Why December is the Best Time to Explore Dubai’s Most Iconic District

Although Downtown Dubai is an engaging tourist hotspot during most months of the year, the winter season in the Emirates brings out the best of this iconic district, lined with shopping centres and entertainment hubs. From participating in local events taking place in the district to enjoying the sights and sounds of its best highlights, here’s why December is the ideal time to uncover Downtown Dubai’s hidden and more pronounced charms.

The Weather

One of the main reasons December is the perfect month to spend time exploring Downtown Dubai is the local weather conditions dominating the city during this particular time of year. As the start of the peak travel season in the UAE, December also brings cool, temperate weather to the desert city, which is a sweltering metropolis for the remainder of the year. With Dubai’s daytime temperatures rarely exceeding 30°C and with nighttime temperatures dipping to a cosy 15°C, one could hardly conceive of a better time period for spending time outdoors or shopping, dining and sightseeing in the downtown area.

The Dubai Shopping Festival

The month-long festival, globally renowned as the DSF (Dubai Shopping Festival), also takes centre stage during December and is perhaps the most compelling reason to head down to the malls concentrated around the downtown region. Holidaymakers based at DAMAC Maison Mall Street or any similar luxury hotel suites in Dubai can bag massive discounts at downtown shopping venues such as the Dubai Mall and the  Ibn Battuta Mall while also enjoying slashed prices at nearly every department store in the city. Raffles, concerts, live shows, pop-up markets and drone shows are all part and parcel of the world’s “longest-running retail festival”, which is also well-known for its spectacular fireworks displays and automobile showcases.

The Seasonal Events and Festivities

December visitors can also get into the spirit of the Christmas season thanks to the impressive line-up of festive events taking place in Downtown Dubai each year. Although the fireworks displays that are part of the Burj Khalifa’s annual New Year’s Eve celebrations are what most vacationers look forward to during a December sojourn in Dubai, the Dubai Fountain Show and the Dubai Ice Rink also host winter-themed showcases. The X-mas-centred ballet recitals and other performances at the Dubai Opera will also entertain families who intend to spend their December holiday in the downtown area. Some of the biggest parties and New Year’s Eve events also take place in local restaurants and dining hubs across Downtown Dubai due to its central location.

The Activity Options

The clear and pleasant weather conditions prevalent in Downtown Dubai and its key activity hubs, which include the Dubai Marina, also make it a great time for avid hikers and zipliners to tour the city. XLine Dubai Marina’s aerial excursion across the waterfront promenade is especially breathtaking during the winter season, while navigating the Marina Walk in December is also a magical experience due to the ideal daytime temperatures that are synonymous with the last month of the year.

The Outbound Excursions

The district’s proximity to the coastline and Dubai Creek also makes it the perfect launching pad for a wide variety of leisurely cruises. Whether you wish to sign up for a traditional dhow cruise on the creek or embark on an immersive yacht cruise around the shoreline, December is a wonderful time of year for slow-paced water-based expeditions. Although the final month of the year is also a suitable time for desert safaris, dune bashing and desert camping experiences, those who are looking forward to a city-bound getaway in Dubai will find that there’s plenty to see and experience without venturing beyond downtown Dubai’s iconic landmarks.