Things to Do in Dubai in December: Events, Activities & Day Trips

The best things to do in Dubai in December combine perfect weather with the year’s biggest events: the Dubai Shopping Festival (4 Dec – 17 Jan), National Day celebrations (2–3 Dec), Christmas markets, desert safaris in cool evening air, and New Year’s Eve fireworks. December is the one month when the beach, the desert, the old city and the festive markets all work on the same day — here are 20+ activities ranked by how much they benefit from December specifically.

For dates, prices and the full month calendar, see our Dubai in December 2026 pillar guide.

December Events & Festivals

1. Dubai Shopping Festival (4 Dec – 17 Jan) — the 32nd edition: 45 days of mall sales, pop-up markets, and expected nightly fireworks and drone shows. New for 2026: the etisalat Beach Canteen at Sunset Beach (10–27 Dec).
2. Eid Al Etihad — 55th National Day (2–3 Dec) — fireworks (expected), the Al Etihad parade spirit on Jumeirah Road, and citywide decorations. The 2–6 Dec long weekend is the year’s busiest.
3. Christmas markets — the new DXB Winter Festival at Festival City (1 Dec – 10 Jan), Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market (4–27 Dec, free), ICD Brookfield Place market in DIFC (9–12 Dec, free).
4. Winter City at Expo City (11–31 Dec) — Disney+ themed festive experience; from AED 60.
5. The Nutcracker (4–6 Dec) — Bolshoi Theatre at Dubai Opera; plus Chicago the Musical at Coca-Cola Arena (16–20 Dec, from AED 49).
6. New Year’s Eve (31 Dec) — the Burj Khalifa midnight fireworks (expected), ~40 locations with displays citywide in 2025’s pattern, and Global Village’s hourly countdown fireworks.
7. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (3–6 Dec) — an easy day trip: F1 at Yas Marina plus after-race concerts (Imagine Dragons, The Chainsmokers).

Outdoor Adventures (Best in December)

8. Desert safari — December’s cool evenings are the ideal season: dune bashing, camel rides, Bedouin camp dinners and stargazing. Pack a hoodie — camps feel 12–15°C after sunset.
9. Dhow dinner cruise — Marina or Creek sunset cruise in perfect evening weather.
10. Beach day — JBR, Kite Beach, La Mer; the sea is 23–25°C. Ranked in our best public beaches guide.
11. Burj Khalifa at sunset — sunset is ~5:30pm in December; book the 4:30–5pm slot.
12. Al Fahidi + souks walk — the old city’s lanes, the AED 1 abra across the Creek, and the Gold and Spice Souks are finally walkable.
13. Hatta day trip — kayaking at Hatta Dam and Wadi Hub trails in cool mountain air.

Family-Friendly December Activities

14. Global Village (Season 31) — open since 14 Oct; AED 25–30 entry, 29 pavilions, 40,000 shows a season. December evenings are the best time to go. Full guide: Global Village Season 31.
15. Dubai Miracle Garden (Season 15) — 200M+ flowers across 72,000 sqm; from AED 105. See our Miracle Garden guide.
16. Ski Dubai — meet Santa in -4°C indoor snow; a surreal contrast to the 26°C outside.
17. Dubai Parks & Legoland — comfortable all-day theme-park weather.
18. Madinat Jumeirah abra ride — the festive market plus the waterways, free entry.

Free Things to Do in Dubai in December

• Dubai Fountain shows — nightly, free, best in cool December air
• Beaches — JBR, Kite Beach, La Mer all free
• Al Fahidi lanes & Al Seef waterfront — free to wander
• Ras Al Khor flamingos — winter is peak flamingo season
• DSF street entertainment & drone shows (expected) — free
• NYE fireworks from the street — Burj Khalifa views from Al Seef or the Canal are free

The full budget list: 25 free things to do in Dubai.

Day Trips Worth Taking in December

Cool weather unlocks the whole country: Hatta (kayaking, mountain biking), Khor Fakkan (calm-sea beaches), Abu Dhabi (Grand Mosque, F1, MOTN Festival), Al Ain (Jebel Hafit), Fujairah (snorkelling) and Jebel Jais (hiking). Details in our pillar guide’s day-trip section.