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Everything you need to know about visiting Dubai in March
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There really isn’t “Spring” in Dubai per se, but March is as close as it gets! You will see a quick transition from the milder days of the winter months through to long, warm days bathed with sunlight for most of the month. There’s a good reason March is often touted as the best time to visit Dubai!
You will experience pleasant weather in March to enjoy activities on the water and in the desert, and it will still be mild enough that you can spend much of the day outside without roasting.
For this reason, March tends to be one of the most action-packed months in Dubai for events around town, trying to squeeze every last minute of enjoyment out of the outdoor lifestyle in the city’s vast beaches, parks, and outdoor entertainment precincts.
Note that March 2024 sees the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan (approximately March 11th until April 10th in the Gregorian calendar, depending on the sighting of the moon). Visitors should be mindful that this is a month of fasting and reflection for Muslims in the UAE and they should behave accordingly. You can find out more about Ramadan in Dubai here.
In this Dubai March guide:
Dubai Weather in March
In March, you can expect average daytime temperatures of 23.1°C/73.6°F through to 28.7°C/83.7°F by month end. The overnight low in March is, on average, 17.9°C/64°F.
Sea temperatures in March are, on average, 23.6°C/74.5°F; still cool enough, you’ll be pleased to stay somewhere with a temperature-controlled pool! There are, on average, 8 hours of sunshine, making it an ideal time for outdoor adventures
Expect mostly long, sunny days, but it’s not unusual to experience rain showers or thunderstorms in March. We wouldn’t be packing the umbrella ‘just in case,’ but it does pay to have a rainy day plan up your sleeve – much like the hottest days of summer, these mostly revolve around planning indoor activities in Dubai.
You can read our complete guide to Dubai Weather in March here, as well as our suggested ideas of what to pack for Dubai in March – you may still want a light jacket for the evenings, and don’t forget your sunscreen and sunglasses!
Further Reading: The best times to visit Dubai: Every season explained
Dubai Special Events March 2024
Gone are the days when the city grinds to a halt during the month of Ramadan; you will now find a huge lineup of events occurring throughout March, though many events will move to the evening once the Holy Month has commenced.
- Dubai World Cup – Horse racing is held weekly at Meydan Racecourse throughout the winter; however, the highlight is undoubtedly the World Cup Carnival, which culminates in the Dubai World Cup on March 30, 2024.
- Art Dubai will take place this year at the Madinat Jumeirah Conference and Events Centre from the 1st to the 3rd of March 2024.
- One of the world’s biggest 80’s and 90’s music festivals will hit JBR this March. Featuring Wet, Wet, Wet, ABC, Midge Ure, Heather Small, Chesney Hawkes and many more, Rewind will run on March 1st & 2nd 2024, at Bla Bla, JBR.
- Dubai International Boat Show – enjoy everything from luxury superyachts to fishing boats and everything in between at this world-class event in its 29th year, held at the Dubai Harbour from 28th February until the 3rd March 2024.
- Get your colour on with Holi festivities during the Holi Masti event taking place at Al Sahara Desert Resort on 3rd March 2024. Tickets are on sale with Platinumlist – 100AED single/360 for a group of 4.
- The Grand Ball of Monte Carlo will take place at the Burj Al Arab Hotel on Friday, the 8th of March. It may be the experience of a lifetime, but it will set you back at least AED 6000 per person.
- American comedian Kevin Hart will be live at the Coca-Cola Arena on the 4th of March, followed by multi-platinum selling superstar Khalid on the 9th of March.
- Ramadan will begin around the 11th of March (depending on the sighting of the moon). Very little live entertainment is scheduled for this period. It is courteous for visitors to respect the holy month and refrain from making too much noise during daylight hours. It is also respectful to dress (more) modestly during Ramadan. Check out our guide to Ramadan in Dubai for tourists.
- Whilst the city may seem quieter than normal during the day, that all changes when the sun sets, and families and friends gather together for iftar, or the breaking of the fast. Many hotels and restaurants offer elaborate buffets or set menus for iftar, which visitors are more than welcome to attend. Find out more about iftar in Dubai here.
- Easter celebrations for Christians will take place at venues across the city on Sunday, 31 March 2024. Only a few hotels and restaurants have announced their plans, including the JA Resort at Jebel Ali who will be hosting an extravagant brunch with a visit from the Easter bunny, and Dubai Parks and Resorts where there will be a special Easter Egg Hunt; this promises to be the biggest egg hunt in the region, so of this is something that egg-cites you, book your tickets now!
