Dubai in May – Things to do, Attractions & Events in Dubai

Dubai Weather in May

Dubai in May has longer days of up to 13 hours and comes with daily sunshine of about 11 hours. The temperature lows and highs range from 23 to 26 degrees Celsius to 37 and sometimes over 40 degrees Celsius, with an average temperature of about 32 to 35 degrees Celsius.

Why You Should Travel to Dubai In May?

Dubai is still ideal for the outdoors

May in Dubai indicates the start of summer, but it’s still great to enjoy the outdoors. In other words, it’s the time when you can check out the best places to visit in Dubai, like beaches, deserts, parks, etc., before the mercury reaches its peak (50 to 55 degrees Celsius) in the coming months (particularly July and August).

Exciting Events and Experiences

Wondering what to do in Dubai in May besides visiting attractions and beaches? Dubai plays host to some of the best shows and events year-round, and May is no exception. From the much-awaited Dubai Food Festival to several live shows, including Back to the 90s, there is a fantastic line-up of events to watch out for in May.

Seasonal Attractions

Most seasonal attractions, such as Dubai Miracle Garden, Global Village, etc., are closed by April. That said, you can visit Dubai Garden Glow before it closes for the season this month.

Incredible Price Drops

Being May the beginning of the off-season, it’s very likely that you’ll get to enjoy some steep reductions in your hotel accommodations and airline tickets. You can also enjoy some tempting offers on entry tickets to the city’s major landmarks, theme parks, safaris, cruises, etc.

Things to Do in Dubai in May

Watch the Dubai Fountain Show

Downtown Dubai is one of Dubai’s most visited neighborhoods for all the right reasons. It boasts the world’s tallest building and the world’s biggest shopping mall, but it probably grabs maximum attention for its Dubai Fountain Show, which is a light and water spectacle like no other, wherein water is sprayed out in sync to mindblowing Arabic, Bollywood, or western music. It’s displayed every 30 minutes after 6 p.m., and the best thing is that it’s free to watch. You can find this attraction on Burj Lake, which is adjacent to the Burj Khalifa and outside the Dubai Mall.

Take a Spin across the Ice at the Dubai Ice Rink

Crave for a frozen escape when summer heat begins to rise? You don’t have to travel far; just head down to the Dubai Ice Rink inside the Dubai Mall. The highlight is an Olympic-sized ice rink sprawling over an area of 1500 square meters. For a twirl on the ice, you can select from several skating packages, such as Freestyle Skating, Dubai Snowfall, Family DJ Party, etc. Are you a first-timer who still wants to try this? There are several skating aids that take the form of Bob Skates and Penguin Pals.

Explore Dubai’s Theme Parks

No matter when you visit Dubai, its theme parks are unmissable. They are all set indoors and come with some exciting rides and attractions. IMG Worlds of Adventure is a true haven for families and kids who adore Marvel superheroes, cartoon characters, and dinosaur-inspired thrills. For the ultimate theme park experience, consider a visit to Dubai Parks and Resorts, which is certain to spoil you with its three theme parks (Motiongate Dubai, LEGOLAND Dubai, and LEGOLAND Water Park). For gaming enthusiasts, there are options like Play DXB, an absolute park for VR-based rides and games. What’s more? You’ll also come across kid-exclusive attractions at KidZania Dubai.

Drive around the Palm Jumeirah

Dubai’s man-made, palm-tree-shaped island is so famous that it’s a must-experience on any Dubai travel bucket list. One of the coolest ways to take in this island with a crescent on its top is to jump from an aircraft on a skydive session or on a helicopter ride. If you are looking for a cost-effective alternative to these wild adventures, make your way to the recently opened The View at The Palm observatory. You can further opt to hire a cab or even book a three-hour limousine Dubai tour to ride around its main sights. There is also a monorail ride that encompasses the route from Atlantis Resort to Al Sufouh Gateway.

