Dubai in December: Weather, Events & Top Things to Do for a Magical Winter Escape
Dubai is pure magic in December. The city transforms into a carnival-like wonderland, complete with sparkling city lights, global shopping parties, rich cultural activities, and spectacular weather. When you decide to take a Dubai holiday in December, there is a mix of luxury, adventure and celebration waiting to be experienced. December is the best time of year to visit Dubai to explore Christmas markets, enjoy beautiful fireworks, and embark on an adventure in the desert under the starry skies.
In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss what kind of weather in Dubai in December is expected, the best places to visit, and the amazing December events Dubai 2025 that we have to look forward to.
Why Visit Dubai in December?
One of the most popular travel destinations is Dubai in December, either as a family vacation or as a leisure vacation. Booking a flight to Dubai during this month offers the chance to enjoy the city in its most pleasant weather—cool and comfortable, unlike the scorching summer heat that can make outdoor activities and shopping nearly impossible.
- Temperature in Dubai in December: The average is of 17°C (63°F) at night and 26°C (79°F)in the daytime.
- Weather in Dubai in December: The clear weather, sun, and lack of humidity will give one the best climate conditions to enjoy city tours, safaris, and beaches.
These two factors make Dubai travel in December an ideal vacation for tourists seeking to have fun and comfort.
Things to Do in Dubai in December
What are the plans when going for a Dubai holiday in December? Here are just some of the most thrilling things to do in Dubai and attractions to explore this month, making it unforgettable.
1. Visit the Dubai Miracle Garden
Dubai Miracle Garden is one of the most breathtaking sights located in Dubai, available only during the colder season, with its unique flower park haven that has nothing like it in the world. Covering an area of 72,000 square meters, it boasts more than 150 million flowers shaped in spectacular forms and themes, heart-shaped arches, full-size Emirates A380 airplanes made out of flower petals and animated floral characters, among others.
- Timings: Daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Weekends until 11:00 PM)
- Location: Al Barsha South 3, Dubai
Entry Fee:
- Adults (12+): AED 95
- Children (3–12): AED 80
- Kids under 3: Free
2. Attend the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF)
DSF changes the city into a shopper paradise beginning on December 6, 2025. Prepare to be offered great discounts on top brands, special deals, raffles, and marvelous entertainment. The shopping here is not only about retail therapy but rather an event including concerts and fireworks, as well as live performances.
- Dates: 6 December and runs until late January
- Locations: Every significant shopping center and marketplace (Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Global Village, etc.)
3. Watch the New Year’s Eve Fireworks
A trip to Dubai will be incomplete without a spectacle of the globally famous Burj Khalifa New Year’s Eve Fireworks. Downtown Dubai has beautiful lights that illuminate, making it a global tourism attraction.
- New Year’s Eve Fireworks:
Best spots: Burj Khalifa, Atlantis The Palm, Burj Al Arab
4. Discover the Global Village
Global Village is a shopping, entertainment, and multicultural attraction that operates only during the winter and aims to unite the world in a single dynamic open-air venue. It hosts over 90 pavilions representing the countries around the world, which all sell authentic food, craft and souvenirs, and also provide cultural performances.
- Timings:
- Saturday–Wednesday: 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Thursday–Friday: 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM
- Mondays: Family and ladies only
- Entry Fee:
- AED 25 (children under the age of 3, and 65+ are free)
- Location: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Exit 37
- Tips: Arrive early to avoid crowds. Fireworks every weekend at 9:00 PM.
5. Experience a Desert Safari
As the weather becomes cooler in Dubai in December, a desert safari becomes all the more enjoyable. One of the most memorable things to do in dubai in December is to take a desert safari. They will take you in a 4×4 to the golden sands and indulge in such exciting adventure activities in Dubai like dune bashing, sandboarding, and camel riding.
- Timings: Afternoon safaris start around 3:00 PM, return by 9:00 PM
- Entry Fee: From AED 150–250 per person
6. Catch the Views from Burj Khalifa
No trip is complete without a visit to the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, which is most stunning and Instagram-worthy in the month of December. The 124th and 148th observation decks provide you a 360-degree perspective of the Dubai skyline, the Arabian Gulf as well as its surrounding desert.
The most famous time to visit is sunset and advanced ticketing is strongly encouraged. Next, the Dubai Fountain Show is right outside the tower, and is amazingly choreographed in lights and music, and runs every 30 minutes throughout the evening.
- Observation Deck Timings: 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM
- Entry Fee (Level 124 & 125):
- Prime hours (Sunset): From AED 244
- Non-prime hours: From AED 169
- Fountain Show Timings: Daily 30 minutes from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Festivals and Events in Dubai in December 2025
December is not only a good month to enjoy the weather in Dubai, but also when there is a series of world-class festivals, cultural events, and grand happenings, making it one of the most exciting places to be at the end of the year. Whether it is national pride and street markets, kaleidoscopes of international shopping and the world-renowned fireworks, it all has something to offer to everyone. This is how events in the most anticipated events in Dubai in December 2025 look:
1. UAE National Day
Each December, Dubai celebrates the birth of the United Arab Emirates. Experience a national celebration with all the national flags, lighting displays, and spectacular fireworks at famous landmarks such as Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Festival City. Heritage events, traditional performances, and special family activities will allow the visitors to immerse in Emirati culture.
- Dates: 01–03 Dec 2025
- Event type: Cultural Festival
- Highlights: Parades, themed shows, fireworks, traditional music and dance, concerts.
2. Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF)
DSF is a pillar of Dubai holiday in December, a dream come true to all shopaholics. Ranging from the luxury brands to electronics, customers realize unmatched discounts. Not only a shopping event, DSF has live concerts, celebrity shows, cultural pageants, and spectacular lights that light up the city with buzz throughout the weeks.
