Global Village

Open Dates: 14 October 2026 to May 2027

Spectacular Season 31 of Dubai Global Village will bring back the city’s favourite multicultural evening entertainment venue. Millions of visitors gather at this outdoor venue throughout the winter to experience shopping, handicrafts, cuisines, and entertainment from around the globe.

Special events such as Eid al Etihad (Formerly National/Union Day), Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Ramadan, and Eid al-Fitr are all celebrated within the park’s unique atmosphere.

We have a detailed guide here on what to expect at Dubai’s Global Village, or check the Global Village Website for an exact calendar of events. Although the entry price has now crept up to AED 20 per person (cheaper online – Season 31 price TBC), it’s still one of the best-value nights out in Dubai.

• Open Sunday to Wednesday, 4:00 PM to midnight, and Thursday to Saturday and Public Holidays, 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM
• Tuesdays, except those falling on Public holidays, are reserved exclusively for families, couples and ladies.

Learn more at www.globalvillage.ae

Miracle Garden

Open Dates: from 8 October 2026 – closing TBC

Dubai Miracle Garden is a breathtaking floral wonderland in the heart of Dubailand. Boasting over 150 million flowers arranged in intricate designs and awe-inspiring shapes, it’s the world’s largest natural flower garden by number of blooms.

From life-sized houses to an A380 adorned in blooms, the garden transforms the arid desert landscape into a colourful paradise every winter, offering visitors a unique sensory experience filled with vibrant colours, mesmerising patterns, and sweet fragrances.

• Open daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and on Saturdays – subject to change on Public Holidays. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
• Entry has risen to a whopping AED 100 for adults / AED 85 for kids (UAE Resident discounts apply with EID)
• Get free entry on your birthday (UAE residents only). For more details click here.

We have a detailed review of Dubai Miracle Garden over here, or learn more at www.dubaimiraclegarden.com

Dubai Garden Glow

Open Dates: Already open – closing TBC

This spectacular nighttime light display has been running in Zabeel Park for more than 10 years. A unique theme park in Dubai that combines the beauty of art, light, and eco-friendly innovations. It features luminous displays, sculptures, and installations crafted using thousands of energy-saving bulbs and yards of recycled luminous fabric.

Alongside the fantasy world of light installations, you’ll find Dinosaur Park on the same site. The park contains over 120 life-size animatronic dinosaurs and is a must-visit attraction for any budding palaeontologists!

• Open Wednesday to Monday, 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Closed Tuesdays, except on Public Holidays.
• Adult ticket price AED 73.50 (which includes access to Garden Glow and the Dinosaur Park).

You can read our complete review of Dubai Garden Glow, or learn more and book tickets at www.dubaigardenglow.com

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Dubai Safari Park

Open Dates: 12 October 2026 – closing TBC

A unique animal experience run by Dubai Municipality, the 119-hectare open-air park on the city’s outskirts closes over the hottest months. Home to over 3,000 animals, the park consists of five sections: African Village, Asian Village, Arabian Desert Safari, Explorer Village, and the Valley.

In addition to day pass entry tickets, you can upgrade to more intimate experiences, such as Dine in the Wild and Behind the Scenes, which offer a closer look at the family care services provided to the animals that call the safari park home.

• Open daily 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry 5:00 PM)
• Ticket prices start at 50 AED with an Online Saver Pass.

Learn more at www.dubaisafari.ae

Hatta Wadi Hub

Open Dates: 28 September 2026 – closing TBC

The emirate’s adventure playground, Hatta Wadi Hub, is nestled in the Hajar Mountains, 90 minutes south of Dubai city.

Cooler weather brings back serene desert glamping experiences, adrenaline-pumping adventure activities, and fun family experiences, including zorbing, archery, tubing, big plunge trampolines, and an Aerial Adventure Park.

Other additions to look out for include a giant swing, a 45-degree zipline, a free-fall zone, and a high ropes course.

Read our complete review of Hatta and Hatta Wadi Hub, or learn more at visithatta.com

Dubai Parks and Resorts

After months of closure, Legoland Dubai, Motiongate, Real Madrid World and Riverland have all reopened their gates to visitors ahead of the October mid-term break. As of the 7th October 2026, families can once again enjoy thrilling rides and fun times at Dubai’s premier family leisure destination.

