13 Things to Do in Dubai in October

One of the best times of year to visit Dubai is in the fall, and especially in October. The city of skyscrapers glows with a special light , and the temperatures—unlike the scorching summer heat—are quite pleasant (between 24°C and 35°C) for outdoor activities.

Discover, in this article, how to enjoy a unique experience during the month of October.

If you want to put the finishing touch on your trip to this magical city, I recommend booking an excursion with dinner and a show in the Dubai desert, since at this time of year you’ll enjoy the pleasant nighttime climate and can bid farewell to the city in style. Plus, you’ll be safe from the sandstorms that occur during other months of the year.

The adventure of sleeping in the Dubai desert usually includes a dinner full of local aromas and flavors, ending with an oriental-style show at a Bedouin camp under the starry night sky. You’ll see the sky clearer than ever! Is there a more romantic way to end your getaway?

There’s no better plan for October in Dubai than booking a dinner cruise, a time when the weather lets you fully enjoy this romantic experience.

On this approximately 1 hour and 30-minute tour aboard a luxurious boat, you’ll admire stunning panoramic views of the illuminated city and its main landmarks, such as the Arabian Tower and the Burj Al Arab, while enjoying a delicious buffet-style dinner featuring Arabic and international dishes, which includes a welcome drink.

And the unique and unbeatable highlight of your trip to Dubai in October is a hot-air balloon ride—an experience at an altitude of between 600 and 1,200 meters where you’ll be left speechless by the stunning skyscrapers along the coast.

This way, you’ll be able to admire the best panoramic views for between 40 and 70 minutes. Of course, if you decide to book this hot air balloon flight, keep in mind that the total duration is four hours, as it includes round-trip transportation to and from your hotel and a complimentary drink.

Additionally, you’ll be accompanied by a certified pilot who will guide you throughout the entire activity.

My favorite experience if you wake up to a hotter-than-usual day is to book a dolphin encounter at the Atlantis Water Park in Dubai. You’ll have the chance to swim alongside the dolphins and learn all about the habits and routines of these marine mammals. And if you’re a bit nervous, don’t worry—you’ll be accompanied by a professional guide at all times.

And don’t worry about the gear—they’ll provide you with a wetsuit and a life jacket before you get in the water.

Plus, this experience includes free access to Dubai’s impressive Aquaventure water park and discounts for the Lost Chambers Aquarium, so you can enjoy all its attractions and slides—over a hundred of them—like a kid. Start first thing in the morning and make the most of your day!

If you’re lucky enough to spend at least 4 days in the exotic city of Dubai, I suggest you set aside one of them to book a trip to Abu Dhabi, which is just an hour and a half away. October is one of the best months to visit because temperatures drop by 5 degrees (averaging around 30°C) and it’s a great time for sightseeing.

In this article, I explain in detail how to easily get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. In my case, I chose to take a guided tour to Abu Dhabi so I wouldn’t miss a thing.

What to see in Abu Dhabi?

• Sheikh Zayed Mosque, popularly known as the Grand Mosque, is white in color and one of the most beautiful and impressive temples you’ll ever see. A true architectural masterpiece.
• Louvre Abu Dhabi: a modern, futuristic building worth visiting, even if just from the outside. It reminded me, in a way, of the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia.
• Qasr Al Watan: this is the presidential palace of the United Arab Emirates. If you’re traveling to Abu Dhabi, you’re in luck because this gem recently opened its doors to the public, specifically in March 2019.
• Ferrari World: the only theme park dedicated to the famous Ferrari brand, located on Yas Island, an artificial island near the city. Perfect for speed lovers!

With apologies to the Americans, Halloween is one of the most exciting celebrations in the city. This holiday is celebrated in a big way on October 31 at Dubai’s hotels and shopping malls, which are decked out in traditional decorations such as pumpkins, witches, monsters, and skeletons so that locals and tourists alike can enjoy a terrifyingly fun day.

