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Everything you need to know about visiting Dubai in April
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April is what we like to call Dubai’s golden month! Whilst Dubai does not have traditional seasons per se, it’s most definitely the city’s transitional month.
The mild days of winter are rapidly replaced by long, hot, sunny days, though still not quite the blistering heat of summer, making it perfect for those who love the warmth on their skin along with beach and water-based activities.
In this Dubai April guide:
Do note that much of the month of April in 2024 will coincide with the Holy Month of Ramadan and the religious celebration of Eid in Dubai. This will result in changing opening hours and religious practices; we’ll detail more below.
Dubai Weather in April
There can be a rapid increase in daytime maximum temperatures from late March through to late April. At the start of the month, Dubai normally experiences daytime highs around 30°C/86°F and by the end of April 35°C/95°F with an average of 33.3°C/92°F.
Be prepared for a few scorching hot days thrown in, too, with only a low probability of rain and a possibility of sand storms and dusty days.
The sea temperature takes a little longer to reach summertime peaks. You can expect a mild average of 25°C/77°F in the water in April – but reaching 28°C/72°F by month-end – most find this perfect for swimming!
The UV Index in Dubai in April is 8, and you get, on average, 11 hours of sunshine – take care out in the sun and remember to pack plenty of sunscreen along with a hat, sunglasses, and water bottle anywhere you go during the day to beat the heat.
You can read our complete guide to Dubai Weather in April here, as well as our suggested ideas of what to pack for Dubai in April.
Dubai Special Events April 2024
With Eid celebrations falling in mid-April 2024, this list will become much more extensive – you can expect it to be one of the busiest times ever in Dubai – BOOK EARLY!!
Religious Celebrations in Dubai this April
Ramadan
- The Holy Month of Ramadan – the 9th month on the Hijri calendar started on the 10th of March 2024 and will last until (approximately) 9 April 2024 (subject to moon sightings) – you can see our complete Ramadan guide here.
- There will be fireworks on weekends through Ramadan at various locations, including Al Seef, Bluewaters Island, Dubai Festival City and The Beach, JBR.
- There will be a Ramadan Night Market between 15 March and 4 April 2024 at Jumeirah Etihad Towers – see a complete listing of Ramadan night markets here
- Dubai Global Village – This family-favourite outdoor event in Dubai that runs over the cooler winter months will draw to a close at the end of April (April 28th). There will be special Ramadan performances from the Arabian Orchestra – an ensemble of 30 artists, along with regular tannoura shows. For more details click here.
- There will be sumptuous iftar and suhoor spreads across the city – some in some truly unique locations. We recommend dining in a Bedouin-style Ramadan tent or getting out into the desert to places like Bab Al Shams for a truly unique experience. You can also take iftar onboard the QE2.
- In addition to fancy iftar set-ups in 5-star hotels there is a Ramadan Street Food Festival in the Sheikh Hamadan Colony/Karama area, running throughout the holy month.
Easter
- The Christian celebration of Easter will occur this year on Sunday, 31 March 2024. We’ve included it as part of our April guide, so that you don’t miss out on the details if travelling at the end of March. Despite daytime fasting, there will still be Easter Sunday Brunches and other family events happening across Dubai over the Easter weekend, including a special Easter celebration at the JA Resort in Jebel Ali and at Dubai Parks and Resorts on March 30th.
Holi
- Although Holi itself this year falls in March, due to Ramadan, the daytime Holi Music Mantra festival has been moved to Thursday 11 April at Zabeel Park Amphitheatre.
Eid Al-Fitr
- Expected to fall 9 to 12 April 2024 (possibly resulting in a 9-day break for some workers if the whole week is declared a public holiday. Check out this guide to Eid ul-Fitr in Dubai for more information
Other special events in Dubai this April
- Ongoing shows such as La Perle will still take place during Ramadan, but you’ll find the entertainment portion of many popular attractions are altered for Ramadan.
