Looking for some hopping good fun to celebrate Easter this year?
Although Dubai is in a Muslim country, make no mistake, just like Christmas, Easter is a big celebration in the local expat community that all have come to love.
Whether you are big believers in the Easter Bunny still or simply look at it as a wonderful family opportunity to gather with your loved ones, there’s plenty going on around Dubai to help you celebrate this year in the sunshine.
Easter Dates for 2023
Easter Sunday in 2023 will fall on Sunday, 9 April 2023. This is preceded by Good Friday on Friday, 7 April 2023.
Easter in Dubai During Ramadan 2023 (1444)
Whilst Easter does indeed fall within the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan this year, laws have changed in recent years that no longer prevent hospitality venues and eateries across the city from serving food and drink during the day to non-Muslims who are not observing the period of day time fasting.
Whilst it is still polite to not eat and drink in front of those who are fasting, there are venues across the city that will continue to open for Easter Sunday celebrations in designated areas.
A compromise may be to align your Easter celebration with the evening breaking of the fast, Iftar. This could make for a great harmonious cross-faith celebration for friends.
If you’re looking well ahead with your travel planning, Easter 2024 will fall on 31 March 2024 (in Ramadan) and on April 20, 2025 (making it outside of Ramadan). Here’s the forward outlook for important religious dates in Dubai:
| Easter | Ramadan (approx) | |
| 2023 | Sunday 9 April | March 23 – April 22 |
| 2024 | Sunday 31 March | March 11 – April 10 |
| 2025 | Sunday 20 April | March 1 – March 31 |
| 2026 | Sunday 5 April | February 18 – March 18 |
Unlike Islamic religious dates, which aren’t confirmed until moon sightings occur, Easter is fixed in advance based on known moon cycles.
The United Arab Emirates enjoys a stellar reputation as a country that promotes tolerance of all religions but remember, it’s a two-way street; celebrate your religious occasions by all means, but bear in mind it’s a time of reflection and deep faith for Muslims. Your job as a visitor to the country is to provide a respectful environment for this to occur.
Weather in Dubai at Easter
Easter has traditionally been one of the best times of year for visitors to Dubai due to exceptionally nice weather for sun-seekers.
Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the Spring Equinox. This, generally speaking, means Easter falls between late March and early April most years.
Dubai doesn’t have a Spring per se, but March and April are as close as you’ll get when the daytime highs are hot, but early morning and evening are still pleasant to be outside.
- Find our complete guide to Dubai Weather in March here
- As well as our complete guide to April Weather in Dubai
As Easter is a little later in 2023, on 9 April 2023, you can expect very warm weather with daytime highs up to 35°C (95°F) and lows overnight of around 19°C (66°F).
It is advisable not to be out in the direct sun during the peak of the day in April in Dubai, or if you are, apply plenty of sunscreen and bring your hat and sunglasses.
Water temperatures still remain a little on the cool side in Dubai at Easter, though those coming from cooler climates will likely find it absolutely delightful with water temperatures around 25-26°C. (Most large resorts will have temperature-controlled pools if it’s still a little chilly for your liking at Easter time in Dubai).
Easter also often aligns with local and international school breaks, only increasing the popularity of visiting this time of year. Expect it to be BUSY and prices sky-high for accommodation, if you can get any!!
- You can find our favourite family resorts in Dubai here (book early), as well as those resorts that offer something a little extra, like lazy rivers and water parks with your resort.
Best Easter Brunches in Dubai 2023
Whilst there will be plenty of celebrations across the city, here are some traditional Easter events that always stand above the rest that you may want to pencil in your diary during your time staying in Dubai:
Easter Sunday At The Ritz Carlton
Taking place on the La Brise Lawn, a fun-filled family day can be enjoyed with live cooking stations, an easter egg hunt, live magician shows, and a bouncy castle for family entertainment.
- Mocktail packages start from AED 545 through to French Bubbles AED 895; kids 5-12 AED 245
- Bookings dine.dubai@ritzcarlton.com
Hilton JBR
Set in the heart of Dubai’s busy tourist district in JBR, The Hilton JBR is offering Easter lunch from an a la carte menu along with fun eater-themed activities at their popular family restaurant, VERO.
