Dubai in December 2026 means daytime highs of 25–27°C, cool 16°C evenings and a sea temperature of 23–25°C — widely considered the best weather month of the year. It is also the busiest: the Dubai Shopping Festival runs 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, the UAE’s 55th National Day (Eid Al Etihad) brings a long weekend on 2–3 December, and New Year’s Eve caps the month with the famous Burj Khalifa fireworks. Book hotels and flights early — December is peak season and prices spike around National Day week and Christmas.
This guide covers everything in one place: verified December weather data, the full 2026 events calendar, the best things to do, day trips, the top holiday destinations residents fly to, and what to pack. For the weather deep-dive, see our Dubai weather in December guide; for activities, see things to do in Dubai in December.
Dubai Temperature in December: The Numbers
December sits at the sweet spot of the Dubai year — warm enough for the beach by day, cool enough for a jacket at night. Multi-source averages (climate-data.org, weather-atlas, WeatherSpark):
| Metric | December value |
|---|---|
| Daytime high | 25–27°C (average ~26°C) |
| Night low | 15–18°C (typically ~16°C) |
| Mean temperature | ~21–24°C |
| Sea temperature | 23–25°C — comfortable for swimming |
| Rainfall | 5–20mm over 1–3 days (essentially dry) |
| Humidity | 54–64% (comfortable vs summer) |
| Sunshine | ~8 hours of bright sunshine per day |
| Sunset | 5:28pm (1 Dec) → ~5:35pm (31 Dec) |
In plain terms: it is not cold in Dubai in December — but no longer hot either. Expect t-shirt weather in the afternoon sun and a genuine need for a light jacket after sunset, especially near the water or in the desert.
Dubai Temperature in November and December: The Cool-Down
November is the transition month: daytime highs around 29–30°C cooling toward 25–27°C by December, with the sea dropping from ~27°C to ~24°C. Humidity falls, the haze clears, and outdoor life returns to the city.
If your dates are flexible, late November to mid-December is the value window — the weather is nearly as good as peak December, but hotel rates are noticeably lower than the National Day and Christmas spikes.
Dubai Weather in December and January: Which Is Better?
January is Dubai’s coldest month: average highs around 24°C, lows near 14°C, the sea around 23°C, and slightly more rain. December edges it for beach swimming and evening comfort; January for hiking. Our December weather guide compares all three winter months in detail.
Can You Swim in Dubai in December?
Yes. The sea sits at 23–25°C through December — cooler than summer’s 33°C, but perfectly swimmable, and hotel pools are often heated. JBR, Kite Beach and La Mer are all lively in December; midday (11am–3pm) is the warmest swim window.
Events in Dubai in December 2026: The Full Calendar
December 2026 is stacked. Dates verified from official announcements (expected = not yet confirmed):
| Dates | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Dec | Commemoration Day | National remembrance day |
| 1 Dec – 10 Jan | DXB Winter Festival (NEW) | Dubai Festival City Mall waterfront; 150+ vendors, Santa’s grotto, funfair |
| 2–3 Dec | Eid Al Etihad — 55th UAE National Day | Public holiday; celebrations run 30 Nov – 3 Dec; fireworks expected |
| 2–5 Dec | Sir Winston Churchill Cup (polo) | Al Habtoor Polo Club |
| 3–6 Dec | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Yas Marina Circuit; after-race concerts (Imagine Dragons, The Chainsmokers and more) |
| 4 Dec – 17 Jan | Dubai Shopping Festival (32nd edition) | 45 days of sales; Beach Canteen at Sunset Beach 10–27 Dec |
| 4–6 Dec | The Nutcracker (Bolshoi Theatre) | Dubai Opera |
| 4–27 Dec | Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market | Fort Island; free entry |
| 5, 6, 12 Dec | Mission Elf-Possible | Theatre by QE2; family show |
| 9–12 Dec | ICD Brookfield Place festive market | DIFC; free |
| 9 Dec – 3 Jan | MOTN Festival (Abu Dhabi Corniche) | 10th edition; also Al Ain and Al Dhafra legs from 28 Nov |
| 11 Dec – 31 Dec | Winter City at Expo City | Disney+ partnership; from AED 60 |
| From 11 Dec | Liwa International Festival | Tal Moreeb, Liwa desert |
| 16–20 Dec | Chicago the Musical | Coca-Cola Arena; from AED 49 |
| 18 Dec | Festive Friday, Dubai Racing Carnival | Meydan |
| 31 Dec | New Year’s Eve | Burj Khalifa midnight fireworks expected (not yet officially confirmed for 2026/27) |
Two seasonal giants run all month: Global Village Season 31 (opened 14 Oct; AED 25–30 entry) and Dubai Miracle Garden Season 15 (opened 8 Oct; from AED 105). See our full Global Village guide and Miracle Garden guide.
