United Arab Emirates, Middle East

Dubai in December

Peak of the peak: perfect weather, holiday spectacle, and New Year's Eve fireworks at the Burj Khalifa. Book far ahead and expect top rates.

BestIdeal, highs near 79F (26C)

Towers and yachts of Dubai Marina — DubaiPhoto: Francisco Anzola, CC BY 3.0

The straight answer

December is one of the best months of the year to visit Dubai. Peak of the peak: perfect weather, holiday spectacle, and New Year's Eve fireworks at the Burj Khalifa. Book far ahead and expect top rates.

Weather: Ideal, highs near 79F (26C)
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What December is like in Dubai

December is the peak of the peak. Highs are near 79F (26C), rain is rare, and the city puts on its full holiday show. The Dubai Shopping Festival starts late in the month, and New Year's Eve fireworks at the Burj Khalifa are among the biggest in the world. Crowds and prices are at their highest.

It suits families and couples who want guaranteed sun over the holidays and do not mind paying for it. Book flights and hotels far ahead. If you want the same weather for less money, come in the first half of December or in January.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Dubai this month.

New Year's Eve at the Burj Khalifa

One of the world's biggest fireworks and light shows. Viewing areas fill many hours ahead.

Dubai Shopping Festival begins

Late in the month, the festival starts with sales, concerts, and fireworks across the city.

Perfect beach and desert weather

Warm days and cool nights make every outdoor activity easy.

What to pack for December

A light jacket for cool evenings
Swimsuit and sunscreen
Nice outfits for holiday dinners and brunches
Comfortable shoes for long mall days

Our timing tip

If you plan to watch the New Year's fireworks near Dubai Mall, arrive in the afternoon or book a restaurant with a view well in advance.

Book Dubai for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Dubai
Opens a hotel search for Dubai 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 Dubai
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 Dubai
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Dubai for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Dubai Shopping Festival

Late December through most of January

A citywide retail festival with concerts, fireworks, and drone shows layered on top of peak season. The city at maximum wattage.

New Year's Eve at the Burj Khalifa

December 31

One of the world's marquee fireworks and light shows. Viewing areas fill many hours ahead and hotels price the night accordingly.

Ramadan in Dubai

Dates shift about 11 days earlier each year; check the current window

The city stays fully open and most restaurants now serve through the day, but the rhythm softens until sunset, then flips festive: iftar tents, night markets, and late hours. Dress and public behavior lean more conservative for the month.

Things to do in Dubai

Full guide

Burj Khalifa observation decks

Book a sunset slot weeks ahead in high season, or take a morning slot for haze-free views at lower prices. The fountain show below runs in the evenings.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

A desert safari or overnight camp

The single most memorable thing most visitors do. Conservation-reserve operators offer a calmer, wildlife-forward alternative to dune-bashing convoys. Winter evenings in the desert get genuinely cool; bring a layer.

Tickets and tours →

Old Dubai: the creek, souks, and Al Fahidi

Cross the creek by abra water taxi for pocket change, then wander the gold and spice souks and the restored Al Fahidi lanes. Best in the cooler months and evenings.

Tickets and tours →

Dubai Mall and the fountain show

Less a mall than an indoor district, with the aquarium tunnel inside. The fountains fire in short evening shows; the bridge and lakeside terraces fill early.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

The beaches and Kite Beach

Public beaches are excellent and free, with the Burj Al Arab as a backdrop at Kite Beach and Sunset Beach. Swimmable sea from roughly October through May.

Tickets and tours →

Museum of the Future and Dubai Frame

The city's two boldest photo-architecture pieces, both with timed-entry tickets worth booking a few days ahead in season.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Book the Burj Khalifa, brunches, and marquee restaurants one to three weeks ahead in high season; sunset observation slots and December weekends sell out first.
Do outdoor Dubai at the edges of the day even in winter: souks and the creek in the morning, desert at sunset, fountains and skyline at night. Midday is for pools and museums year-round.
January after the first week is the quiet trick inside high season: holiday crowds leave, the weather is the year's coolest, and the shopping festival keeps the city lively.
Visit the big malls on weekday mornings; evenings and weekends (Friday and Saturday here) are when the whole city shows up.

Know before you go

Summer is not a closure season, it is a relocation season: from June through September the city moves indoors, where malls, museums, aquariums, and the ski slope run at full strength while beach clubs scale back daytime service and some outdoor attractions shorten hours or pause. Hotel prices drop sharply, which is the entire summer opportunity.
During Ramadan, Dubai remains fully functional for visitors: attractions operate, most restaurants serve through the day, and evenings run late and festive. Live music pauses in many venues, alcohol service can be reduced, and the Eid holiday at the month's end brings packed hotels and regional crowds. Dates shift about 11 days earlier each year.
The weekend is Saturday and Sunday, with Friday midday prayers still shaping Friday hours at some businesses; big attractions run seven days.
Beach conditions are seasonal even though the sand never closes: the sea is warmest from roughly May through November and coolest in January and February, and lifeguarded beaches fly flag warnings on rough days.

Dubai in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Dubai?

What is the weather like in Dubai in December?

Ideal, highs near 79F (26C).

Is Dubai crowded in December?

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

What is happening in Dubai in December?

Dubai Shopping Festival (late december through most of january); New Year's Eve at the Burj Khalifa (december 31); Ramadan in Dubai (dates shift about 11 days earlier each year; check the current window).