5 Things in Dubai from the 90s That Millennials Are Nostalgic About

Dubai's transformation from a quiet trading hub to the glittering metropolis we know today is nothing short of remarkable. For millennials who spent their formative years in the emirate during the 1990s, those simpler times hold a special place in their hearts. Before the era of record-breaking skyscrapers and mega-malls, Dubai offered a more intimate, community-centered experience that many long for today.

Channel 33: The Cultural Lifeline of Expat Families

Thursday nights at 10 PM were sacred in 1990s Dubai households, especially among Indian and Pakistani families. Channel 33, the only free-to-air English-language television channel, became a cultural lifeline for the expat community. Every Thursday, families would gather around their television sets to watch the latest Bollywood films, subtitled in English, making it accessible to the entire family.

The channel wasn't just about movies—it featured diverse programming including US TV shows, UK comedies, horse racing, and daily news. Children remember rushing home from school to catch afternoon cartoons featuring classics like Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, The Incredible Hulk, and Challenge of the GoBots. The channel required massive antennas for proper reception, and adjusting these antennas while someone shouted instructions from inside became a ritual many millennials fondly remember.

Al Ghurair Centre and Deira City Centre: The Original Mall Experience

Before Dubai Mall became the world's largest shopping destination, Al Ghurair Centre held the distinction of being Dubai's first shopping mall, opening in 1981. Located in the heart of Deira, it served as the prototype for Dubai's mall culture. The mall featured a beloved toy shop called 'King of Toys' in the middle of the complex, which felt like a wonderland for children with its walls stacked from floor to ceiling with dolls, Lego, Meccano, and battery-operated robots.

Deira City Centre, which opened in November 1995, represented the pinnacle of modern shopping when it debuted. With 370 shops spread across 1.2 million square feet, it was the largest mall at the time and cost AED 300 million to build. The mall's Magic Planet arcade became a weekend destination for families, featuring simulators, video games, and theme rides that kept children entertained for hours.

Safa Park: The Community Gathering Hub

Safa Park, established in 1975, served as Dubai's premier family destination throughout the 1990s. Millennials remember it as being significantly larger than its current size, with vast green spaces perfect for cricket matches, football games, and family barbecues. The park was where extended families would gather every Friday after prayers, creating a weekly tradition that strengthened community bonds.

The park featured permanent barbecue setups around its edges, multiple playgrounds, boating facilities, and even a traditional Ferris wheel. Children recall the excitement of feeding ducks at the park's three lakes and riding bicycles along its winding paths. For many families, Safa Park represented the heart of Dubai's family-friendly culture, offering affordable entertainment in a lush, green setting.

Karama Shopping Complex: The Pre-Mall Shopping Haven

Before mega-malls dominated Dubai's retail landscape, Karama Shopping Complex was the go-to destination for affordable shopping. Built in the 1980s, this bustling marketplace housed around 300 shops selling everything from clothes and accessories to toys and music cassettes at incredibly reasonable prices.

The complex was home to Thomsun music store, where teenagers would spend their pocket money of AED 10-15 on the latest cassettes, guided by a knowledgeable salesman who seemed to know every song ever recorded. Parents would buy school shoes (white canvas 'keds') for just AED 10-15 a pair, and the 'King of Toys' shop was every child's dream destination. The atmosphere was intimate and personal—shop owners knew their regular customers by name and would recognize them even years later.

Dubai Shopping Festival: The Birth of a Cultural Phenomenon

The Dubai Shopping Festival, launched in February 1996, marked a turning point in Dubai's cultural calendar. The brainchild of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the first festival attracted over 1.5 million visitors who spent more than $500 million during the month-long event.

What made DSF special for millennials wasn't just the shopping—it was the community atmosphere it created. Global Village wasn't the massive complex it is today but rather a month-long pop-up during the festival that felt more intimate and accessible. The festival featured world record attempts, including the creation of the world's longest gold chain and the largest incense burner. Families would plan their entire year around DSF, saving up for the massive discounts and celebrating with the spectacular fireworks displays that lit up the Dubai sky.

The Magic of Simpler Times

These five elements of 1990s Dubai represent more than just places and events—they embody a time when Dubai felt like a large, close-knit community rather than a global metropolis. The pace was slower, relationships were more personal, and entertainment was more about bringing families and communities together rather than individual experiences.

For millennials who experienced this Dubai, the nostalgia isn't just about the places themselves, but about the sense of belonging and community they fostered. While today's Dubai offers unparalleled luxury and world-class attractions, many still long for the simple pleasures of Thursday night movies on Channel 33, weekend picnics at Safa Park, and the personal touch of shopping at Karama Complex—reminders of when Dubai was not just a destination, but truly felt like home.