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Planning Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in December with kids? We have been to Dubai 3 times with the girls, in October and November 2022, in February 2024 and again in November 2025, so always in the same cool season that December sits in. Here is what the weather is like, what to do in Dubai in December with kids, the Dubai Shopping Festival and New Year’s Eve dates, where to stay, how to get around, and how to add a day trip to Abu Dhabi.
If you want the full list of attractions, my Dubai city guide has them all, and my Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary for families puts them day by day. This post is about December: what changes, what opens and what to book early.
What is the weather like in Dubai in December?
December is winter in Dubai, and for families it is one of the most comfortable months of the year. Days are warm and sunny, with highs of about 26°C, and evenings cool down to about 16°C. The sea stays at about 24 to 25°C, so the kids can still swim. My own city guide already says the best time to visit Dubai is November to March, and December is right in the middle of it.
The cool evenings are the thing to pack for. My tip for a desert safari with a baby is a blanket and long sleeves for the evening, and in December you will want a light sweater or jacket for everyone after sunset, especially in the desert and at outdoor shows.
Is December a good time to visit Dubai with kids?
Yes, and that is also why it gets busy. December is the start of the winter season, and families from everywhere arrive for the school holidays. Book flights and hotels early, especially for the weeks around Christmas and New Year.
2 dates to know: UAE National Day, also called Eid Al Etihad, is expected on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026, with celebrations, fireworks and flags across the city, and the Dubai Shopping Festival starts on Friday 4 December 2026. Both bring more people out, so plan the big attractions on weekday mornings when you can.
If you are still deciding where to go this winter, read how to choose your family’s Christmas break destination, or compare with Paris, France in December with kids.
What to do in Dubai in December with kids
The best part of December is that the outdoor attractions are all open again after the summer, and you can be outside all day without the heat.
Global Village
Global Village is on my list of places not to miss in Dubai, and it is one we did with the kids. It is a big outdoor park with pavilions from countries around the world, food, shopping, rides and shows, and it only opens in the cooler months. Season 31 opened on Wednesday 14 October 2026 and runs until May 2027. It opens in the late afternoon and stays open until midnight, later on weekends, so it is a good evening plan when the kids have had a quiet afternoon. Scooters and bicycles are not allowed inside.
Dubai Miracle Garden
Dubai Miracle Garden is also on my must-see list and in my Dubai itinerary. It is a flower garden with millions of flowers shaped into arches, hearts and giant figures, and it is only open in the cool season. Season 15 opened on Thursday 8 October 2026 and runs until Monday 31 May 2027, with a new theme every week. Go in the morning, when it is calmer and the light is softer for photos.
Expo City Dubai
Expo City Dubai is the site of Expo 2020 Dubai, and today it is a neighbourhood with attractions, parks and events. Other families love Al Wasl Plaza, which is free, the Surreal water feature, the Garden in the Sky observation tower and the playgrounds, Rashid’s Adventures Playground and Taqa Island. The red metro line runs all the way to Expo 2020 station. Check the Expo City Dubai website before you go, because the opening hours of each attraction change during the year.
Dubai beaches in December
On our last trip, in November 2025, we kept it simple: beach, pool, food and family time. In December the sun is softer, so the beach is easier with kids than in the hot months. Kite Beach in Jumeirah, with the view of the Burj Al Arab, and JBR beach are on my list of places not to miss. Other family friendly beaches are Al Mamzar Beach Park and Jumeirah Beach. Bring sun protection anyway, because the sun is still strong in the middle of the day.
Desert safari
December is a good month for a desert safari, because the afternoons are warm and the evenings are cool. We have done it twice, once with a baby in a carrier. Here is my full post on the Dubai desert safari with a baby and kids, with how the day goes and our tips. Book it for the late afternoon so you see the sunset, and bring layers for the evening. To compare options, you can look for Dubai desert safaris on Viator.
Old Dubai, Al Seef and the souks
For a slower afternoon, I recommend Old Dubai at Al Seef. Take a traditional abra boat ride across Dubai Creek from the Gold Souk, explore the markets for crafts and spices, and let the kids walk around in the open spaces. The family washrooms there are very clean and have changing tables. Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood is close by.
For the Deira souks, the Gold Souk, Spice Souk, Textile Souk and Perfume Souk, take the metro to Al Ras station. Bring cash in dirhams, and if you have a baby, a carrier works better than a stroller in the crowded alleys. Here is how I choose between them in stroller or baby carrier for travel.
The Camel Farm Dubai
If you want something calm and close to the animals, the Camel Farm Dubai is about 30 to 40 minutes from the city. There are camels, rabbits, cows, goats, sheep, turtles and donkeys, with shaded areas to sit and washrooms. You need a car to get there, and an SUV is better, because the last stretch is sandy. We actually got stuck and had to push the car. They reply fast on WhatsApp for bookings, and a weekday visit is calm and not crowded.
