December in Dubai averages highs of 26 °C (80 °F) and lows of 17 °C (63 °F), with about 1 rainy day and 10 h 35 min of daylight. The sea is warm, around 25 °C (78 °F).
December weather in Dubai at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is December a good time to visit Dubai?
Great time to go: comfortably warm and fairly dry. December is usually high season in Dubai: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in December 2026
- Commemoration Day (1 December) and UAE National Day (2–3 December) public holiday
- Dubai Shopping Festival usually starts in mid-December event
- New Year's Eve fireworks at the Burj Khalifa event
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Dubai in December
December's weather suits a mix of outdoor sights and museums, so the open-air ones come first.
- Al Fahidi and the creek abra — old Dubai, best in cooler hours outdoors
- Desert safari — late afternoon into evening outdoors
- Jumeirah and JBR beaches outdoors
- Burj Khalifa — book a sunset slot indoors
- Dubai Mall and the fountain shows — evenings indoors
- Museum of the Future — timed tickets indoors
- Beach and swimming — the sea averages 25 °C (78 °F) in December. outdoors
Where to stay: Downtown for the Burj Khalifa and metro; Dubai Marina or JBR for the beach; Deira for value and the creek.
What to pack for Dubai in December
- Summer clothes, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Swimwear.
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for mosques and temples.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Dubai costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €70–160 | €200–450 |
Excluding flights. December is usually high season in Dubai: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
December in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petra | 15° / 8° | 3 | Good time to go |
| Tbilisi | 7° / 0° | 4 | Tough month |
| Cairo | 22° / 11° | 1 | Great time to go |
Plan your Dubai trip
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FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Dubai?
By the numbers, December is a great time to go: comfortably warm and fairly dry, with average highs of 26 °C (80 °F) and about 1 rainy day. December is usually high season in Dubai: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest. The best months for weather are January, February, December.
How warm is Dubai in December?
Average highs are 26 °C (80 °F) and lows 17 °C (63 °F) (2015–2024 averages). The sea is warm, around 25 °C (78 °F).
Does it rain a lot in Dubai in December?
Very little: about 1 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 7 mm in total.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.