13 Things to Do in Dubai in November

If you go to Dubai in November, take advantage of the good weather to get to know the city better and enjoy the amazing cultural and leisure events announced, you will have a great time!
13 Things to Do in Dubai in November

More about: 13 Things to Do in Dubai in November

Dubai is a true paradise in November; the wonderful weather will accompany you wherever you go, allowing you to fully enjoy the Fitness Fest, the Italian Opera, the exhibitions at the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Frame, as well as other exclusive November events like Dubai Watch Week.

That said, make sure your main goal is to explore this charming city, learn about its history, and make the most of the tours available—including cruises through Dubai Marina, desert safaris, and other incredible activities you can enjoy if you’re traveling during this time.

1. Open the Burj Khalifa art exhibition

Entrance to the Burj Khalifa| ©Jose Jaf
Entrance to the Burj Khalifa| ©Jose Jaf

Although the Dubai art exhibition inside the Burj Khalifa usually runs through February, it begins in November. This means that if you’re lucky enough to be in this dream city during the penultimate month of the year, you’ll get to experience the opening of one of the world’s most important art events. It’s impossible to describe the sheer number of artworks you’ll find there! And best of all! Right in the world’s tallest building itself. Trust me! From up high, everything has a special feel to it.

Plus, many of the exhibitions taking place in November at the Burj Khalifa will offer free admission—all to encourage interest in art in this magical city of the United Arab Emirates. Interesting, isn’t it?

Buy tickets to the Burj Khalifa (floors 124 and 125)

2. Dubai Frame awaits you in November

Exterior view of the Dubai Frame| ©Ashwin Kumar
Exterior view of the Dubai Frame| ©Ashwin Kumar

November is a very artistic month in Dubai, so a visit to this incredible and innovative museum is a must, as exploring the city, its history, and its culture isvery popular in Dubaiduring November and December. If you buy tickets for the Dubai Frame Museum, you should know that the price is usually around 15 euros; however, if you visit in November, you can get in with a discount of up to 80%.

This giant frame-shaped museum aims to show us two completely different sides of Dubai. On one side, you can see modern, luxurious Dubai, and on the other, you can glimpse the old city—or, rather, the origins of Dubai. Not only that, but you’ll also be able to enjoy multiple audiovisual exhibitions that aim to show you the past, present, and future of this iconic city.

Being lucky enough to view the entire city from a decent height and from two totally different perspectives will give you a sense of its rapid yet remarkable history. Plus, if you’re left wanting more and want to see every corner up close, tours of Dubai can help you get a complete picture of the city and its culture.

Book tickets to the Dubai Frame

3. Get up close to the underwater world at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Visiting the Dubai Aquarium| ©Franklin Heijnen
Visiting the Dubai Aquarium| ©Franklin Heijnen

While the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is an unparalleled destination you can easily visit at other times of the year, the fact is that, given its capacity, November is the month when you’ll have the most freedom to explore this incredible site without having to stand on tiptoes or wait for others to move so you can see what caught your eye.

Imagine having the freedom to observe and get up close to more than 140 species of aquatic animals —over 400 sharks! I don’t know about you, but I could stay there for the rest of my life.

Book tickets for the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

4. Guided tour of the Jumeirah Mosque

Exterior of the Jumeirah Mosque| ©Laurent Gass
Exterior of the Jumeirah Mosque| ©Laurent Gass

One of the best ways to visit the Jumeirah Mosque is by booking a tour of Dubai, and the best time of year is undoubtedly November, as it’s a less religious month, so you can admire every detail of this architectural marvel without the crowds, as well as learn more about the fundamentals and interesting facts of Islam. That said, if possible, try to arrive before 10 a.m., as guided tours are only available on Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings, and last for an hour and a half. If you’re interested in delving deeper into Arab culture, I recommend traveling to Abu Dhabi from Dubai

Important! Men are not allowed to enter in shorts, and women should wear a scarf to cover their hair if they wish to go inside.

Book a guided tour of old and modern Dubai

5. Don’t miss the Fitness Fest in November in Dubai

Getting ready to work out| ©JESHOOTS.com
Getting ready to work out| ©JESHOOTS.com

If you love the athletic and healthy lifestyle, you can’t miss the Fitness Fest. It’s an annual event held in early November at the Skydive Dubai club, and it ’s full of surprises! Of course, to enjoy all the activities offered completely free of charge, you must register on one of the officialfitness websitesorganizing the event.

