Dubai In December 2024: 5 Best Things You Can’t Miss

Located in the Northern Desert Belt, Dubai is similar to a tropical desert. With extremely hot temperatures and minimal rainfall, the city often exceeds 40 Degree Celsius.

However, over the years, the land of opportunities has witnessed some visible evolution that turned it into a thriving metropolis. The place, which was once filled with dunes, is now renowned for its modern architecture, luxury shopping, and vibrant cultural scene.

Especially in December, Dubai is pure magic! Mesmerising and Heart-warming. Hence, we researched and brought together a list of the five best things you cannot afford to miss at the end of this year in the city of Gold.

Spend Your December in a Dubai Cultural Kaleidoscope!

December marks the point from which daylight hours gradually start diminishing, enveloping the region in long star-studded nights. Throughout the month, the sun sets in the range of 5:20 and 5:45 PM local time.

This unique setting, where the day ends early and evenings are extended, creates a serene situation. Both the locals and the tourists enjoy this charming festive season. Many even set alarms to enjoy sunset-related activities in the big city, such as skyline views from the Golden Rectangle (Dubai Frame) and the Hot Air Balloon experience.

There is a lot more that awaits you this December 2024 in Dubai. So, are you ready for the big reveal?

#1 – Sole DXB Cultural Fest

• Duration & Schedule: The annual event celebrating the region’s coolest lifestyle will be happening from the 8^th of December until the 10^th of December in 2024. The venue is the Dubai Design District, and the public will be able to enjoy live musical performances, DJ sets, talks, workshops, film screenings, brand activations, fashion drops, art fittings and competitive basketball tournaments.

• Popular Highlights: Hence, the fest will be a vibrant mix of music, fashion, art, and sports, which will make visiting Dubai the last month of the year, which is your best decision to date. With all these vintage markets, immersive art installations and dynamically appealing event line-ups, these two days are going to be unforgettable.

• Total Monetary Damage: With all this fun, they only charge you less than four hundred AEDs. Yes! The admission ticket starts at 395 AED, but for the weekend, passes are expensive at 695 AED. On the other hand, if you are a VIP and want additional benefits like stage front access and priority parking, then pay 795 AEDs, excluding food and merchandise.

#2 – Luxurious Getaway for Couples

• Duration and Schedule:  If you are a couple and are looking for a fine getaway from the hectic routine, then book a few nights in Dubai for December right now. Trust us. You will not regret a 7-10 day trip with your better half, exploring the city’s attractions. The ideal days are early to mid of the month so that you get a crowd-free romantic experience in the most amazing spots.

• Popular Highlights:  Being a couple, there are many places that you can visit and many activities to indulge in, but what can be more iconic than a romantic dinner and a cruise? You can fine dine at Ossiano Dubai at the Atlantis Resort and eat while gazing at the sea monsters or have fun at the private pool at Al Maha Desert Resort. Moreover, do not forget the Dhow Cruise on Dubai Creek.

• Total Monetary Damage:  The cost of a deluxe getaway for you and your spouse in the city of gold can be high depending on what level of luxury you desire. Dinner at Ossiano starts at 500 AED per person, while a private pool can range from 10,000 to 15,000 AED. The cruise, besides that, typically costs around two to three thousand AED per couple.

#3 – Festival of Retail Therapy

• Duration and Schedule: The great and much-awaited Dubai Shopping Festival – DSF will be running from 6 December 2024 to 12 January 2025. These are plentiful 38 days, which are enough to satisfy the shopaholic demon inside you. Therefore, you better start saving your money and experience the 30^th anniversary of DSF!

• Popular Highlights: When we speak of the DSF, a few things pop up in our minds. Irresistible shopping deals. Electrifying live concerts. A-list performers. Local and global brands. Exciting raffles, incredible prizes, captivating nightly fireworks and free-of-cost drone shows. You get to be a part of all this and much more madness if you visit Dubai in December.

• Total Monetary Damage: Now, the question is how much money you must keep in your purse to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We did the math so you do not have to, and the big number is a minimum of 20,000 AED for a memorable purchasing spree. This total cost includes travel, accommodation, dining, and entertainment expenses.