- 1-4 pm on 9 April 2023
Lo+Cale Easter Brunch
Situated in the Crown Plaza Dubai Marina, you’ll be treated to a commendable international buffet of treats, including late breakfast options and roast meal elements. There will be a bunch of great kids’ activities, including egg painting, egg hunts and pizza-making classes. A fabulous good-value family brunch for Easter in Dubai.
- Easter Sunday Brunch 9 April, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Prices start from AED 169 house to AED 319 bubbles, kids AED 85 under 3 free
- Reservations contact: +971 54 997 8599
Easter Brunch at Address Beach Resort
Two fabulous events to enjoy over the Easter weekend, with a family-friendly egg painting session on Saturday and a traditional Easter brunch on Sunday for all the family to enjoy at The Restaurant, with face painting, an Easter Egg hunt and a visit but none other than the Easter Bunny!
- Easter egg painting 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Saturday, 8 April 2023 (AED 150 per egg set)
- Easter Brunch 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sunday, 9 April 2023 (packages from AED 488 soft, kids 50% off)
- Reservations call 04 879 8866 or email dineatbeachresort@addresshotels.com
Easter Afternoon Tea at At.Mosphere
What more breathtaking and unique location to celebrate the occasion of Easter than in the world’s tallest restaurant?
A 3-day special, enjoy 3 themed courses of afternoon tea with all the trimmings, including delicious sandwiches and savouries, through to decadent pastries in this lavish once-in-a-lifetime affair in the clouds.
Top it off with two included mocktails, cocktails, or half a bottle of bubbles in your package.
- 7,8 and 9 April 2023 from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
- AED 599 per person; under 8’s free.
Easter At Reform
We await the final details for 2023!
Wavehouse at Atlantis the Palm
We await the final details for 2023!
Palmito Garden JA The Resort
We await the final details for 2023!
You can find our complete guide to family-friendly dining in Dubai here – or if you’ll be heading to the Capital, don’t miss the best Easter activities in Abu Dhabi.
Other Easter Events in Dubai
We are still waiting for a few listings to come through from the usual suspects, but here’s what we know for sure so far in 2023:
Dubai Parks & Resort’s Largest Easter Egg Hunt
The perfect place for your little ones to celebrate this Easter in Dubai, the main event at Dubai Parks & Resorts (which incorporates Legoland), will be held on Saturday, 8 April 2023.
Enjoy the region’s biggest Easter egg hunt with 100,000 hidden eggs with incredible prizes worth over AED 200,000 up for grabs!
Plenty more to come in this list as the date nears we’ll be adding more events and information or things to do in Dubai with kids at Easter
Church Service for Easter in Dubai
We are aware of the following churches that may have special services on this year – please enquire with each for Mass and order of service in your denomination:
- St Mary’s Catholic Church (services in English, French & Arabic)
- The Mar Thoma Parish, Dubai (Services in English & Malayalam)
- St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Jebel Ali (Services in English, Arabic, German, Tamil, French, Sinhalese, Arabic, Italian, and Tagalog)
- Evangelical Christian Church of Dubai
- Fellowship (nondenominational Christian Church in Dubai)
- St. Thomas Cathedral (Orthodox)
- The Holy Trinity Church (Anglican)
We hope this guide to Easter in Dubai helps you better prepare for what to expect and a predominantly Muslim country during this important Christian event. Celebrations will most definitely continue during Ramadan in 2023, but be mindful of those in the community who are daytime fasting and consider evening celebrations with friends.
FAQs Easter in Dubai
Although in a Muslim country (UAE), with a large expatriate population and thriving tourism, Easter is widely marked in Dubai. You will find church services, as well as kids activities and Easter brunches, afternoon teas and themed celebrations.
You should be mindful though, that Easter coincides with Ramadan in 2023 and 2024 when locally, Muslim’s will be day time fasting, among other observances. Celebrations for Easter will go ahead but do be mindful of those around you who are fasting.
Yes, you can, In recent years, laws regarding non-Muslims eating during the day time fasting hours over the Holy Month have been significantly relaxed (or at least common practice, not all legislation has caught up). So fear not if that’s putting you off visiting Dubai at Easter, almost all eateries will be open as usual.
Most definitely. All religions are found in Dubai, along with numerous churches in different denominations. If you are visiting Dubai over Easter, you’ll be sure to find a church that will meet your needs.
Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai
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Feature image supplied by the Ritz-Carlton Dubai