To learn more about Dubai Parks and Resorts, click here for our extended article, or refer to their official website.

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More Things to Do in Dubai this Winter

If you are planning a winter trip to Dubai, we also recommend you dive further into our archives and check out:

• The best outdoor adventure activities in Dubai
• Where to find the best weekend family brunch in Dubai for al fresco dining at its best
• The perfect place to catch rooftop drinks in Dubai
• All of Dubai’s best parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces
• Where to go cycling in Dubai – bike rental places and the best tracks
• All the best events that are happening in Dubai during 2026

What Are the Yas Island Theme Parks?

Yas Island in the Abu Dhabi emirate is home to four of the world’s greatest theme parks, all within a short distance of one another. These are:

• Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (open daily from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM)
• Yas Waterworld (open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
• Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi (open weekdays 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, weekends 8:00 PM)
• SeaWorld Yas Island (Open daily 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)

NB: Opening times can vary during the Holy Month of Ramadan, public holidays, and special events.

NB – The newly announced Disney Abu Dhabi will also be on Yas Island, but we don’t expect to see this open until at least 2030-2032; do keep it on your radar when planning a future trip to the UAE!

Dubai to Yas Island FREE Shuttle

When you book your tickets to any of the Yas Theme Parks, you can take advantage of the FREE Yas Express shuttle bus service from Dubai to Yas Island. This is by far the most convenient way to travel to Yas Island from Dubai at no additional cost.

You will need evidence of an e-ticket for any of the theme parks; the bus operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

There are now multiple designated starting points in Dubai (take note of the latest timetable here). Yas Express Route D includes buses that depart from:

• D1 Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights Hotel Suites & Apartments (leaves 9:30 AM, returns 9:25 PM)
• D2 Millennium Place Marina (leaves 9:30 AM, returns 9:40 PM)
• D3 Rixos Premium JBR, JA Ocean View Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Jumeirah Beach (Leaves 9:20 AM, returns 10:00 PM
• D4 Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel, The H Hotel Dubai, Sheraton Grand Hotel, Conrad Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road (leaves 9:20 AM, returns 10:30 PM)
• D5 V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton (leaves 9:30 AM, returns 9:50 PM)
• D5 Citymax Hotel Bur Dubai (leaves 9:30 AM, returns 10:30 PM)
• D7 Deira City Centre (beside Colors Cafe) (leaves 9:30 AM, returns 10:30 PM)
• D8 JA the Resort, JA Lake View Hotel (leaves 10:00 AM, returns 8:00 PM)
• D9 Al Seef Heritage Hotel, Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef, Hampton by Hilton Dubai Al Seef (leaves 9:30 AM, returns 9:25 PM)

Timing is subject to traffic conditions. All buses stop at Yas WaterWorld/WB World Abu Dhabi first, then at SeaWorld, then at Ferrari World.

Free Yas Express Shuttle from the Northern Emirates to Yas Island

There is also a daily service operating from the Northern Emirates to assist guests on a day trip to Abu Dhabi. This service departs from different locations each day:

• Ras Al Khaimah on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
• Fujairah on Tuesday
• Sharjah on a Thursday
• Ajman on a Saturday and Sunday

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Dubai to Yas Island Transfers

If the Yas Island Shuttle bus timings do not work for you, and you already have your theme park tickets, you may prefer to arrange your own transfers; this is undoubtedly the fastest way to get to Yas Island from Dubai and will maximise your time at the parks. These are options to consider:

• Private transfer to Yas Island theme parks from Dubai – Your most comfortable option with different classes of cars to chose from to fit your group and budget – offer via Klook

• Use Get Transfer – a service that allows users to put in their journey details, and drivers bid for your fare. You set the vehicle size you need and whether you’d like it to be one-way or a return transfer. A good way to get competitive pricing over the regular ride-share service that will set your price for you (Works sort of similarly to In Drive, which you may be familiar with; In Drive is not presently an option available in the UAE)

Dubai to Yas Island Public Bus

You can choose to make your own way to Abu Dhabi from Dubai by Intercity Bus, then onwards to the Yas Island theme parks.

It’s not the most direct route and takes a long time, but if you plan to see other things in Abu Dhabi, it could be a practical option.

