Best Time to Visit Dubai | Weather, Festivals & Annual Events in UAE

When deciding on the best time to visit Dubai, a list of questions arise. One thing is certain: Dubai offers warm weather and sandy beaches all year long. While temperatures rise and fall throughout the year, even the coolest months provide ample sunshine. Depending on your reason for international travel, the best time to visit Dubai is highly subjective. Different seasons present a range of opportunities. Among them are holiday celebrations, corporate events, local and international events, lower-priced hotels in Dubai, and unbelievable shopping and family-fun discounts.

Best Time to Visit Dubai | Moderate Temperatures & Fewer Crowds

The average temperature in Dubai begins to climb in March and reaches an optimal, temperate range in April and May. During these months, in particular, it is warm (even hot), but not as scorching as it will get during summer. If your goal is to enjoy the beach and warm waters of the Arabian Gulf without blistering hot sands, these will be your ideal months for travel. Keep in mind that March and April are the final months of the high season where large crowds of tourists are most likely to be present. Therefore, the best time to visit Dubai for fewer crowds and optimal beach temperatures is May.

Best Time to Visit Dubai | January Events & Activities

The first of January, New Year’s Day, is recognized as a national holiday in UAE. While January is included in the high season, you will find less crowds if you visit the beach on New Year’s Day. Granted, the water may be a bit chilly – depending on the climate you’re accustomed to. However, for individuals who are used to winter and snow in January, the beaches in Dubai are quite appropriate. It’s also common for restaurants to offer bargain brunches on New Year’s Day.

Dubai Shopping Festival

One of the most iconic reasons for visiting Dubai during January is the city-wide Dubai Shopping Festival, locally known as “DSF.” The event is the most extravagant entertainment and shopping festival in the Middle East. During this time, you are sure to find amazing deals in multiple malls and markets on merchandise such as apparel, cosmetics, electronics, gold jewelry, leather jackets, designer bags, perfumes, watches, and more. Aside from massive discounts, the merchandise is also free of sales tax!

You will also have the opportunity to catch performances of some of your favorite celebrities during the Dubai Shopping Festival, as well as attend local events such as art exhibits, cultural performances, live fashion shows, raffle drawings, sporting events, and public luncheons.

Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon

Another event that makes January one of the best months to visit Dubai is the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, which starts near Madinat Jumeirah. The Dubai Marathon includes both a 10k run and a 3k ‘fun run’ in addition to a full marathon.

Since January is among the most traveled season in Dubai, be sure to book your hotel in advance. This will help to ensure that lodging at your ideal hotel won’t be an issue.

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Best Time to Visit Dubai | February Events & Activities

• Golf fans flock to Dubai in February to Omega Dubai Desert Classic – one of the major golf tournaments on the European Tour. Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club has hosted the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on occasion, but the tournament usually takes place at Emirates Golf Club.

• Dubai also hosts the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships in February at Dubai Tennis Stadium. This is a two-week long event that includes both men and women tournaments where some of the biggest names in professional tennis compete.

• Another event that takes place in February is the STEP gathering. Taking place at Internet City, Dubai, STEP is the biggest technology network event in the Middle East. It hosts more than 6K attendees, showcases more than 400 startups, and receives sponsorship from more than 100 companies. STEP provides a platform for developers, startup companies, media professionals, entertainers, and investors to share ideas and combine resources – perpetuating technological advancements.

• Late February is also the time during which the Dubai Jazz Festival occurs at Dubai Media City. Music lovers who enjoy ‘all that jazz’ come to Dubai to experience live performances that span over multiple jazz genres including blues, contemporary, funk, fusion, modern and rock.

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Best Time to Visit Dubai | March Events & Activities

• March (sometimes in April) is the month of the annual MEFCC (Middle East Film & Comic Con). It is hosted by the Dubai World Trade Center. MEFCC is the most iconic pop culture festival in the Middle East. Artists, celebrities, and musicians come together at MEFCC to contribute with entertainment and exhibits. Fans of the comics, video games, films, and pop culture come from all over the world as spectators.

• In mid-March, Dubai hosts Art Dubai – a four-day event celebrating international art and culture and featuring both poetry and art galleries from all parts of the globe. Located in Madinat Jumeirah, this annual event features poetry and visual art galleries that includes creative works from all parts of the globe. This year (2020), it is scheduled for March 25 through March 28.

