Dubai
The towers, the old Creek, seasonal parks and the mountains at Hatta.
Dubai is the UAE's most visited city and also its most seasonal: Global Village, Dubai Miracle Garden and Dubai Safari Park all reopened in October for the cool season, and the Shopping Festival (4 December to 17 January) and the Dubai World Cup (27 March) fall within it. It is a city of big set-pieces, from Burj Khalifa to the Marina, but its quieter side, the old Creek, Al Fahidi and the mountains at Hatta, is where visitors tend to say they enjoyed it most.
Experiences in Dubai
Events in Dubai
Dubai Miracle Garden reopens, Season 15
The flower park reopened for its 15th season with weekly themed celebrations and more than 50 floral displays.
Dubai Safari Park reopens, Season 8
The wildlife park reopened for its eighth season with the “Live More Wild Life” theme and a Royal Safari Experience for groups of up to ten.
Global Village Dubai, Season 31
Dubai's open-air world fair opened its 31st season on 14 October 2026 and runs until May 2027, with national pavilions, stage shows, rides and food stalls. Tickets are Dh25 on weekdays and Dh30 from Friday to Sunday and on public holidays.
Dubai Fitness Challenge (10th edition)
Thirty minutes of activity a day for thirty days. Flagship events: Dubai Ride (1 Nov), Stand-Up Paddle at Hatta Dam (7 and 8 Nov), Dubai Run (22 Nov) and Dubai Yoga (29 Nov). Free; registration required.
Dubai Design Week (12th edition)
The region's leading design festival, with the Downtown Design fair running 4 to 8 November.
Dubai Racing Carnival opens
Sixteen race meetings over the winter at Meydan, with new restaurants and hospitality, building to the Dubai World Cup on 27 March 2027. Entry was reported from Dh10.
Emirates Dubai 7s
Three days of international rugby sevens, with Gaelic football added to the programme this year.
UAE National Day 2026 (55th)
The UAE marks its 55th National Day (Eid Al Etihad) on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026, under the theme “Spirit of the Union”. The city programmes had not been published when this page was checked.
Dubai: common questions
What is open in Dubai in winter that is closed in summer?+
Global Village (opened 14 October), Dubai Miracle Garden (8 October) and Dubai Safari Park (12 October) are seasonal and reopen each autumn.
When is Dubai Shopping Festival 2026-27?+
4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, according to Trade Arabia.
Is Dubai worth a day trip from Abu Dhabi?+
Yes. The train between the two takes about an hour and the road about 90 minutes.
Next door
Part of the UAE Experiences guide to Dubai and its neighbours.
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