Best Time to Visit Dubai: Weather Month by Month

Dubai has a desert climate: mild and sunny winters, and very hot summers. The best time to visit Dubai is from November to March, when daytime temperatures are usually 20 to 30°C, perfect for the desert safari, beaches, outdoor attractions and walking around the souks. Summer, from June to September, is extremely hot, often above 40°C, but Dubai is built for it: almost everything is air-conditioned, and hotel prices drop sharply.

This guide explains Dubai weather month by month, the festivals and events to plan around, and the best time for families, couples and budget travellers.

• Winter (November to March): the best weather and peak season. Clear skies, cool evenings, all outdoor attractions open.
• Spring and autumn (April, October): warm but manageable, with fewer crowds and better prices.
• Summer (May to September): very hot and humid. Outdoor sightseeing is best early in the morning or after sunset; indoor attractions, water parks and malls are busy, and hotel deals are excellent.

Rain is rare, falling on only a handful of days a year, mostly in winter.

Dubai in January: The coolest month, around 14 to 24°C, with sunny days and chilly desert nights. Peak season with the Dubai Shopping Festival; book early.

Dubai in February: Pleasant and sunny, 15 to 26°C. Ideal for the desert, beaches, Global Village and the Miracle Garden.

Dubai in March: Warm and comfortable, 18 to 30°C. A great month for everything; Ramadan sometimes falls in early spring, depending on the year.

Dubai in April: Warmer, 22 to 34°C. Still good for sightseeing, with lower hotel prices than winter.

Dubai in May: Hot, 26 to 38°C. Best for indoor attractions, water parks and morning or evening outings.

Dubai in June: Very hot, often 30 to 41°C. Hotel deals are excellent; plan indoor activities like the malls, Ski Dubai and IMG Worlds.

Dubai in July: Peak summer, 31 to 42°C or more, and humid. Dubai Summer Surprises brings shopping deals and family offers.

Dubai in August: Similar to July, hot and humid. Good value for families who stay mostly indoors and in hotel pools.

Dubai in September: Still hot, 29 to 40°C, but the end of summer is near. Good hotel prices continue.

Dubai in October: Temperatures start to fall, 24 to 35°C. Global Village and the Miracle Garden usually reopen around now; Diwali brings many Indian visitors.

Dubai in November: Lovely weather, 20 to 31°C. The start of peak season, perfect for the desert safari and beaches.

Dubai in December: Cool and sunny, 16 to 26°C. Christmas, New Year's Eve fireworks at the Burj Khalifa and the start of the Dubai Shopping Festival make it the busiest and most expensive month.

Yes, if you plan well. Dubai in summer offers the year's best hotel rates, shorter queues and summer promotions. Spend the middle of the day in malls, the Dubai Aquarium, Ski Dubai, IMG Worlds of Adventure, the Museum of the Future or a water park, and do the desert safari and city tour in the late afternoon and evening. Drink plenty of water, wear light clothing and a hat, and avoid long walks in the midday sun. Note that the Miracle Garden, Global Village and some outdoor parks close in summer.

• Dubai Shopping Festival: usually mid-December to January, with discounts, raffles, concerts and fireworks.
• New Year's Eve: spectacular fireworks at the Burj Khalifa; book hotels and dinner cruises months ahead.
• Global Village: open roughly from October to May, with pavilions from around 90 cultures, including India.
• Dubai Summer Surprises: July and August shopping and family deals.
• Ramadan and Eid: dates move each year. Ramadan evenings are atmospheric, with iftar tents; some daytime restrictions apply, and Eid holidays are busy.
• Diwali: celebrated widely in Dubai, with lights and events in Bur Dubai and Global Village.

Families: October to April for the desert and outdoor parks; Indian summer holidays in May and June work well if you focus on indoor attractions and water parks.

Couples and honeymooners: November to March for beach days, desert dinners and rooftop restaurants.

Budget travellers: June to September offers the lowest hotel prices; April and October are a good compromise between weather and cost.

Light, breathable clothes for the day; a light jacket or sweater for winter evenings, the desert at night and air-conditioned malls; sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat; comfortable walking shoes; swimwear for the hotel and beach; and modest clothing (covering shoulders and knees) for mosques and traditional areas. Read our Dubai travel tips for more.

• Desert safari: October to April is ideal; in summer, choose a late-afternoon pickup or a morning safari.
• Beaches: November to April for comfortable sunbathing; the sea is warm enough to swim all year.
• Theme parks: indoor parks work all year; outdoor parks and water parks are best from October to April.
• Abu Dhabi and day trips: best in the cooler months, when walking around the Grand Mosque and Corniche is pleasant.
• Shopping: the Dubai Shopping Festival in December and January, and summer sales in July and August.

Whatever month you choose, our Dubai tour packages adjust timings around the weather, with desert safaris in the late afternoon and indoor options in summer. See our Dubai itinerary guide for day-by-day plans.