. From its dhow-inspired design to its acoustic capabilities and versatile performance spaces, Dubai Opera is more than just a venue; it is a cultural beacon that attracts talent and audiences from around the world. Whether you attend a performance, explore its architectural wonders, or enjoy nearby attractions like the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, your visit to Dubai Opera will be a highlight of your Dubai experience. And with Trinity Rental getting to any point will be a pure pleasure!
FAQ
Is it possible to walk from Dubai Mall to Dubai Opera?
Walk along the covered walkway to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, and continue along the street (approximately 25 minutes). Alternatively, take the same walkway to Dubai Mall and continue along the Dubai Fountain on the north side.
How can I go to Dubai Opera by Metro?
Yes, by metro, take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall.
Where do you park for Dubai Opera?
There is a large parking lot near the entrance, and a taxi stand is organized, where cars are on duty around the clock (excellent and impeccable transport service is under the auspices of the authorities of the emirate). Guests are offered soft sofas to wait in line. On Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, you can find the P3 basement parking entrance, which is after the Dubai Opera hashtag. On days when there are no performances, Dubai Opera Parking is closed.
What are Dubai Opera's opening hours?
Dubai Opera is generally open from 10 am to 10 pm, but hours may vary depending on the show schedule. It is recommended to check the official Dubai Opera website for up-to-date information on opening hours.
How much time do you need at Dubai Opera?
Make time for a pre-show dinner at the Grand Circle level in addition to the duration of the show you're seeing at Dubai Opera. Or stop by the restaurants in Alba, Bisou, or Belcanto for a leisurely meal following the performance. In short, add at least another hour to the planned time.
Is there a dress code for Dubai Opera?
Although there is no strict dress code, it is advised to wear smart casual. Visitors are not allowed to wear flip-flops, shorts, or ripped jeans at the Dubai Opera. Visitors are advised to avoid tight-fitting clothing and cover their knees and shoulders. Ethnic and traditional clothing (except for UAE national clothing) is also not allowed.