The short answer
November to March is the best time for most visitors. Days are warm rather than hot (24-30°C), evenings are pleasant outdoors, the sea is still warm enough to swim, and the seasonal outdoor attractions are open. It is also the busiest and most expensive time for hotels, so book early, especially around the New Year and the Dubai Shopping Festival.
April, May and October are good value: hot in the middle of the day but fine in the morning and evening, with fewer crowds. June to September is the cheapest time to stay, but daytime temperatures of 40°C and above mean most sightseeing moves indoors.
Weather month by month
| Month | Average high | Average low | Sea | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°C | 15°C | 22°C | Coolest month; bring a light jacket for evenings and the desert |
| February | 26°C | 16°C | 21°C | Ideal sightseeing weather; occasional rain |
| March | 29°C | 18°C | 24°C | Warm and sunny; the last of peak season |
| April | 33°C | 22°C | 27°C | Getting hot; great beach weather |
| May | 38°C | 26°C | 30°C | Hot; plan outdoor time for early morning and evening |
| June | 40°C | 28°C | 32°C | Summer starts; indoor attractions and hotel deals |
| July | 41°C | 30°C | 33°C | Very hot and humid |
| August | 42°C | 30°C | 33°C | Hottest month |
| September | 39°C | 27°C | 32°C | Still hot; prices start to rise late in the month |
| October | 35°C | 23°C | 30°C | Season begins; outdoor attractions reopen |
| November | 30°C | 19°C | 27°C | Excellent weather; busy events calendar |
| December | 26°C | 17°C | 24°C | Peak season; New Year's Eve fireworks |
Long-term averages. Individual days can be several degrees hotter or cooler.
Seasonal attractions (October to May)
Several of Dubai's best-known outdoor attractions only open in the cooler months. For the 2026-27 season:
- Global Village (season 31) opens on 14 October 2026 and runs to May 2027. It is an evening attraction near Dubailand.
- Dubai Miracle Garden (season 15) reopens on 8 October 2026, running to around May 2027, next to Arjan.
- Dubai Safari Park reopens on 12 October 2026.
- Dubai Parks and Resorts (including Legoland Dubai and Motiongate) reopened on 7 October 2026.
Desert safaris, dhow cruises, beach clubs and the Hatta mountains are open all year, but are far more comfortable from October to April.
Events worth planning around
- Dubai Shopping Festival usually runs from mid-December into January, with sales, fireworks and concerts across the city. Dates for 2026-27 had not been officially confirmed when we checked, so look them up before booking.
- New Year's Eve: fireworks at the Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai, with smaller displays along the coast. Hotels and restaurants with a view sell out months ahead.
- Ramadan in 2027 is expected to start around 8 February and end around 9 March (the exact dates depend on the moon sighting). Attractions, malls and most restaurants stay open, but opening hours change and eating or drinking in public during daylight is discouraged. Evenings are lively, with iftar meals and late-night markets. Eid al-Fitr follows, usually with a public holiday.
Visiting in summer
Summer is the cheapest time to stay, and Dubai is built for it: malls, the metro and most attractions are air-conditioned. Plan the day around the heat:
- Go outdoors before 9am or after sunset; spend the middle of the day in museums, malls, aquariums and indoor parks.
- Drink water constantly and use sunscreen; the sun is strong even when it is hazy.
- Book beach time for the morning, when the sand is still cool enough to walk on.
Staying longer?
If you are thinking about living in Dubai, see our guide to rents by area and rental yields by area, built on official Dubai Land Department and Ejari records.