10 things to do in Dubai in January

January is the most special month of the year to go to Dubai. It is the best time to visit this city and, in addition, a series of very special events are held for the city that are a great attraction for residents and visitors.

María Cano

María Cano

10 min read

10 things to do in Dubai in January

Sunset Dubai | © Emma Harrisova

Undoubtedly the best month to visit Dubai is January, when the most moderate temperatures are recorded. In addition, there are a number of events such as the famous Dubai Shopping Festival, as well as other internationally recognized sporting events such as the Dubai Marathon, the Dubai desert classic golf tournament, or the Dubai World Cup Carnival, a well-known event among horse lovers.

1. Visit Dubai's beaches in January

People enjoying the beach in Dubai| ©Keith Parker
People enjoying the beach in Dubai| ©Keith Parker

Although in principle everyone may think that in January there is no ideal sun and beach destination, nothing could be further from the truth, Dubai is a perfect destination at this time of the year, as temperatures in these days are between 22 and 25 ° C so you can enjoy a wonderful day with warm temperatures without getting scorched. In contrast, in summer the temperatures are very high, the sun is scorching and burns a lot. In addition, the sea water in January is still at an ideal temperature for swimming.

These are some of the activities you can do on the beaches of Dubai in January:

  • Scuba diving in Fujairah: you can enjoy the beautiful waters of Fujairah, as well as its marine fauna and flora accompanied by an expert instructor.
  • Snorkeling in Fujairah: if you do not have a diving license, but you do not want to miss the seabed, you can opt for a snorkeling activity in one of the most wonderful coasts of Dubai.
  • Yacht trip: one of the best ways to enjoy the coast of Dubai is aboard a yacht, from where you will have spectacular views. In addition, you can also jump into the water during the tour to observe the seabed at the same time.
  • Traditional sailboat ride: if you prefer something quieter, you can cruise the coast on a night sailboat while enjoying a nice dinner by moonlight.

Book a jet ski ride on Dubai's beaches

2. Climbing the Burj Khalifa in January

Burj Khalifa observation deck area| ©Ilya Varlamov
Burj Khalifa observation deck area| ©Ilya Varlamov

The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and a must-do if you travel to this dream city. This impressive building was inaugurated on January 4, 2010, so if your trip coincides with the month of January you will have the opportunity to go up coinciding with its anniversary and it is always an extra plus, because as in all key dates there can always be some advantage or special event compared to other days of the year. Do not hesitate! Celebrate the birthday of this building by buying tickets for the Burj Khalifa.

Buy tickets for the Burj Khalifa

3. Atlantis Aquaventure in the New Year

Exterior of the Atlantis Aquaventure| ©Yoann Lyon
Exterior of the Atlantis Aquaventure| ©Yoann Lyon

It's always a good time to go to Atlantis Aquaventure, the world's largest water park with multiple slides and attractions for both adults and children. Also, if your trip coincides with New Year's Eve, keep in mind that this amusement park celebrates the beginning of the year in a very special way with a unique and special entertainment and gastronomic experience for the occasion. In addition, you will have the opportunity to see a concert or show starring a major international artist. Every year they outdo themselves in this regard.

They do not really have a specific plan, but the offer of activities is very wide and for all kinds of tastes. In addition, there is always a celebration for the little ones of the house.

Buy tickets for Atlantis Aquadventure

4. Dubai Shopping Festival

Shopping Women| ©Arina Krasnikova
Shopping Women| ©Arina Krasnikova

Dubai Shopping Festival or Dubai Shopping Festival takes place in the month of January and is a festival that attracts millions of visitors every year. Known under the acronym DSF, it offers multiple discounts and promotions of up to more than 70% on top brands, luxury goods and products of any category, becoming an attraction for shopping lovers.

This festival, which is spread throughout the city's shopping malls, stores and souks, offers various entertainment activities. One of its main attractions are the raffles where participants can win from large cash prizes to vehicles or all kinds of luxury items.

