United Arab Emirates » Entertainment in Dubai

Dubai currently has two waterparks in Wonderland and Wild Wadi with more being planned for Dubailand. Dubailand, an entertainment city vaguely planned off the concept of Disneyland was launched in October 2003. Through subsequent revisions, the master planned development will span over 3 billion square feet (300,000,000 m²) with the 1st phase to be completed in 2008.

Dubai also has a lively and well-known nightlife, with many state-of-the-art nightclubs and bars being strewed in all areas of the Emirate, mainly joined to hotels (properties not adjoined to hotels are not allowed to serve alcohol). Despite the relatively early closing time of 3am for these clubs, their trade is brisk. Dubai hosts many world class sporting events, including the Dubai Tennis Open, Dubai Desert Golf Classic, and the Dubai World Cup, an annual horse racing event. The World Cup is the world's highest stakes horse race, with over US $15 million worth of prize money handed out.

Dubai is fast gaining its name as international venue for sporting activities. The International Cricket Council selected Dubai as its new headquarters, leaving behind its home for 95 years, Lord's. Rugby is quickly becoming a popular sport as is netball, Dubai hosts an annual Rugby Sevens tournament which is incredibly popular with the rugby playing nations. Dubai is an international city and it offers a lively after-dark scene. Those young at heart can dance the night away, with popular DJs spinning in nightclubs around the city. There are also Middle Eastern, Indian and Asian nightclubs with performers appearing nightly. Stage plays from London routinely make the Dubai circuit, as do major dance groups from Europe and Asia, while ballet and opera companies from around the world are regular visitors to the emirate.