Dazzling Dubai is a dream come true for anyone wishing to wave goodbye to the chilly winter weather in the UK, and say hello to blue skies and sun-kissed days.

This magical city of superlatives is brimming with sensational things to see and do, but a host of additional special events and attractions will wow every visitor during the wintertime. What’s more, if you choose to visit Dubai during the festive period, you’ll get the chance to enjoy bustling Christmas markets, sparkling light displays, spectacular firework shows, extravagant parties and lavish New Year’s Eve gala dinners in top hotels. Amazingly, you can also get a helping of snow with a visit to Ski Dubai, where a variety of activities include skiing and snowboarding. If that’s whet your appetite, let’s take a closer look at why Dubai’s an absolute wonderland for an unforgettable winter sun holiday.

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Sensational Weather

Dubai’s fabulous weather makes it the perfect place to wallow in hours of blissful winter sunshine. Swimwear, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen are essential items to pack when you choose to swap the gloomy winter weather of home for far more appealing temperatures. The emirate's desert climate results in year-round invigorating sunshine so you definitely won’t need to bring any winter woollies with you. Most travellers visit Dubai between the months of October and May which see perfect holiday weather. The average temperature in November, for example, is 25°C, January is 19°C and March is 24°C. There is minimal rainfall in the emirate, with an average of only 68mm annually.

Phenomenal Attractions

Year-round delights which make Dubai the perfect choice for an unforgettable holiday include its futuristic skyline, world-class restaurants, giant shopping malls, pristine beaches, water sports galore and world-class entertainment. The city is home to legendary theme and water parks, including Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark, IMG Worlds of Adventure and Dubai Parks and Resorts, comprising Motiongate Dubai, Riverland Dubai, Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park. For a reminder of colder climes in the UK, head for Ski Dubai where ice skating, snowboarding and an epic indoor ski slope are among the attractions. Here you can also pay a visit to Santa’s Grotto - a festive treat for any young holidaymaker. Dubai also boasts landmarks including the world’s tallest building (Burj Khalifa), Burj Al Arab, the Dubai Fountain, Jumeirah Mosque and the gigantic Dubai Frame.

Winter wonders

There’s never a dull moment during a winter holiday in Dubai, with a range of special activities, events and festivities to put you in the party spirit. A host of venues, including Dubai Opera and The Theatre in Mall of the Emirates, stage Christmas-themed productions, while the famous pyrotechnic display on the Burj Khalifa is a magnificent spectacle to welcome in the new year. Key winter festivals and attractions in Dubai in November, December and January include Dubai Shopping Festival, Souk Madinat Jumeirah Winter Festival and the Habtoor Palace Winter Garden. Many of Dubai’s opulent hotels host elaborate New Year’s Eve gala dinners where guests can enjoy fine dining and top-class entertainment, while Nakheel Mall transforms into a winter fun zone, with an edible snow station among the delights.

Sparkling Accommodation

If you are visiting Dubai for the first time or returning to the city for another feast of indulgent luxury, you can expect to live the life in world-class accommodation. Whether you choose to stay in a laid-back beachfront resort or a towering downtown retreat in the heart of the city, you’ll be surrounded by elegance, style, comfort and impeccable hospitality. Dubai’s exceptional 5-star hotels are havens of pleasure, leisure, entertainment and relaxation, with many offering superb all-inclusive programmes. You’ll savour culinary delights in gourmet dining venues, chill out beside tranquil infinity pools and spend restful nights in a luxurious room, suite or villa offering breathtaking gulf or city views. An array of wonderful amenities waiting to be enjoyed includes state-of-the-art fitness centres, elegant spas, fun-packed kids clubs, private sandy beaches and big-screen cinemas. Some hotels also boast their own spectacular waterparks.