- Dubai Food Festival – 19 April to 12 May 2024 experience Dubai’s diverse culinary scene in this schedule of events all over the city, including foodie trails and immersive experiences. If you miss the festival, don’t worry as you can also experience Dubai Restaurant Week between 26 April and 12 May 2024.
Music, Comedy & Live Performances
- Immerse yourself in Afroworld at the Coca-Cola Arena on April 11th, where Nigerian rapper Reema headlines the playlist.
- Join one of the biggest Arab music sensations of our time – Mohamed Ramadan – at The Agenda on April 12th.
- Enjoy a musical extravaganza at Dubai’s Festival City Amphitheatre vas Elrow XXL makes its way back to Dubai on April 13th. This dance-music festival will promises to be one of the biggest in the world with performers from around the globe.
- Philippino stars, Sarah Geronimo and Bamboo promise an epic concert at the Coca-Cola Arena on 14 April.
- To mark Eid Kuwaiti singer Nawal Al Kuwaiti will be performing live at the Dubai Opera on April the 10th before the venue becomes the home of the Dubai Comedy Festival for the rest of the month. Acts include, Frank Skinner, Mo Gilligan, Amer Zahr, Chris Distefano, Al Murray, Gad Elmaleh (in French) and Anubhav Singh Bassi (in Hindi).
- Rapper, The Kid LAROI will be performing live at the Coca-Cola Arena on 19 April.
- Get upbeat with celebrated international DJs at the White Festival in Dubai Harbour on April 20th.
- Feel the rhythm come alive with the internationally acclaimed Incognito at Dubai Opera on the 25th April.
- See three Arab musical superstars – Elissa, Haifa Wehbe, and Saif Nabeel perform live in one night at the Coca-Cola Arena on April 25th.
- Award-winning Indian singer Arjit Singh, known as the ‘King of Playback Singing’ will be charming the audience at the Coca-Cola Arena on 27 April.
- Be transported to Colombia at the Zabeel Theatre on April 28th as Traversia Colombia hits the stage. In this multisensory spectacle, learn more about the history and culture of this fascinating country.
- You’ll be ‘Doin’ just fine’ with Grammy award-winning R&B group Boyz II Men at the Coca-Cola Arena on 28 April.
Sport
- The Polo Masters Cup will take place at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort between the 1 and 6 April. The Dubai Cup will also take this month (between the 15th & 20th) at the same location.
- Watch young UAE. Footballers battle international players for the Mina Cup at the JA Sports Center between the 3rd and 8th April.
- You can join the Sketchers performance run on April 28th.
- If ESports are more your thing Dubai Esports and Games Festival taking place across the city from the 19th April until the 5th May.
Dubai Activities in April 2024
April is undoubtedly one of Dubai’s busiest tourism months due to its perfect beach weather, which coincides with school holidays in many countries.
It’s one of those months in Dubai where we strongly suggest having your tickets for any top attractions booked well in advance (also in December and March), but build yourself in some downtime to relax and enjoy the sunshine.
Try to do your outdoor activities early in the morning or late in the day; the middle of the day in April can be too intense for many people to be outside —unless they’re in the pool!
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
For those wanting to make the most of the April sunshine, why not try getting out onto the water for a unique view of the city? There are many choices available, from sunset cruises to breakfast buffets as you cruise around the Dubai Marina, the luxurious new Bluewaters Island development, and the iconic Palm Jumeirah.
And, of course, enjoy the best of Dubai’s beaches, whether you are staying at a beach resort, enjoying a beach club day or visiting one of the many free public beaches in Dubai these really are the highlight of Dubai in April.
You’ll be able to catch the last of the alfresco dining season in Dubai and finish your day at one of the city’s stunning rooftop bars or perfect beachside sundowner locations.
You can still try a Dubai desert safari in April, though it’s recommended you either join a very early morning desert tour or wait until late evening to miss the peak heat of the day. Some camps may close up over Ramadan or at least offer a quite restricted program as there’s no entertainment permitted, such as dancing.
Ramadan In Dubai During April 2024
The occurrence of Ramadan during the busy tourism month has undoubtedly raised questions in recent years for the hospitality industry in Dubai.
