Everything you need to know about visiting Dubai in April
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April is what we like to call Dubai’s golden month! Whilst Dubai does not have traditional seasons per se, it’s most definitely the city’s transitional month.
The mild days of winter are rapidly replaced by long hot sunny days, though still not quite the blistering heat of summer, making it perfect for those who love the warmth on their skin along with beach and water-based activities.
Do note that much of the month of April in 2023 will coincide with the Holy Month of Ramadan. This will result in changing opening hours and religious practices; we’ll detail more below.
Dubai Weather in April
There can be a rapid increase in daytime maximum temperatures from late March through to late April. At the start of the month, Dubai normally experiences daytime highs around 30°C/86°F and by the end of April 35°C/95°F with an average of 33.3°C/92°F.
Be prepared for a few scorching hot days thrown in, too, with only a low probability of rain and a possibility of sand storms and dusty days.
The sea temperature takes a little longer to reach summertime peaks. You can expect a mild average of 25°C/77°F in the water in April – but reaching 28°C/72°F by month-end – most find this perfect for swimming!
The UV Index in Dubai in April is 8, and you get, on average, 11 hours of sunshine – take care out in the sun and remember to pack plenty of sunscreen along with a hat, sunglasses, and water bottle anywhere you go during the day to beat the heat.
You can read our complete guide to Dubai Weather in April here, as well as our suggested ideas of what to pack for Dubai in April.
Dubai Special Events April 2023
With Eid celebrations falling in late April 2023, this list will become much more extensive – you can expect it to be one of the busiest times in Dubai from approximately 21 to 30 April 2023 – BOOK EARLY!!
Religious Celebrations
Ramadan
- The Holy Month of Ramadan – the 9th month on the Hijri calendar will start on approximately 22 March 2023 and last until 21 April 2023 (subject to moon sightings) – you can see our complete Ramadan guide here.
- There will be fireworks on weekends through Ramadan at various locations including Bluewaters and JBR (10:00pm 1 April), Al Seef (10:00pm 8 April) and Dubai Festival City (10:00pm 15 April).
- There will also be a Ramadan Night Market between the 9 and 18 April 2023 at Dubai World Trade centre.
- Dubai Global Village – This family-favoruite outdoor event in Dubai that runs over the cooler winter months will likely draw to a close at the end of April – date TBC. From the 23rd March, Global Village will be hosting a Majlis of the World as part of its Ramadan Wonders experience. For more details click here.
- There will be sumptuous iftar and suhoor spreads across the city – some in some truly unique locations. We recommend dining in a Bedouin style Ramadan tent or getting out into the desert to places like Bab Al Shams for a truly unique experience.
- In addition to fancy iftar set ups in 5 star hotels there is a Ramadan Street Food Festival in the Sheikh Hamadan Colony/Karama area, running throughout the holy month.
Easter
- The Christian celebration of Easter will occur this year on Sunday, 9 April 2023. Despite day time fasting, there will still be Easter Sunday Brunches and other family events happening across Dubai over the Easter weekend.
- On the 8 April there will be a special Easter Egg Hunt at Dubai Parks and Resorts. This promises to be the biggest egg hunt in the region, so of this is something that egg-cites you, book your tickets now!
Eid Al-Fitr
- Events to be confirmed.
Other Special events
- Ongoing shows such as La Perle will still take place during Ramadan, but you’ll find the entertainment portion of many popular attractions are altered for Ramadan.
- You will find Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay at the Mall of the Emirates on 1 April 2023.
- Dubai Food Festival – 21 April to 7 May 2023 experience Dubai’s diverse culinary scene in this schedule of events all over the city, including foodie trails and immersive experiences
- The Polo Masters Cup will take place at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort between the 3 and 8 of April 2023.
- The Al Marmoom Heritage Festival celebrating Emirati culture will take place from the 6-18 April 2023.
- Join English comedian Jack Whitehall on the 15 April at the Coca-Cola Arena. For more details click here.
- Bollywood singing sensation Ayushmann Khurrana will be playing live on 23 April 2023 at the Coca-cola Arena.
- Dubai Zamna Festival will also take place at West Palm Beach on the 22 and 23 April 2023
- Broadway hit West Side Story is running at Dubai Opera from 25-30 April.
- You can catch Scottish band Texas live on the 28 April at the Dubai Duty Free tennis stadium.
- The Ibiza Global Radio Festival hits Soul Beach on the 29 April and will feature fire dancers and light shows as well as cool beats. For ticketing information click here.
What is there to do in Dubai in April 2023?
April is undoubtedly one of Dubai’s busiest tourism months due to its perfect beach weather and coinciding with school holidays for many countries.
It’s one of those months in Dubai we strongly suggest having your tickets for any top attractions booked well in advance (also in December and March), but build yourself in some downtime to relax and enjoy the sunshine.
Try and do your outdoor activities early morning or late in the day; the middle of the day in April can be too intense for being outside for many people – unless you’re in the pool!
Unsure how to fill your days? Pop over to our collection of Dubai itineraries – from stopovers to 7 days we have an itinerary to suit you
For those wanting to make the most of the April sunshine, why not try getting out onto the water for a unique view of the city. There are many choices available, from sunset cruises to a breakfast buffet as you cruise around the Dubai Marina and the luxurious new Bluewaters Island development as well as the iconic Palm Jumeirah.
And, of course, enjoy the best of Dubai’s beaches, whether you are staying at a beach resort, enjoying a beach club day or visiting one of the many free public beaches in Dubai these really are the highlight of Dubai in April.