• In March, Dubai also presents its largest social and sporting event: the Dubai World Cup – a prestigious collection of 11 horse races. Recognized as the world’s richest horse race, this event always takes place on a Saturday at Meydan Racecourse and marks the finale of the 10-week celebration, Dubai World Cup Carnival. In 2020, the Dubai World Cup is scheduled for March 28.

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Best Time to Visit Dubai | April Events & Activities

• April 1, 2020 is the first day of the Dubai Polo Cup – a ten-day professional polo competition taking place at Al Habtoor Polo Resort. The final day of the Dubai Cup is April 10, 2002.

• The Children’s International Film Festival takes place during the last week of April in Studio City, Dubai. The Children’s International Film Festival is a week-long event that brings together families from all over the world to promote the most inspiring films from children, preteens, and teenagers. A number of the most influential filmmakers in the world screen their films at this event.

• The Dubai Tango Festival will take place in April 2020, as well. This event usually occurs in May. In 2020, however, it had to be scheduled for a different month since Ramadan continues throughout the majority of May. The Dubai Tango Festival is a four-day event that will take place April 15 to April 19 at Al Habtoor Polo Resort. Tango fanatics gather for live music and nightly performances and have opportunities to hone their skills at Tango workshops. Participants are also invited to a gala dinner.

• The first of four Ironman Indoor Triathlon races are scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2020 at Max & Aegle Fitness Center in Dubai. The next three races are scheduled later in the year. Registration for the first race will remain open until April 15 or until availability runs out.

• Camels get a chance to compete in Dubai during the month of April in the Al Marmoom Heritage Festival at Sevens Stadium. Trainers bring camels from all over the Middle East to compete for extravagant items and cash prizes. In 2020, Al Harmoom Heritage Festival is scheduled for April 17 through April 22 – the day before Ramadan begins.

Ramadan 2020 in Dubai

Ramadan is a major holiday in Dubai . Ramadan doesn’t remain consistent with the Gregorian calendar. Rather, it is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, honoring the month during which the Quran was revealed. Therefore, it falls on a different month each year. This year, Ramadan will begin on April 23 and continue until May 23. It’s important to be fully aware of Muslim culture and the basic guidelines of Ramadan. Tourists can enjoy a variety of discounts in Dubai during Ramadan, but they must be careful to observe the traditional rules of Ramadan. These rules include:

• No eating or drinking in public between dawn and dusk
• No chewing gum or smoking in public
• No dancing or singing in public
• No swearing in public
• No live music (nightclubs close in observance of Ramadan)

Adherence to the aforementioned rules is mandatory – for both locals and visitors. Failure to observe these rules can have dire consequences, as they will be remarkably offensive acts. You, yourself, are not required to fast between dawn and dusk, but if you are going to consume food or drink, you must do it in the privacy of your hotel room. Certain hotels will designate private areas in which food may be purchased and consumed, but you must follow the protocol established by the hotel. You also may find places that will serve alcohol after the sun has gone down, but you will not be able to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages during the day.

If you are going to be out in public, also remember to dress appropriately: men should wear at least a tee-shirt and slacks with shoes or sandals. Women should wear long sleeved shirts that cover their elbows and slacks or a skirt that completely cover the knees.

During Ramadan, you can find amazing deals on hotels in Dubai, but certain amenities (especially the pool) may be off limits in observance of the holy month. You also may find discounts on a variety of other goods including coffee, food, toiletries, and other items. This is particularly true at Ramadan Night Market.

• The Ramadan Night Market is a 10-day shopping extravaganza at Sheikh Rashid Hall in Dubai World Trade Center. It is open each evening between 8:00 PM and 2:00 AM. More than 300 vendors offer unbelievable bargains in this traditional, festive bazaar.

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Best Time to Visit Dubai | May Events & Activities

Most of the events that normally take place in May have been rescheduled for different months since Ramadan lasts until May 23.

• Al Gaffal Traditional Dhow Race will still occur in May, albeit later than usual. The race is scheduled for May 28 on the island of Sur Bu Na’air. This traditional event is significant to UAE, and only natural born Emirates may serve on the crews of the boats in the race. The Al Gaffal Race commemorates historical checkpoints of pearl divers returning home after long sea excursions. The term ‘Al Gaffal‘ is Arabic for ‘the return’. The race begins with ships traveling 23 nautical miles east to Moon Island from Sur Bu Na’air. After this mandatory checkpoint, they turn southeast and head toward Burj Al Arab resort to finish the race. The race includes around 100 third version traditional boats – operated by nearly 3,000 crew members. Spectators observe from a Dubai RTA ferry, following the boats as they journey through the race to their final destination.

