Dubai Summer Trip Checklist, Tips, & More

Dubai grew from a very humble beginning as a small pearling and fishing community to a modern-day tourist paradise. It's an exceptional city with iconic landmarks, surreal architectural brilliance, and unbelievable man-made wonders. Dubai offers a year-round variety of activities and attractions. Dubai in the summer (June to August) can be an amazing experience, with surprising perks and fascinating upsides.

Dubai's Summer Weather: Overview

June–August

• Temperature: 26°C–43°C (79°F–109°F)
• Humidity: 52%–90% (highest in July–August)
• Rainfall: approximately 1mm
• Wind speed: 10 mph to 15 mph (16 kph to 24 kph)
• Daylight duration: 12.5 hours–13.5 hours
• Sea temperature: 28°C to 34°C (82°F to 93°F)

Reasons to Visit Dubai in the Summer

Dubai adventures in the summer offer a lot more than you can imagine. Though winter vacations are more pleasant and convenient, summer comes with greater affordability and impressive deals. It’s the perfect time of year for those who seek the optimal value for their money.

Fewer people, greater enjoyment

Most people plan their Dubai vacation during the winter, as they dislike the scorching heat in the summer. As a result, all of the top attractions and adventures are available to a select few, such as yourself. The fewer tourists, the greater the level of delight. Proper time scheduling (especially in the evenings) offers a similar experience to that of winter.

Must Read: 14 Most  Popular Tourist Attractions to Visit in Dubai

The best deals on summer sales

Most malls and supermarkets offer exceptionally good deals on their sales. It’s your opportunity to go on a shopping spree and save a fortune. Dubai’s exquisite malls, like The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai Festival City Mall, and Wafi City, open their doors for an incredibly affordable shopping experience during the summer. Purchase any item, from a local souvenir to designer brands, at incredible prices.

Exceptionally affordable accommodations

With the drop in the number of tourists in the summer, Dubai’s remarkable hotels and resorts offer their services at extremely affordable rates. It’s the best time of the year to experience the premium accommodations, amenities, and services in Dubai. Most of the best-rated resorts and hotels offer complementary amenities, services, and free upgrades to attract customers.

Discounted dining menus

Just like the hotels and resorts, most of Dubai’s eateries offer their specials (dishes) with hefty discounts. Dubai’s renowned restaurants as well as local diners offer discounted prices on their menus during the summer. So, it is a good time to try out your favorite cuisines in Dubai’s top-tier restaurants. The food and services in Dubai in the summer are significantly cheaper than in the winter. Plus, the quality of the food remains the same throughout the year.

Things to do in the summer

Dubai offers many activities and attractions to enjoy on a sunny day. You can either attend an event and become a part of an incredible learning experience or beat the heat in the water parks. Shopping in magnificent malls, swimming and basking on the beaches, exploring the astounding theme parks, or enjoying indoor sports—pick anything you desire. The possibilities are truly never-ending in Dubai.

Top Events to Attend

Dubai will be hosting several events throughout the summer. You can attend the ones that match your preferences. It can be a good day out, with a good opportunity to learn and experience new things in Dubai. These events await your presence in the summer of 2024.

Exhibition: Gold and Treasures: 3000 Years of Chinese Ornaments

Venue: L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts

Date: April-August

It’s a celebration of the inauguration of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, in the Middle East region. You get to witness amazing traditional and modern masterpieces from one of Hong Kong’s top art collections.

Dubai Summer Surprises

Venue: Citywide

Date: 28 June–1 September

Make the most of Dubai's summer extravaganza by embarking on a shopping spree across reputable malls. Enjoy the price drops on your favorite brands, collectibles, furniture, souvenirs, and everything else in the malls. Return home with memorable and affordable gifts.