In late October, the IMG Worlds of Adventure theme park, where Marvel and Cartoon characters come to life, usually hosts a special Halloween event where visitors can experience a zombie apocalypse, get lost in the haunted maze, and have a spine-chilling time. Don’t hesitate to book a night bus tour of Dubai to kick off the evening and get a feel for how this holiday is celebrated in Dubai.

After enjoying your tickets to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper, do you think you’ve seen everything Dubai has to offer? I’m sure the Diwali Festival of Lights, celebrated in October or November in Dubai (depending on the year), will change your mind with its impressive displays throughout the city.

Dubai is one of the most cosmopolitan metropolises in the world. With a population of nearly 3 million Indians, this community represents the largest demographic group in the country. For this reason, the city enthusiastically celebrates Diwali, India’s festive season, a major event on the city’s calendar of activities. In fact, for Hindus, this festival is as revered as Christmas is for Christians.

Dance, music, and color throughout the metropolis

You can watch a light show in the main square. There will also be performances and dances next to Dubai’s famous fountains, which transform into a vast, colorful stage set to the rhythm of Indian music for the occasion. The day usually ends with fireworks at key locations throughout the city, including Bluewaters Island.

Camels are part of the culture and daily life of the Emirates, which is why it’s so common to book a camel ride in Dubai. These animals provide food, sustenance, transportation, and entertainment for the locals. One of the most deeply rooted traditions, still practiced today, is camel racing—a sport whose season begins in October.

Camels train year-round, follow a special diet, and undergo veterinary checkups, just like elite athletes. Races generally start early in the morning, around 7 a.m., and end around 8:30 a.m., when the sun gives the locals a break. Keep in mind that admission to this event is free and it takes place two or three days a week.

And if you’d like to be the star of the show yourself afterward, don’t hesitate to book a camel ride through the Al Marmoom Oasis.

Practical tips for watching the races

• Cameras are not allowed on the race tracks.
• You can buy refreshments inside.
• You cannot bet on the winning camels.
• If possible, don’t forget to pack a small pair of binoculars in your suitcase.

If you thought that Oktoberfest—that popular beer festival celebrated in Munich (Germany) since 1810 and which has spread to countries all over the world—hadn’t made it to Dubai, you were very, very wrong. Never doubt the power of barley!

In fact, the festival is one of the best ways for tourists to welcome autumn in the city of a thousand and one nights. Oktoberfest is celebrated every October at various hotels in Dubai, such as the “Sheraton Jumeirah, ” the “Grand Hyatt Hotel,” and the “JW Marriott.” Check out the schedule, and if you finally decide to go, don’t forget to raise a toast and shout… “Prost!”

Sausages, beer galore, and lots of fun

Before you go, you must learn rule number one: just like in Germany, here beer is ordered and served by the liter. Work up an appetite first! The Oktoberfest in the United Arab Emirates captures the spirit of the original event, but at 30 degrees. You’ll likely be able to enjoy your Paulaner while lounging in a deck chair at many hotels. Not a bad trade-off, is it?

Plus, the staff at the accommodations often dress up in one of the typical regional costumes. German food (sausages and pretzels) has also made its way to this city on the Persian Gulf for the festival. You’ll feel like a true Bavarian!

One of my favorite fall activities is observing the season’s colors in the parks. During this time, the Miracle Garden opens its doors and shines with a special beauty. And since everything in Dubai is a space filled with flowers… on a grand scale! The park is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records thanks, among other attractions, to the world’s largest flower clock and a recreation of one of its legendary airplanes.

In addition, it also offers daily parades and shows featuring its fantastic floral floats accompanied by live music and street dancers. Important tip! Although you can’t bring food into the park, there are more than 30 food and beverage stands, including restaurants, cafes, candy shops, and a tempting fresh fruit juice stand. Perfect for cooling off!

What to see at the Miracle Garden?