- Dates: Starts 06 Dec 2025
- Event type: Shopping Festival
- Highlights: Mega sales, raffles, concerts, street performances, and nightly fireworks.
3. Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market
This is a holiday market that you can not miss especially when you are seeking European Christmas magic in the Middle East. It is all decorated with twinkling lights, holiday decorations, mulled beverages, and family-friendly entertainment such as gingerbread decorating and live presentations, the ideal setting to enjoy this holiday season.
- Dates: Mid–late Dec 2025 [TBC]
- Event type: Christmas Market
- Location: Madinat Jumeirah
- Highlights: Seasonal treats, artisan stalls, live music, and Santa’s Grotto.
4. Burj Khalifa NYE Fireworks
The fireworks on the Burj Khalifa on New Year’s Eve is one of the most renowned of December events Dubai has to offer, and it attracts international audiences everywhere. The end of the year is celebrated in Downtown Dubai with thousands of visitors filling the streets and witnessing the sky come alive in a spectacular display of fireworks, lasers and music that one will never forget in a lifetime.
- Dates: 31 Dec 2025
- Event type: Fireworks Celebration
- Location: Downtown Dubai
- Highlights: Laser shows, musical fountains, and record-breaking fireworks displays.
5. Dubai Winter City (Expo City Dubai)
Expo City is converted into a winter wonderland in the month of December and there is a magical experience to both children and adults. Walk through Christmas markets, soak up snow-themed activities and explore entertainment zones which bring holiday traditions of the entire world to each corner.
- Dates: All December
- Event type: Winter Theme Park
- Location: Expo City Dubai
- Highlights: Festive markets, family rides, holiday performances, and themed zones.
6. Global Village NYE Fireworks
Global Village is also worth a visit, as it provides its visitors with amazing fireworks and live acts representing all the continents. Every pavilion pinpoints a unique country and thus it is colorful and diverse in the way that the new year is welcomed.
- Dates: 31 Dec 2025
- Event type: Cultural Celebration
- Location: Global Village
- Highlights: Multicultural shows, themed pavilions, international dining, and fireworks.
Dubai is one of the most exciting places in the world to celebrate the end of the year with the festivals and events in Dubai this December 2025, offering national pride, family entertainment, and luxury shopping, along with unforgettable fireworks.
Tips for Travelers Visiting Dubai in December
Here are a few tips on how to maximize your Dubai travel in December
- Book Early: It is the high season of the year in December. Hotels and flights are booked fast; therefore, try to book your Dubai tour package early.
- What to Wear in Dubai in December: Light layers during the day and a light jacket in the evenings when it is cooler. Show respect of local cultures by wearing modest clothes when entering a mosque or cultural places.
- Carry Sunscreen: Although it gets a mild temperature, it might still be a sunny day.
- Stay Hydrated: The air in the desert may be dry. Take a bottle of water when you go sightseeing.
- Plan for Events: In case you have a desire to attend some famous event, such as Burj Khalifa fireworks or DSF, make reservations well in advance.
Why Dubai in December 2025 Is Unmissable
- Perfect Weather: Nice weather and blue skies, which make the activities both indoor and outdoor enjoyable.
- World-Class Events: Cultural celebrations to global shopping festivals, an opportunity where everyone can get something.
- Festive Vibes: The lights, decorations, and joyful markets fill up the city.
- Luxury Meets Culture: December is an equal combination of modern experiences and old Emirati hospitality.
No matter what type of journey you have in mind, a family trip, a romantic escape, or an adventure in solitude, Dubai in December promises to bring unforgettable experiences.
Conclusion
The decision to travel to Dubai in December 2025 is to immerse oneself in the world of celebration, culture, and comfort. And thanks to incredible December events in Dubai, gorgeous attractions, and pleasant weather, your Dubai holiday in December will be nothing less than a marvel. Whether it is fireworks that paint the sky or joyous markets that can warm your heart, December in Dubai is the complete travel experience.
To book your perfect getaway, contact European Travel, pack your baggage, and be ready to explore a journey where luxury and celebration become one under the Arabian stars.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Is Dubai expensive in December?
Yes, hotel and flights are normally more expensive in the month of December as it is the peak season. Nevertheless, during events, such as the Dubai Shopping Festival, huge discounts are offered by the travelers on shopping and entertainments hence, it is an exciting time to visit.
2. What is the temperature in Dubai in December?
It is cool at night with the temperature of 17°C (63°F) and warm during the day with 26°C (79°F). It is also one of the pleasurable seasons to go outside to do fun, explore the sites, and experience the desert activities due to its mild and pleasant weather.
3. Are there family-friendly events in Dubai in December?
Of course, there is the Dubai Winter City at Expo, Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market, Global Village, DSF family-focused events. Such attractions include activities, entertainment, and cultures that are kid-friendly.
4. How is the New Year celebration in Dubai in December?
Dubai celebrates and lights up with its biggest New Year celebration featuring the spectacular Burj khalifa fireworks, Palm Jumeirah party, Global Village shows and more citywide celebration of 2026 in a bigger way.
5. How do people usually celebrate UAE National Day in Dubai?
The air shows, parades, cultural performances with fireworks, and free-entry activities at malls and other places are part of the UAE National Day (Dec 1-3). The Emirati spirit of pride and unity can be observed as tourists can take part in the celebrations.
6. Can I go to the beach in Dubai in December?
Yes, such as Jumeirah Beach, La Mer or Kite Beach, beaches are ideal during the month of December. The sea is warm, and the weather is sunny during the day but not very hot, and thus the place is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.