• Beautyworld Middle East is the final event in Dubai in May. It begins on May 31 and continues through June 2. Occupying Dubai World Trade Center, it is the largest international trade fair in its category, which is Beauty. Beautyworld Middle East connects visitors with more than 1,800 manufacturers of beauty & hair products and fragrances.

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Best Time to Visit Dubai | June Events & Activities

Dubai really starts to heat up in June, with average low/high temperatures ranging between 26 degrees and 40 degrees Celsius (78 degrees to 104 degrees Fahrenheit).

• Dubai Soca Fest kicks off the month of June with a five-day, four-night jamboree for party goers who want to jam it out in the desert. It begins on June 4 at 9:00 AM and continues until June 8 at 12:00 midnight. Dubai Soca Fest features some of the most renowned DJ’s from Caribbean, Europe, UK, and US to keep the party going during this extended weekend party. Aside from the hotel party, special events include a boat fete, a desert safari feat and a Caribbean brunch. Soca Fest party planners recommend both Crowne Plaza Hotel and Millennium Plaza Hotel for best access to the festivities.

• The second race for the Ironstar Indoor Triathlon is scheduled for June 6, 2020.

• Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) is a 10-week promotional event that begins on June 25, 2020. Dubai Summer Surprises offers a wide variety of massive discounts at participating malls, shopping outlets, and hotels in Dubai. DSS also offers discounts for various educational adventures for children. If you were planning on taking a summer vacation while the kids are out of school, Dubai Summer Surprises packages are a great way to experience the thrill of Dubai at a hugely discounted rate!

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Best Time to Visit Dubai | July Events & Activities

July is one of the hottest months in Dubai. On average, the temperature is about 41 to 42 degrees Celsius (106 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit). However, it’s reached as high as 55 degrees Celsius (131 degrees Fahrenheit). Due to the fact that many are fleeing from this type of heat, July is the time of year during which hotel prices begin to go down. If you’re comfortable in 100+ degree weather, July may be a great time for you to travel to Dubai to enjoy summer fun in the Middle East.

• If you are turned off by the heat but are excited by fitness and want to take part in a triathlon, the third race for the Ironstar Indoor Triathlon is scheduled for July 18, 2020.

• Dubai-July is a six-day five-night, all-inclusive July celebration in Dubai from July 1, 2020, at 11:00 AM to July 6, 2020, at 1:00 PM. Brought to you by DFW Casino Travel Group, this package deal includes round-trip air fare and five nights of hotel accommodations with a daily buffet breakfast. You must register by April 5, 2020 at 11:00 PM.

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Best Time to Visit Dubai | August Events & Activities

August is also one of Dubai’s most sweltering months. It seems as thought the city shuts down at most times of day, as people are staying indoors to escape the heat. The waters of the Arabian Gulf will have reached temperatures of at least 37 to 38 degrees Celsius (98 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit), and the sand on the beaches gets so hot that it burns your feet. If you’re among the few who love high temperatures, August is a great time to not only take advantage of low rates on Dubai hotels, but also to avoid crowds at the beach.

• Al-Hijri is the Islamic New Year, and Muslims in Dubai celebrate this holiday. While there may be a public celebration, most Muslims celebrate Al-Hijri by holding prayer groups in their mosque and spending time with family. Celebration this year will begin on August 19, 2020 and the date of the actual New Year is August 20, 2020.

In August in Dubai, there are a number of industry-specific conferences scheduled. Among them are:

• ICABS (International Conference on Agricultural and Biological Science) (August 2 through August 3,2020)
• ICVMWT (International Conference on Vehicular, Mobile, and Wearable Technology) (August 2 through August 3,2020)
• SCON Global Summit on Civil Engineering & Steel Structures (August 6 through August 7, 2020)
• NITEA (International Conference on Advanced Networking, Information Technology, Engineering and Applied Sciences) (August 14 through August 15, 2020)
• LESC (International Conference on Literature, Education Social Science and Cultural Issues) (August 14 through August 15, 2020)
• MSRBM (Multidisciplinary Conference on Sociology, Human Resource and Business Management) (August 14 through August 15, 2020)
• Advanced Risk & Incident Analysis (August 23 through August 27, 2020)
• ELCHE (Education Leadership Capacity In Higher Education) (August 24 through August 28, 2020)
• Advanced Information and Communication Technology Conference (August 24 through August 28, 2020)
• Turning Purpose to Performance (August 30 through August 28, 2020)
• MDRT Global Conference (August 30 through September 2, 2020)
• Baft Mena Bank to Bank Forum (August 31 through September 2, 2020)/li>
• Creativity, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Dubai (August 30 through September 3, 2020)
• Effective Financial Controller: Managing Financial Functions and Improvement Opportunities (August 30 through September 3, 2020)

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Best Time to Visit Dubai | September Events & Activities

The weather in Dubai starts to cool down in September. Its temperatures during this month are consistent with June. There aren’t a tremendous amount of travelers in September, as it’s still hot from August, but locals begin to ’emerge’ from their summer hibernation. If you aren’t big on crowds and are interested in taking advantage of the ‘still hot, yet not scorching’ climate of Dubai, September would be a great month for you to travel.

