Guides · Dubai
Dubai in December: Shopping Festival, Desert Camps & NYE
By Viktorija Dvariskyte · Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
Dubai in December is the start of peak season. Daytime temperatures settle at around 25°C, the sea is still warm enough to swim, and the city fills its calendar with festivals. UAE National Day on 2 December opens the month, the Dubai Shopping Festival runs from 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, and New Year's Eve brings fireworks across the city. This guide covers 5 things to do in Dubai in December beyond the usual landmarks, from desert camping at Al Qudra to a swim at Kite Beach.
Each entry includes the location, the nearest Dubai Metro station or bus route, its distance from Downtown Dubai, and a practical Pro Tip. Prices are given in UAE dirhams (AED) with euro equivalents, at roughly AED 4.3 to €1. UAE addresses do not use postal codes, so each location is listed by street and district.
Pair Kite Beach with the Miracle Garden on one day, and spend evenings at Dubai Festival City and Global Village. Keep a full afternoon and night for Al Qudra. Sunset comes around 17:30, and if you have extra time, waterfront evenings at Dubai Marina and JBR are pleasant this time of year.
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1Dubai Festival City - Shopping Festival Nights and the IMAGINE Show
The Dubai Shopping Festival returns for its 32nd edition from 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, with 45 days of discounts, raffles, concerts and fireworks across the city. Dubai Festival City, on the eastern bank of Dubai Creek, is one of its best evening venues. The waterfront promenade outside the mall hosts IMAGINE, a free show that combines fountains, lasers, projections and fireworks over the water.
Shows usually run every evening, with extra performances at weekends and during the festival. The mall has around 400 shops, and during DSF many offer discounts of 25-75%, alongside prize draws. The creekside restaurants and terraces face the water show, which makes it a relaxed alternative to the crowds in Downtown Dubai.
2Al Qudra Lakes - Desert Camping and Stargazing
December is the best month to spend a night in the desert, and Al Qudra Lakes offers a quieter, self-guided alternative to organised safari camps. The man-made lakes sit inside the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve and attract well over 100 species of birds in winter, including flamingos, swans and herons. The heart-shaped Love Lakes nearby are a popular sunset spot, and the reserve is crossed by the long Al Qudra cycle track.
Camping is allowed in designated areas, and many residents drive out with tents, a barbecue and blankets on December weekends, when nights cool to about 13-15°C. Away from the city lights, the sky is dark enough for good stargazing. If you prefer not to camp, several operators run guided evening trips with dinner and telescopes.
3Kite Beach - Swimming on Jumeirah Beach in December
Jumeirah's public beaches are at their best in December. The water stays around 23-24°C, the sun is warm rather than fierce, and the sand is comfortable to walk on at midday. Kite Beach is the liveliest stretch, with free entry, lifeguards, showers, a running track, food trucks and cafes, plus kitesurfers on windy afternoons.
From the shoreline you get a clear view of the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab to the south. Swimwear is fine on the beach, but cover up when walking to cafes or shops off the sand. Further south, Jumeirah Public Beach next to the Burj Al Arab is a quieter alternative with a classic sunset view.
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4Global Village - World Pavilions and Multiple New Year Countdowns
Global Village is a seasonal outdoor park that usually opens from October to May, with pavilions representing around 90 cultures. Each pavilion sells crafts, clothing and food from its region, and the park adds stage shows, a canal with abra rides, funfair rides and street food from across the world. December's mild evenings are ideal for exploring it, since almost the whole park is open-air.
On New Year's Eve, Global Village is known for celebrating several times over, with a countdown and fireworks at midnight in a number of different time zones before Dubai's own. It is a family-friendly alternative to the Downtown crowds. Tickets usually cost around AED 25-30 (about €6-7), and are cheaper on weekdays.
5Dubai Miracle Garden - Millions of Flowers in the Desert
Dubai Miracle Garden only opens in the cooler months, usually from November to spring, which makes December one of the best times to visit. Opened in 2013, it displays well over 100 million flowers arranged into arches, hearts, castles and animals. Its best-known display is a full-size Emirates Airbus A380 covered in flowers, which holds a Guinness World Record as the largest flower structure.
Allow two hours to walk the paths. Entry costs roughly AED 100 (about €23) for adults, with lower prices for children, and tickets can be bought online or at the gate. The neighbouring Dubai Butterfly Garden, with thousands of butterflies in climate-controlled domes, can be added on the same visit for a separate fee.
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Dubai in December: Shopping Festival, Desert Camps & NYE - FAQ
No - plan three days. Al Qudra Lakes needs an afternoon and evening, or a full night if you camp. Kite Beach and the Miracle Garden fit into one day, and Dubai Festival City and Global Village each make a good evening.
Visit the Miracle Garden in the morning, then swim at Kite Beach in the afternoon, and spend the evening at Dubai Festival City for the IMAGINE show. On another day, go to Global Village in the late afternoon, and keep a third afternoon for the drive to Al Qudra Lakes before sunset.
None strictly need advance booking. Global Village and the Miracle Garden sell tickets online and at the gate, and guided Al Qudra evening trips should be booked a few days ahead. Dubai Festival City, the IMAGINE show, Kite Beach and self-drive camping at Al Qudra are free.
Expect around AED 150-300 (about €35-70) per person, excluding meals and car hire. The Miracle Garden costs roughly AED 100 and Global Village about AED 25-30. The IMAGINE show and Kite Beach are free, and camping at Al Qudra costs only what you bring.
The Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain, the old Al Fahidi district and Dubai Marina are the classic additions. UAE National Day on 2 December brings fireworks and parades, and New Year's Eve at the Burj Khalifa is one of the world's biggest fireworks shows.
Pack light summer clothes for the day and a jacket for the evening. Dubai in December sees highs around 25°C and lows near 15°C, and the desert gets colder at night. Cover shoulders and knees in malls and cultural sites, and keep swimwear for the beach.
