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Dubai in October 2025

October straddles Dubai’s blazing summer and mild winter. Daytime highs slide to about 35 °C / 95 °F, humidity eases, and seasonal attractions reopen. Arrive early at outdoor sites; security gates at Burj Khalifa open 30 minutes before the first slot—worth the dawn wake-up for calmer lifts and gentler sun.

Dubai in October 2025 at a glance

🌦️ Weather

Highs ~35 °C / 95 °F, lows ~25 °C / 77 °F; little rain.

☀️ Daylight

11 h 30 m; sunrise 6:15 am, sunset 5:45 pm

🎉 Key events

Home Festival, Diwali week, Gitex Global tech expo.

👥 Crowds

Shoulder season; GCC weekend trippers and Diwali shoppers fill malls after 5 pm.

🧳 What to pack

Light linens, Type G adapter, reef-safe SPF 50, fold-up umbrella for rare dust.

🍴 Seasonal treats

Early-harvest dates, pumpkin-spiced karak, alfresco seafood grills on JBR.

Top things to do in Dubai in October

Catch golden-hour views from Burj Khalifa

  • When: Daily, best 4:30 – 5:30 pm
  • Tags: Tour, Outdoors

With haze lifting after summer, late-afternoon panoramas stretch to the desert edge. Buy the 148-floor “At the Top Sky” ticket online to skip the downstairs queue and linger for sunset’s color shift over the Gulf.

Recommended experiences:

  • Burj Khalifa At The Top Tickets: Levels 124 & 125
  • Burj Khalifa At The Top Tickets: SKY Level 148, 124 & 125 Access with Refreshments
Explore Burj Khalifa tickets

Wander a sea of blooms at Miracle Garden

  • When: Reopens late Oct; 9 am – 9 pm
  • Tags: Family-friendly, Seasonal

Forty-five million petunias and marigolds burst back to life once the heat breaks. Grab a shaded bench by the Emirates A380 floral sculpture and shoot drone-level photos from the new sky walk. Lines spike after 4 pm; arrive at opening.

Recommended experiences:

  • Dubai Miracle Garden Skip-the-Line Tickets
  • Dubai Safari Park Explorer Safari + Skip-the-Line Dubai Miracle Gardens Tickets
Browse Miracle Garden tickets

Glide the Creek by heritage abra

  • When: Daily 6 am – midnight
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Outdoors

Spend one dirham, trade skyscrapers for wind-towers. October’s smaller boat traffic means smoother crossings between Deira and Bur Dubai. Time it just before sunset then roam spice-souk alleys perfumed with saffron and oud.

Surf dawn swells at Kite Beach

  • When: Early mornings, best 7 – 9 am
  • Tags: Adventure, Outdoors

Moderate onshore winds return, creating learner-friendly breaks. Rent a foam board for AED 60/hour; showers and coffee trucks open by 7 am. Post-surf, stroll 2 km north for açai bowls with Burj Al Arab views.

Dine under the stars on a desert safari

  • When: Evenings; pick-up 3 pm
  • Tags: Adventure, Tour

October nights hover near 27 °C / 81 °F—cool enough for dune dinners yet warm enough for open-air stargazing. Choose operators with small 4×4 groups to avoid convoy queues at Big Red dune.

Recommended experiences:

  • [Limited Time 30% Off] Red Dunes Evening Desert Safari & BBQ Dinner with Optional Quad Bike
  • Private Group (up to 6 people) Red Dunes Desert Safari
Explore Dubai Desert Safari Tours

Stroll Al Fahidi after dark

  • When: 6 – 10 pm
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Explorer

Carved coral-stone lanes hold art galleries and quiet courtyards. Join a 7 pm lantern tour at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre to sample Emirati coffee and hear Ramadan traditions—even off-season.

Cycle the Meydan track at night

  • When: Mon, Wed; 7 – 11 pm
  • Tags: Wellness, Outdoors

Free flood-lit bike loop skirting the Dubai skyline. October breezes make the 8-km circuit pleasant; Trek rental bikes cost AED 50 on-site. Pack water—no kiosks after 10 pm.

Browse Global Village opening week

  • When: Commences late Oct, 4 pm – midnight
  • Tags: Family-friendly, Seasonal

Ninety-four cultures, 200-plus food stalls, and nightly drone shows re-launch for the winter season. Week-one tickets are discounted online; arrive by 4 pm to beat parking snarls.

