Best time to visit Dubai | A month-on-month guide

Dubai in January experiences pleasant weather, which makes you want to stay outdoors, all day long! The mild temperatures are perfect for indulging in adventure activities like sky diving, zip lining, and going on hot air balloons. The city also sees fewer tourists thanks to the end of the international holiday season after the New Year. But, there is still a lot to cheer, especially the annual Dubai Shopping Festival. The month-long festival offers discounts at shopping malls and designer stores that will satisfy your inner shopaholic. The city also has incredible live entertainment like La Perle Dubai and events like Quoz Arts Festival, which will give you a taste of culture and arts.

In February, the temperature in Dubai is akin to springtime weather in Europe, making it a great winter destination. The combination of sunny days and pleasant temperatures are ideal for enjoying outdoor activities. You can go on a desert safari and enjoy dune bashing, camel riding and traditional desert living, or go on a Dhow cruise to soak in the mild evenings. The city is also host to several events like the Dubai Jazz Festival and the Dubai Food Festival that will satisfy the foodies and music lovers. Being a school season pretty much across the world, Dubai is bereft of family crowds in February.

The temperature in Dubai in March starts rising, and it is the best time to spend your day at the beach. Dubai boasts of several fantastic beaches including private resort beaches, and the sea temperature is just right for swimming. If you are up for adrenaline spiking activities, then go for jet skiing, flyboarding, parasailing or on a leisurely paddleboarding trip with the magnificent Dubai skyline in the background. Dubai is fast becoming a cultural hub in the Middle East, and in March the city hosts the Sikka Art Fair and Annual Festival of Literature. March is one of the last months when you can be out in the sun and enjoy it thoroughly!

Summer has reared its head in Dubai in April, and the rising temperatures can be felt! The days are longer and hotter, while the evenings start to cool down contrastingly, leading to shifting of all the fun events during the evenings. In April, you can enjoy the events at WOW JBR, Global Village and the many activities conducted at the theme parks in the city. The major event in Dubai is the Middle East Film and Comic Con which draws visitors from all across Asia. Spend the day sightseeing and take a dip in the pool in the evenings to wash off the heat and grime of the day!

Bring out the sun screen and hats because it's full-blown summer in Dubai in May. You will have to plan your itinerary in such a way that you spend the better part of the day inside the fantastic shopping malls, dhow cruises, exciting attractions or theme parks. Grab hold of your friends and family and make your way to everything Dubai has to offer. You won't have to bear the heat at all!

The long days of June mean you can pack in a lot of stuff to see and do in Dubai. However, the key mantra to follow is ‘Stay indoors’ through the afternoon. The sun is at its peak, and you might even suffer sunburn, so keep sunscreen handy. Attractions like the Green Planet, Ski Dubai and theme parks like Aquaventure, IMG Worlds of Adventure, Wild Wadi Waterpark, and Dubai Dolphinarium are great places to enjoy the summer with kids. The city also boasts of a world-class Opera House where you can watch classical concerts and museums like the Louvre, Sharjah Art Museum, and Dubai Museum which are full of artistic and historical treasures.

July is one of the hottest months in Dubai and the only time you can comfortably venture outdoors is at night, which is coincidentally the best time to enjoy the Dubai glitz and sparkling skyline. The heat also ensures that a lot of international tourists stay away leading to lower airfare and hotel rates. However, the fun never ceases in Dubai; shopaholics will enjoy the bountiful offers of Dubai Summer Surprises which is the summer counterpart of the Dubai Shopping Festival. You can enjoy discounts and offers at shopping malls, and theme parks, plus attend night concerts, firework displays and fun workshops for the kids.

August is the peak of summer in Dubai and temperatures are soaring, even the sea won’t offer any respite as day time sea temperatures are a hot 30°C plus! This is the least crowded month in Dubai despite it being the international vacation season, and rates are incredibly low, and offers run high with lots of freebies thrown in. So if you are seeking a budget Dubai vacation, then this is the best time to visit! You can still indulge in activities like a Dubai Night Tour, a Dhow Dinner Cruise, or a Big Bus Panorama Night Tour. The cool air-conditioned confines of the museums and attractions are the best way to spend August in Dubai!

Summer is on its way out in September but not with enough speed! The average temperatures lower in Dubai in September but it’s still hot and humid, which means you still have to ensure about planning your day well to avoid the heat and packing right for it. The live entertainment and event scene starts picking up in September with shows like La Perle Dragone and concerts at the Dubai Opera House. The highlight of the month is the Saudi National Day which will witness fireworks displays and celebrations across the city. Dubai is always an evergreen destination for shopping and entertainment, and September will not disappoint you!

Dubai is located in the desert, so summer draws out quite a bit and there is no semblance of autumn; however temperatures continue to lower in October in Dubai. The sea becomes a jaunt for tourists again as the sea temperatures reduce becoming ideal for swimming and water adventure activities. It is the season of camel racing in Dubai, and you can witness traditional events around it, and it is the perfect time to head out to the desert and enjoy a camel ride yourself. In the city, Opera shows are still on, and Halloween festivities are catching up in the high-end restaurants and malls.

If you are looking for a winter holiday and want to escape the cold weather gripping the rest of the world, Dubai is where you should head! The temperatures in Dubai become pleasant in November as it is the start of winter. You can comfortably venture outdoors even during the day time and enjoy outdoor activities. There are lots of international events taking place in the city like Dubai Design Week and Downtown Design. You can also hop over to the neighboring capital city of Abu Dhabi and watch the F1 Grand Prix, and while you are there take a tour of the Ferrari World and Yas Water World.

Dubai in December can be described as beautiful, thanks to its weather and the festivities! It is one of the colder months in Dubai, and you can pack light sweaters to keep warm at night, while the days are refreshingly cool. December is chock-a-block with events starting with the UAE National Day which is the Emirates Independence Day, followed by the Dubai International Film Festival and the Rugby Sevens tournament. Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Dubai bring over tourists from across the world, and the Burj Khalifa is an epic destination to bring in the New Year! The Dubai Winter Festival will bring in the requisite cheer with sales and Christmas markets. PS: The best part about New Year's in Dubai are the Burj Khalifa New Year fireworks. Don't miss out on this!