Plan a Picnic at a Beach or Park

As the temperature in Dubai is not yet harsh, it allows you to head outdoors and experience its many beaches and lush parks. How about a picnic in Dubai Creek Park, Zabeel Park, or Mushrif Park? You can also enjoy the warm sunshine and cool activities at the pristine Jumeirah Beach or Kite Beach, an ideal location for sunbathing. These parks and beaches are superbly maintained and are replete with BBQ facilities, kids’ play areas, etc.

Spend a day at a Dubai Water Park

What’s a Dubai summer trip without a splash in its water parks? Take any of Dubai’s water parks – from the classic Wild Wadi Water Park and the breathtaking Atlantis Aquaventure to the recently opened AquaFun Water Park each of them is distinct with an exciting theme and, of course, loads of thrilling water rides and slides. All water parks are complete with kid-specific sections, which mean they are for all ages and abilities.

Cool off at Ski Dubai

This is one of Dubaiites’ favorite attractions when the summer heat begins to escalate. Found inside the Mall of the Emirates, it’s where you can enjoy all snow activities imaginable even when the outside temperature is at its highest. Be it skiing, tobogganing, or simply throwing snow, you can try all of them, and that too as per your unique thrill levels.

Take a Dinner Dhow Cruise

This evening cruise along Dubai Creek or Dubai Marina is your ticket to admire Dubai’s marvelous sights at a placid pace without any crowd or annoying traffic to disturb you. The most exciting part is that you get to enjoy this cruise in a traditional Arabian dhow, which was once used for pearl farming and fishing (before the discovery of oil in the region). Besides striking views, you can relish a buffet dinner and a stunning Tanura performance during this cruise. Want to add a luxurious spin to your cruise experience? Head out for a 3-hour yacht ride Dubai along the region’s exuberant waters.

Desert Safari

If you’re imagining a Dubai desert trip in May, luckily, the heat is tolerable for a desert safari. Select the refreshing morning safari or the more activity-packed evening desert safari with a 4×4 dune bash, camel ride, cultural activities (like Shisha smoking, henna tattooing, falconry, etc.), BBQ buffet dining, and traditional entertainment shows.

Places to See In Dubai In May

Burj Khalifa

It’s not just the world’s tallest building, but also the most prestigious Dubai landmark. There are two observation decks at its 124th and 148th levels, which promise you the most stunning vantage point to experience the sheer enormity and unrivaled charm of its skyline, desert, and ocean. It’s not all about views; you can take the fastest-ever elevator ride and also watch a multimedia presentation highlighting Dubai’s past.

The Dubai Mall

While malls and shopping centers are nothing special in Dubai, the Dubai Mall stands out among all of them, being the biggest of its kind in the world. It has over 1200 outlets, and these are apart from some great leisure and entertainment attractions such as Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Play DXB, KidZania, Dubai Ice Rink, etc.

Burj Al Arab

Opened two decades ago, the Burj Al Arab continues to be one of Dubai’s perennial attractions. Rightly so, it’s one of the world’s most expensive hotels and is also considered the world’s only seven-star hotel. Can’t imagine a stay here but still want to catch a glimpse of its luxurious interiors? We would suggest you sign up for a guided Inside Burj Al Arab tour or reserve a breakfast or afternoon tea session at one of its premium dining venues, surrounded by the most exquisite views.

Dubai Frame

This unmatched and giant picture-frame-like structure is worth a trip for its intriguing past and future galleries, and mostly, its Sky Deck, where you can admire both Old and New Dubai from a single viewpoint. You can access it all with your Dubai Frame ticket.

Al Fahidi Historic Neighborhood & Dubai Museum

Dubai is an uber-modern city, but a trip to its oldest neighborhood, Al Fahidi or Al Bastakiya, will take you back to its pre-oil era. Get lost in time as you wander through its narrow alleys, dotted with age-old sandstone structures with wooden wind towers or traditional air coolers. To know more about its past and its cultural and religious aspects, you can explore other things to do in Old Dubai, such as visiting the Dubai Museum or the Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding.

