Featuring weekend performances, international artists, and four simultaneous acts, Bluewaters transforms into Dubai’s latest open-air entertainment hub through March 1.
Bluewaters Island Turns into Dubai’s Open-Air Stage on Weekends
Visitors to Bluewaters Island are in for a treat every weekend. As dusk falls, the waterfront transforms into a lively open-air stage, where international artists perform just steps away from the crowd—completely free of charge.
From 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, four performances happen simultaneously across the island. In total, 25 artists take part in the Dubai Busking Experience, bringing singing, dance, circus acts, magic, and live instrumental music to the promenade.
🌟 A Walk That Turns into a Show
Instead of simply passing by restaurants and cafes, families pause midway. Children sit on the ground or dance along to the tunes, while phones pop up to capture the moment. What begins as a casual stroll quickly becomes an unexpected, interactive show.
A grandfather and his granddaughter might even share a joyful dance as UK artist Michael plays nearby.
💫 Spotlight Performers
Salina Bakaou, a full-time performance artist, draws crowds with her hula hoop act, blending humor, spontaneity, and audience interaction. At one point, she might pull a volunteer from the crowd, and minutes later, applause fills the air.
“I am 100 per cent an artist. I have fully committed to this and do nothing else,” Salina says.
A true jack-of-all-trades, she also performs fire acts, contact juggling, singing, and hosting. Salina emphasizes that her shows are not just about skill—they’re about emotion and character, making each performance unique.
“This is the first time busking is allowed here, and I am insanely excited. People just want an excuse to play,” she adds.
A short walk away, Adam Cadabra, a musician and magician, creates a completely different atmosphere. Sitting with his guitar flat across his lap, he plays in a style called lap tapping—a rhythmic, hypnotic technique that draws people closer.
“I discovered lap tapping after a hand injury. It came from early blues slide guitar, and slowly grew into what you see today,” Adam explains.
Starting as a street magician in the UK nearly ten years ago, Adam says performing in Dubai is unique because artists here are paid, yet the emerging busking culture excites him.
🎶 A Cultural Feast
With four shows running at once, visitors can move from one act to another—from soulful singers to circus performances, magic tricks, and live dancers. There are no tickets, no barriers, and no formal stage separating artists from the audience. Interaction is direct and natural, though visitors can support performers via a secure cashless payment option.
Running until March 1, weekends at Bluewaters have evolved from being just about dining or scenic views into a dynamic space where art meets the public—entertainment for everyone, completely free.
