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Everything you need to know about visiting Dubai in May
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If you are looking for a beachy getaway holiday, then get set because May is the month for you in Dubai! It’s hot, but not summer- extremely hot- and there are still plenty of activities and events happening around town.
Welcome to sunshine time in Dubai (though the weather forecasters are trying their best in 2024 to taint this reputation!!)
Dubai Weather in May
Daytime temperatures rise significantly in May. The average daytime maximum is 37.8°C (100°F), but don’t be surprised if temperatures reach as high as 43.5°C (110°F) by the end of the month. Overnight lows average 25.2°C (77°F).
Humidity is at the lowest point in May, so it is a drier heat than usual, and rainfall is unlikely – though not unheard of – in May in Dubai. Dust storms may be experienced at this time of year, too.
Sea temperatures are not quite at their summer peaks but do significantly warm up in May, making it ideal for beachgoers to enjoy still a dip in the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf. You can expect lows of 26.3°C (79.3°F) in the water through to highs of 31.2°C (86.2°F) by month-end.
You can read our complete guide to Dubai Weather in May here, as well as our suggested ideas of what to pack for Dubai in May.
Dubai Special Events May 2024
Gone are the days when May was considered a quiet month in Dubai, when nothing happened – quite the opposite. May in Dubai is shaping up to be an exciting time of cultural enrichment with limited changes to the tourism offering.
This starts to change towards month-end when many al fresco dining options and outdoor activities are forced indoors by the heat.
Here are some of the special events taking place in May 2024. Click on the green links for more details and ticketing information.
Cultural & Heritage Events in May
- Dubai Food Festival continues from the 19th of April until the 12th of May 2024; this includes Dubai Restaurant Week, Foodie Experiences, and Uncover a Hidden Gem.
- You can experience World Art Dubai, which brings together art from around the world in an inspirational marketplace. From May 2nd to May 5th at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Live Music, Comedy and Theatre in May
- You can catch the popular Latino band, The Gipsy Kings, at Dubai Opera on May 2nd, with their salsary-catalan-flamenco vibes.
- Award-winning Lebanese singer Najwa Karam will be enchanting the audience with her tuneful melodies at the Coca-Cola Arena on May 3rd.
- American Singer-Songwriter Jason Derulo will perform on the final concert of his Earthsoul World Tour at the Coca-Cola Arena on the 4th of May.
- The 11th of May sees reggae artist and DJ Shaggy alongside R&B band Blackstreet at the Coca-Cola Arena.
- R&B lovers are in for a treat at the R&B Beach Festival on the 11th of May. This outdoor event celebrates music from the nineties and noughties. Promising lots of glitter, glam and confetti, at snazzy venue, Zero Gravity, this is likely to be one of the best nights of the year.
- Film enthusiasts can enjoy Star Wars: A New Hope alongside a live orchestra at Dubai Opera on May 11th.
- Jazz master Chris Botti will be wooing audiences with his trumpet at Dubai Opera on May 19th.
- On May 24th, award-winning English singer-songwriter James Blunt will serenade the crowd at the Coca-Cola Arena.
- Audiences will be mesmerised by the elegant pirouettes of the Rome Opera Ballet in their version of Les Deux Nuits at the Dubai Opera on May 25th.
- Pakistani legend Abida Parveen will be performing her Sufiyana live at the Coca-Cola Arena on May 25th.
- Epic music lovers are in for a real treat as legendary composer and musician Hans Zimmer takes to the stage on May 31st (and June 1st) to perform pieces from some of his most famous film scores (Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, Dune, Harry Potter) at the Coca-Cola Arena.
Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi, you can chuckle away at the Abu Dhabi Comedy Festival, visit the Abu Dhabi Book Festival or enjoy stage sensation Cirque du Soleil Crystal – Don’t forget to check out our sister website to see what else is happening in Abu Dhabi this May!
Sporting events in May
- Fancy an Arctic run in the desert? Yep, it’s Dubai. Of course, you can do that. The action is happening at SkiDubai on 19th May 2024, starting early in the morning.
May events for Kids
- Little ones can enjoy a stage adaptation of the popular picture book ‘The Lion Inside’ on May 11th & 12th. The storybook fun continues on board the QE2 with a stage version of Julia Donaldson’s classic ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’ on May 18th & 19th.
Suggested Dubai Activities in May 2024
We suggest that the following activities may be a great way to spend your time in Dubai in May this year:
- Visit the intriguing Museum of the Future and explore the incredible architecture and visual effects of this new city masterpiece.
Still not sure how to fill your days? Check out our complete collection of Dubai itineraries, we have ideas to fill a few hours through to a detailed 7-day itinerary for exploring Dubai & the UAE.
Dubai With Kids in May 2024
Dubai is a city burgeoning with family-friendly activities year-round. May can be a popular time to visit Dubai with your family as schools in Europe take a short half-term break.
As May is getting quite hot to be outdoors unless you’re in the water, why not try these ideas:
- Head out to Dubai Parks & Resorts – 3 theme parks in one location (sadly, Bollywood Parks closed on the 20th of April 2023, it has now been replaced by Real Madrid World)! Little ones will love Legoland Dubai, while older kids will likely prefer Motiongate – book tickets in advance to save on gate passes! (Note that Legoland water park is not always open every day – hours increase in the lead up to summer).
- Enjoy night ziplining through the Ghaf tree forest in Mushrif Park at Aventura.
Check out the best things to do every month in Dubai here!
More Frequently Asked Questions About Dubai in May
If warm weather and low crowds sound appealing, then absolutely, May is a great time to be in Dubai. The daytime temperatures are hot (averaging 37.8°C/100°F), but if you avoid heading into the sun at the peak of the day, it’s still manageable for heat lovers.
May was traditionally the start of the low season for tourism in Dubai, but in recent years this has not been the case so much. With the Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid falling over April, many venues are remaining open now until much later into Spring.
Visiting after Eid, you may still be able to grab some cheaper accommodation than earlier in the spring.
This all depends on your heat tolerance levels and your interests. The daytime average in Dubai during May is 37.8°C/100°F, getting hotter throughout the month with highs as much as 43.5°C/110°F experienced.
The sea temperature in May rises from lows of 26.3°C/79.3°F to highs of 31.2°C/86.2°F making it the best month for beach weather if you love it hot but not spa-like!
If you are pregnant, with young children or don’t like to be too hot and sweaty you will be pushing it by the end of May. There are plenty of indoor alternatives, and the city is made to handle the heat but do expect to spend the middle of the day indoors. You can find our complete guide to Dubai weather in May here.
If you prefer to explore more on foot and day trips beyond the city, it may get too hot by May for this to be enjoyable, and many foot tours will not operate once you’re into summer.
May is one of the traditionally quieter tourism months in Dubai. Most visitors who come seeking heat and sunshine come earlier in spring (March/April) in line with the European school holidays. Local schools are in class during May, except for maybe a few days of mid-term break; this differs across schools.
There is sometimes another small peak in tourism experienced at the end of May when UK schools have a half-term break, but it’s unlikely to trouble your plans. Most schools locally will not take a May break in 2023 due to an Eid break occurring in April and in June.
From May 2023 and through to summer school break will be the least crowded time to visit Dubai in 2023.
Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai
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