Join the Festivities

Dubai is brimming with amazing indoor and outdoor activities, with a wealth of festive fun and entertainment in store during a thrilling winter holiday. Colourful stage productions, giant tree lightings, epic winter wonderland scenes and glittering Christmas markets are among the delights in store. Dubai stages a plethora of one-of-a-kind experiences to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, with snow parks featuring rides, ice-skating rinks, snow cinemas and other attractions to enthral couples, families and groups of friends. The city is adorned with lights throughout December, with firework displays on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve lighting up the sky. Dubai’s Global Village showcases festive traditions from around the world all in one place. A host of dining venues serve special Christmas and New Year dishes, while the ski-themed restaurant and bar Publique is the place to tuck into a festive feast in a winter wonderland setting.

Best Time To Visit

The winter months are a great time for a holiday in Dubai when it is warm and sunny, but the summer season from May to August is the best time to visit if you’re looking for a holiday deal in a luxury 5-star hotel. This is due to people tending to avoid this time of year due to the heat. It is, however, still appealing to anyone who wants to chill out in the shade poolside, with the water a great place to cool off. It’s also worth noting that most of Dubai’s shopping malls, restaurants and many key attractions are air-conditioned throughout the summer months – when the mercury hovers around 30°C, but can soar as high as 45°C – so indoor conditions are still very pleasant at this time of year. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is another excellent time for a holiday in Dubai. Expected to begin in 2024 around March 12 and end on April 11, it is a time when visitors can take the opportunity to experience the emirate’s spiritual culture and tradition.

“Dubai is a great place to escape the winter blues in the UK and immerse yourself in endless sunshine in an awe-inspiring Arabian Gulf setting.

"It’s thrills and spills all the way in this fabulous destination where you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to fun-filled activities, gourmet dining, sensational shopping and world-class attractions.

"Jet off for some welcome winter sun and marvel at the festive-themed activities, events and festivities the city has to offer.

“Beautiful beaches, epic theme parks, water sports galore, fine dining restaurants and no shortage of pulsating nightlife will make your visit to Dubai an unforgettable experience.

“There’s also the opportunity to enjoy camel rides, jeep safaris and romantic meals under the stars in a Bedouin camp.”

Atlantis, The Palm

A feast of fun, leisure and entertainment awaits at this magnificent 5-star ocean-inspired haven of luxury and relaxation. Fine dining, exquisite accommodation, a glorious private beach and amazing leisure amenities will wow every guest. This spectacular mega resort is home to Aquaventure Waterpark, the world's largest waterpark which boasts 105 record-breaking slides to ensure a splashing time for all. You’ll also discover the sumptuous Awaken Spa for the ultimate pampering experience, world-class restaurants where Michelin Star chefs showcase their talents, the lively Atlantis Explorers Club for kids and The Zone for teens. Other delights include The Lost Chambers Aquarium, tennis courts, fitness centre, sparkling swimming pools and Wavehouse Restaurant with bowling alleys, arcade and view of the surf wave rider.

Check out Atlantis, The Palm

Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf Madinat

Jet off and live the dream at this stunning family-friendly escape in Madinat Jumeirah boasting elegant décor, glistening waterways and beautiful landscaped gardens. Catch some rays on the private sandy beach, dine in style in a myriad of top-class restaurants and sip sunset cocktails served by a personal butler in your private living area. Sinbad Kids Club is the place for the little ones to have hours of fun, while Talise spa offers the chance to harmonise your body, mind and soul. A plethora of other delights at this plush 5-star retreat include a theatre, tennis courts, rock climbing wall, shops and complimentary access to Wild Wadi Waterpark.

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Rixos Premium Dubai

Wake up to breathtaking views of the dazzling Dubai skyline or the shimmering waters of the Arabian Gulf at this opulent 5-star getaway in the sun. You’ll dine like royalty in exceptional restaurants, spend heavenly nights in ultra-stylish accommodation and experience unrivalled hospitality throughout your stay. Laze on the private sandy beach, enjoy a traditional hammam, pamper yourself in the charming spa or keep in shape in the cutting-edge fitness centre. An array of other fabulous amenities at this imposing beachfront hideaway include an outdoor jungle gym, beauty salon, children’s club, jacuzzis and a packed programme of live evening entertainment.

Check out the Rixos Premium Dubai