Best Things to Do in Dubai in December
The short list, weather-optimised:
- Desert safari — cool December evenings are the ideal season for dune bashing, camel rides and stargazing at Bedouin camps. Bring a hoodie: the camp feels 12–15°C after sunset.
- Dhow cruise — a Marina or Creek sunset dinner cruise in perfect evening weather.
- Beaches — JBR, Kite Beach, La Mer; the sea is 23–25°C. See our best public beaches in Dubai guide.
- Burj Khalifa at sunset — sunset is ~5:30pm in December, so book the 4:30–5pm observation-deck slot.
- Global Village & Miracle Garden — both are winter-only; December is prime time.
- Al Fahidi + Gold/Spice Souks — comfortable walking weather for the old city.
- Christmas markets — DXB Winter Festival, Madinat Jumeirah, Winter City.
- Dubai Fountain — nightly shows, free, best enjoyed in cool December air.
The full ranked list is in our things to do in Dubai in December article. Budget travellers should also check 25 free things to do in Dubai — fountain shows, flamingos and beaches all cost nothing.
Sunset in Dubai in December
December has the year’s earliest sunsets: 5:28pm on 1 December, bottoming out around the 22 December solstice (the shortest day), then edging back to ~5:35pm by New Year’s Eve. Sunrise runs 6:46am → 7:06am. The practical upshot: plan golden-hour activities (Burj Khalifa, beach walks, marina strolls) for 4:30–5:30pm.
Best Places to Visit in December from Dubai (Day Trips)
December’s cool weather opens up the whole country. The best day trips from Dubai this month:
- Hatta (~90 min) — kayaking at Hatta Dam, Hatta Wadi Hub mountain biking, heritage village. Best November–March.
- Khor Fakkan (~2 hrs) — Gulf of Oman coast: calm winter seas for swimming and snorkelling, amphitheatre, waterfall promenade.
- Abu Dhabi (~90 min) — Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, the F1 weekend (3–6 Dec) and MOTN Festival at the Corniche (from 9 Dec).
- Al Ain — Jebel Hafit mountain road, the oasis, Al Jahili Park (MOTN leg 28 Nov – 2 Dec).
- Fujairah / Snoopy Island — east-coast snorkelling and diving in calm winter water.
- Jebel Jais (Ras Al Khaimah) — the UAE’s highest peak; winter is the only practical hiking season.
Best Holiday Destinations from Dubai in December
Dubai residents treat December’s long weekends (National Day, Christmas, New Year) as travel season. The most popular short-haul escapes:
- Maldives (~4.5 hrs) — December is dry season with calm seas; the classic beach escape.
- Seychelles (~4.5 hrs) — the honeymooners’ alternative to the Maldives.
- Georgia / Tbilisi (~3.5 hrs) — festive old town plus Gudauri skiing; the top budget getaway.
- Armenia (~3 hrs) — budget Caucasus city break.
- Sri Lanka (~4–4.5 hrs) — south-coast beaches and tea country, strong value.
- Oman / Muscat (~50 min flight) — the shortest hop: forts, coastline, Jebel Akhdar.
- Jordan (~3 hrs) — Petra, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum in cool-season comfort.
Is December Crowded? What to Book Early
Yes — December is Dubai’s peak tourist month, with hotel occupancy highest around the National Day long weekend (2–6 Dec), Christmas week and New Year’s Eve. Book hotels 6–8 weeks ahead for Christmas/NYE, plus Burj Khalifa sunset slots, desert safari camps for 24–31 Dec and NYE dinner cruises — the good ones sell out. Mid-December weekdays (7–18 Dec) are the sweet spot: full festive atmosphere, slightly softer prices.
What to Pack for Dubai in December
- Daytime: breathable cotton/linen tops and light trousers — it still hits 26°C in the sun.
- Evenings: a light jacket, cardigan or shawl — 16°C at the waterfront feels cooler with the breeze.
- Desert safari: pack a hoodie or fleece; the camp drops to ~12–15°C after sunset.
- Do NOT bring heavy winter coats — you will carry them everywhere unused.
- Mosques and cultural sites: covered shoulders and knees; a lightweight scarf doubles for air-conditioned malls.
- Swimwear: yes — the sea is 23–25°C and hotel pools are often heated.