• The final Ironstar Indoor Triathlon race is scheduled for September 5, 2020

• GITEX Week is scheduled for September 27 through October 1, 2020 at Dubai World Trade Center. GITEX is a massive, world-class technology event. Entrepreneurs, startups, and industry leaders all come together to demonstrate the future of industry to spectators.

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Best Time to Visit Dubai | October Events & Activities

Temperatures in Dubai drop even more in October and return to a more moderate range with highs of 34 to 37 degrees Celsius (93 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit). Therefore, if your goal is to enjoy a sightseeing trip to Dubai without experiencing large crowds, October may be your ideal month to plan a trip.

• Burj Khalifa is one of the most iconic destinations in Dubai. Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest building in the word. It stands 829.8 meters (2,722 feet). The view from the top of Burj Khalifa is breathtaking, to say the least. The best time to visit Burj Khalifa is between 4:00 and 6:00 PM. Once you’re inside, you can stay until it closes. You want to get there well before sunset, so you can enjoy the most amazing scenery as the sun descends over Dubai.

• October marks the beginning of camel racing season in Dubai. Dubai Camel Racing Club hosts camel races throughout the season. For specific race schedules, contact Dubai Camel Racing Club, as schedules are often updated and subject to change.

• Halloween in Dubai is a fun and festive event! IMG Worlds of Adventure hosts Festival of Fright.

• On Halloween and throughout late October, leading up to Halloween night, you will also find numerous nightclubs in Dubai hosting fun-filled party events from costume parties and DJ dance floors to haunted themes and live music. If you’re seeking family entertainment for Halloween with a child-appropriate atmosphere, Chamas at Crowne Plaza Dubai hosts a family-friendly event!

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Best Time to Visit Dubai | November Events & Activities

The temperature in Dubai continues to drop in November, with average high temperatures in a range between 29 and 31 degrees Celsius (84 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit). November is also the first month of high season to travel to Dubai, so you can expect larger crowds.

• Dubai Design Week is scheduled for November 9 through November 14, 2020. From exhibits and demonstrations to lectures and creativity labs, Dubai Design Week is the biggest creative festival in the Middle East.

• Dubai International Boat Show at Dubai Harbour by Meraas in Dubai Marina is scheduled for November 24 through November 28, 2020. The Dubai International Boat Show hosts a plethora of live events and provides entertainment for the entire family. These include sail boat trips, fishing excursions, competitive events for casting and winching, jet-ski adventures, diving tours, and match races. An impressive variety of more than 400 super yachts, speed boats, fishing boats, sail boats, and sport boats are also on display at the harbor for this 5-day marina event.

• DP World Tour Championship, Dubai is scheduled for November 19 through November 22, 2020 at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The most talented athletes in golf will compete during this event in more than 50 tournaments.

• Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens is a highly anticipated Rugby event at The Sevens stadium. It is scheduled for November 26 through November 28, 2020. Over the course of three days, many countries will compete in both men’s and women’s Rugby tournaments.

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Best Time to Visit Dubai | December Events & Activities

• UAE National Day celebrates the day that the Emirates won their independence from Great Britain. Special events are happening in Dubai the entire day.

• Dubai International Film Festival is scheduled for December 6 through December 13, 2020. The International Film Festival is a celebration of life in film and attracts both producers and spectators from all areas of the world.

• Since Christmas isn’t a Muslim holiday, you may be surprised to learn that Dubai hosts a spectacular event for those who celebrate. You can find great prices on gifts, sweet treats and merchandise, visit a gigantic Christmas tree with a dazzling lighting ceremony, and see Santa Claus in Dubai.

• Dubai Marina Mall holds a Christmas market every season – selling everything you need to make your holidays plentiful and memorable.

• You can also attend mass on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

• On the last day of December, New Year’s Eve, Downtown Dubai hosts a musical event and accents the choreographed stage shows with awe-inspiring fireworks.

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