01Weather
Dubai weather in December
Afternoons in December average 27.4 °C (81 °F) and nights cool to 19.5 °C (67 °F). The month brings about 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain spread over roughly 2 days. Compared with November it is 4.1 °C cooler; January is 2.2 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 30 °C / 86 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 25 °C / 77 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 17 °C / 63 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 3.2 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 6 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 32.3 °C / 14.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 06:47 | 17:29 | 10.7 h |
| 15 December | 06:56 | 17:32 | 10.6 h |
| 31 December | 07:04 | 17:40 | 10.6 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 6 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Dubai).
03Crowds
How busy Dubai is in December
very busy The main sights are very busy in December. What drives it:
- UAE National Day on 2 December
- Christmas and New Year
- year's highest rates
05Events
What's on in Dubai in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| UAE National Day | 2 December | national |
| New Year's Eve fireworks | 31 December, Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Dubai in December
- light, breathable clothing
- sun hat and sunscreen
- refillable water bottle
- something for heat: 3 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is peak season, with National Day on 2 December bringing a public holiday, parades and fireworks, Christmas lights in the malls, the Shopping Festival starting mid-month and the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah fireworks on New Year's Eve, when the city's hotels charge their highest rates of the year. Weather is sunny and mild, with afternoons around 26 °C and cool evenings. Rain falls on about two days.
Book early; the final week is the most expensive of the year, and the Burj Khalifa fireworks viewing areas fill by evening. Sea temperatures drop to about 24 °C. The Dubai Rugby Sevens fills a weekend at the start of the month. Desert nights are cold enough for a jacket. The first half of December, before the Shopping Festival and the Christmas arrivals, is the calmer window. January continues the peak with the festival in full swing; see January.
09Compare
Dubai month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25 °C | 17 °C | 1 | – | very busy | Good |
| February | 26 °C | 18 °C | 2 | – | very busy | Good |
| March | 30 °C | 21 °C | 1 | – | busy | Good |
| April | 34 °C | 25 °C | 1 | – | busy | Good |
| May | 39 °C | 28 °C | 0 | – | moderate | Good |
| June | 41 °C | 31 °C | 0 | – | quiet | Good |
| July | 42 °C | 34 °C | 0 | – | quiet | Good |
| August | 42 °C | 33 °C | 0 | – | quiet | Good |
| September | 40 °C | 31 °C | 0 | – | moderate | Good |
| October | 36 °C | 28 °C | 0 | – | busy | Good |
| November | 32 °C | 23 °C | 1 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| December | 27 °C | 20 °C | 2 | – | very busy | Good |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Dubai.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Budapest in December | 5 °C | 8 |
| Rome in December | 14 °C | 10 |
| Venice in December | 9 °C | 6 |
| Prague in December | 5 °C | 8 |
| Copenhagen in December | 6 °C | – |
| Bangkok in December | 33 °C | – |
11FAQ
Dubai in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Dubai?
December is a good month to visit Dubai. Daytime highs average 27 °C (81 °F), rain falls on about 2 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are very busy.
What is the weather like in Dubai in December?
Expect warm days around 27 °C (81 °F) and nights near 20 °C (67 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 30 °C, and one in ten stays below 25 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Dubai in December?
December brings about 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain over roughly 2 days, which is dry by Dubai standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 6 percent.
What should I wear in Dubai in December?
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun hat and sunscreen, refillable water bottle.
Is Dubai crowded in December?
The main sights are very busy in December. Main drivers: UAE National Day on 2 December; Christmas and New Year; year's highest rates.
What time does it get dark in Dubai in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 17:32 and rises at 06:56, giving 10.6 hours of daylight.