Everything you need to know about visiting Dubai in May
Take me back to April | Jump forward to June
If you are looking for a beachy getaway holiday, then get set because May is the month for you in Dubai! Hot, but not summer-extreme hot, and still plenty of activities and events happening around town – welcome to sunshine time in Dubai!
Dubai Weather in May
Daytime temperatures rise significantly over the course of May. Your average daytime maximum in May is 37.8°C (100°F), but don’t be surprised if temperatures can hit as high as 43.5°C (110°F) by the end of the month. You can expect overnight lows down to 25.2°C (77°F).
Humidity is at the lowest point in May, so it is a drier heat than usual, and rainfall is unlikely – though not unheard of – in May in Dubai. Dust storms may be experienced at this time of year too.
Sea temperatures are not quite at their summer peaks but do significantly warm up in May, making it ideal for beachgoers to enjoy still a dip in the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf. You can expect lows of 26.3°C (79.3°F) in the water through to highs of 31.2°C (86.2°F) by month-end.
You can read our complete guide to Dubai Weather in May here, as well as our suggested ideas of what to pack for Dubai in May.
Dubai Special Events May 2023
Gone are the days when May was considered a quiet month in Dubai where nothing happened – quite the opposite. May in Dubai is shaping up to be an exciting time of cultural enrichment with limited changes to the tourism offering.
This starts to change towards month-end when many al fresco dining options and outdoor activities are forced indoors by the heat.
Here are some of the special events taking place in May 2023. Click on the green links for more details and ticketing information.
Cultural & Heritage Events
- Dubai Food Festival will be from the 21st April until the 7th of May 2023; this includes Dubai Restaurant Week, Foodie Experiences, and Uncover a Hidden Gem.
Live Music, Comedy and Theatre
- Dubai Comedy Fest – several venues across the city will host this annual event running from 12 to 21 May, 2023. Acts include Dara O Briain on the 15th of May and Jimmy Carr on May 16th, Stephen Frost on the 17th of May, as well as Jaspreet Singh on May 19th.
- French music sensation Imany will be wowing crowds at Dubai Opera on May 3rd. Tickets start at 300 AED.
- Pink Floyd lovers might want to add May 6th to the calendar as Dubai Opera hosts a nostalgic tribute night.
- Step into a whole new world at the Coca-Cola Arena on the 6th and 7th of May in celebration of the ever-expanding troop of Disney Princesses. Disney Princess: The Concert, is set to larger than life musical experience to remember.
- May 14th, see a change in tone at Dubai Opera with Music from the Alps. Enjoy the talents of Swiss musicians Maria Solozobova and Christophe Berruex as they play a variety of classical tunes.
- Julia Donaldson’s classic for children, ‘The Snail and the Whale,’ will hit the stage at The Mall of the Emirates from May 12th until May 16th.
- For an evening of more Arabian musical vibes, join Angham and Fouad Abdel Wahed at the Coca-Cola Arena on Saturday, May 20th.
- The ultimate ABBA tribute act, Bjorn Again, takes over Dubai Opera on the 26th of May.
- Peter Pan and Wendy will be skating their way through the desert on the ice at The Mall of Emirates from May 26th until May 28th.
Sporting events
- Fancy an Arctic run, in the desert? Yep, it’s Dubai of course you can do that. The actions happening at SkiDubai on 21st May 2023, starting early in the morning.
You Can Find A Complete Dubai Events Calendar For 2023 Here
Suggested Dubai Activities in May 2023
We suggest that the following activities may be a great way to spend your time in Dubai in May this year:
- Take a night cruise down the Dubai canal to experience the thriving evening culture (NB entertainment program altered during Ramadan). Finish this with a spectacular show at La Perle, Al Habtoor City.
- Enjoy a morning desert safari – the mornings in Dubai are much cooler than the late afternoons and evenings during May. If you’d like a more pleasant Dubai desert safari experience, head out pre-dawn for maximum enjoyment – try a hot air balloon experience for a completely unique and unforgettable experience.
- Explore Souk Madinat Jumeirah with its traditional Arabian design and enchanting waterways, including superb views back to the Burj Al Arab
- Visit the intriguing Museum of the Future and explore the incredible architecture and visual effects of this new city masterpiece.
Still not sure how to fill your days? Check out our complete collection of Dubai itineraries, we have ideas to fill a few hours through to a detailed 7-day itinerary for exploring Dubai & the UAE.
Dubai with kids in May 2023
Dubai is a city burgeoning with family-friendly activities year-round. May can be a popular time to visit Dubai with your family as schools in Europe take a short half-term break.
As May is getting quite hot to be outdoors unless you’re in the water, why not try these ideas:
- Cool off at one of Dubai’s outdoor adventure playgrounds, such as Aquaventure at Atlantis the Palm or at Wild Wadi (temporarily closed in 2023) attached to Jumeirah Beach Hotel. We have a complete water park comparison guide here to work out which suits you best.
- Head out to Dubai Parks & Resorts – 3 theme parks in one location (sadly, Bollywood Parks closed on the 20th of April 2023)! Little ones will love Legoland Dubai, while older kids will likely prefer Motiongate – book tickets in advance to save on gate passes! (Note that Legoland water park is not always open every day – hours increase in the lead up to summer).
- Enjoy night ziplining through the Ghaf tree forest in Mushrif Park at Aventura.
- You can find our complete guide to Dubai indoors here for cooling off as the days heat up over the month
Check out the best things to do every month in Dubai here!
More frequently asked questions about Dubai in May
If warm weather and low crowds sound appealing, then absolutely, May is a great time to be in Dubai. The daytime temperatures are hot (averaging 37.8°C/100°F), but if you avoid heading into the sun at the peak of the day, it’s still manageable for heat lovers.
May was traditionally the start of the low season for tourism in Dubai, but in recent years this has not been the case so much. With the Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid falling over April, many venues are remaining open now until much later into Spring.
Visiting after Eid, you may still be able to grab some cheaper accommodation than earlier in the spring.
This all depends on your heat tolerance levels and your interests. The daytime average in Dubai during May is 37.8°C/100°F, getting hotter throughout the month with highs as much as 43.5°C/110°F experienced.
The sea temperature in May rises from lows of 26.3°C/79.3°F to highs of 31.2°C/86.2°F making it the best month for beach weather if you love it hot but not spa-like!
If you are pregnant, with young children or don’t like to be too hot and sweaty you will be pushing it by the end of May. There are plenty of indoor alternatives, and the city is made to handle the heat but do expect to spend the middle of the day indoors. You can find our complete guide to Dubai weather in May here.
If you prefer to explore more on foot and day trips beyond the city, it may get too hot by May for this to be enjoyable, and many foot tours will not operate once you’re into summer.
May is one of the traditionally quieter tourism months in Dubai. Most visitors who come seeking heat and sunshine come earlier in spring (March/April) in line with the European school holidays. Local schools are in class during May, except for maybe a few days of mid-term break; this differs across schools.
There is sometimes another small peak in tourism experienced at the end of May when UK schools have a half-term break, but it’s unlikely to trouble your plans. Most schools locally will not take a May break in 2023 due to an Eid break occurring in April and in June.
From May 2023 and through to summer school break will be the least crowded time to visit Dubai in 2023.
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:
Take me back to the Dubai travel blog
Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE and transit passengers self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our recommendation links.
Dubai Travel Planner