Holiday homes in Dubai Festival City
A creekside community minutes from DXB, built around Festival City Mall and its free nightly IMAGINE water and light show.
Dubai Festival City is a large mixed-use development on the eastern bank of Dubai Creek, combining a waterfront mall, hotels, serviced residences and the Al Badia villa and apartment neighbourhoods. Most short-stay options are hotel-run serviced apartments, with few private holiday homes.
Its main appeal is location: Dubai International Airport is minutes away, and the creekside promenade, restaurants and the IMAGINE show at Festival Bay are on the doorstep. It suits stopover travellers, families and business visitors to the airport side of the city.
Getting around
- There is no metro station in the community today; Emirates station on the Red Line is a short drive away.
- An RTA abra links Festival City with Al Jaddaf Marine Station, next to Creek metro station, in about 7 minutes.
- The Blue Line will add a Dubai Festival City station, scheduled to open in September 2029.
- DXB is about 5–10 minutes by car.
Who it suits
- Stopover and early-flight travellers
- Families wanting mall and waterfront entertainment
- Business visitors near the airport
Nearby
- Dubai Festival City Mall
- IMAGINE, a free evening water, fire and light show at Festival Bay
- Creekside promenade and restaurants
- Dubai Creek Harbour a short drive away
Nothing listed here yet
Send your dates or move-in month and budget, and we will find options in Dubai Festival City and send them to you on WhatsApp.
Questions people ask
How close is Festival City to the airport?
Very close: DXB is typically 5–10 minutes away by car, which makes it popular for stopovers and early flights.
When is the IMAGINE show?
It runs in the evenings at Festival Bay, typically every 30 minutes between about 7 and 11 pm, and is free to watch; check the mall's schedule before you go.
Are there private holiday homes in Festival City?
Only a few. Most short stays here are serviced apartments run by hotels; if you want a private apartment nearby, neighbouring Dubai Creek Harbour has more supply.
Do holiday homes in Dubai need a licence?
Yes. Every holiday home unit in Dubai needs a permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Each listing shows its permit number once it is issued.
Is there a tourism fee on a holiday home stay?
Yes. Holiday homes collect the Tourism Dirham, a fee per bedroom per night set by DET. It is included in the total we confirm before you pay.
What is included in a holiday home stay?
Fresh linen and towels, Wi-Fi, electricity, water and air conditioning, a fitted kitchen and cleaning between stays. Each listing lists anything extra.
How do I book, and is there a deposit?
Send your dates on WhatsApp or through the form. We confirm availability and the full price, then take a booking payment and a refundable security deposit.
More areas
All holiday homes- Dubai Marina
- JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence)
- Downtown Dubai
- Palm Jumeirah
- Business Bay
- Dubai Creek Harbour
- City Walk
- DIFC
- Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT)
- Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)
- Dubai Hills Estate
- Bluewaters Island
- Emaar Beachfront
- Al Barsha
- Jumeirah
- La Mer
- How to Get a Holiday Home Permit in Dubai
- Tourism Dirham and Holiday Home Fees in Dubai
- Holiday Home vs Hotel vs Monthly Rental in Dubai
- Letting Your Dubai Home as a Holiday Home: Owner's Guide
Sources: airroi.com, propertyfinder.ae, bayut.com, rta.ae, karta.com