When it comes to the least advisable time to visit Dubai, it really depends on your preferences.
In the UAE, summer runs roughly from June to August, and this season also overlaps with the long school holidays.
Traditionally, schools would close towards the end of June and reopen at the end of August, right in the middle of peak summer.
These breaks were almost three months long, and many families, especially those living in the UAE, would use this period to travel or even leave the country altogether to escape the heat.
Interestingly, in recent years, schools have started closing a little earlier than they used to. I’m not sure why that change happened (perhaps worth looking into), but the result is the same: summer in the UAE is typically a time when locals step away, leaving tourists to decide whether they want to embrace or avoid the intense heat.
Your choice of whether or not to visit the UAE truly depends on your preferences. I’ve noticed that many Western tourists and expats seem to enjoy coming during the summer months.
I’d assume this is because they don’t get as much sun back home and are happy to soak up the beaches and long hours of sunshine, even when it’s scorching.
On the other hand, many Asians and Africans tend to avoid summer and instead prefer to visit during the cooler months of winter. These days, winter in the UAE usually stretches from October to January, though it used to vary more, sometimes lasting from late November through to March.
Of course, the peak season is almost always December, January, and February—when the weather is at its most pleasant.
Summer Delights: Modesh World and DSS
Some things I enjoyed about summertime in the UAE include something called Modesh Fun City, which is now called Modesh World.
It’s a free-to-enter indoor entertainment park located at the Dubai World Trade Centre Halls. It’s active each summer from mid-June to mid-August and is part of the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) festival.
It’s organized by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, together with Dubai Live. That partnership is more recent, but they were independent when it started, back in the 90s. In fact, in 2024, it celebrated its 25th anniversary, featuring over 170 attractions across a huge span.
What I liked about it back when we used to go in the early 2000s was that the moment school holidays started, you’d head there.
They had this fun yellow mascot with blue and yellow spikes for hair. He’s a mascot who would walk around, and kids loved him. Eventually, they introduced other characters like snowmen and such.
They also have a fun zone now, which features arcade and VR games. If I’m not wrong, they also have soft play and sand zones for younger kids. They also offer summer camps and workshops, with dedicated programs for different age groups that include STEM activities. These are often in partnership with Dubai government entities now, which I think is fantastic and shows growth.
Modesh Fun City was something all children looked forward to. It’s not as big now as it was then, but I remember looking forward to it.
One of the most impressive things is the growth of something that started in the 90s or early 2000s to what it is today. I love that they’ve continued it. Of course, we have Modesh, the mascot I was talking about. He now has a friend called Dana, who is also fun. They also have dining and food zones. But for me personally, growing up in the UAE, that’s something I looked forward to. To be more detailed, it’s like Tomorrowland for Dubai kids.
Major Shopping Festivals: DSS vs. DSF
Then, as I mentioned, we have the Dubai Summer Surprises festival, a major shopping event, and one of the largest and most iconic retail and entertainment experiences. It’s been running since 1996.
The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is a major winter attraction, but Dubai Summer Surprises, which runs from mid-June to August, is also a notable event.
Related: What to Expect at the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) in 2025
So, to recap, DSF, or Dubai Shopping Festival, runs from December to January and includes shopping, fireworks, winter markets, the whole shebang. DSS, or Dubai Summer Surprises, which we all used to look forward to, runs from June to August.
You have, of course, Modesh Fun City, or Modesh World as it’s now known, and many mall activations, meaning plenty of discounts, so it’s fantastic. The heat is less of an issue because there’s a lot of fun indoors. You have creative workshops and VR zones for kids now, and many family-friendly adventures with a very nice, local flair.
I’m mixing it up now, but the Dubai Shopping Festival over winter is perfect for bargain hunting. There are many really nice luxury raffles and gold giveaways, and very immersive entertainment in the cool weather. Summer Surprises is broken down further. It has the summer holiday offers that run from June to July.
Then you have the Great Dubai Summer Sale from July to August. And then, of course, in preparation for school, which I believe is now back to September, you had the back-to-school specials, which meant discounts on school items.
Kids often got new backpacks, so as a kid growing up, those were the things you looked forward to. That’s why it depends on your preferences as to when you end up coming to Dubai.
Year-Round Attractions: Global Village and Miracle Garden
You’ve got the Global Village, which feels like it’s been around forever. It usually opens towards the end of October and offers a fantastic, immersive experience that showcases performances, food, and culture from different countries.
I still remember this one time Jason Derulo performed there. The entry fee was only about 5 AED, and it covered the concert too! Compare that to those massive arena shows where tickets cost a small fortune.
Global Village typically runs from October to April, but if the demand is high, they sometimes keep it going a little longer. There’s also this fun carnival area, and whenever we had relatives visiting, it was always at the top of their list. I think it’s because you can wander for hours without running out of things to see. The best part? Getting there is easy—the transport connections are excellent, buses and taxis are reliable, and there’s even an app that has all the info you could possibly need.
Not too far away, you’ll find another seasonal favorite—Miracle Garden. It’s open from October to April and is basically a floral wonderland. Picture this: an Emirates Airlines plane completely covered in flowers. Sure, the base is made of metal, but the way they layer the blooms makes it look like something out of a fairy tale. The garden actually stays open until mid-June before closing for the summer heat. Every year, they come up with new designs and sculptures, so even if you’ve been before, there’s always something fresh and magical to see.
Related: All You Need to Know About the Miracle Garden in Dubai
As I was saying, the Emirates A380 floral replica is actually a world record for the largest flower structure.
Then you have a Mickey Mouse topiary, a heart’s passage that you’ll see in many people’s Instagram posts, and an umbrella tunnel, which is just a fantastic Instagram-worthy photo zone. You also have a Dubai Butterfly Garden, a nearby dome with over 15,000 butterflies and different species.
All these and more, in summary, affect whether you choose to come during winter or summer. I would say there’s no real answer; it’s just personal preference, really. I hope that helps!