In the past, many businesses have significantly altered their hours over Ramadan, and restaurants closed to all but a few during the day under licensing laws.
Over the past few years, however, this landscape has significantly changed. The message is very much “business as usual” for tourism during Ramadan in Dubai, but there are a number of courtesy points you should bear in mind – we cover these in much more detail here.
To have a great Ramadan experience in April, why not try these activities:
- Visit the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding – this amazing foundation has grown in leaps and bounds in recent years as tourists seek to learn more about Emirati and Islamic culture during their visit. Look out for daily walking tours, cultural meals and many additional programs throughout the year.
- Ramadan Iftar Program – run by SMCUU, experience a traditional iftar (“breaking of the fast”) in Al Fahidi Historical District during the Holy Month.
- Attend a Jumeirah Mosque visit – one of only two mosques in Dubai open to non-Muslim tourists – 10:00 am & 2:00 pm (Sat-Thu) – altered program during the Holy Month.
- See the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi – a day trip to the capital is a must to experience one of the world’s most beautiful mosques.
- See the Firing of the Cannon at Burj Park – a small hidden park near the Dubai Mall is home to the nightly firing of the cannon, which signifies the end of the daily fast, a wonderful tradition still practiced across the UAE nightly during Ramadan (plus this year a roving cannon has been added so you can see this fabulous site in multiple locations).
- Visit Expo City Dubai for an exceptional communal iftar in the centre of the site’s iconic water feature, Ramadan markets and a special Ramadan projection show on the Al Wasl dome.
- Experience late-night dining and try a traditional Ramadan suhoor in Dubai, ambient settings, and delectable treats to enjoy throughout the Holy Month.
Dubai With The Kids in April 2024
- For theme park action, check out Dubai Parks & Resorts, with 4 theme parks to choose from – plus the newly opened Legoland Hotel Dubai. * Look out for their special Easter event on 30 March, the region’s biggest Easter Egg hunt!
- You can still catch the end of the season at Dubai Miracle Garden too, though go early to beat the heat.
The first two weeks of April coincide with local school and public holidays, so you are likely to find a wide range of family-friendly events all over the city.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dubai in April
Sitting in the Northern Hemisphere, Dubai is 2,810km north of the equator. It experiences an arid desert climate which means hot summers and mild winters. April is technically ‘spring’ though not your typical spring weather. It is better classified as a transition month to summer.
You will likely experience near-perfect weather in Dubai during April if you love your long hot sunshine days. Sea temperatures might be surprisingly cool still at the start of the month, but you are really entering the Middle East summer by the end of April.
Although Ramadan falls over most of April this year, it should have only a minor impact on tourism, such as opening hours, as laws have been changed in recent years. There are still rules and laws that tourists must respect during Ramadan in April, but it certainly wouldn’t be a reason not to visit at this time of year.
Rainfall in Dubai in April is highly unlikely but can happen. On average, only 3mm of rain falls in April. This winter and spring have been particularly dry. However, there’s always a chance of a late-season rainshower or storm (we wouldn’t go packing an umbrella just in case).
If it does rain in Dubai, stick where you are for a while as it can cause chaos on the roads, but normally passes as quickly as it arrives.
Dubai normally experiences daytime highs around 30°C/86°F at the start of the month and 35°C/95°F by the end of April 35°C/95°F, with an average of 33.3°C/92°F. You can also get some exceptionally hot days!
Although the overnights are getting warm, yes it’s still possible to enjoy a pleasant evening out in the desert in April. By month-end and into May, it can be getting a bit warm for these sorts of outdoor experiences if you’re not comfortable with the heat and no air conditioning.
Yes, if you celebrate Easter, there will still be plenty of opportunities to enjoy this special religious occasion, despite the fact this year, it will fall during the Holy Month of Ramadan. We have a complete guide to Easter in Dubai over here for those looking for family-friendly events and church services.
Check out the best things to do in every month in Dubai here!
Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai
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