There is a reasonable public transport system in Abu Dhabi, albeit as a smaller city, nowhere near as comprehensive as Dubai.  We explain here exactly how to take the public bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi central bus station in Al Wadha.

• From Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, you then need to catch a local bus service to Yas Island
• Local bus route number 190 leaves once an hour to Ferrari World/Yas Mall, via Saadiyat Island
• Alternatively, a taxi from Al Wadha back to Yas Island is approximately 50 AED.

Your Intercity bus to Abu Dhabi will cost 25 AED on a comfortable coach, plus the local bus fare of 6 AED.

Self-Drive Dubai to Yas Island

If you have access to a car or wish to rent a car and drive in Dubai, you can easily self-drive to Yas Island:

• From Dubai, take the E11 Highway (Sheikh Zayed Road)
• Stay left at Al Shahama for the E10, signposted to Abu Dhabi
• Take the Yas Island East Exit for the E12 (also marked ‘Yas Leisure Drive‘)
• Follow the blue signs that say ‘Yas Leisure Drive‘ until you reach the brown tourist signs. Follow each to your final destination – each theme park has its own free car parking.

Transfers from DXB Dubai Airport to Yas Island

There is no direct transfer service that runs from DXB to Yas Island; you would need to:

• Get yourself from DXB to one of the pickup locations described above for the free shuttle
• Pay for a taxi door-to-door
• Arrange a private transfer driver as we’ve described above
• Take public transport

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Transport on Yas Island

Once you are on Yas Island, there is the free Yas Express, which runs between the theme parks, Yas Plaza hotels, the Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Bay, and the Yas Marina bars and entertainment area.

You can also catch taxis within the island, but bear in mind the minimum fare you will pay is AED 12 flat rate.

A new alternative, if you are after something unique, is hailing a Txai on Yas Island – not a spelling mistake! These unique driverless Robotaxis can be booked via app. They operate between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island with predetermined pick-up and drop-off locations, only at this stage, not the whole of Abu Dhabi city.

Yas Island to Dubai Transport

Returning to Dubai from Yas Island, you can return the same free shuttle service with your ticket as evidence that you have been to the parks. 

If this does not fit your timings, however, you may need to take a metered taxi back to Dubai from Yas Island, or try a ride-share service such as Careem. They are available at all four venues and will take you door-to-door.

Want to Stay on Yas Island?

There is plenty to keep you busy on Yas Island for a full two days, so it’s a great idea to turn it into at least an overnighter from Dubai. 

The closest hotel to the theme parks is The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton, sitting immediately adjacent to the entry of WB World and Yas Waterpark. It is the ideal place to base yourself overnight, especially with the kids, who will love the themed rooms. There are many top-rated restaurants at the venue and themed weekend brunches.

Nearby, you’ll find the Yas Plaza hotels. All of these hotels offer theme park tickets with your stay (if the option is selected when booking), making them a great alternative at a lower price, just a short shuttle ride from the Yas Island theme parks.

Another excellent hotel for a longer stay on Yas is the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, located at the centre of Yas Bay – a thriving new nightlife destination with a wonderful pool. They also offer ticket-inclusive packages that can equal great savings.

You can see all Yas Island hotels and nearby accommodation options here.

Make sure you head to our partner site, Abu Dhabi Travel Planner, to learn more about Things to do on Yas Island and more ideas for exploring Abu Dhabi.

Dubai Weather in December

If it’s the scorching heat of the summer months that has ever put you off visiting Dubai, get set for the wonderfully mild days of December and the winter months in Dubai. 

December’s average temperature is around 26°C/78.8°F, and the average sea temperature is around the same, 25.6°C/78°F. By month’s end, it can even be a little too nippy for ocean swimming—ensure your resort or hotel has a temperature-controlled pool!

The minimum temperature you can expect overnight in Dubai in December is 15°C/59°F. You won’t need much more in the city than a light jacket. Though note, if you are heading to the desert or the mountains overnight on a camping or glamping trip, it could be several degrees cooler; you’ll want a warmer layer of clothing.

With an average of 8 hours of sunshine, you should expect mostly blue skies, though rain and fog are not unheard of in the winter season. Use the cooler weather to get out there and enjoy the natural wonders that surround Dubai.

