Things to Do During a Season in Dubai

Dubai isn’t just a city, but rather an experience of a lifetime. Dubai is a one-stop shop tourism destination with something new to offer every season. For example, during winters, the cool climate allows for extreme sports such as skiing, and during summer, Dubai provides tourist attractions like swimming pools alongside the refreshing sea.

No matter what the season is: summer, winter, spring, or fall, Dubai is never dull. If you want to experience things to do in Dubai that you'll always remember, this seasonal guide will help you discover the city's magic all year round.

What Makes Dubai the Ideal Place to Visit Every Season

Given Dubai's location, it is bound to have a desert-like climate. While summers tend to get hot during peak season, Dubai winters are mild and crisp. This place is subject to extreme shifts throughout the temperature range, which means a fluctuating, demanding checklist to complete. Anyone wishing to relax on a sandy beach will find the mild seaside, elegant indoor entertainment, and comfortable temperatures that are welcoming to tourists associated with beachside activities.

Control the weather: use a city’s seasonal activities to dictate your itinerary, rather than the weather dictating your itinerary. Here are suggestions of activities and how to make the most out of Dubai during the winter season, summer, and all throughout the year. 

Winter & Fall: Outdoor Adventure Paradise (October–March)

Outdoor adventure in Dubai takes place from the last week of October until March, when the temperature is bearable (20 to 30 degrees Celsius). This is ideal for those who enjoy being outdoors, as exploring the culture and the landscape of the city is bound to be enjoyable.

Outdoor Activities

• Desert Safaris: Enjoy desert safaris — experience the thrill yourself, ride on carnivals through the golden dunes while enjoying a barbecue under the stars in a desert camp. 
• Hot Air Balloon Rides: It allows you to view the Arabian Desert from above during sunset, one of the most stunning and serene places to view in the region. 
• Global Village: It is a park that consists of pavilions from around the world with street food shops, stalls, and live performances. 
• Dubai Garden Glow & Miracle Garden: During a suitable climate, pay visits to millions of flowering flora and glowing light installations, which make nights into fairy tales.
• Hiking in Hatta: Trails for hiking, kayaking, and walking are just a short drive away from the city. Hatta is an outdoor enthusiast's dream, offering hiking trails with stunning vistas -the  Dubai city skyline in the north and the Hatta mountains to the south.

Spring: Water Fun and Blooming Views (April–May)

Visiting in the spring? Here are our most recommended activities for your vacation in Dubai.

Spring is the peak flower appreciation season in conjunction with the warm water season of spring; it's the sweet season as it does not get overwhelmingly hot like in the summer.

Best spring water and activity outings:

• Dhow Dinner Cruises: Ride in traditional boats in Dubai Marina or the old parts of the city, watching the lights turn on, with dinner and traditional music waiting for you.
• Jet Skiing & Parasailing: These activities give breathtaking views of Dubai’s famous landmarks.
• Dubai Miracle Garden: Last chance to catch the record-holding flower park before it closes for summer.
• Aquaventure Waterpark: the mega waterpark in Atlantis The Palm, boasts world record slides, splash pads, and rivers.

Spring is fun for Dubai water lovers, with lots of cool activities to enjoy, especially as the mercury begins to rise.

Summer: The Indoor Wonderland (June–September)

Dubai reaches sweltering temperatures in the summer, but this does not stop people from having fun. Families, solo travellers, and adventure enthusiasts can have all the fun they want at the multitude of state-of-the-art indoor attractions.

Top Indoor Activities:

• Ski Dubai: This winter wonderland features snow-covered hills, chairlifts, and even penguins — all inside the Mall of the Emirates.
• Museum Of The Future: The museum showcases some of the latest technology Dubai has to offer, including space, AI, sustainability, and innovation through exhibits.
• Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo: You can take leisurely strolls in a gigantic glass tunnel while getting surrounded by sharks and rays, or have a behind-the-scenes look at marine life by taking a tour.
• The Green Planet: Walk into a biodome filled with exotic animals, tropical plants, reptiles, and birds — a rainforest in the desert.
• IMG Worlds of Adventure: Each indoor theme park is centered around the most popular shows, such as Marvel, Cartoon Network and dinosaurs, thus making it the ultimate vacation site for anyone. 

Its air-conditioned facilities make summer bearable and even enjoyable, with exciting things to do in Dubai even when it's hot outside.

Events and Highlights All Year Round 

In addition to seasonal fun, Dubai hosts events and entertainment all year round that appeal to travelers from around the globe.

Don't Miss:

• Dubai Shopping Festival (Dec–Jan): Grand sales, lotteries, fireworks, concerts.
• Art Dubai (March): Celebrated location featuring a premier display of modern art from around the globe and the region.
• Dubai Food Festival (Feb–March): Enjoy authentic global cuisines through local street food markets, local specialities, and celebrity chef dinners.
• City Expo Dubai Events: Even in the aftermath of Expo 2020, this legacy site continues to offer exhibitions, immersive technological experiences, and family activities.

Anytime you go, there is something major happening. This is one more reason why the list of activities to do in Dubai is endless.

Plan Your Activities by Season

Planning a Dubai holiday during any season can be overwhelming, with too many choices to make, but not if you use Ootlah. Through Ootlah, you can search for, compare, and book carefully chosen experiences to enjoy through all the seasons, from desert outings and dhow rides to indoor theme parks and escorted tours.

Whether you’re in Dubai by yourself, with a loved one or with your family, Ootlah provides you the best things to do and what to see: the cheapest hiking pass, the cheapest desert safari and the with your Ideal for any tourists – Ootlah is an easy way to find out what to do in the UAE.

Last Tip: Check seasonal opening hours and dress codes before you go especially for outdoor sites and cultural sites.