Dubai Fountain, one of the city's <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/travel/destinations/2022/07/14/sheikh-zayed-grand-mosque-and-dubai-fountain-in-worlds-most-beautiful-sights-list/" target="_blank">best-known attractions</a>, is to close for five months for renovation. Upgrades will begin in May to introduce advanced technology, improved choreography and an enhanced sound and lighting system to make the experience more immersive, say developers. Areas surrounding the fountains in the 12-hectare Burj Lake will remain open, as will access to the Dubai Mall and <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2025/01/04/fifteen-things-to-know-about-burj-khalifa-on-its-15th-anniversary/" target="_blank">Burj Khalifa</a>. “Dubai Fountain is more than a spectacle ‐ it is a reflection of Dubai’s soul, where art, innovation and emotion come together in perfect harmony,” said Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar Properties, which owns the attraction. "As we elevate this iconic landmark, we continue to create experiences that connect people, inspire wonder and stand the test of time." The fountain, created by Emaar in 2005 and opened in 2009, was designed by Wet Design, which is also behind the famed Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas. The attraction, capable of shooting water up to 152 metres in the air, is the largest of its type in the world. It has more than 22,000 gallons of water in the air at any time and is 274 metres in length. It has 6,600 lights and 25 colour projectors that help create mesmerising performances synchronised to a range of musical genres. The playlist has included artists such as Adele, Italian opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti, American pop star Lionel Richie, French chanteuse Edith Piaf and K-pop boy band Exo. “We have to make sure the music fits the fountain, not only whether it’s good for choreographing but also whether the music respects the fountain," Peter Kopik, head of choreography for Wet Design,<a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/dubai-fountain-the-stories-behind-the-music-1.698740" target="_blank"> told <i>The National</i></a> in 2018. "We wouldn’t want to have something cheesy or that would degrade the seriousness of the fountain, in which case we reject it."
