Why we love Dubai in January – and we bet you will too!

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Everything you need to know about visiting Dubai this January

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January enjoys the mildest weather of the year, making it a popular time of year to visit Dubai and enjoy its many outdoor events and natural highlights.

The first week after the New Year is still quite busy, but you will find for the rest of January, there are fewer crowds than you’d ordinarily experience in Dubai in December, making it the ideal time to visit.

The weather is on the cool side for water-based activities – some water parks may close late in the month for annual renovations – but there are still plenty of things to enjoy around the city and beyond without the stifling heat of the hotter summer months.

Dubai Average Weather in January

Dubai’s average daytime maximum temperature in January is 24.2°C (76°F), with highs as much as 31.8°C (89°F) and overnight lows averaging 14.6°C (58°C).

In January, you should expect sea temperatures on average of 23.9°C (75°C). Maximum sea temperatures are expected of 25.9°C (77°F) through to a minimum of 22°C (73°F).

Both rain and fog can commonly occur in January. There is little you can do to prepare for these natural occurrences, but if it rains, seek cover fast, as it can pour hard and fast but tends to clear quickly.

Fog tends to form overnight and burns off during the morning – do factor this in if you are planning an early morning Burj Khalifa visit – you may be looking out on a blanket of white, or with brilliant views of the skyscrapers poking through the clouds!

You can read our complete guide to Dubai Weather in January here, as well as our suggested ideas of what to pack for Dubai in January.

Dubai Special Events January 2024

• One of the biggest names in showbiz, Ed Sheeran will be live at the Sevens Stadium on Friday the 19th and Saturday the 20th January.
• The Dubai Shopping Festival will be held from 8th December 2023 to 14th January 2024 at venues all over the city.
• One of the family-favourite highlights is the free nightly DSF Drone Light Show which will take place nightly until January 14th over Bluewaters Island at 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
• The Hankook 24H Dubai is the second largest grid race in the world, taking place at Dubai Autodrome from 12th to the 14th January 2024.
• Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament will take place from the 18th to 29the 21st of January 2024 at Emirates Golf Club.
• The Sketchers Performance Run will take place on the 6th of January 2024. The 3km/5km/10km/16km event takes you past some of Dubai’s most iconic buildings.

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Suggested Dubai activities in January

January is perfect for cooler weather outdoor activities but possibly too cold for being in the water, so why not try Dubai from the sky while daytime temperatures are manageable?

• Enjoy an early morning hot air balloon ride over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
• Take a helicopter flight over some of the city’s most iconic landmarks
• Take in the views from the newly opened Ain Dubai Observation Wheel – the largest in the world, of course!

If you’re still keen to hit the water in Dubai, these activities will keep you slightly drier in the winter!

• Take an action-packed jet ski tour on the Persian Gulf around many of the city’s top highlights
• Enjoy a thrilling speed-boat tour around Atlantis the Palm and Burj Al Arab
• Something more sedate? Take a luxury yacht tour out of Dubai Marina

**Note that some water parks do their annual maintenance in the coolest winter months, some rides and attractions may be closed. Check these dates with popular attractions such as Aquaventure, Wild Wadi, Legoland Dubai and Laguna Waterpark at La Mer before booking tickets to avoid any disappointment.

Places to visit in Dubai in January

Keeping with our theme of the great outdoors, we suggest in January in Dubai you visit:

• Dubai Global Village – for a whirlwind trip around the globe and a feast of colour and magic hidden on the outskirts of Dubai. Entry is super cheap for the experience you get; open from 4:00 PM to midnight (1:00 AM on Thu/Fri) and Mondays for families & ladies only.
• Ras al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary – Open all year round but best visited in the cooler winter months when migratory bird numbers are at their peak. This is one of Dubai’s best outdoor nature experiences so close to the city where you can observe mangrove life and the most treasured guests, the pink flamingoes.
• Al Seef Waterfront – transitioning from old to new Dubai, the Al Seef Waterfront is a great new venue for dining creekside and watching the daily traffic pass, perfectly combined with a tour through the Al Fahidi District and the Dubai Museum.
• Enjoy a local favourite, Al Mamzar Beach Park, where families and friends gather, particularly at weekends, to enjoy the greenery and open space – you can find a complete parks and gardens guide for Dubai here.

Day Trips from Dubai in January

It’s a great time of year not only for exploring Dubai but exploring around the Emirates. We suggest January is the perfect time of year to make a day trip to:

• The Liwa Desert – head beyond Abu Dhabi and toward the Saudi border to experience the rich red dunes of the empty quarter and historic forts from a bygone era. Best to go with an experienced 4×4 driver to tackle the giant dunes. Visit Liwa Village from 16 December to 8 January 2023.
• The Musandam Peninsula – a whole other country in a day? Why not?! Musandam is our absolute favourite part of the Arabian Peninsula. It’s the tiny enclave of Oman that sits to the very northeast of Dubai & the UAE, jutting into the straight of Hormuz. Here you can sail by traditional boat amongst the giant mountainous that have earnt it the nickname “the Norway of Arabia” and enjoy dolphin spotting on a truly magical day out – best tackled with a guided tour to get you through the border crossing process.

• Visit the historic Oasis City of Al Ain – home to the UAE’s listed UNESCO world heritage sites. Situated in Abu Dhabi Emirate on the Oman border (south of Dubai), Al Ain is a treasure trove for culture-seekers. Birthplace of the country’s founding Father, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nayhan, there are many museums and historic forts to explore, as well as the Al Ain Oasis and the 5000-year-old Jebel Hafeet beehive tombs.

Dubai with Kids in January

Try one of the exquisite outdoor family Brunches for delectably delicious food and kids’ entertainment galore – from candy bars to bouncy castles. Most hotels will let under 6’s in for FREE, and 6 to 12-year-olds eat at 50% off.

For a real treat, we highly recommend you try Bubbalicious at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi (also one of our top pick family hotels) or head out to Dubai Parks and Resorts to enjoy the Lapita Daycation package, including pool access.

Elsewhere across the city, a favourite for active kids is venturing out to Mushrif Park to see the International Village and take on the ropes courses and ziplines at Aventura – courses are ideal from about six years old plus, or they have a juniors area too.

If you happen to catch a rainy day, check out these indoor trampoline centres and multisports venues in Dubai or our complete list of indoor venues.

Although the beach water can be cool this time of year, a fun place for kids to experience is the waterfront venue La Mer. From Laguna Waterpark to Roxy Cinemas, a skate park and fabulously colourful and instagrammable beach huts and kiosks, it’s a lovely mild winter’s evening out (note the venue is being partially renovated inter 2023).

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Check out the best things to do in every month in Dubai here

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