A festival that is worth visiting and that transforms the city with numerous shows, as well as fireworks. In addition, there are several tours that make tours within the framework of Dubai Shopping Festival, so that those who are not from the city can learn all the details and receive guidance and advice on the best prices. If you decide to go at this time of the year and immerse yourself in this festival, I advise you to read the post Dubai neighborhoods you have to know to see where some of the main souks of the city are located.

Book a tour of Dubai

5. Dubai desert classic

Participating in the Dubai desert classic| ©Suavemente77
Participating in the Dubai desert classic| ©Suavemente77

There is a sporting event of great relevance in the month of January, Dubai desert classic, a golf competition of great international recognition and prestige that has been held since 1989 and usually coincides with the last week of January.

Dubai desert classic puts an end to Gulf Swing, the Middle East golf season that is characterized by other events of great relevance such as the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and the Qatar Masters. Even so, the most recognized event is this tournament held in Dubai at the end of January.

If you like golf, you can't miss the Blacklight Minigolf 3D experience, an 18-hole 3D minigolf park where you will spend an unforgettable day with your family.

Book tickets for Blacklight Minigolf 3D in Dubai

6. Dubai Marathon

Participating in the Dubai Marathon| ©ercallimages
Participating in the Dubai Marathon| ©ercallimages

Another of the specific activities of the month of January is the Dubai Marathon. This competition that began in 2000 has thousands of runners and sponsors every year, so whether you are a lover of this sport or not, and your visit coincides with the month do not hesitate to see the date on which this meeting is held. It is a spectacle worth enjoying.

And if you wonder why it is held in this month. The answer is clear: January is the month with the lowest temperatures(22 - 24 ºC). It is a magnificent average for the celebration of this event in which at another time of the year would not be advisable because of the high temperatures in the city.

Traveler's tip

If you visit Dubai in January I recommend that you take a tour to visit Dubai Shopping Festival and know in detail the ins and outs of this internationally recognized shopping festival.

7. Welcoming the New Year in Dubai

Fireworks in Dubai| ©Ken Liew
Fireworks in Dubai| ©Ken Liew

Another of the most spectacular events in Dubai is the entry of the new year. If your trip coincides with the first day of the year, the city celebrates this holiday in style with numerous fireworks and multiple events throughout the city, plus the glamor and luxury take over Dubai on this special night.

It is a day in which there are various shows of international artists in different parts of the city and the beaches are filled with music and dance. A magical night that Dubai celebrates in style. So, if you have the opportunity to visit the city on this date, do not hesitate, fun is guaranteed!

And if you are in Dubai in the New Year, be sure to read the post Dubai at Christmas in case you have time to enjoy some of the activities created particularly for this time of year.

8. Enjoy the Three Wise Men in Dubai

Enjoying the Three Wise Men Parade in Dubai| ©ElCorreodelGolfo
Enjoying the Three Wise Men Parade in Dubai| ©ElCorreodelGolfo

Would you have ever imagined enjoying the Three Wise Men in the middle of Dubai? Well, I can confirm that it is possible. The Three Wise Men Parade was created by the association Espanarab and celebrates this special moment, as in our country, on January 5. Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar also have a particularity with respect to this celebration in our country and is that they arrive on camels. How else could they arrive?

A meeting in which there is no shortage of gifts and typical products of the occasion and attended by hundreds of people. In addition, during these days and on the occasion of this celebration, other types of events such as Christmas movies, snacks and special meals in tapas houses or Spanish restaurants and you can even enjoy the delicious roscón de reyes.

For this, one option is La Despensa, a store with Spanish products that celebrates Christmas in style, selling various typical products for the occasion. So, if you are considering not going to Dubai coinciding with the Three Wise Men vacations because they may skip your house, do not worry, they will not overlook it.

