In 2026, parking in Dubai malls is a mix of free and paid systems, often depending on the day of the week and the duration of your stay. Most major malls, such as Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Hills Mall, offer free parking for the first 3 to 4 hours on weekdays, after which a tiered hourly fee is applied. However, on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and public holidays, parking is often free for the entire day to encourage foot traffic. The Dubai Mall (the world's largest) recently implemented a significant change by partnering with Salik to introduce a paid parking system for certain "Grand" and "Cinema" parking zones to reduce congestion and prevent non-shoppers from using the lots. In these zones, your vehicle's Salik tag is automatically scanned, and the fee is deducted from your account. Smaller neighborhood malls and "community centers" typically offer completely free parking with no time limits. To avoid surprise charges, always check the digital displays at the parking entrance, as the "grace period" can change during major events like the Dubai Shopping Festival or the Holy Month of Ramadan.