Recommended expeiences:

  • Combo: Global Village + Dubai Miracle Garden + Butterfly Garden Tickets
  • Museum of The Future Dubai Tickets
Explore Global Village tickets

Offbeat experiences in October

Kayak the mangroves at Jaddaf Waterfront

Silent paddling beside flamingos and creekside art murals High tides align with sunrise this month, letting you slip through glassy channels before city heat lifts. Rentals include life-vests and a dry bag for cameras.
📍Where: Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park

Watch camel training at dawn

Pre-race workouts with robo-jockeys and chai stalls Arrive by 5:45 am; handlers welcome polite spectators. Cooler mornings mean longer sprint drills and photo-friendly golden light.
📍Where: Al Marmoom Camel Racetrack entrance

Sip coffee in a converted bunker

Third-wave brews under WWII-style arches The Espresso Lab’s new Al Quoz roastery hides inside a decommissioned water-tank—nice respite when midday sun peaks.
📍Where: Al Serkal Avenue, Warehouse 47

Take a pearl-diving history swim

Freedive demo and heritage talk aboard a dhow October seas sit around 30 °C, perfect for snorkeling to oyster beds while guides recount pre-oil Emirati trade routes.
📍Where: Jumeirah 1 Fishing Harbour

Catch sunset yoga on The View at The Palm

60-floor panoramas with vinyasa flow As humidity drops, glass-wall skydeck classes resume; mats included. Book the 6 pm slot and watch Atlantis glow pink.
📍Where: Level 52, Palm Tower

Festivals and events in Dubai this October 2025

Dubai Comedy Festival

  • Dates: 02–12 Oct 2025
  • Event type: Comedy Festival
  • Location: Dubai Opera & Coca-Cola Arena, Downtown
  • What to expect: Global stand-ups pack ten nights; buy multi-show passes early—weekend slots vanish first.

Gitex Global

  • Dates: 06–10 Oct 2025
  • Event type: Exhibition
  • Location: Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Rd
  • What to expect: The region’s biggest tech expo draws 180 k pros; after-hours drone shows light up SZR, but taxis surge—use the Metro.

Dubai Home Festival

  • Dates: 03–16 Oct 2025
  • Event type: Retail Festival
  • Location: Citywide malls
  • What to expect: Furniture and décor discounts hit 75 %; weekend raffles give away room makeovers—arrive mid-week for quieter aisles.

Dubai Comedy Bizarre Pop-ups

  • Dates: 05–10 Oct 2025
  • Event type: Street Performances
  • Location: JBR & City Walk
  • What to expect: Free improv shows spring up at sunset; bring a portable seat and expect audience participation.

Diwali in Dubai

  • Dates: 17–26 Oct 2025
  • Event type: Cultural Festival
  • Location: Bur Dubai, Meena Bazaar, Global Village
  • What to expect: Lantern arches, rangoli contests, and nightly fireworks—gold prices dip for festival promos, so time jewelry buys early.

Highlights for different traveler types

Families with kids

Blast off at Modesh World’s indoor rides—October’s opening week means shorter lines and soft-launch ticket discounts.
Tour Dubai Aquarium’s behind-the-scenes feeding; cooler weather lets you wander outside to the Fountain show afterward without overheating.
Evening camel-milk gelato at Global Village keeps little legs moving through country pavilions until fireworks at 9 pm.

Couples

Book a sunset Dhow cruise on the Creek; October’s golden skies and live oud soundtrack set a laid-back mood.
Share a desert glamping tent with private plunge pool—nights hover around 27 °C so alfresco movie screenings feel dreamy.
Grab rooftop aperitivos at Cé La Vi; Diwali fireworks over the Creek add unexpected sparks to your skyline view.

Adventure seekers

​Skydive over Palm Jumeirah; visibility improves post-summer, making aerial island shots clearer.
Hike the Hatta Wadi Hub mountain bike loop daytime temps are finally bearable and seasonal trails reopen.
Zip-line across XLine Dubai Marina at dusk; cooler air means less sweat and sharper GoPro footage.

