United Arab Emirates, Middle East

Abu Dhabi in December

Ideal weather and peak demand, with UAE National Day on December 2 and holiday season crowds at month's end.

BestWarm and sunny, highs near 79F (26C)

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at dusk, Abu Dhabi — Abu DhabiPhoto: Nadeemlatifkhan, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

December is one of the best months of the year to visit Abu Dhabi. Ideal weather and peak demand, with UAE National Day on December 2 and holiday season crowds at month's end.

Weather: Warm and sunny, highs near 79F (26C)
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What December is like in Abu Dhabi

December is warm and sunny, with highs near 79F (26C), and it is the busiest month of the year. UAE National Day on December 2 brings fireworks and parades, the Grand Prix sometimes lands in early December, and holiday crowds arrive at the end of the month. Every outdoor activity is in top form, and prices are at their peak.

December suits families on school holidays, couples and first-timers who want ideal weather and book well ahead. If you want the same conditions with fewer people and lower prices, go in mid January to February or in early March.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Abu Dhabi this month.

UAE National Day

On December 2, the emirate celebrates with fireworks, parades and decorated cars. It is a long weekend, so hotels fill.

Al Dhafra Festival

In years it starts in December, the Western Region desert hosts camel contests, falconry and traditional crafts. Dates vary by year.

Perfect desert nights

Cool, clear nights are ideal for an overnight camp among the Liwa dunes.

What to pack for December

A warm layer for desert nights
Swimwear and sunscreen
Modest outfits for the Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Watan
A smart outfit for holiday dinners

Our timing tip

Book mid December, between National Day and the holiday rush, for the best mix of weather, crowds and price.

Book Abu Dhabi for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Abu Dhabi
Opens a hotel search for Abu Dhabi in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Abu Dhabi
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Abu Dhabi
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Abu Dhabi for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Late November or early December, usually the Formula 1 season finale

Night racing at Yas Marina Circuit with big concerts. Hotel prices spike across the city; book early.

UAE National Day

December 2 every year

Fireworks, parades, and decorated cars across the emirate, and a long weekend that fills hotels.

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr

Shifts about 11 days earlier each year; check the current dates

The city stays open with a slower daytime pace, then comes alive after sunset. Eid brings regional crowds and busy hotels.

Al Dhafra Festival

Winter, roughly December into January, varies by year

Camel beauty contests, falconry, and traditional crafts in the Western Region desert.

Things to do in Abu Dhabi

Full guide

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Free entry with online booking. Go at sunset for the changing light on the marble; closed to visitors on Friday mornings.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Art spanning world history under a dome that filters light like palm fronds. Weekday mornings are quietest.

Tickets and tours →

Qasr Al Watan

The working presidential palace, open to visitors, with a nightly light and sound show.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Yas Island theme parks

Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld are indoors; Yas Waterworld is outdoors and best from October to April.

Tickets and tours →

Mangrove National Park

Kayak through the mangroves at high tide in the cooler months, with herons and crabs close at hand.

Tickets and tours →

Liwa Oasis and the Empty Quarter

Some of the tallest dunes on Earth, including Moreeb Dune. Go in winter; summer is dangerous in the desert.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Visit the Grand Mosque at opening or on a weekday evening rather than on weekend afternoons, when tour groups peak.
Avoid Grand Prix week unless you are going for the race; the whole city's hotel inventory prices up.
Early November and March deliver peak-season weather with slightly lower demand than December and January.
Book Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan for weekday mornings to see them at their quietest.

Know before you go

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is closed to visitors on Friday mornings for prayers, and reopens in the afternoon.
During Ramadan, most restaurants now serve through the day, but live entertainment can pause and hours shift. Be respectful about eating and drinking in public during daylight.
In summer, outdoor attractions like Yas Waterworld, desert safaris, and kayak tours run reduced schedules, and midday outdoor activity is genuinely dangerous.
Most museums and attractions stay open all year. Check hours for Mondays, when some cultural sites close.

Abu Dhabi in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Abu Dhabi?

December is one of the best months of the year to visit Abu Dhabi. Ideal weather and peak demand, with UAE National Day on December 2 and holiday season crowds at month's end.

What is the weather like in Abu Dhabi in December?

Warm and sunny, highs near 79F (26C).

Is Abu Dhabi crowded in December?

December is peak crowd season in Abu Dhabi; expect lines at the headline sights.

What is happening in Abu Dhabi in December?

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (late november or early december, usually the formula 1 season finale); UAE National Day (december 2 every year); Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (shifts about 11 days earlier each year; check the current dates); Al Dhafra Festival (winter, roughly december into january, varies by year).