Dubai in December is mild and dry, with around 26.5 °C (80 °F) in the afternoon, 17 °C (63 °F) at night and about 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain over the month. It is one of the best months to visit the city, as long as you accept holiday-season prices. Outdoor activities (the beach, the desert, walks along the Creek) are pleasant all day again.
The downside: December is also the most expensive month, with National Day, the Dubai Shopping Festival and New Year. This page covers the month in detail; to compare with the rest of the year, see our page on the best time to visit Dubai.
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Dubai in December: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ ideal weather, prices at their highest at the end of the month
- Temperatures: 26.5 °C (80 °F) in the afternoon, 17.4 °C (63 °F) at night
- Rain: 14.8 mm (0.6 in) over the month, sometimes in a single storm
- Crowds: very heavy, especially in the last week
- Events: National Day on 2 December, New Year fireworks on 31 December at Burj Khalifa
- Time difference: in December, Dubai (UTC+4) is 4 hours ahead of London (GMT) and 9 hours ahead of New York (EST)
Weather in Dubai in December: temperatures and rain
| City | Max | Rain |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai (airport) | 26.5 °C (80 °F) | 14.8 mm (0.6 in) |
| Abu Dhabi (airport) | 26.5 °C (80 °F) | 7.8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Ras Al Khaimah (airport) | 27.4 °C (81 °F) | 20.2 mm (0.8 in) |
December is one of the three coolest months of the year, along with January (24.4 °C, 76 °F) and February (26.1 °C, 79 °F). Afternoons are ideal for the beach and sightseeing; in the evening you need a sweater, especially in the desert, where nights are cooler than in the city. The little rain there is often falls as short storms, which can cause local flooding in a city not well equipped to drain water; the UK FCDO advises checking forecasts from the National Centre of Meteorology and following local authorities’ advice (GOV.UK, updated 24 July 2026).
Can you swim in Dubai in December?
Yes, the air is warm enough for the beach in the afternoon (Jumeirah, JBR, Kite Beach). The sea is cooler than in November, which does not bother most swimmers, and hotel pools are often heated. We do not show a water temperature, because there is no public official source.
Things to do in Dubai in December
- The desert: a safari and an overnight camp in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, pleasant during the day at this time of year.
- The beaches: Jumeirah, JBR and Kite Beach, in the afternoon.
- Old Dubai on foot: Al Fahidi, an abra ride across the Creek, the Deira souks.
- Downtown: Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall and the fountains, in the evening.
- Global Village, a park of pavilions and shows, generally open from October or November until spring.
- A day trip: Abu Dhabi (Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi), Hatta or Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah.
What to avoid or plan around
- Booking late for Christmas and New Year: flights and hotels are the most expensive of the year.
- New Year’s Eve at Burj Khalifa without a plan: the area around Downtown is saturated on 31 December, so find out about access and transport.
- Revealing clothing in the city and in religious places: decent dress is expected.
Events in Dubai in December
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 2 December | UAE National Day (fireworks, parades) | Nationwide |
| 4 to 6 December 2026 | Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix | Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi |
| Usually December to January | Dubai Shopping Festival: sales, concerts, entertainment | Dubai |
| 31 December | New Year fireworks | Around Burj Khalifa |
Crowds and prices in December
December is high season. The start of December is still a little more affordable, then rates climb sharply from the Christmas holidays until New Year. For this period, book flights and your hotel 3 to 5 months ahead. Before you plan your arrival over the holidays, check local time in the United Arab Emirates.
Entry requirements and practical info
- US citizens: according to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated September 17, 2026), US citizens with a regular passport can obtain a free visitor visa on arrival for personal travel of 30 days or less; the passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry.
- UK citizens: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 24 July 2026), you get a free visitor visa on arrival, valid for up to 90 days over a 180-day period; the passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after your arrival. Details are on our page on entry requirements for the UAE.
- Medication: some UK-prescribed and over-the-counter medicines are controlled substances in the UAE, and you must get approval in advance from the UAE Ministry of Health (GOV.UK). Check before you leave.
- Time difference: Dubai is on UTC+4 all year, with no daylight saving. In December it is 4 hours ahead of London and 9 hours ahead of New York.
What to pack for Dubai in December
- Light but covering clothes for the city and shopping malls
- A sweater or jacket for evenings, the desert and air conditioning
- A swimsuit, for the beach and pool only
- A scarf for visiting mosques
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat
- Your medication with the prescription, in its original packaging
Itinerary idea: 5 days in Dubai in December
December’s mild weather lets you alternate outdoor visits and air-conditioned sights without worrying about the time of day. A 5-day example:
- Day 1: Old Dubai: the Al Fahidi district, an abra crossing of the Creek, the gold and spice souks in Deira.
- Day 2: Downtown: the Dubai Mall, a trip up Burj Khalifa late in the afternoon, the fountains in the evening.
- Day 3: the beach at Jumeirah or JBR, then Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah.
- Day 4: a day trip to Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi.
- Day 5: a desert safari in the afternoon, with dinner at a camp.
If you are there around 2 December, enjoy the National Day festivities. For 31 December, decide in advance where you will watch the fireworks: access around Burj Khalifa is tightly controlled.
If December does not suit you
November is a little warmer (30.7 °C, 87 °F) with a warmer sea and prices that are often softer outside the holidays. Dubai in February offers comparable weather (26 °C, 79 °F); January is the coolest month (24.4 °C, 76 °F).
Other December sun: Oman, Qatar, Egypt or the Canary Islands. More ideas on our page where to go in December. To plan your trip, read our Dubai travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is it hot in Dubai in December?
Mild rather than hot: around 26.5 °C (80 °F) in the afternoon and 17.4 °C (63 °F) at night, according to the 1991-2020 normals for Dubai airport.
Can you swim in Dubai in December?
Yes, in the afternoon. The sea is cooler than in summer and in November, but still swimmable for most travellers.
Does it rain in Dubai in December?
Very little: 14.8 mm (0.6 in) on average over the month. A storm can still cause local flooding.
What is the coldest month in Dubai?
January, with an average maximum of 24.4 °C (76 °F) and a minimum of 15.3 °C (60 °F).
Is December expensive in Dubai?
Yes, it is the most expensive month, especially from Christmas to New Year. The start of December is a little more affordable.
Our sources
- World Meteorological Organization (NOAA archive): 1991-2020 normals for the Dubai (WMO 41194), Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah (WMO 41184) airports
- Entry, health and safety information read on 24 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, United Arab Emirates country information (travel.state.gov, last updated September 17, 2026), and UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for the UAE (GOV.UK, updated 24 July 2026)
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix dates: official race site, abudhabigp.com
- Data taken from our page on the best time to visit Dubai
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.