National 24 November 2024: With cool weather, outdoor experiences and festive entertainment on offer, December is the perfect time to visit Dubai. During the final month of the year, there are also a host of major events taking place across the city, from UAE National Day and Dubai Shopping Festival to Emirates Dubai 7s and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Here’s what’s happening across Dubai in December 2024, and some of the best things to see and do:
Dubai Shopping Festival
- The 30th edition of Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) will take place from 6 December 2024 to 12 January 2025. This flagship annual event is full of spectacular shopping experiences and deals and gives visitors the chance to win life-changing prizes and get access to world-class family entertainment. The city’s most popular retail destinations, include Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates.The DSF programme opens with the 321 Festival from 6-8 December, which sees three nights of showstopping live entertainment hosted across two iconic locations for one weekend only. Other highlights throughout the 38-day festival include drone shows, fireworks displays and light art installations.
Outdoor experiences
- Desert safaris: Dubai offers many outdoor experiences that cater to different interests and ages. Among the most popular things to do is take a desert safari adventure.
- Activities in Hatta: Hatta is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The region offers hiking trails, mountain biking, and kayaking on freshwater lakes. The Hatta Dam is a particularly scenic spot for kayaking and pedal-boating.
- Camping and glamping: spending the night under the stars is a memorable experience. For those seeking desert luxury, Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai, and Bab Al Shams offer tented-style villas with private infinity pools, as well as fine dining and a range of activities, including sunset camel rides and falconry.
Family-friendly activities
- Attractions: if you’re seeking an exhilarating experience, then head to one of Dubai’s popular waterparks including Aquaventure at Atlantis, The Palm and Jumeirah’s Wild Wadi. Nature lovers can explore The Green Planet at City Walk – an enclosed ecosystem recreating an enchanting tropical rainforest with more than 3,000 plants and animals. Dubai is also home to fascinating aquariums, including The Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm and the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo at Dubai Mall.
- Theme parks: Dubai Parks and Resorts is the largest theme park destination in the Middle East, with more than 100 indoor and outdoor rides and attractions at MOTIONGATE Dubai, LEGOLAND Dubai, Real Madrid World, LEGOLAND Water Park and Neon Galaxy. IMG Worlds of Adventure is Dubai’s largest indoor theme park, which boasts themed adventure zones for Marvel, Lost Valley, Cartoon Network, IMG Boulevard, The Haunted Town, and IMG Kids Zone.
- Events: now in its 29th season, Global Village is a popular family destination that offers a unique blend of culture, cuisine, entertainment, and retail.
- Seasonal attractions
- Winter markets: there are winter markets across the city where you can pick up one-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs while enjoying family-friendly activities. Popular attractions include the Winter City at Expo City Dubai (6-31 December), the Winter District at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre (14-22 December), Souk Madinat Jumeirah’s Christmas Market (from 6 December), and Habtoor Palace Dubai’s Winter Garden.
- Winter experiences: embrace the seasonal spirit at Ski Dubai with a range of enjoyable activities suitable for the whole family. From skiing and snowboarding down the slopes to toboggan runs, this snow-filled playground promises endless fun. At Dubai Mall, families can shop, skate and visit Santa in December. At the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink kids and big kids can learn to skate and the rink will also play host this year to The Grotto, which opens its doors on 6 December.
- Beaches
- Dubai is a world-class destination for winter sun with a coastline extending from the southwest of the city to the outskirts of neighbouring emirates in the northeast. Stretching along the Arabian Gulf, Dubai’s beaches offer something for everyone, from safe and serene public beaches to luxurious resorts and vibrant beach clubs, making it a top destination for beach lovers.
- Known for its wide range of activities, Kite Beach in Umm Suqeim is one of Dubai’s best public beaches and is perfect for families and adventure seekers.
