Dubai Fountain: One of the most recognizable sites of the city is the Dubai Fountain, which attracts millions of people annually. It is a must-visit location that can be found between the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall, and it consists of a combination of water, light, and music that can only be described as mind-blowing. After five months of renovation, the Dubai Fountain was reopened on October 1, 2025, so it will be the ideal moment to revisit some interesting things about its history and magic. Here are 5 cool facts you might not know about the Dubai Fountain.
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5 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Dubai Fountain
1. It Once Had a Different Name
The landmark was a placeholder called the Great Burj Dubai Fountain before it was renamed the Dubai Fountain. This name was employed in a competition that was held in the year 2008 in a contest where more than 4000 entries were made by more than 100 nationalities, which competed to win a prize of Dhs 100,000. In the end, the name of the fountain was settled on as the simple and graceful name of Dubai Fountain, and the prize money was divided among several members who recommended the name.
2. It Sprays 22,000 Gallons of Water at Once
The sheer size of the Dubai Fountain is one of the most mind-blowing details of it. The shows spray up to 22,000 gallons of water in the air up to 150 meters, and this is with the help of thousands of lights and is synchronized with music. The Dubai Fountain is a wondrous work of engineering and aesthetics, with approximately 13 shows a day, afternoon shows, and evening shows every half-hour.
3. The Fountain Opened Before the Burj Khalifa
It is difficult to imagine Downtown Dubai without the high-rise Burj Khalifa in the background of the Dubai Fountain, although the fountain was opened first. The Dubai Fountain was first unveiled in May 2009, and the Burj Khalifa was not officially opened to the public until January 2010. During specific periods of time, the visitors could watch the fountain demonstrations without the present-day emblem of the tallest structure in the world.
4. Its Lights Can Be Seen From 20 Miles Away
The Dubai Fountain evening performances are not only spectacular when viewed as close as possible, but they can also be seen as far as 20 miles away. The fountain includes 6,600 WET Superlights and 25 color projectors that allow it to emit up to 1.5 million lumens of light. The output peaked at 76 million lumens during New Year’s Eve, making Downtown Dubai one of the brightest places on Earth.
5. Not Every Song Makes the Playlist
The songs played at the Dubai Fountain are well chosen by WET Design, an American-based company dealing with the construction of the same. The playlist is a mixture of modern pop stars such as Adele and Lady Gaga, classical music, and Arabic hits like Sama Dubai. Not all songs pass, however—PSY’s viral hit Gangnam Style was turned down due to being too cheesy. And by the way, the fans of K-pop will be happy to hear that the song “Power” by the band EXO also appeared on the list and was even played live by them.
Also Read: Top 5 Pilates Studios in Dubai You Need to Try
What’s next for the Dubai Fountain?
The recent renovation was not the end. Emaar has declared that phase two of the redevelopment will be completed by mid-2026, and new experiences and features will be added to bring new moments of wonder. The exact details are still a secret, but one thing is known, and that is the Dubai Fountain will keep its magic for audiences long after. The Dubai Fountain is not only an attraction site; it is a representation of the capability of Dubai to combine innovation, culture, and beauty into memorable moments, whether you are a first-time visitor or a long-term resident.