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Dubai skyline

When is the best time to visit the UAE?

The best time to visit the United Arab Emirates is between September and April, when it’s sunny but not too hot. While much of the Northern Hemisphere is wrapped up for winter during this period, the UAE continues to offer bright skies and balmy weather.

Temperatures soar from May to August, so hotel prices drop, and crowds disperse. This is an excellent time to visit if you enjoy extreme heat, or plan to spend most of your time inside the air-conditioned shopping malls, galleries, and museums.

Ramadan is usually quieter, no matter when it falls during the year. This can make it a good time to go, and you shouldn’t encounter any significant changes to your experience unless you’re traveling to emirates such as Fujairah or Ras al Khaimah, where more traditional customs are upheld. It’s worth noting that Eid al-Fitr, the three-day festival that marks the end of Ramadan, can get very busy – particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

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Month-by-month guide for traveling in the UAE

Jan - Apr May - Aug Sep - Oct Nov - Dec
Dubai Marina

Visiting the UAE in January - April

With cloudless blue skies, hot temperatures, and a festival calendar that’s packed with events, this is an excellent time to visit the UAE — though you’ll have to contend with other visitors who come for the same reason. Your specialist can suggest the best hotels away from the noise, with private beaches that won’t be too crowded. Many of the country’s most important events happen during this time.

Events & Festivals

  • UAE World Tour sees cyclists race across all seven emirates.
  • Billed as the world’s richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup is the city’s pre-eminent social event.
  • Art Dubai is one of the region’s most important art festivals.
  • The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is five days of fast cars and motorbikes in a rally that’s part of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies.
  • The Dubai Tennis Championship is a renowned international tennis tournament.
  • Dubai Jazz Festival sees a month of performances by some of the genre’s leading artists.
  • The Omega Dubai Desert Classic is a prestigious golf tournament.
  • A month-long event with steep discounts in shops, the Dubai Shopping Festival offers fireworks, daily giveaways of gold bars and cars, as well as over-the-top stunts like the world’s largest incense burner or the world’s longest buffet.
  • Fireworks, concerts, and parties see in the New Year across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras al Khaimah.
Dubai souk

Visiting the UAE in May - August

Summer in the UAE is scorchingly hot and perpetually sunny. Most people retreat from the heat into the many air-conditioned malls and restaurants, meaning the beaches are less busy if you don’t mind the high temperatures. It’s also a good time to visit if you intend to shop or visit the numerous art galleries and museums.

Events & Festivals

  • The Yas Gaming Festival in Abu Dhabi celebrates the world of Esports with competitions, cosplay, and video game launches.
  • Dubai Summer Surprises is divided into ten weeks, each of which has its own theme: food, the arts or nature, for example. Look for the springy, bright-yellow mascot, Modhesh.
The Burj Al Arab, Dubai's most iconic hotel

Visiting the UAE in September - October

Temperatures begin to ease somewhat during these months, but the visitors who flock here during the summer haven’t begun to arrive, making it an excellent time for a beach getaway.

Events & Festivals

  • Abu Dhabi International Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition is a major heritage and outdoor lifestyle expo, including falconry, hunting gear, and cultural exhibits.
  • Western Abu Dhabi celebrates the Al Dhafra Festival, a traditional Emirati cultural festival featuring camel beauty contests, falconry, poetry, and crafts.
Dubai New Year's Eve celebrations

Visiting the UAE in November - December

Visitor numbers start to increase again as the rest of the hemisphere begins to cool down. It’s an excellent time to enjoy sunbathing on the sand, dipping in the turquoise waters of the Gulf, or enjoying the hotel pool. There are a number of important events, as well.

Events & Festivals

  • The final golf event of the European Tour season is held in Dubai at the Jumeirah Golf Estates.
  • Each year, Dubai hosts the first round of the World Rugby Sevens Series.
  • The Dubai International Film Festival sees independent and art-house filmmakers debut their works at this internationally renowned regional event.
  • The UAE celebrates its independence on 2nd December, with fireworks and spectacle.
  • Formula 1 hosts its final race of the season with the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, including concerts and after-race events.
  • Sole DXB is a lifestyle and street culture festival held in the Dubai Design District, with fashion, music, art, and talks.

UAE Climate Guide

Destination Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Downtown Dubai 24°C 17mm 25°C 28mm 28°C 13mm 32°C 8mm 36°C 0mm 38°C 0mm 40°C 0mm 40°C 0mm 38°C 0mm 35°C 0mm 31°C 5mm 27°C 16mm

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Travel advice

Practical tips for traveling to the UAE, from social protocols to guidance on money matters, with a link to the latest Government of Canada travel advice.

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