You’ll be able to catch the last of the alfresco dining season in Dubai and finish your day at one of the city’s stunning rooftop bars or perfect beachside sundowner locations.
You can still try a Dubai desert safari in April, though it’s recommended you either join a very early morning desert tour or wait until late evening to miss the peak heat of the day. Some camps may close up over Ramadan or at least offer a quite restricted program as there’s no entertainment permitted, such as dancing.
Ramadan in Dubai During April 2023
The occurrence of Ramadan during the busy tourism month has undoubtedly raised questions in recent years for the hospitality industry in Dubai.
In the past, many businesses have significantly altered their hours over Ramadan, and restaurants closed to all but a few during the day under licensing laws.
Over the past few years, however, this landscape has significantly changed. The message is very much “business as usual” for tourism during Ramadan in Dubai, but there are a number of courtesy points you should bear in mind – we cover these in much more detail here.
To have a great Ramadan experience in April, why not try these activities:
- Visit the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding – this amazing foundation has grown in leaps and bounds in recent years as tourists seek to learn more about Emirati and Islamic culture during their visit. Look out for daily walking tours, cultural meals and many additional programs throughout the year.
- Ramadan Iftar Program – run by SMCUU, experience a traditional iftar (“breaking of the fast”) in Al Fahidi Historical District during the Holy Month.
- Attend a Jumeirah Mosque visit – one of only two mosques in Dubai open to non-Muslim tourists – 10:00 am & 2:00 pm (Sat-Thu) – altered program during the Holy Month.
- See the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi – a day trip to the capital is a must to experience one of the world’s most beautiful mosques.
- See the Firing of the Cannon at Burj Park – a small hidden park near the Dubai Mall is home to the nightly firing of the cannon, which signifies the end of the daily fast, a wonderful tradition still practiced across the UAE nightly during Ramadan. Expo City Dubai has been added as a great new family venue to see the cannon firing in 2023.
- Experience late-night dining and try a traditional Ramadan suhoor in Dubai, ambient settings, and delectable treats to enjoy throughout the Holy Month.
Dubai with the kids in April 2023
- As it’s glorious beach weather still, why not try Splash ‘n’ Party on Kite Beach, or a new branch has opened in JBR. This giant inflatable water playground adds a fun new touch to one of Dubai’s favourite beaches for local residents. A 50AED ticket lasts the kids all day, plenty of fun in the sun.
- For theme park action, check out Dubai Parks & Resorts with 4 theme parks to choose from – plus the newly opened Legoland Hotel Dubai. * Look out for their special Easter event on 8 April, the region’s biggest Easter Egg hunt!
- And, of course, there are Dubai’s big water parks, including Wild Wadi, Aquaventre, and Laguna Park at La Mer – you can check out all our favourite splashing adventures in Dubai here.
- If it’s too hot outside during the day, check out this collection of Dubai activities entirely indoors.
- As evening falls, catch the end of the season Dubai Garden Glow & Dinosaur Park in Zabeel Park.
- You can still catch the end of the season at Dubai Miracle Garden too, though go early to beat the heat.
- When it’s too hot to be out, Dubai Mall offers a huge range of activities for an indoor retreat, try anything from ice skating to visiting the aquarium or get lost for hours in Kidzania or the VR Park for your older kids.
The first week of April will coincide with local school holidays, so you are likely to find a huge range of family-friendly events all over the city.
Frequently asked questions about Dubai in April
Sitting in the Northern Hemisphere, Dubai is 2,810km north of the equator. It experiences an arid desert climate which means hot summers and mild winters. April is technically ‘spring’ though not your typical spring weather. It is better classified as a transition month to summer.
You will likely experience near-perfect weather in Dubai during April if you love your long hot sunshine days. Sea temperatures might be surprisingly cool still at the start of the month, but you are really entering the Middle East summer by the end of April.
Although Ramadan falls over most of April this year, it should have only a minor impact on tourism, such as opening hours, as laws have been changed in recent years. There are still rules and laws that tourists must respect during Ramadan in April, but it certainly wouldn’t be a reason not to visit at this time of year.
Rainfall in Dubai in April is highly unlikely but can happen. On average, only 3mm of rain falls in April. This winter and spring have been particularly dry. However, there’s always a chance of a late-season rainshower or storm (we wouldn’t go packing an umbrella just in case).
If it does rain in Dubai, stick where you are for a while as it can cause chaos on the roads, but normally passes as quickly as it arrives.
At the start of the month, Dubai normally experiences daytime highs around 30°C/86°F and by the end of April 35°C/95°F with an average of 33.3°C/92°F. You can get some exceptionally hot days thrown in there too!
Although the overnights are getting warm, yes it’s still possible to enjoy a pleasant evening out in the desert in April. By month-end and into May, it can be getting a bit warm for these sorts of outdoor experiences if you’re not comfortable with the heat and no air conditioning.
Yes, if you celebrate Easter, there will still be plenty of opportunities to enjoy this special religious occasion, despite the fact this year, it will fall during the Holy Month of Ramadan. We have a complete guide to Easter in Dubai over here for those looking for family-friendly events and church services.
Check out the best things to do in every month in Dubai here!
Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai
- Pop into our essential planning information page, it includes everything you need to know about getting around Dubai, a handy guide on what to pack, and top tips for first-timers on the do’s and don’ts, laws, and customs to be aware of.
- Check out this incredible list of 150+ places you should visit when you’re in Dubai.
- Pick up a Dubai Pass from iVenture or a Go City Dubai Pass to save up to 50% on top Dubai attractions.
- Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!!!
- Discover the best areas to stay in Dubai, or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:
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