Simple days count too
My motto is simple: if kids live there, we can visit. On our third trip we had already done the tourist spots, the desert safari, the boat ride, the souk and the Abu Dhabi mosque, so it was a chill visit to see family. We did the things we would do at home: the mall, groceries, the beach, the pool, restaurants and simple walks. We even did the Dubai Run as a family, which was more a walk. I made a list of tons of things to do, and the reality is that most of the time we wanted to do chill stuff. You can enjoy Dubai on a budget too.
Other ideas for the cool season are the Dubai Fountain show at the Burj Khalifa, a yacht afternoon in Dubai Marina, which we did as a family, and the Museum of the Future. If you want to book tickets ahead, you can look for Dubai tours and attractions on Viator.
When is the Dubai Shopping Festival 2026 to 2027?
The 32nd Dubai Shopping Festival runs from Friday 4 December 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027, according to the organisers, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment. That is 45 days of sales in the malls, concerts, shows and events around the city. If you travel in December, you will be there for it. My tip is to download the Dubai Mall app before you go, because the mall is huge and it helps a lot to plan your visit. The Entertainer app also has deals on dining and activities.
New Year’s Eve in Dubai with kids
New Year’s Eve in Dubai means the fireworks at the Burj Khalifa, and it is one of the busiest nights of the year. The Thursday 31 December 2026 plans are not out yet, so here is what happened last year. Downtown Dubai had free viewing zones with screens, but entry was first come, first served, and the gates closed once they were full. Roads around Downtown closed and the metro ran longer hours. Families with young kids who wanted something easier went to Global Village, which has several countdowns through the evening for different time zones, or to Expo City Dubai, which had an earlier countdown and more open space. Check the official plans in December, and if you go to Downtown, arrive in the afternoon with snacks, water and layers for the kids.
Where to stay in Dubai with kids
We stayed in the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) neighbourhood, and everything we needed was within walking distance: the beach, restaurants and shops. It is very family friendly. The only downside is that it is extremely busy, and in December it will be even busier.
The family friendly areas I recommend are JBR, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Al Barsha near the Mall of the Emirates, and Downtown near the Burj Khalifa. Choose a hotel if you want full service and daily housekeeping, or an apartment if you want a kitchen and more space for the kids. Read the reviews on Google and TripAdvisor before you book. Atlantis The Palm is the luxury choice, with the Aquaventure waterpark next door.
You can search Dubai hotels and apartments on Booking.com or compare Dubai hotels on Hotels.com. For December, book early, because the best family rooms go first.
Getting around Dubai with kids: metro, taxi and apps
The Dubai Metro is one of the cleanest transit systems I have seen. There are cabins only for women and children, and a Gold Class cabin with a Gold card or ticket. You pay with a Nol card, and the RTA app shows the routes and schedules. The metro is great for Downtown, the Dubai Mall, the souks in Deira and Expo City.
For taxis, I use Careem, which is my favourite all-in-one app and generally cheaper than Uber in Dubai. It also does grocery delivery, and once it delivered groceries to our door at 3:15 AM after ordering at 3 AM. Talabat is the app for food delivery. For the Camel Farm, the desert and Abu Dhabi, a car or a booked driver is easier.
From the airport, you can book an airport transfer with Kiwitaxi, so a driver is waiting when you land. For maps and taxi apps from the moment you arrive, you can get an Airalo eSIM for the UAE before the trip.
A day trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, is about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes from Dubai by car, and it is an easy day trip in December. We visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque as a family. There is no entrance fee and there is parking. Women need a modest outfit or an abaya and a headscarf, and everyone needs shoulders and knees covered. Children are welcome but must stay close, and we used our Babyzen Yoyo stroller because there is a lot of walking. Check the visiting hours and prayer times before you go, and wear comfortable shoes.
If you have more time, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan palace, Ferrari World, Warner Bros World and Yas Waterworld are all in my Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary. Abu Dhabi also has its own airport, and Zayed International Airport is clean and bright, with family check-in counters. If you are combining cities or countries on one trip, here are my multi-destination travel with kids tips.
Flying to Dubai with kids
We have flown to Dubai with Emirates, including from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), and back from Dubai to Toronto. The crew gave the kids toys and goodies, the entertainment was good, and they checked our car seat and stroller at no extra cost. I share how I compare airlines in choosing an airline for a family trip, and for the long flight, read how kids sleep on a plane in economy and my tips for jet lag with kids.
At Dubai International Airport (DXB), we once used the Marhaba arrival service, because I was travelling alone with the kids and a lot of luggage. They met us at the plane, took us through immigration with golf carts and helped with the bags. The terminal also has free strollers for travellers. If you are flying alone with your kids too, here is how to travel alone with your kids, and here is how we use airport lounges with kids.
What I pack for trips like this
The things I actually use are in my Amazon store: my packing essentials list and my electronic must-haves for travel list.
If you are planning Dubai in December, my pre-travel checklist is the list I run before every trip, and it is free. You can get it here.
Planning Dubai with your kids this winter? Send me a message on Instagram and tell me when you are going.