Here's what you need to know
Though it only opened its doors in 2016, the Dubai Opera has quickly become one of the city’s most treasured cultural jewels. The 1901-seat performing arts center has played host to operatic performances, ice shows, ballet dances, orchestral productions, illusionist acts, musicals and more. In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about visiting the Dubai Opera.
Where is the Dubai Opera?
To visit the Dubai Opera, you will need to head over to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, in Downtown Dubai. The Dubai Opera is situated close to the Burj Khalifa.
If you're interested in seeing more of Downtown Dubai, check out our Downtown Dubai Walking Tour
If you are traveling by metro, you should take the Red Line to the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall metro station. The Dubai Opera is approximately a 15-minute walk away from that stop. You can check out our guide to using the Dubai Metro here.
How do I buy tickets to the Dubai Opera?
You may visit the Dubai Opera website to purchase tickets online. You can also buy tickets in-person at the Dubai Opera Box Office. The Box Office is located on the Opera Plaza on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard and is open daily from 10am to 9pm.
How much do tickets to the Dubai Opera cost?
The cost of tickets will depend on the show that you wish to see and the location of your seats. Tickets can range from 250 AED (for back row seats) to 7000 AED and over for VIP Box seats. Group bookings of 10 or more may qualify for discounts, depending on the show – visit the Dubai Opera website for more information.
What is the seating plan for the Dubai Opera like?
The Dubai Opera is built to seat 1901 people. The seating is divided into three main areas – Stalls, Royal Circle and Grand Circle.
The pricing within each section can vary significantly (for instance, there is a difference of several thousand dirhams between seating in B reserve and seating in a B1 or B2 box seat, even though they both fall under the “Stalls” Category). Check your pricing carefully when purchasing!
How will my tickets be delivered to me after purchase?
Printing at Home: Most shows at the Dubai Opera allow you to print your tickets at home. Make sure the barcode is printed clearly on your home-printed ticket. When you arrive at the venue, you will not need to check in with the box-office. Simply proceed to the ushers, who will scan your ticket for entry. For tourists, we recommend printing tickets at home.
Mobile Ticketing: Selected shows offer mobile tickets as well. You can hold all of the mobile tickets on your phone (if you plan to arrive as a group), or you can SMS the tickets to each member of your group (if you are arriving separately.) When you arrive, present your mobile ticket to the user for scanning.
Note: If you are using this method, make sure you have chosen “Mobile Ticket” when purchasing. If you have chosen the “Print Ticket” option, you cannot enter the venue by showing the PDF of the ticket on your mobile.
Collecting from Venue: You also have the option to collect the tickets from the Box Office. To do so, you will require your email purchase receipt, a Photo ID and the credit card that you used to purchase the tickets. If you choose this method, please ensure you arrive early! Lines at the Box Office can be long, and you don’t want to miss the start of the show. Additionally, kindly note that only the person who purchased the tickets can collect them from the Box Office.
What happens if I forget my ticket?
If you have sufficient proof of purchase and a valid ID, the Dubai Opera should be able to reissue your ticket. You may be charged an administration fee of 30 AED for this process. General admission tickets (with unallocated seating) may not be valid for readmission.
What is the dress code for visiting the Dubai Opera?
The venue encourages its attendees to dress up. We recommend dressing smartly, in a similar manner as you would when visiting a nice restaurant.
What happens if I arrive late to the Opera?
All guests of the Opera are strongly encouraged to arrive in plenty of time for the show. guests arriving late are not not permitted to enter the auditorium until there is a break in the performance. This is done to prevent late-arrivers from disturbing the other attendees.
Doors to the Opera foyer open 2 hours before the performance. Doors to the auditorium open 30 minutes before the performance is due to begin. Therefore, we recommend arriving early. This will give you a chance to take photos of the architecture, which was designed to resemble a traditional dhow.
Do I need a ticket to enter the Dubai Opera?
It is possible to enter the Opera house without purchasing a ticket. The doors to the Opera foyer open two hours before a scheduled show starts. You may enter the foyer without a ticket. However, entry to the auditorium will not be possible without a ticket.
