Visitors at Burj Lake in Downtown Dubai can watch the Dubai Fountain again, but the shows are noticeably quieter. An Emaar spokesperson told Khaleej Times that the attraction is running at a lower volume and with a reduced soundtrack.
The change follows a short halt after Dubai entered official mourning for Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Emaar, the developer behind the fountain, explained the decision in a statement to Gulf News.
“Dubai Fountain was paused following the announcement of official mourning in Dubai for the passing of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,” the company said. “It has now resumed with an adjusted presentation that reflects the solemnity of the ongoing mourning period.”
Sheikh Ahmed died on the morning of Monday, September 21, at age 76, according to the Dubai Media Office. He was the youngest son of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and a younger brother of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The Ruler’s Court declared 10 days of official mourning starting that day, with flags flown at half-mast across the emirate.
Sheikh Ahmed graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and went on to become commander-in-chief of Dubai’s Central Military Region. He later served as deputy chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security and headed Al Wasl Sports Club for decades. His funeral prayer was held on September 22 at the Za’abeel Grand Mosque.
Live entertainment is usually suspended during official mourning in the UAE. The National first reported, citing a Dubai Mall customer service representative, that the fountain would stay closed for the entire mourning period. Emaar has since brought the performances back in a modified format.
On its standard schedule, the fountain runs evening performances every 30 minutes from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Afternoon shows take place at 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. from Saturday to Thursday, moving to 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Fridays.
The pause came less than a year after the fountain, which Emaar describes as the world’s largest choreographed fountain system, reopened on October 1, 2025. It had been closed for five months for renovation and upgrades, and thousands of people came to see its water, music and light displays return.
The Emaar spokesperson told Khaleej Times the quieter format will stay in place until the mourning period ends.
