Is there a bad time to visit the United Arab Emirates? Arguably not. Even in the height of summer, when the temperature can rise to 50°C, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are built for the heat. From an air-conditioned plane to an air-conditioned cab or the metro to an air-conditioned hotel to air-conditioned restaurants and malls…theoretically, you don’t *need* to go outside.
But most people do, and so the peak season in the UAE is November to March, when the bulk of the big events and festivals happen and when – most of the time – it is perfect, blue-skied beach weather, day in, day out. Demand is high and so are the prices, but deals can still be found.
One thing is for sure, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are among the busiest airports in the world and you will not struggle to find a flight or, indeed, a hotel. The UAE, and particularly Dubai, has bet big on tourism as an alternative to oil and there is accommodation for every budget.
Below we breakdown the tourist season in more detail.
What are the best months for outdoor activities in the UAE?
November to March is the best time for outdoor activities in the UAE. Tourist sites will be busier and room rates will be at their peak as tourists flood to the Emirates from Europe, China and Russia for some much needed winter sun.
Desert tours, beach days and major events like the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix take place during the Gulf winter, as do interesting cultural events like the Dubai Food Festival and Art Dubai. The cities throng with tourists, crowding around singing fountains or strolling the corniches.
This is a great time to rent a car and tool around some of the other Emirates, such as the quaint Ras al Khaimah in the north or Sir Bani Yas Island near the border with Saudi Arabia. Head even further north into the Musandam, a magical and still relatively undiscovered part of the peninsula where jagged mountains descend into the sea and wild goats cling to the arid peaks.
What are the peak months for visitors to the UAE?
The peak of peak season, December and January are popular with families with kids from the northern hemisphere looking for winter sun at a higher price point to Egypt or Tunisia and with more glam. Despite it being an Islamic country, Christmas is a relatively big deal in Dubai, testament to its large expatriate population, although it mainly revolves around shopping.
New Years Eve, meanwhile, is a *really big deal* and in Dubai in particular the Burj Khalifa fireworks are hotly anticipated and eagerly observed from rooftops across the city. If you want to travel during Christmas and New Year, book well in advance and expect higher prices. Also bear in mind that at night it can be quite cold, so pack a jacket and a scarf.
What are the best months for good weather and small crowds in the UAE?
April, May and October are the best months for decent weather without major crowds in the UAE. Discerning travellers often risk the mercury rising and head to the UAE in the late spring: in reality, the temperatures are unlikely to be higher than the mid-30s and if all you plan to do is lounge on the beach, then the shoulder season could be for you.
Later in the year, as May turns into June, it can be too hot to do some outdoor activities but is still relatively manageable for sightseeing if you’re able to hop into a coffee shop or a cab every now and then. Likewise, October – arguably the sweet spot for visiting the UAE – before the winter crowds descend is a time when the weather is hot but glorious most of the time.
When is the best time to visit the UAE on a budget?
June to September are the hottest months in the UAE and therefore the best time for bargains. You have to be tough to do a summer holiday in the Gulf. Not only are temperatures regularly 40–50°C but humidity can reach 80-90% making being outside an uncomfortable – and occasionally dangerous – experience. You tend to see few tourists in the UAE in July and August, a time when most expatriates and even locals head north for more temperate climes.
But the Emirates has done its best to cater for summer tourists in an effort to make the country a truly year-round destination, and indoor theme parks, vast shopping malls and night time events are becoming more common. It is also the best time to get the cheapest flights and hotel rates.
Ramadan and Eid bring cultural insight and unique travel experiences
Ramadan shifts each year (based on the lunar calendar) and in 2026 will fall in February.
For Muslims travellers, the country can be a wonderful place to spend the holy month, with Iftars and prayers at the local mosques, night markets and suhoor tents. But for non-Muslims that are not fasting, Ramadan means most restaurants are closed during daylight hours and eating – and drinking – is not only disrespectful, but illegal, and a lot of shops and attractions will close.
Eid, the end of Ramadan, is an amazing time to be in any Muslim country – the UAE included – but is also perhaps the most expensive time to travel to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
When are the major events and experiences in the UAE?
Take your pick! As well as the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (November), sports fans will want to keep their eye out for the World Golf Championship in January and February and horse-riding fanatics will not want to miss the Dubai World Cup. There’s also the Dubai Rugby Sevens, the longest-running sporting event in the Middle East and arguably one of the most fun, even without the rugby.
Increasingly, events are not just focused on sports, with the Sharjah Biennial in February and March, the Al Dhafra Festival in December and Sikka Art Festival in March. In 2026, the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival will be held under the theme "Civilizations" from January 16 to February 15, serving as a hub for local and international artistic talent. And if retail therapy is more your thing, don’t miss the Dubai Shopping Festival, which takes over the malls and features events and live shows in December and January.
