2019 is almost over and the year has been a fabulous one, especially for Dubai. Every year there are additions to Dubai’s list of attractions and this year too saw quite a few. From camping in a bubble tent in the middle of the desert to a grand multipurpose arena and the Hollywood’s famous Walk of Fame, here’s a recap of all the exciting things Dubai welcomed this year!
1. Coca Cola Arena
One of the biggest performance venues in Dubai, the Coca Cola arena created much stir. The grand auditorium opened doors in July 2019 and ever since then, it has hosted artists and stars from across the globe. The multipurpose arena is fully air-conditioned and holds up to 1700 guests. Russell Peters was the first to perform at the arena, following which there were many other stellar performances. Here’s a roundup of all the concerts coming to Dubai in 2020.
2. Dubai Stars
A walkable tribute to stars and influencers from all over the world, the Walk of Fame opened doors in October 2019. Currently, the Walk features 400 personalities and influencers from the field of art, film, music, sports, literature and architecture. The list includes personalities like Lionel Messi, Rami Malek, Huda Kattan and Elie Saab. A total of 10,000 famous names are expected to fill the Boulevard once fully complete.
3. Monopoly Board
This November, Dubai welcomed the first Monopoly Board in the Middle East. The board features the city’s iconic attractions including Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Fahidi, Xclusive Yachts, La Mer, CityWalk, Atlantis , Aquaventure, Dubai Miracle Garden and Dubai Frame. The board costs AED 199.
4. Nakheel Mall
The Nakheel Mall, which was under construction since 2015 finally opened doors to the public 28 November. The Mall spans across 4.5 million square feet, and features 350 retail shops, restaurants and leisure attractions. Besides, you don’t have to worry about parking, as there’s an underground car park that can accommodate 4,000 vehicles. The Nakheel mall also has two breath-taking waterfalls dropping from a height of 65 feet. There’s also fine dining on the rooftop, offering epic views of the Palm, the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai skyline.
5. Quranic Park
Launched on 29 March, the Quranic Park aims to give visitors a deeper insight into the teachings in the Holy Quran. Plus, it’s FREE for all visitors. Docked in Al Khawaneej, the park boasts a 60 hectare Islamic Garden, which is home to a whole lot of plants mentioned in the Islamic scriptures. The Quran park also has an enviable horticulture- decked with a desert garden, an Andalusian garden and a row of solar trees, inspired from Arabic art and design. Apart from providing shade from the scorching sun, the solar trees are also equipped with sockets for charging mobile phones and Wi-Fi capabilities.
6. W Dubai – The Palm
On February 1, the Palm Jumeirah welcomed one of Dubai’s uber-luxurious and pet-friendly hotels. W Dubai – The Palm redefines city getaways and comprises of 350 rooms and suites, spread across 7 floors, overlooking the Arabian Sea. The rooms are categorized into: Wonderful, Fabulous, and Spectacular.
Diners can binge on exorbitant cuisines dished out by celebrity chefs. Michelin-starred chef Akira Back also made his Middle East debut with his first restaurant at W-Dubai. The restaurant serves lip-smacking Japanese dishes with a Korean twist along with Akira’s signature creations.
7. Starlight Camp
What if we say you can go camping inside a bubble, that too in the middle of a desert? Sounds exciting? The Starlight Camp lets you experience sun, sand and the sky from inside a bubble-like tent. How cool is that! Pick a spot in the desert and they’ll let you have the most private staycation. What’s even better is that your fur companions also receive a warm welcome. Yes, the tents are doggie-friendly.
