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Dubai in December

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Top things to do in Dubai in December

View NYE fireworks from Burj Khalifa

  • When: Dec 31
  • Tags: Festival, Outdoors

Catch the iconic fireworks at Burj Khalifa—Dubai’s biggest NYE draw. Arrive before 6pm to secure a spot near Dubai Mall. Expect road closures after 8 pm and large crowds.

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
  • Burj Khalifa Tickets with Light Meal or Café Treat
Check all Burj Khalifa tickets & tours

Explore the Dubai Shopping Festival

  • When: From Dec 5
  • Tags: Seasonal, Tour, Family-friendly

Launched in December, DSF transforms malls with sales, raffles, and performances. Visit Ibn Battuta or City Centre Mirdif for fewer crowds than Dubai Mall.

Relax on JBR Beach

  • When: All month
  • Tags: Outdoors, Family-friendly

December is perfect beach weather. Pack swimwear and sunblock for Jumeirah Beach Residence. Come before noon to rent loungers, or stay for sunsets and street shows.

Cruise Dubai Creek on a dhow

  • When: Evenings in December
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Tour

Traditional wooden boats glide past the gold souk and Al Fahidi. Book a dinner cruise with live oud music. Bring a jacket—nights get cool on the water.

Recommended experiences:

  • From Dubai Creek: Dhow Cruise with Dinner & Live Entertainment
  • From Dubai Marina/Creek: 1-Hour Sightseeing Dhow Cruise with Unlimited Soft Drinks
Explore all Dubai Dhow cruises

Tour Al Fahidi Historical District

  • When: All month
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Explorer

Wander narrow lanes and wind towers in this preserved heritage quarter. December's mild temps make midday walks enjoyable. Don’t miss the Coffee Museum or SMCCU cultural talks.

See Christmas decor at Madinat Jumeirah

  • When: Mid-Dec to Dec 25
  • Tags: Seasonal, Family-friendly

Madinat's festive market features a tree, snowball zone, and seasonal eats. Book dining in advance for waterfront views with fairy lights and live carols.

Shop under the stars at Global Village

  • When: Evenings
  • Tags: Family-friendly, Tour, Outdoors

This open-air cultural bazaar has pavilions from 90+ countries. Try street food, watch stunt shows, and haggle for handmade gifts. Avoid weekends to skip traffic.

Recommended experiences:

  • Global Village Entry Tickets – Kids Go Free!
  • Combo: Free Global Village + Dubai Safari Park Explorer Safari Tickets
Explore all Global Village Dubai tickets

Catch a show at Dubai Opera

  • When: Check listings
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Tour

The December lineup often includes holiday ballets or musicals. Arrive early for pre-show drinks at the plaza. Dress code is smart casual; no shorts.

Offbeat experiences in December

Take a camel ride in the dunes

Golden light, silent desert, slow rhythm

Book a sunset camel ride in Al Marmoom. December skies glow pink over the dunes, and the cooler air is ideal. Most tours include tea in Bedouin tents.

📍Where: Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve

Tour the Coffee Museum

Scented beans and global brews

This tucked-away spot showcases coffee rituals from Ethiopia to the Arabian Peninsula. You can sample unusual brews and learn roasting techniques.

📍Where: Al Fahidi Historical District

Visit The Green Planet

Tropical rainforest in the desert

Step into this indoor bio-dome with toucans, sloths, and lush canopy paths. Great for families dodging peak sun hours or rare December showers.

📍Where: City Walk

Walk the Dubai Water Canal Boardwalk

Bridges, skyline views, quiet detour

Stroll past yacht marinas and under color-lit bridges. Ideal at dusk when the towers reflect off the water. Few tourists venture past Safa Park.

📍Where: Near Al Habtoor City

Join a rooftop yoga session

Stretch with a view

Many hotels offer December yoga with skyline views. Sign up for a 7am or sunset session when the air is crisp and clear.

📍Where: Check listings at Fairmont, Zabeel House, or Vida Hotels

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Highlights for different traveller types

Families with kids

December is ideal for families: Visit Dubai Winter City for Santa photo ops, catch fireworks at Global Village, or snorkel at The Lost Chambers Aquarium without the summer heat.

Couples

Sail on a private dhow at sunset, dine amid fairy lights at Madinat Jumeirah, or toast the New Year from a rooftop lounge with views of the Burj.

Shopaholics

Hunt DSF deals at Mall of the Emirates, browse artisanal gifts at the Madinat festive market, or explore night stalls at Global Village for quirky souvenirs.

Your perfect 3-day Dubai in December itinerary

  • Morning: Start at Al Fahidi District; join a walking tour of the wind-tower lanes.
  • Breakfast: Grab karak tea and chebab pancakes at Arabian Tea House.
  • Midday: Visit Etihad Museum for UAE history and interactive exhibits.
  • Lunch: Enjoy mezze and grills at Al Fanar, Dubai Festival City.
  • Afternoon: Abra ride across Dubai Creek, then explore the gold souk.
  • Evening: Visit Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market for lights and dinner.
  • Morning: Head to the dunes for camel rides and falcon photos.
  • Breakfast: Desert safari camps offer local pastries and Arabic coffee.
  • Midday: Rest back at hotel or visit The Green Planet.
  • Lunch: Try elevated Middle Eastern at Orfali Bros Bistro.
  • Afternoon: Shop at Mall of the Emirates or check Ski Dubai.
  • Evening: Book dinner with NYE fireworks views at Burj Khalifa area.
  • Morning: Stroll Dubai Water Canal Boardwalk for skyline photos.
  • Breakfast: Enjoy coffee at The Sum of Us, near Burj.
  • Midday: Take kids to Expo City’s Winter Village.
  • Lunch: Food trucks and bites onsite at Expo.
  • Afternoon: See Dubai Opera or explore City Walk art installations.
  • Evening: Wrap up with Global Village for shows and fireworks.

Best day trips from Dubai in December

Abu Dhabi

🚌Travel time: ~90 min by car or bus

Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in comfortable weather, stroll the Louvre Abu Dhabi, or see the falcon hospital. Book mosque slots early.

Abu Dhabi city tours

Hatta

🚍Travel time: ~90 min by car

Cooler than the city, Hatta is perfect in December. Hike, kayak in the dam, or explore heritage village trails. Dress in layers.

Sharjah

🚌Travel time: ~30 min by taxi

The cultural capital offers museums, heritage areas, and art walks. Combine with a visit to the Souk Al Arsah. Less busy than Dubai.

Sharjah day trip

Al Ain

🚍Travel time: ~1 h 45 min by car

Explore Al Ain Oasis, camel market, or mountain drives up Jebel Hafeet. Cooler air makes December ideal. Avoid weekend congestion.

Culture vultures

Attend SMCCU's heritage programs in Al Fahidi, book a tour of the Etihad Museum, or catch a seasonal opera at Dubai Opera House.

Adventure seekers

Book a sunrise desert quad tour, test your skills at Ski Dubai, or zipline across the Dubai Marina skyline with XLine.

Go shopping in Dubai in December

  • When: From Dec 6
  • Where: Citywide malls

Expect huge discounts, flash sales, and raffles. Best for big-brand electronics, fashion, and souvenirs.

Holiday decor, live music, and artisan stalls make this a scenic seasonal spot.

Browse indie vendors selling home goods, fashion, and gourmet food in a park setting.

Night market meets theme park. Shop cultural crafts from 90+ countries under festive lights.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Dubai in December

Not really—days are 26 °C / 79 °F; evenings dip to 16 °C / 61 °F. A light jacket is useful after sunset.