• Clock: This marvelous installation, measuring over 15 meters in diameter, is built with real flowers and plants, whose designs change with the seasons—a particularly notable feature in a country with such an arid climate.
• Emirates 380: Can you imagine flying on a plane designed with flowers? Well, even if you can’t actually fly on it, in the garden you can admire the Airbus A380 —a life-size replica of the Emirates A380, Dubai’s flagship airline—which has become the world’s largest floral installation, created using 500,000 fresh flowers. So fascinating!
• Smurf Village: This attraction is specially designed for children. Here you can explore a village filled with these blue characters crafted from floral arrangements. At night, they put on fun shows to liven up the evening.
• Lake Park: a super cute lake surrounded by little houses and boats covered in flowers, frogs made from shrubs, and flamingos (though they’re fake). It’s definitely worth a visit!

If you’re an avid traveler, you’ll probably love Global Village, a leisure destination that typically opens every year in late October and features recreations of over 40 countries, each aiming to introduce visitors to their culture through dances, traditional products, and crafts.

My favorite show, held in the heart of the theme park, was the fire-breathing dragon show, right next to it. On its banks, you’ll also find the iconic floating market, where you can sample cuisine from all over Asia while enjoying the performance. A perfect plan!

How did the idea come about?

The origins of this unique park date back to 1996 on the banks of Dubai Creek, where vendors set up small stalls selling traditional products from different countries. However, little remains of those humble beginnings, as the site has now grown into a massive park.

Watching migratory birds in their natural habitat is one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have in October during your trip to Dubai. In the wetlands, just a few meters from the bustling city of Dubai, lies the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary,
which is home to thousands of species.

What species can I spot?

Although the reserve is closed to protect the animals and the local ecosystem, you can access the bird observatories for free and capture with your camera the numerous pink flamingos that migrate each year in search of a better climate to shelter and find food.

Among the pink feathers, you can spot gray herons, cormorants, white storks, ospreys, and many other species. The reserve, consisting of 6 kilometers of wetlands, includes a series of salt flats, marshes, mangroves, and lagoons where the birds nest.

A more feasible and economical alternative to traditional safaris in Kenya or Tanzania is to visit Dubai Safari Park, which reopens in October after its summer closure due to high temperatures. Exploring the park can take four to five hours, and if you prefer, you can purchase the night pass that will make you feel like you’re in an Indiana Jones movie.

Dubai Safari Park, located in Al Warqa 5, is home to approximately 3,000 animals from all over the world. Its mission is environmental education, conservation, and animal welfare, and it consists of five key areas: African Village, Asian Village, the Arabian Desert, Explorer Village, and Adventure Valley.

There are two types of park admission:

• Visitors who purchase a general admission ticket can access all the villages in the park, except for one attraction, the Safari Journey—a 35- to 40-minute experience where you can see lions and giraffes up close from a vehicle, as if you were on the African savanna.
• Visitors who purchase a ticket for the Safari Journey will also have access to all the villages in the park.

Nuria’s Traveller Tip

One of the rules for entering the park is to cover your shoulders and knees. If you don’t comply with this dress code, you might be turned away.

You’re probably wondering what the best time to visit Dubai is in terms of temperatures so you can enjoy everything there is to see and do in Dubai. Specifically, in October, we can expect lows of 24°C and highs of around 35°C. You’ll be able to enjoy the nice weather without getting scorched like in July and August in Dubai. During this time, temperatures are up to 5 degrees cooler.

Based on my experience, I suggest you avoid the middle of the day and make the most of the mornings and afternoons. The good news is that it never rains this month, so forget about packing an umbrella—you won’t need it! That’s the way to go, right? In this article, I’ll give you some other practical tips for traveling to Dubai.

Can you imagine relaxing in one of Dubai’s best hotels at a great price? In October, it’s possible. Unlike the winter months—which are the most expensive of the year since it’s peak season—in the fall you’ll find plenty of bargains because it’s the shoulder season.

As for tourist crowds, you’ll find the city isn’t as packed as it is during other times of the year. In October, many theme parks reopen after their summer break due to high temperatures, and the city begins to come back to life. You’ll feel like an Arab sheikh with the city almost entirely to yourself!