Season guide · Dubai · United Arab Emirates

Dubai in winter

December–February: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.

Updated 23 October 2026By the AMZBooking editorial team

Quick answer

Warm days around 24–26°C and cool evenings, the Dubai Shopping Festival and New Year fireworks, with the highest prices of the year. Expect highs up to 26°C (79°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F), with about 6 rainy days across December–February. December–February are among the best months of the year to visit.

Months: December–February
Temperatures: 15°C (59°F) to 26°C (79°F)
Rainy days in the season: About 6
Sea: 21°C (70°F) to 24°C (75°F)
Crowds: Very busy
Hotel prices: Highest

Weather in winter

Dubai in winter: month by month
Month	High	Low	Rainy days	Daylight	Crowds
January	24°C (75°F)	15°C (59°F)	2	10.7 h	5/5
February	26°C (79°F)	16°C (61°F)	2	11.3 h	5/5
December	26°C (79°F)	16°C (61°F)	2	10.6 h	5/5

Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 25°C (77°F) against a yearly 34°C (93°F), and 6 of the year's roughly 10 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 5/5 and hotel prices 5/5 on average.

What's on in winter

Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.

January: Dubai Shopping Festival (usually mid-December to late January)
January: Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament (usually January or February)
February: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (usually late February)
February: Ramadan — moves about 11 days earlier each year, falling in late winter in 2026–2028
December: UAE National Day celebrations (2 December)
December: Dubai Shopping Festival begins (usually mid-December)
December: New Year's Eve fireworks at the Burj Khalifa (31 December)

Make the most of the weather

Garden · Al Barsha South

Dubai Miracle Garden

Visit in the late afternoon in November or December, when it is cooler and the displays are freshest.

Time needed: 1.5 hours
Cost: Low cost

Kids
Photo spot
Outdoors
Nature

Beach · Umm Suqeim

Kite Beach

A long, free public beach with kitesurfing, beach volleyball, food trucks and cafés, a running track and views of the Burj Al Arab.

Time needed: Half a day
Cost: Free

Free
Kids
Outdoors
Active

Theme park · Palm Jumeirah

Aquaventure and the Lost Chambers

Arrive at opening on a weekday, and visit in the cooler months when queues on the open-air slides are bearable.

Time needed: Half a day to a full day
Cost: Expensive

Kids
Active
Outdoors

Viewpoint · Downtown Dubai

Burj Khalifa – At the Top

At 828 metres, the Burj Khalifa has been the world's tallest building since 2010.

Time needed: 1.5–2 hours
Cost: Expensive

Iconic
Views
Kids
Architecture
After dark

Experience · Dubai Creek

Abra ride across Dubai Creek

Cross from the Bur Dubai abra station near the Textile Souk to Deira, then walk into the Spice and Gold souks.

Time needed: 30 minutes
Cost: Low cost

Iconic
History
Views
Kids

Day trips in winter

Al Ain (About 1 hour 30 minutes by car) — The UAE's garden city has a UNESCO-listed palm oasis threaded with ancient falaj irrigation channels, Al Jahili Fort and a winding road up Jebel Hafeet with views over the desert.
Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Jais (About 1 hour 30 minutes by car) — The northernmost emirate has quieter beaches and the mountain road up Jebel Jais, where a long zipline sends riders soaring above the valleys and temperatures are noticeably cooler than on the coast.

What to pack

Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
Comfortable walking shoes

Other times of year

Questions travellers ask

+Is winter a good time to visit Dubai?

Yes: December–February are among the best months. Warm days around 24–26°C and cool evenings, the Dubai Shopping Festival and New Year fireworks, with the highest prices of the year.

+What is the weather like in Dubai in winter?

Highs of up to 26°C (79°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F), with about 6 rainy days over the season.