The most expensive fountain in the world is the Dubai Fountain, built at a cost of AED 800 million, about $218 million, and opened on 8 May 2009. It sits on the 12-hectare Burj Khalifa Lake in Downtown Dubai, and as of October 2026 nothing on our list comes within a factor of five of its price. This ranking covers fountain systems with a published construction cost.
| Rank | Fountain | Place | Reported cost | Opened |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Dubai Fountain | Downtown Dubai, UAE | About $218 million | 2009 |
| 2 | Fountains of Bellagio | Las Vegas, USA | About $40 million | 1998 |
| 3 | The Fountain at Okada Manila | Manila, Philippines | About $30 million | 2017 |
1. The Dubai Fountain: about $218 million
The fountain was designed by WET Design, the California firm that also built the Bellagio fountains. It is 275 metres (902 feet) long and fires jets up to 152 metres (500 feet) into the air. At any moment it holds about 83,000 litres (22,000 gallons) of water in the air, lit by 6,600 lights and 25 colour projectors. The glow can be seen from more than 20 miles away.
The name was chosen in a public contest run by the developer Emaar Properties, with the result announced on 26 October 2008. Testing began in February 2009 and the fountain opened on 8 May 2009, alongside the Dubai Mall. A fire element was added at the end of 2010. As of 2025 it is the largest choreographed fountain in the world.
The jets are choreographed to music that ranges from classical to contemporary Arabic and world songs. Show times change, so check the schedule before you go. The price we use is the reported construction cost of AED 800 million at the time of building.
2. Fountains of Bellagio: about $40 million
Steve Wynn conceived the show for his Bellagio resort, and WET, which had never done anything on this scale, built it. Work began in 1995 and it opened with the resort on 15 October 1998. The fountains use 1,214 nozzles and 4,792 lights across an 8.5-acre lake, and water shoots up to 460 feet, up from 240 feet when the show debuted. It cost about $40 million and sits right in front of the hotel.
3. The Fountain at Okada Manila: about $30 million
The centrepiece of Okada Manila’s casino resort, opened to guests on 31 March 2017 and to the public the day after. It is described as the largest multicolour dancing fountain in the world and it cost about $30 million. It sits within a complex of about 37,464 square metres.
Records set in 2025 and 2026
The Dubai Fountain closed for renovation on 19 April 2025, a few days earlier than planned, and reopened on 1 October 2025. The work included sealing the concrete base to stop leaks, adding a glowing effect, and upgrading the fountain devices, lighting and sound. A second phase is planned for 2026. We did not find a new fountain with a higher published cost in 2025 or 2026.
One former rival has gone: the Palm Fountain on Palm Jumeirah, which held a Guinness certificate as the world’s largest musical fountain, and which closed on 15 May 2023. Its cost was never published.
What drives these prices
- The water is cheap, the engineering is not. Pumps, compressed air, nozzles and control rooms make up most of the bill.
- Lakes count. Dubai’s number includes a 12-hectare artificial lake and the surrounding promenade.
- Light and music. Thousands of lights and choreography written for every song add cost per show.
- Same designer. WET Design built both Dubai and Bellagio, which shows how a single studio sets the market.
FAQ
What is the most expensive fountain in the world?
The Dubai Fountain, built for AED 800 million (about $218 million) and opened on 8 May 2009.
How high does the Dubai Fountain spray?
Up to 152 metres (500 feet), using its Extreme Shooters.
How much did the Bellagio fountains cost?
About $40 million, with the show opening on 15 October 1998.
Was the Dubai Fountain closed recently?
Yes. It closed for renovation on 19 April 2025 and reopened on 1 October 2025, with a second phase planned for 2026.
Who designs the world’s biggest fountains?
WET Design in California built both the Dubai Fountain and the Fountains of Bellagio.
Where can you watch the Dubai Fountain?
It is visible from the lake promenade and from many neighbouring buildings around the Burj Khalifa Lake. Check the official schedule before you go.
How we put this list together
We ranked fountains by published construction cost, using project budgets and disclosed figures compiled in an internal valuation model. Costs are approximate, converted at the time of building, and change over time.
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Last updated: October 2026.
