Everything you need to know about visiting Dubai in October
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October is when Dubai starts to see a glimpse of a return to the milder days of winter. Outdoor seasonal events and al fresco dining venues around the city begin to dust off their covers and re-emerge from the summer heat, ready for a busy new winter season.
In even more exciting news, mask mandates for the UAE have been removed in most circumstances, so let’s take a look at what’s happening across the city this October.
Is October a good time to visit Dubai? Weather in October
The start of the month is still extremely hot in Dubai, and you should expect temperatures in excess of 40°C/104°F. However, by month-end, the humidity starts to drop, and the air temperature cools significantly, giving way to bearable outside heat during the day.
The average daytime high you should expect in October is 35.6°C/96°F.
Average sea temperatures drop down to around 31°C/76°F, which is great for swimming, but the ground will still be very hot (i.e. the sand still scorches your feet!!)
You can read our complete guide to Dubai Weather in October here and our suggested ideas of what to pack for Dubai in October.
Dubai Special Events October 2022
- Dubai Expo City Opening – is anyone missing those Expo vibes? The great news is Expo is back! Well, sort of. Following the highly successful Expo event, which took place in Dubai last winter, the former grounds have been transformed into “a clean, green, tech-enabled, human-centric city of the future,” re-opening to the public on 1 October 2022 with a free concert event.
- The main pavilions from Expo 2020 Alif and Terra, alongside Al Wasl Plaza, the Sky Garden and “Surreal”, the waterfall feature, can be enjoyed for years to come. The bad news; entry fees – 50AED per pavilion or 120AED for a day pass – let’s hope some re-thought goes into that pricing.
- Music-lovers should head to Grove on the Grass – Emirates Golf Club on 15 October 2022 for this spectacular live open-air festival.
- Dubai Opera has a busy lineup this month, including the musical Footloose, Irish dancing sensation Riverdance and Travis: The Invisible Band in Concert.
- Festival City will be hosting Fontana, a spectacular new water circus show, alongside its winter festival, Vibes by the Bay, which will last through until next May.
- Mai Dubai City Half Marathon – a return of the outdoor sporting events calendar kicks off with this 5km/10km/21km event through the city streets on 30 October 2022
- You can also join in with the Ignite Pink is Punk fun run, with all proceeds going to Al Jalila Foundation on 8 October 2022.
- Diwali – 14 – 28 October 2022 With a big Indian expat population, this is a widely celebrated event in the UAE, including beachfront fireworks on Bluewaters island, and don’t miss heading into old Dubai for one of the most sensational residential light displays you’ll see outside of India!
- Keep your eye out for many October-themed events for Halloween and Oktoberfest.
Note that many schools locally take a mid-term break towards the end of October; this can be a few days or a full week. It shouldn’t make attractions significantly busier, but you will see more families out and about mid-week. When many European schools take a break at the end of October, it can also increase crowds.
Suggested Dubai Activities in October
As it’s still pretty hot outside, we’re all about keeping our cool in October, but we don’t need to be trapped all day indoors. It’s a great time of year to enjoy the beaches and water parks when the air temperatures not so stifling and the water temperatures are beautifully warm.
- Head to Aquaventure at Atlantis the Palm for a day of splashing good fun at one of the world’s biggest and best water parks.
- If it’s getting too hot outside at the peak of the day, make sure you head into the Lost Chambers aquarium, the largest in the UAE – save by buying a combo ticket!
Top Tip: If you stay at Atlantis the Palm then your hotel stay will include your entry to Aquaventure!
Top Tip: Guest staying at any of the Jumeriah Hotels can get tickets to Wild Wadi Water Park, attached to Jumeirah Beach Hotel
- Explore around Souk Madinat Jumeirah. This modern take on an old souk (market) always has something happening! It is mostly indoors, so it’s great to tackle when it’s still too hot outside. Enjoy cooling off at the latest instalment, “Theatre of Digital Art“, or take an Abra ride through the canals. This is a great place to stock up on your Dubai souvenirs, albeit pricier than the traditional markets in Deira.
- Ripe Market will make its triumphant outdoor seasonal return at Academy Park on 15 October 2022. From fresh food to handicrafts and family activities, this is one of winter’s hottest local hangouts.