Your perfect 3-day Dubai in October itinerary

  • Morning: Grab flat-whites at % Arabica (Dubai Mall waterfront). Beat tour buses to the 9 am
    Burj Khalifa slot, then stroll Souk Al Bahar footbridge.
  • Breakfast: Pistachio croissants with fountain views—arrive before 8:30 am for window seats.
  • Midday: Explore Dubai Mall’s Human Waterfall and underwater zoo; air-con shields you from noon heat.
  • Lunch: Din Tai Fung xiao long bao; no reservations, so queue may hit 20 minutes.
  • Afternoon: Metro to Al Fahidi; wander coffee-museum courtyards and art alleys, shaded and breezy.
  • Evening: Board a one-dirham abra at 6:30 pm; feast on grilled hammour at Bait Al Wakeel right on the creek.
  • Morning: 7 am pickup for dune-bashing plus sand-boarding; wear sunglasses, not contacts.
  • Breakfast: Campfire shakshouka and karak served in Bedouin tent post-sunrise.
  • Midday: Return by 12 pm; nap or pool-cool off.
  • Lunch: Gypsy Spice thali in Meena Bazaar—Diwali décor and sweet lassi rush.
  • Afternoon: Walk Al Serkal Avenue’s galleries; watch glass-blowing demos at 4 pm.
  • Evening: Metro to Dubai Festival City for 8 pm Diwali fireworks and laser show along the promenade.
  • Morning: Monorail to The View at Palm ; 9 am yoga session 240 m high.
  • Breakfast: Açai bowls at Jones the Grocer, West Beach—feet in sand, skyline ahead.
  • Midday: Beat heat inside Lost Chambers Aquarium, Atlantis; behind-the-scenes tour at 1 pm.
  • Lunch: Beach-side shawarma at Ibn AlBahr—order catch-of-the-day grilled.
  • Afternoon: Rent e-scooters, cruise Marina promenade; pause for cold brew at Seven Fortunes.
  • Evening: 6 pm XLine zip-line, then seafood paella on Pier 7’s fifth-floor terrace, Marina skyline shimmering.

Best day trips from Dubai in October

Abu Dhabi

🚗 Travel time: ~1 h 20 m by car or Etihad Shuttle

Mild temps make Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s marble courtyard comfortable at noon. Pair with Louvre Abu Dhabi’s breezy sea deck before sunset. Book mosque slots online; modest dress required.

Hatta Mountains

🚙 Travel time: ~90 min by car

October opens mountain bike trails and the turquoise Hatta Dam for kayak rentals. Cooler evenings are perfect for rooftop tents at Hatta Dome Park—pack layers; temps drop to 18 °C.

Al Ain Oasis

🚌 Travel time: ~2 h by bus E201

Stroll shaded date-palm groves irrigated by 3,000-year-old aflaj channels. The camel market runs busiest on Friday mornings—bring cash for spice stalls.

Sharjah Arts District

🚗 Travel time: ~30 min by taxi off-peak

Sharjah Biennial off-season tours still run; October light flatters coral-stone facades. Combine Rain Room installation with souk buys tax-free.

Go shopping in Dubai in October

  • When: 03 – 16 Oct 2025
  • Where: Citywide malls

Up to 75 % off sofas, smart fridges, and décor; visit IKEA weekdays at 10 am to dodge trolley jams.

  • When: 17 – 26 Oct 2025
  • Where: Deira

Hundreds of bangles glitter under Diwali lights; gold prices dip, but haggle for making charges.

Local farms, vegan snacks, live music—bring reusable bags and a picnic rug.

Pro tips for visiting Dubai in October

  1. Gitex Expo packs Sheikh Zayed Rd 8 – 10 am; ride the Metro and buy Nol top-ups the night before to dodge ticket queues.

  2. Fridays after 4 pm, Diwali shoppers clog Meena Bazaar streets—use Al Fahidi Metro exit 3 and walk the back alleys.

  3. Miracle Garden’s soft opening week sells 30 % fewer tickets—check Instagram for the exact announce date and book instantly.

  4. Evenings feel breezy yet UV still bites; reapply SPF outdoors after 4 pm when sunset pics lure you back outside.

  5. Ramadan ends months earlier, but many mosques still offer cultural tours; carry a light scarf for spontaneous visits.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Dubai in October

Is October beach-swimming comfortable?

Yes—sea temperature averages 30 °C / 86 °F, warm yet refreshing compared to peak-summer bathwater. Lifeguards operate normal hours.

How humid is it?

Humidity drops to around 60 % most days, so sweating eases compared with July–August, but still pack breathable fabrics.

Does Dubai observe Diwali as a public holiday?

No official holiday, but shopping centers host fireworks and special menus. Expect traffic around Hindu temples on Diwali night.

Are alcohol restrictions in place during October?

October has no dry days in 2025; bars serve as usual except possibly on the Islamic New Year if lunar timing shifts—check a week ahead.

Will Desert Safaris run despite heat?

Absolutely. Operators restart sunset safaris once daytime highs fall; choose 3 pm departures for cooler dunes.

Do I need advance tickets for Gitex?

Yes—online visitor passes are cheaper and let you skip on-site registration queues that can hit 45 minutes at peak.

What power plug do I need?

Dubai uses 230 V Type G (UK) sockets. Most hotels lend adapters, but bring your own if you have multiple gadgets.