#4 – Gourmet Foodie Holiday

• Duration and Schedule: Here in Dubai, an élite foodie holiday awaits every bon vivant. You can come for a week’s stay and have ample time to explore the city’s diverse culinary division. However, the fun would increase two-fold if that week is somewhere in mid-December because of the lovely weather and festivities at their peak.
• Popular Highlights: As said, Emirates is a food lover’s heaven on Earth. Here, you will come across many Michelin-starred restaurants, celebrity chef experiences and unique dining venues. Hence, miss anything but the chance to witness all these fancy dine-ins like the one at Zuma, Boca and Sushi Samba. Moreover, you can also visit the culinary fests and limited-time exotic menus in the vicinity.

• Total Monetary Damage: Speaking of the monetary damage, the foodie holiday cost depends entirely on your choices. For example, fine dining at a top restaurant can range from one to three thousand Dirhams per meal, whereas, with the additional expenses, your trip expense can land somewhere around 25,000 AED.

#5 – Signature Spa Experience

• Duration and Schedule: Hectic work schedules and monotonous routines call for a retreat, which is why you deserve a vacation. You deserve to be in a place where you get some special treatment and generous time to unwind, relax and rejuvenate. So, book in advance now for at least a three-day hideout in the Dubai spa experience.

• Popular Highlights: The signature massages, aromatherapy treatment, and holistic wellness packages are all at your service in the city of Gold. Moreover, there are hotel-based spas that you can benefit from, like the ones at Park Hyatt, Armani Hotel, and Conrad Hotel. These lodging houses provide so many exclusive facilities that help you detoxify by stimulating your lymph nodes.

• Total Monetary Damage: As they say, the more sugar you add, the sweeter it gets. It means that if you want the overall experience to be enhanced, then you have to pay more. For example, a typical day at a high-end facility might cost you no less than 3,000 AED, but a more comprehensive service can make up to 15,000 Dirhams.

The Best Part – New Year’s Eve 2025

You will really be missing the best of times if you are in Dubai and skip the New Year’s Eve celebrations! The fireworks, the ambience, the night lights, the excitement and the electrifying atmosphere; everything seems like a dreamy affair.  

There is so much that you can do here because, during this time of the year, every corner of the land of opportunities is a party spot. You can go to Downtown Dubai and have a good time with 1 million plus people or rejoice in the coastal areas such as Jumeirah Beach or Dubai Marina.

There will also be tempting options like watching the dazzling and breathtaking Burj Khalifa fireworks and exploring the vibrant seashore sparkles. Furthermore, the city has a peculiar vibe and over a dozen places to enjoy, so picking one place to stay is going to be a tough choice.   

Thus, the experience you find here is incomparable, so if you can afford to spend the twelfth month in this pearl of the Gulf, then DO NOT think twice!

Tips to Keep in Mind for Year-end Dubai Trip…

• Make sure to book your flight, accommodation and attractions in advance because December is a peak tourist season in the city of Gold.
• Pack all your modest clothes for a visit and pack some water bottles with you, too, for constant hydration.
• Plan outdoor activities like desert safaris, beach days, shopping sprees, etc., to avoid any end-moment mood spoilers.
• If you are up for some purchases, then stop at the Gold and Spice Souk for some exclusive experiences.
• You can also make your trip in the last ten days of December to enjoy New Year’s Eve in the tropical desert.
• Save money by utilising efficient public transport and carrying local currency at all times.
• One of the most important things is familiarising yourself with local customs and laws. Some might even consider learning Arabic phrases in case of unforeseen events.

Let’s Go!

Summing Up Everything For You…

Almost every person who has read this article so far is now eager to get his or her passport stamped and board the flight to Dubai in no time, but December is still 45 days away. Hence, this is your sign to start planning efficiently. You have to make sure that the money you spend is worth the value you receive.  

Research about the places, make notes, devise a budget and make bookings in advance because, with every passing day, the chances of you finding a spot are reducing. In the last month of the year, everybody wants to escape his or her tedious routine for a getaway, so the sooner you plan, the better.

Start with the Sole DXB Cultural Fest that is due on the first weekend of December, followed by a desert escape. Then you can get busy with the shopping spree at the Dubai Shopping Festival while also enjoying the Food, Spa and New Year’s Eve.

This December, you can have a blast, too, so start today and witness the magical blend of culture and festivities!