Suggested Dubai Activities in March 2024
March is starting to warm up, but still mild enough to be out and about in the UAE. Let’s make the most of the outdoor weather with these suggested things to do in Dubai in March:
- Take a Dubai Canal Dinner Cruise through the city’s latest man-made phenomenon, the Dubai Canal, passing by the Burj Khalifa from the water beneath and the Dubai Canal Waterfall Bridge whilst enjoying a buffet dinner.
- Zipline across the Dubai Marina at speeds up to 80km/hr! Take on this thrilling city zip line through the highrises and over one of the most picturesque urban scenes below.
- Another great new height to reach is The View on the Palm, the shiny new centrepiece of Palm Jumeirah with spectacular 360-degree views over the modern side of Dubai.
- Explore the old side of Dubai; stroll through the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and the more modern addition built in old-style charm Al Seef, followed by a dhow cruise or traditional abra ride on Dubai Creek.
- Try a food tour through the city to understand the diversity in cuisine.
- Watch a Ramadan cannon firing – see the unique cultural traditions of many Muslim countries as the cannon fires to break the daily fast.
- Attend a Ramadan night market in Dubai; taste the festive flavours, listen to classical Arabian music and enjoy the community vibe of the Holy Month.
Unsure how to fill your days? Pop over to our collection of Dubai itineraries – from stopovers to 7 days we have an itinerary to suit you
Do be mindful, especially at the end of the month coinciding with Easter break for many countries, it will be peak tourist season in Dubai. It’s a good idea to book popular attractions in advance (places such as the Museum of the Future book out weeks in advance) and expect to pay a premium on your accommodation.
Best Kids Activities in Dubai March 2024
FURTHER READING – Best of Dubai for Families – 80+ engaged activities to enjoy for all age groups
Hitting The Road – Best Dubai Day Trips in March 2024
Have you ever heard of the Oasis City of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates? Steeped in history dating back 5,000 years and the country’s only UNESCO World Heritage Listed site, discover more about the country’s heritage in Al Ain on a day trip from Dubai, just over an hours drive through the desert
History buffs will also enjoy learning more about the country’s historical past at Mleiha Archaeological Centre. Situated in the neighbouring emirate of Sharjah, this UNESCO-nominated site includes Bronze Age tombs, pre-Islamic forts, and many other fascinating geological finds. There’s a fabulous new exhibition centre, plus walks to enjoy.
For more mountain adventures, head south of the city to the exclave of Hatta in the Hajar Mountains. Here you can enjoy camping and glamping experiences, mountain hikes to horseback riding, and plenty of adventure experiences through the dramatic and rugged desert mountainscape, a completely different and unexpected side of Dubai!
Check out the best things to do every month in Dubai here!
More Frequently Asked Questions About Dubai in March
Without a doubt, March is the perfect time to visit Dubai if you want to experience the best of Dubai, while it’s still mild enough to be outside during the day but cool enough that you’re not sweating constantly.
This really depends on your heat tolerance. The average daytime temperature in Dubai ranges from around 23°C/73°F to 28°C/83°F during the month. You might start to find it quite hot in the sun by month-end, but it’s nothing like the somewhat intolerable heat of the summer months in Dubai. 
This depends on who you ask! Locals will no doubt tell you it’s still a little bit chilly in the Persian Gulf waters in March still, but we’re guessing if you’re coming from Europe and many colder parts of the world, the average water temperature of 23.6°C/74.5°F is probably quite appealing!
If you’re staying in a resort hotel, they will most likely have their pools still very much heated for your comfort and enjoyment in March.
It wouldn’t be unusual to experience an odd rainy day or even a thunderstorm in Dubai in March. Rainfall is traditionally very low in Dubai (around 10mm), but it does happen.
Don’t go packing your umbrella; just take cover if it does and find an indoor activity in Dubai until it passes.
Humidity in March is usually around 50%; you are approaching the least humid time of the year.
In 2024 the Holy Month will start to fall largely in March.
The moonsighting committee is expected to announce that Ramadan 1445 AH will commence on the Gregorian date 10 March 2024. Ramadan will fall at least partially during the month of March until 2027.
While Dubai doesn’t really follow traditional seasons, March is the start of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and the weather heats up substantially during the month.
Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai
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