- Enjoy the return of outdoor terraces and rooftop bars in Dubai. We’re excited to see some new openings for the 2022 winter season, including:
- Garden of Dreams, Address Beach Resort, JBR
- TABÜ, St Regis Business Bay
- Caña by Tamoka, JBR
- Lolita Pool Bar and Lounge, Pullman Dubai Downtown
- And many more; we’re working on a complete listing to get to you soon as A LOT has changed in the last 2 years!
- It’s also an ideal time to enjoy the city’s beach clubs that hit back into full swing with the cooling days. You can see our complete collection of favourite Dubai Beach Clubs offering day passes here.
October Splurge
Enjoy afternoon tea at the city’s most iconic building, the acclaimed “7 Star” Burj Al Arab. You’ll need to save your pennies for one of Dubai’s most luxurious dining options at Skyview Bar & Restaurant.
October Day Trips from Dubai
Abu Dhabi has thrown its borders back open to domestic travel, which moves it right back to the top of our suggested day trips from Dubai.
Easy to reach either public bus, or by private tour or transfer; here’s what you can expect to find in the neighbouring capital:
- You can see the “Big 3” Cultural sites in Abu Dhabi on a single day trip tour from Dubai; the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr al Watan, the Presidential Palace.
- The “Big 3” theme parks of Yas Island – namely Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterpark and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.
Just be mindful although you can domestically cross to Abu Dhabi now with no border check, any public building, mall, hotel , park or beach you wish to visit in Abu Dhabi will require you to have a “Green Pass” installed on the Alhosn App.
You must be vaccinated or have an exemption with recent PCR test in order to activate the green status. Learn more about Alhosn and the Green Pass here before booking a trip to Abu Dhabi.
Some suggested day tour operators that will help you with transfers to Abu Dhabi:
- Take a trip to the highest point in the UAE! As the daytime temperatures drop away a little, plan an early morning visit to Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK).
- While you’re there, take on the longest zipline in the world! Jebel Jais Flight will see you soaring up to 150km/hr through the Hajar Mountains. There’s also the Jais Sky Tour and the Jais Sky Maze for adrenaline-seekers to try their hand at and make it a full day in the mountains. At the peak, you are approximately 2.5 hours away from Dubai.
- Or alternatively, a bit of a hidden favourite we love is visiting is Suwaidi Pearl Farm in the tiny northern RAK village of Al Rams. There’s a great guide here to all there is to see and do this winter in RAK
Dubai with kids in October
Family activities are back in full swing in Dubai. It is still quite hot for outdoor adventures, but by October, first thing in the morning and early evening are pleasant enough to be out.
If you’ve already tackled some water park fun as we mentioned above and looking for something new, why not try:
- Aventura Parks – a tree surfing and ziplining adventure through the Ghaf trees of Mushrif Park. A floodlit option is available to enjoy the park in the evenings.
- October is the perfect time to enjoy the best public beaches in Dubai. Why not try La Mer in the early evening (Laguna Water Park has a sundowner package offer running just now), followed by dinner in one of the water-side restaurants?
- Kite Beach is another local favourite for a simple splash, to join in some water sports, or to combine a day at the beach with a picnic in the park at the popular outdoor spot Al Mamzar Beach Park.
- A trip to Dubai isn’t complete without experiencing Dubai Global Village. This evening extravaganza is due to return in late October 2022 to brighten Dubai evenings once more with a taste of food, dance and shopping from around the world.
- Dubai Garden Glow and Miracle Garden Dubai are also expected to re-open by month-end. We eagerly await opening dates for these seasonal events!
Our complete guide to kids activities in Dubai can be found here.
More frequently asked questions about Dubai in October
Yes! We’d argue one of the best months if you really like your heat. The edge has gone from the peak of summer, but you’ll still find the days are hot and the evenings are mild.
If you are a little averse to the heat, though, we’d recommend you restrict travel to the UAE between November and March.
Dubai starts October with average daytime highs of 42°C/108°F, dropping to highs of 32°C/90°F by month-end. It is the month you’ll experience the biggest drop in temperature as the country transitions around mid-month from the summer heat to the milder winter months. You can learn more about Dubai’s weather in October here.
October temperatures can’t really be described as cold. You’ll find average lows during the month overnight of 24.5°C/76°F.
It is quite unusual – though not unheard of – for rain to occur in Dubai in October. No need to pack an umbrella, but it can happen. If it does rain in Dubai, it usually leaves as quick as it arrives.
Dubai doesn’t really follow traditional seasons – more a long hot summer and a mild winter starting from October. Based in the Northern Hemisphere, October could be said to be fall/autumn in Dubai.
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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