9. Going to Dubai Mall in January

Dubai Mall| ©mostafa meraji
Dubai Mall| ©mostafa meraji

Going to Dubai Mall is one of the visits that will leave you speechless on your trip. It is the largest mall in the world and has more than a thousand establishments, both large luxury brands and more modest brands. All the brands you can imagine are there. Well, although you can visit this mall throughout the year, January offers a number of advantages. On the one hand, the first days of the month you can still enjoy the remnants of Christmas and New Year, whose decoration is always a plus for the visit.

And, in addition, throughout the month of January Dubai Shopping Festival takes place, the shopping festival that we told you about before and that you can also enjoy in this Mall.

10. Dubai World Cup Carnival

At the Dubai World Cup Carnival| ©Land Rover MENA
At the Dubai World Cup Carnival| ©Land Rover MENA

Another of the great passions of the Arab world are horses, being the races a social event. Held since 1996, the Dubai World Cup Carnival takes place at an impressive racecourse, Meydan. It doesn't actually take place entirely in January, but rather opens in January and runs through March. Two months of horseracing for lovers of the sport.

In addition, each of the days of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, there is a pop star concert, fireworks show or similar event. So those who are not so interested in the world of horses will also enjoy this event in style. Undoubtedly, a key date for the calendar of this city.

Dubai's temperature in January

Sunny Beach Day in Dubai| ©Ethan Wilkinson
Sunny Beach Day in Dubai| ©Ethan Wilkinson

The temperature in Dubai in January is excellent for sightseeing, making it one of the best times to travel to Dubai. The minimum temperature is between 13 and 15 º C and the maximum at 23 - 24 º C and an average of 8 hours of sunshine a day.

Regarding rainfall, it rains an average of one day a month, but this is more common from November to March. Precisely because of this climate, it will be enough to wear a sweatshirt or jacket and you can comfortably enjoy this city in winter. In fact, don't forget to bring sunscreen.

Of course, you have to keep in mind that January is one of the worst months to make a trip to the desert of Dubai, because it is common to have sandstorms and they are very uncomfortable when making this visit. But don't worry, you have already seen that there are many things to do in this month in the city, and if you want more inspiration I encourage you to see these 16 things to do in Dubai.

Dubai's tourist influx in January

Tourists Enjoying the Fountain Show in Dubai| ©Lucsaflex
Tourists Enjoying the Fountain Show in Dubai| ©Lucsaflex

The month of January in Dubai is the peak season for tourism. It is the month that receives the largest number of visitors, since the arid climate that characterizes the country and its large number of hours of sunshine, the visit is more appropriate in this month than in the rest of the year unlike in most destinations.

In addition, in the first days of January you can still enjoy the New Year and the last remnants of Christmas and, in addition, in the second half of January takes place Dubai Shopping Festival, the Dubai Shopping Festival, a festival with great discounts that brings to the city to millions of tourists.

January festivities in Dubai

Calendar| ©Olya Kobruseva
Calendar| ©Olya Kobruseva

It is very important that you have clear the days marked in red on the calendar in your visit to any place. And, specifically, in Dubai the only holiday of the month is January 1, coinciding with the Christian New Year. So keep in mind that on this day the opening hours of the main attractions may be different from the rest of the year or you may even find certain venues closed.

Dubai prices in January

Checking Prices| ©Karolina Grabowska
Checking Prices| ©Karolina Grabowska

Prices in Dubai in January can be analyzed from two points of view. On the one hand, in terms of flight and stay are one of the most expensive months of the year because it is high season. On the other hand, in terms of shopping is the cheapest month of the year because it coincides with Dubai Shopping Festival and is when you can find the biggest discounts and promotions on your purchases.

What to bring in your suitcase to visit Dubai in January

Packing your suitcase| ©Vlada Karpovich
Packing your suitcase| ©Vlada Karpovich

When preparing your suitcase to go to Dubai in January, it is ideal to include a sweatshirt, jacket, cardigan, sweater or similar, because although the maximum temperatures are approximately 22 - 24 ° C, the minimum is around 15 ° C and it is convenient to bring something to keep warm at night because it cools. Still, read the post how to dress in Dubai and know all the details of how you should dress on your trip.