La Perle by Dragone

Venue: La Perle

Date: May–July

Ticket price: from AED 125

It's going to be a remarkable experience for theater lovers. A masterpiece by Franco Dragone, the legendary director who created Macau's House of Dancing Water and Las Vegas's Le Reve, is bringing his first permanent show to Dubai. Experience unreal choreography and jaw-dropping stunts throughout the 1.5-hour show. Mark the dates for Tuesday to Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

French Montana at Earthsoul

Venue: Coca-Cola Arena

Date: 22 June

Ticket price: from AED 199 - AED 399

On June 22, enjoy a musical evening with many talented musicians, such as Mustafa Ceceli, Amanda Maalouf, December Avenue, and French Montana, at the Coca-Cola Arena. Doors to an unforgettable musical experience in Dubai will open at 7 p.m., so be there on time.

Apocalyptica live

Venue: The Agenda

Date: 13 September

Ticket price: from AED 299 - AED 599

This is yet another musical experience but with a different taste. A metallic genre experience with Apolyptica, a Finnish band, debuts in Dubai on September 13. The Agenda, an event venue, will be filled with metallic ambiance, making it ideal for heavy metal lovers.

Activities & Attractions

Events are temporary, unlike the attractions. You get to explore and experience Dubai’s top attractions throughout the year. Even in the summer, a wide range of activities featuring these destinations keep you occupied and entertained. These summer activities help you tackle the scorching heat while making the most of Dubai’s iconic landmarks.

Cool down at water parks

Water parks are the best way to spend your day in the summer. Dubai boasts several top-tier water parks that offer amazing water activities, exciting water slides, and mesmeric experiences. Wild Wadi Waterpark, Jumeirah, Adventure Waterpark, AquaFun Waterpark, and Laguna Waterpark are the chart toppers. Soak in the water and enjoy refreshing drinks to battle the heat.

Indoor sports and adventure

Explore Dubai’s popular attractions, the Dubai Dolphinarium, the Dubai Aquarium, and the Underwater Zoo, away from the sun. Enjoy activities like the mirror maze, illusion shows, dolphin shows, and even swimming with the dolphin in the Dolphinarium. Likewise, experience a wide variety of marine life through underwater tunnels in the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. On the other hand, enjoy the snow experience at Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates. Snowboard and ski downhill on thrilling man-made slopes. Enjoy other activities such as mountain thriller rides, chairlift rides, and snow tubing, and test your skills in the freestyle zone. Ice skating at the Dubai Ice Rink is another remarkable indoor sport that you can enjoy in the summer.

Relax & Sports on Dubai’s Beaches

Drive to the beach near you and enjoy several activities like surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and jet skiing. Swim in the sea, bask in the sun, and enjoy amazing sunsets at dusk. A panoramic view of the horizon and Dubai’s skyline in the summer is simply mesmerizing. Kite Beach, Palm West Beach, and JBR Beach are the top beaches in Dubai with exceptional activities and easy accessibility.

Explore theme parks

Theme parks are one of the ways to enjoy your vacation in Dubai in the summer. These parks offer several unbelievable creations based on specific movies, characters, cartoons, or Lego-made architecture. It’s especially designed for family adventures with children. Exploring Dubai’s popular theme parks like IMG Worlds of Adventure, Motiongate Dubai, and Legoland Dubai can be an amazing experience during your summer vacation in Dubai.

Packing Checklist for Dubai Adventure in Summer

The temperature in Dubai can reach up to 45°C during July and August. So, you should have a proper checklist of clothing and accessories for a seamless summer vacation in Dubai. If you match your packing list to the following, your Dubai adventure in the summer can become flawless.

Accessories: sunscreen, wet wipes, misting fan, cooling towels, sunglasses, hat, lip balm with SPF, moisturizer, etc.

Clothing: loose-fitting and lightweight clothes made of cotton, rayon, or linen. Light-colored clothes are better for summer weather. Pack clothes that are comfortable and airy. Carry scarves, shawls, and clothes that cover your shoulders and knees when visiting religious places. You should wear bikinis only on beaches. Pretty beach dresses are more preferable.

Footwear: sandals and flip-flops can be convenient options on the beaches and in swimming pools. Closed-toe shoes can be worn while traveling. But make sure they are comfortable.

Hydration: A reusable water bottle can come in handy. It’s better to carry water or juice you prefer than buy them from the vendors. You should keep yourself hydrated at all times in the summer.