It usually takes place over two consecutive days packed with outdoor sports competitions and massive shows, attended by prominent figures and big celebrities. Not only that, but there are also completely free seminars and classes offered by leading experts in the worlds of sports and nutrition to help guide you toward a healthy and sustainable lifestyle . What a way to make the most of your trip!

It doesn’t end there! You’ll also have access to the Healthy Cooking Theater, where chefs and nutritionists will team up to teach you how to prepare tasty and healthy dishes. Isn’t that amazing?

Guided tour of Dubai with street food

6. Don’t miss the big day of Italian opera in Dubai

At the Centerpoint Theatre, where the opera takes place| ©DUCTAC
At the Centerpoint Theatre, where the opera takes place| ©DUCTAC

If you dream of a magical evening in Dubai, you can start looking for tickets now for this incredible annual event held in November at the Centerpoint Theatre, a venue that lives up to expectations.

If attending an opera concert gives you goosebumps, I can’t even imagine what it would be like to attend this incredible annual event, which features leading figures of Italian opera. Plus, the venue is a true luxury for glamour lovers, where you can even see and meet leading figures from the worlds of art and music.

Book a tour of Dubai

7. Don’t forget to stop by the Speciality Food Festival

World Trade Center in Dubai| ©Imre Solt
World Trade Center in Dubai| ©Imre Solt

The Specialty Food Festival is a three-day event held at the Dubai World Trade Center. There’s no admission fee to attend, but you must email the organizers via the official SFF website to confirm your attendance.

I’m sure you’ll be amazed by the variety of dishes created with exotic and artisanal ingredients; the experimentation and innovation you’ll witness are truly commendable. That said, as the saying goes, all that glitters is not gold; since it’s a free event, it tends to draw huge crowds, so your experience might be affected by the limited capacity. To avoid this, I recommend arriving as early as possible and familiarizing yourself with how to get around Dubai toprevent any setbacks.

Book a private food tour of Dubai

8. Take a desert safari excursion

Dubai Desert| ©trec_lit
Dubai Desert| ©trec_lit

November is an ideal month, thanks to its mild temperatures, to visit one of the country’s major attractions: its desert. But how would you like to not only walk through the dunes but also ride a camel, go sandboarding, have a falconry experience, and top it all off with a wonderful dinner?

By booking this desert safari tour, you’ll be signing up for a full day packed with excitement during your vacation in Dubai. The Al Khayma camp offers a day filled with all these activities—approximately 7 hours of fun that includes refreshments and a traditional Bedouin dinner to sample the local cuisine. Are you in?

Book your desert safari tour through the dunes

9. Try a hot air balloon ride at a magical hour

Hot Air Balloon Ride| ©Kat
Hot Air Balloon Ride| ©Kat

They say one of the things you must do in life before you die is take a hot air balloon ride. Well, this could be the perfect opportunity, as booking this sunrise hot air balloon flight will let you see Dubai from a very different perspective and at a magical time—sunrise!

Throughout the tour, you’ll be accompanied by an expert guide and pilot who will take you up in a hot air balloon to an altitude of between 600 and 1,200 meters. An unforgettable experience you can enjoy as a couple, with your family... it’s suitable for everyone, and you’re sure not to regret it.

Book your sunrise hot air balloon ride

10. Take a cruise on a luxury mega-yacht

Dubai Yacht| ©Luis Pérez Contreras
Dubai Yacht| ©Luis Pérez Contreras

If there’s one thing that catches our attention about Dubai, it’s the economy that drives the country and the opulence of the city and its residents. We’re used to seeing luxury yachts docked in its harbor, but have you ever considered the possibility of sailing on one during your trip? If you’re feeling indulgent, know that you can treat yourself by booking a mega-yacht cruise with dinner in Dubai..

You’ll sail aboard one of the most spectacular and glamorous megayachts in the area on a cruise lasting approximately 3 hours, during which you can dine by choosing your menu from the live cooking stations—watching the chefs prepare the dishes—while enjoying the nighttime views and the illuminated city of Dubai.