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

Suggested Dubai Activities in December 2026

Given the mild sunny days, it’s a perfect time of year to do some of Dubai’s more physical outdoor activities. Our top picks for things to do in Dubai in December are:

• Take on the Ras al Khaimah zipline course – Jebel Jais Flight! Not only the longest zipline in the world, where speeds can reach up to 160kms an hour, but also Jebel Jais Tour – seven different zipline courses that meet on a suspended platform in the Hajar Mountains.

Top tip: If you don’t fancy the self-drive up to Ras al Khaimah, check out this tour which can pick you up from your Dubai hotel. It includes transfers to Jebel Jais and the zipline experience.

• Take a tour around the world at Dubai’s Global Village – an international fair-style event held nightly; you’ll find seasonal celebrations, including Union Day and Christmas, marked with stage shows and fireworks.

• This is the perfect time of year to experience Dubai Garden Glow & Dinosaur Park in Zabeel Park. An evening wonderland, the festive season makes it all the more magical.

• Take a tour of the UAE’s east coast. Cross the spectacular Hajar Mountains and experience the calm, warm waters of the Gulf of Oman. There are snorkelling opportunities, as well as boat tours that can take you in amongst the spectacular khors of Musandam, Oman, without needing to cross the land border. Check out this east coast Fujairah day trip, or you can hire your own car and set your own pace.

• For something unique this December, head to the Sharjah exclave of Kalba on the east coast for the weekend of 14-15 December for the inaugural Adventure Festival on 14-15 December for 2 days to partake in a huge range of outdoor and nature-filled adventures. All activities are included in your entry, with the opportunity to participate in water sports, hiking, mountain biking, yoga sessions, and outdoor survival skills sessions.

• Take a Desert Safari – the cooler weather makes it the perfect time to get out on a dune-bashing adventure, or if you’d prefer a more sedate way to enjoy the desert, with an eco-friendly focus, take a journey to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.

• Visit Hatta. Hatta can be found to the south of Dubai, near the Oman border, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Downtown Dubai. Enjoy kayaking or paddleboarding, or try the tandem water bikes with a friend! The Hatta Heritage Village will take you through the fascinating history of this mountainous border town, or get into the mountains on one of the hiking trails or hire a mountain bike. Find our complete guide to visiting Hatta here – along with detailed driving directions and public transport.

Top tip: Stay nearby at the JA Hatta Fort Hotel to make a full weekend of it, or enjoy luxury glamping under the stars at Hatta Resorts – offering bubble domes to caravans and luxury mountain cabins.

1. Agrabah at Jumeirah Mina A’ Salam ($$)

It is hard not to put this brilliant concept from the team at Family Brunch Dubai at number 1. This fantastic Aladdin-themed family brunch at Hanaaya restaurant opens up a new world of wonders. Featuring carefully curated cuisine from around the world, including an extensive array of seafood, it’s sure to delight your taste buds.

Expect visits from Aladdin and Princess Jasmine, as well as a mesmerising snake charmer, a magic genie show, arts and crafts, face painting, sand art, and so much more! This brunch is sure to keep you and your little ones happy with a truly magical Middle Eastern vibe.

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With views over to the Burj Al Arab, what more could you ask from a family brunch in Dubai? This is a fabulous one to take your visitors to Dubai for a genuinely memorable Arabian Nights-style experience!

• Where to find Hanaaya: Jumeirah Mina A’ Salam hotel, Madinat Jumeirah
• Saturday brunch hours: 1.00 PM – 5.00 PM
• Learn more at Jumeirah.com or familybrunchdubai.com

3. The Roast by Bubbalicious Mina’s Kitchen ($$)

Mina’s Kitchen is located in the beautiful Westin Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. A slightly pared-back and less raucous version of their Saturday ‘Bubbalicious Brunch’, The Roast puts family dining more at its heart than partying, and at a more reasonable price tag than the Saturday event.

The spread is still expansive enough to offer cuisines from all over the world, and the drink selection often matches the variety of food. As one of the top spots for brunches in Dubai, The new Sunday Roast concept has plenty to keep the kids entertained, with arts and crafts tables and roving entertainers, as well as a separate buffet for the little ones.