Sponsored content: Free dance workshops, street food, shopping, stunt shows, fireworks and more. Here’s why you should head down to Dubai’s most affordable family day out this weekend…

If you haven’t already visited the Dubai legend that is Global Village this winter, now is quite possibly the best time to go (especially for famillies).

Why? Well, the multicultural festival park is hosting its second ever Kids Fest – this means games, workshops and live performances every day until Saturday February 25 (with some very special guests).

It also means a very affordable family day out. It costs just Dhs15 to enter (those under three get in for free) and then many of the shows and activities once you’re in the Village are completely free!

*READ MORE: Your 20 best photos from the Global Village fair*

Here’s why you should head down there this weekend…

1. MEET THE ANGRY BIRDS

Three of our favourite characters from the Angry Birds movie, Red, Bomb and Chuck, are performing a show at the Roman Amphitheatre throughout Kids Fest – there are LOADS of shows, you’ll find them on stage at 5.10pm on Thursday night, 8.30pm on Friday night and 5.15pm on Saturday (check the full schedule here to see when they’ll be on stage when you next go down and visit).

Plus, afterwards you can take selfies with the furious fowls. Think you’ll find the birds elsewhere? Well, you won’t: Global Village has exclusive rights to the franchise, so this is the only place in the UAE where you can catch them.

2. GET THE KIDS ON A BOUNCY OBSTACLE

Globo Bouncy Castle is at Global Village just for the weeks of Kids Fest, and it’s like the kids Crossfit of bouncy castles – aka, extreme. Obstacles and more have been placed inside the castle, and kids have to try and race to the finish line to mix things up. We love it.

3. EAT DELICIOUS STREET FOOD

No need to eat dinner before you take the kids down there: Global Village is home to more than 120 themed food kiosks (we love the coffee and bespoke ice cream at Nostalgia). This means you can sample tasty snacks from all over the globe all in one trip. There’s everything from Canadian poutine to Spanish churros, as well as your classic festival favourites, like popcorn, hotdogs and cotton candy.

4. GET YOUR GROOVE ON

Kids dance workshops are happening there all weekend.

Let the kids dance ’til they drop with the Global Show Academy, which is offering free dance workshops every day at the Roman Amphitheatre. You can also check out Jobz and Sabz performing all kinds of dance styles from Bollywood to street, or if you love hip hop, you should stop by the City Jam show. These are running all day every day, there’s basically almost always something happening on the stages at Global Village, so check here for the schedule to find the right time for you.

From street to Bollywood: make sure to check out Jobz & Shabz on stage when you head down there.

5. SHOP YOUR WAY AROUND THE WORLD

Leave the kids with dad (or mum, or an aunty or anyone willing to look after them!) while they’re watching a show and save some time for shopping while you’re at Global Village. You’ll find something a bit different from your standard mall fare here as Global Village has shopping pavilions that represent more than 75 countries. You can pick up all sorts of interesting souvenirs and unique gems from all over the world – and all of the products are authentic (we bought some fantastic Spanish espadrilles on our last trip down there).

6. HEAD TO FANTASY ISLAND

If you want to get the adrenaline pumping, head straight to Fantasy Island, Global Village’s amusement park, where you’ll find rollercoasters and rides for all ages. Last time we went down there our little ones had buckets of fun (and they expended some actual energy) on the high ropes obstacle course (Dhs15). Children’s rides start from Dhs12, while thrill rides for the big kids start from Dhs25 and go up to Dhs75.

7. WATCH DUBAI’S BIGGEST STUNT SHOW

There’s even something happening for big kids who love cars at Global Village. This season they’ve brought 40 of the world’s best stunt performers to present “Speed… Chase… Action” – the biggest stunt show in Dubai. And this is one for the whole family too (aka, it’s not too scary). You can expect breathtaking car chases, motorcycle flips, and explosions at the purpose-built stunt arena. You’ll find these shows running many times throughout the day and night at Global Village (head here to find the right show time for your visit).

8. SEE AMAZING FIREWORKS

No place in the world does fireworks better than Dubai, right? Well, lucky for us, we can witness them at Global Village every Thursday and Friday at 9pm. There’s also a lively parade every Friday at 8.30pm, and a dancing fountain show to boot.

See you there?

Kids Fest runs until February 25. Global Village is open until the hot months however, and is open from 4pm to midnight Saturday to Wednesday and 4pm to 1am Thursday and Friday. Mondays are family days. Most activities are included in the entry ticket, which is Dhs15 per person. Kids under 3 enter free of charge. For more info visit the website.

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