Book your megayacht cruise

11. Keep an eye out for Dubai Watch Week

Watches for sale| ©Salvador Escalante
Watches for sale| ©Salvador Escalante

If you’re thinking about buying a quality watch and aren’t sure when or where to go, let me clear that up for you in a single sentence: Head to Dubai Watch Week! While the event may seem like it’s weekly, it actually runs throughout the last half of November. And yes, you can attend completely free of charge at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

It’s not just an event where luxury watches are sold; they’re displayed as if they were works of art. The truth is, the idea of carrying a one-of-a-kind item everywhere you go—one that also tells you the time—is simply priceless.

What’s more, if for any reason the DIFC isn’t nearby, don’t give up hope—the Dubai Mall will also be hosting Watch Week. Plus, not everything is out of reach; there’s such a wide variety and range of options that you can take home an exclusive watch without sacrificing your financial well-being.

12. Hop on the best rides at IMG Worlds of Adventure

At IMG Worlds of Adventure| ©OneTwoTrip Travel Expert
At IMG Worlds of Adventure| ©OneTwoTrip Travel Expert

If you’re a fan of adrenaline and intense thrills and happen to be in Dubai in November, IMG Worlds of Adventure should be your first stop, as it’s the world’s largest indoor theme park. While it’s open at other times of the year, November offers the biggest discounts, as it coincides with the Marvel Comics and Figures Boom! Plus, in November, it’s open every day, without exception.

In this massive theme park designed for both kids and adults, you’ll find attractions based on popular cartoon characters, Marvel superheroes, and dinosaurs; roller coasters; haunted houses; and other thrill-packed rides.

13. Don’t miss Dubai Design Week

Creating a Design| ©Andrea Piacquadio
Creating a Design| ©Andrea Piacquadio

Dubai Design Week is held in mid-November in the Dubai Design District, and it is nothing less than the most important annual creative festival in the Middle East. Luckily for you, the event is completely free; so now you know what to do in Dubai in the middle of the month.

The event not only covers the textile sector but also makes room for art and architecture . Wow! An event to please everyone. Plus, there will be exhibitions, exciting activities, talks, workshops, and other surprises.

Best of all, within this event there are two sub-events that enjoy great popularity: the Grad Show and Abwab.

  • Grad Show: This mini-event showcases the 100 best ideas designed by college students, all with the aim of giving young people a voice and an opportunity.
  • Abwab: Abwab is a pavilion showcasing the most acclaimed works of art from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. An event you should attend if you love art.

Temperatures in Dubai in November

Dubai Marina| ©Enrico Strocchi
Dubai Marina| ©Enrico Strocchi

November, along with December and January in Dubai, is one of the best months to visit Dubai. With an average high of 31°C and an average low of 18°C, you won’t have anything to complain about!

Still, I always recommend checking official weather websites to make sure exceptions don’t ruin your day. What’s more, it rarely rains in November, and the sun shines for an average of 10 hours. A real treat, isn’t it?

Why travel to Dubai in November?

An average temperature of 25 degrees and hardly any rain are among the major advantages of traveling to Dubai during this time of year. Plus, the water usually stays warm enough to enjoy boat cruises along the Dubai Marina or even take a dip at the crystal-clear beaches along the coast.

Another advantage is the discounts on cultural activities, making it possible for you to visit museums and attend artistic and musical events without breaking the bank.

Prices in November in Dubai

Making a Reservation| ©Christina Morillo
Making a Reservation| ©Christina Morillo

November, while a pleasant month in terms of weather, is actually quite affordable compared to other months of the year when the high number of tourists drives up the cost of living due to supply and demand. That said, be sure to book in advance, as flight and hotel prices tend to rise toward the end of November.

While November isn’t the best month for discounts in Dubai—unless you’re into cultural activities (for which significant deals are often available)—that doesn’t mean you can’t find the occasional bargain.

What to Pack for Dubai in November

Packing| ©Monstera
Packing| ©Monstera

Although November is a month with fairly pleasant average temperatures, it’s common to experience heat and cold spikes, as we mustn’t forget that Dubai is located in a desert region. For this reason, it’s best to wear summer or spring clothing in the morning and afternoon, and bundle up a bit more as darkness begins to fall.

In any case, due to the country’s dominant religion, you must adhere to certain dress codes. I recommend reading this post on how to dress in Dubai for more information.

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