United Arab Emirates in December

Peak season; National Day 2–3 Dec and New Year's Eve fill hotels at the year's highest prices.

No other month rates higher than December for United Arab Emirates in this guide.

• Gulf coast · Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah townbest weather

  November to March runs 20–30 °C (68–86 °F); June to September sits at 40–46 °C (104–115 °F) with humidity that makes nights sticky; shamal winds bring dust in spring and early summer.November to March runs 68–86 °F (20–30 °C); June to September sits at 104–115 °F (40–46 °C) with humidity that makes nights sticky; shamal winds bring dust in spring and early summer.

• Hajar mountains · Hatta, Jebel Jais, Wadi Shawkabest weather

  Jebel Jais summit is 8–10 °C (14–18 °F) cooler than the coast and can drop near freezing on winter nights; wadis flood after rare storms.Jebel Jais summit is 14–18 °F (8–10 °C) cooler than the coast and can drop near freezing on winter nights; wadis flood after rare storms.

• Inland desert · Al Ain, Liwa, Al Wathba, Sweihanbest weather

  Drier heat, often above 48 °C (118 °F) in July and August; Sweihan has recorded above 50 °C (122 °F). Winter nights in the dunes are cold.Drier heat, often above 118 °F (48 °C) in July and August; Sweihan has recorded above 122 °F (50 °C). Winter nights in the dunes are cold.

• East coast · Fujairah, Khor Fakkan, Dibbabest weather

  Gulf of Oman side: slightly cooler sea breezes, but July–August humidity is extreme; calm water for snorkelling Oct–May.

• Abu Dhabi: Coast (Abu Dhabi city, Yas, Ruwais) · Gulf shorelinebest weather

  Humid in summer; sea breeze keeps evenings bearable. Winter days sit around 24–28 °C (75–82 °F).Humid in summer; sea breeze keeps evenings bearable. Winter days sit around 75–82 °F (24–28 °C).

• Abu Dhabi: Interior (Al Ain, Liwa) · Oasis and Empty Quarterbest weather

  Drier and hotter than the coast; desert nights in Dec–Feb can drop near 10 °C (50 °F), so pack a layer for dune camps.Drier and hotter than the coast; desert nights in Dec–Feb can drop near 50 °F (10 °C), so pack a layer for dune camps.

• Sharjah: Sharjah city and the Gulf coast · main block bordering Dubaibest weather

  November to March is the walking season; May to September is 38–45 °C (100–113 °F) with high humidity, so museums and malls are the daytime plan.November to March is the walking season; May to September is 100–113 °F (38–45 °C) with high humidity, so museums and malls are the daytime plan.

• Sharjah: Khor Fakkan and Kalba · Gulf of Oman exclavesbest weather

  Slightly cooler and breezier than the Gulf coast, but the same summer heat; the east coast is the better beach choice in shoulder months.

• Dubai26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 2 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 2 rain days
• Ajman25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 1 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 1 rain days
• Dibba27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 2 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 2 rain days
• Fujairah24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 0 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 0 rain days
• Hatta26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 0 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 0 rain days
• Khor Fakkan26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 2 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 2 rain days
• Liwa Oasis26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 2 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 2 rain days
• Ruwais26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 1 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 1 rain days
• Umm al Quwain26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 2 rain days
• Yas Island26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 0 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 0 rain days
• Abu Dhabi26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 2 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 2 rain days
• Sharjah26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 2 rain days
• Al Ain26 °C (79 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 1 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 1 rain days
• Ras Al Khaimah26 °C (79 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 2 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 2 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Commemoration Day

  1 Dec

  Remembrance of those who died in service; flag ceremonies.

• National Day (Eid Al Etihad)

  2–3 Dec

  Parades, decorated cars, road closures and fireworks; long-weekend hotel peaks.

• Dubai Shopping Festival

  Mid-Dec – Jan (check)

  Sales, fireworks and concerts; malls packed in the evenings.

• Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

  Late Nov / early Dec (check)

  Abu Dhabi hotel prices triple on race weekend; Yas Island crowded.

• Dubai Fitness Challenge check

  About 30 days in Oct–Nov (check) · Dubai

  Free classes and events.

• UAE National Day check

  2–3 December · Dubai

  Public holiday, parades and fireworks.

• New Year's Eve at Downtown

  31 Dec · Dubai

  Roads and metro close around the Burj Khalifa; book a viewpoint or watch elsewhere.

Crowds · United Arab Emirates

High

Prices · United Arab Emirates

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in United Arab Emirates, side by side.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Gulf coast

  Best weather of the year (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah town)

• Hajar mountains

  Best weather of the year (Hatta, Jebel Jais, Wadi Shawka)

• Inland desert

  Best weather of the year (Al Ain, Liwa, Al Wathba, Sweihan)

• East coast

  Best weather of the year (Fujairah, Khor Fakkan, Dibba)

• Dubai

  Warm and clear; National Day and year-end crowds.

• Ajman

  Best months: Nov–Mar

• Dibba

  Best months: Oct–May

• Fujairah

  Best months: Oct–May

• Hatta

  Best months: Nov–Mar

• Khor Fakkan

  Best months: Oct–May

• Liwa Oasis

  Best months: Nov–Feb

• Ruwais

  Best months: Nov–Mar (cooler weather, comfortable for outdoor walks)