Top Events in Dubai in May

Besides visiting the famous attractions in Dubai, head towards the buzzing events celebrated in May:

Dubai Food Festival: Foodies are in for a gastronomical gala as the 11^th edition of the Dubai Food Festival takes place from April 19 to May 12, 2024. It gives you a unique chance to experience delicious meals representing different parts of the world. You can head to the Etisalat Beach Canteen and further join the exclusive Food Experiences featuring culinary tours, a limited-edition menu, and cooking classes by renowned chefs.

Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid Live in Concert: Add some nostalgic and humorous moments to your Dubai visit in May with this unique show on May 13, 2024. It will be held at the iconic Dubai Opera.

Back to the 90s: B*Witched and Eternal: This musical spectacle with legendary bands B*Witched and Eternal will transport you to a different era as it entertains with some of the greatest musical hits of the 90s. See some brilliant artists, including Lindsay Armaou and Sinead O’Carroll, performing live at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on May 4, 2024. The ticket price starts at AED 199.

Miami Band and Ayed Yousef live: Arabic music lovers should not miss this event by the Miami Band and popular Saudi Arabian artist, Ayed Yousef. The venue is Coca-Cola Arena on May 17, 2024. The ticket price starts at AED 195.

Tips to Travel Dubai In May

• As it marks the start of the summer season, May in Dubai is the time when hotels, airline companies, and other related service providers offer some great incentives. So, a bit of research and leg-work will allow you to make the most of your Dubai trip.
• Opt for an all-inclusive Dubai holiday packaged with your desired accommodation, sightseeing, safaris, cruises, etc.
• For maximum savings, you can choose a combo pass that offers two or more of your favorite activities or experiences for a single price. Check out Rayna Tours’ combo deals page for more ideas.
• When it comes to clothing, pack comfortable cotton clothing due to the warmer, sunny days. Moreover, it is recommended to carry modest dresses.
• Other emirates in the UAE are easily accessible from Dubai, so be sure to venture outside of the city on an all-inclusive Abu Dhabi City Tour with the Louvre Museum, Ferrari World, or Ras Al Khaimah City Tour.
• Also, carry sunglasses, hats, sunscreen cream, lotion, etc. for your Dubai trip.

You might be interested – Dubai in June | Dubai in July

FAQs

1. Is May a good time to visit Dubai?

Yes, the weather in May is quite comfortable.

2. Is traveling to Dubai in May ideal for outdoor activities?

Sunlight in May (especially at the beginning of the month) is not as intense as that in June – August, so it’s the ideal time to hit the outdoors before the summer heat becomes harsh. With that being said, the region’s humidity levels will be high.

3. Is Dubai busy in May?

No, you’ll experience a lesser crowd in May.

4. Can I experience rainfall in Dubai in May?

No, the chances of rainfall are very rare in May.

5. Is May too hot for Dubai?

May is the start of the summer season in Dubai, with average temperatures between 25° and 38°C. It is fairly warm and pleasant for outdoor activities. It is the bridge month when the winters are inching toward the scorching summer. As the temperature rises, hotel prices drop, and crowds recede.

6. How is the weather in Dubai in May?

The weather in May is quite bearable compared to other summer months. It is a low-tourism season when visitors can swim and bask in the sun. The humidity is at its lowest, making it a drier month, and rainfall has slick chances.

7. Why should I visit Dubai in May?

Dubai in May is perfect for budget travelers as the prices of hotels and flights drop. There are also discounts on attractions. And it is the last month of winter and spring to enjoy the outdoors.

Conclusion

If you’re considering a Dubai vacation in May, you’re lucky to be part of several spirited festivities and also take in its breathtaking landmarks and outdoors. So, get your Dubai tourist visa and start your Dubai holiday planning now to gift yourself one of the best holidays of your lifetime.