The heat has finally broken. Evenings are cool enough for a jacket in the desert, the beaches are full again and the outdoor season is back across the UAE. For the next few months, the whole country moves outside: families camp in the dunes, friends gather on the sand with a flask of karak, and the big winter festivals and markets open their gates.
From a night under the stars to tea by the sea, here are 15 of the best things to do in the UAE this winter, with tips to help you plan.
1. Go camping in the desert
Winter is camping season. Families and groups of friends head out on Friday and Saturday nights with a tent, a barbecue and a fire pit, and wake up to cold, quiet sand. Popular spots include the dunes around Al Qudra and Al Faya in Dubai, the mountains around Hatta, the Mleiha and Al Badayer areas of Sharjah and the open desert of Ras Al Khaimah.
A 4×4 makes life much easier, but many spots near Al Qudra can be reached on paved roads. Pack more water than you think you need, warm layers for the night and a spare phone battery, and let someone know where you are going.
Good to know: some emirates require a permit for camping in certain areas, so check with the local municipality before you go, take all your rubbish home and never light fires on bare vegetation.
2. Try glamping if tents are not your thing
Glamping gives you the views without the hard ground, the setting up and the cold shower. Hatta Resorts has domes, caravans and lodges in the mountains, Sonara Camp serves dinner in the Dubai desert, the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp sits high on Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, and Moon Retreat in Sharjah’s Al Badayer desert has tents among the dunes.
Most glamping sites include proper beds, private bathrooms and meals, and many add activities such as barbecues, stargazing or guided hikes. Prices go up at weekends and on public holidays, so book early for National Day and the winter school break.
3. Longbeach Campground is back for Season 10
One of the UAE’s best-loved beach glamping spots is officially open again for its tenth season. Longbeach Campground at Al Hamra in Ras Al Khaimah has tents and domes a few steps from the sea, with evening bonfires, barbecues, beach games and a splash pool for children.
It is about an hour’s drive from Dubai, which makes it one of the easiest glamping weekends for families. The campground has been running discounts of up to 40% on selected stays this season, so check its website or Instagram for the latest rates and book early for weekends.
4. Spend an evening at Global Village
Global Village opened its 31st season on 14 October 2026 and runs until May 2027. Walk through the country pavilions, try street food from around the world, catch the stage shows and stay for the fireworks.
Entry tickets are AED 25 from Sunday to Thursday and AED 30 for any day, including weekends. Weeknights are much quieter than Friday and Saturday, and arriving soon after the gates open helps you avoid the longest queues for parking and rides.
Read More: Global Village Season 31: New Attractions, Tickets, Shows and More
5. Visit the winter festivals
Winter is festival season in the UAE. The Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba brings heritage villages, food from around the world and fireworks to Abu Dhabi for months, the Liwa International Festival fills the giant dunes of Moreeb Hill with motorsport and family activities, and the Dubai Shopping Festival lights up the city with sales, concerts and drone shows.
The festivals are busiest on weekends and around UAE National Day and New Year, so weekday evenings are the best time to go if you want space to explore.
6. Enjoy the nights at Kite Beach
Kite Beach comes alive after sunset in winter. Walk or cycle the track, grab dinner from the food trucks and cafés, watch the kitesurfers in the afternoon and stay for the cool sea breeze with the Burj Al Arab lit up in the distance.
The beach is free to enter, has showers and toilets, and its running track is one of the busiest in Dubai on winter evenings. Parking fills up fast on weekends, so arrive before sunset.
7. Karak tea at Al Mamzar Beach
Few things say UAE winter like a cup of karak by the water. Al Mamzar’s beaches and corniche fill up on cool evenings with families, picnic mats and tea from the cafeterias nearby. Go just before sunset, find a spot on the sand and stay for the view of the Sharjah skyline across the water.
Al Mamzar Beach Park itself has calm, lagoon-style beaches, barbecue areas and lawns, which makes it a good choice for families with young children. Entry to the park is paid; the public beach along the corniche outside is free.
8. Stay the night in a Hatta lodge
Most people do Hatta as a day trip. Stay overnight instead and you get the mountains to yourself at sunset and sunrise. Hatta Damani Lodges, run by Dubai Holding’s Meraas, are wooden lodges set on a hillside off the Hatta-Oman road, with terraces looking out over the Hajar Mountains, and there are also Hatta Sedr Trailers near Hatta Dam (check whether they are taking bookings this season). Both put you a short drive from Hatta Dam and Hatta Wadi Hub.
Spend the morning kayaking on the turquoise water of the dam, ride the mountain bike trails at Hatta Wadi Hub in the afternoon, and finish with dinner on your lodge terrace as the temperature drops. Winter weekends book out early, so reserve as soon as you know your dates.
9. Snorkel at Snoopy Island from Sandy Beach
Head to the east coast for a completely different winter weekend. Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort at Al Aqah, near Dibba in Fujairah, sits right opposite Snoopy Island, a rocky islet named for its shape, and the shallow reef between the beach and the island is one of the easiest places in the UAE to snorkel with turtles and reef fish.
The resort offers day passes as well as overnight stays, with snorkel gear and diving trips available on site. The water on the Gulf of Oman side stays clear in winter, and the drive from Dubai takes around two hours through the Hajar Mountains.
10. Feel the cold on Jebel Jais
The UAE’s highest mountain, in Ras Al Khaimah, is several degrees cooler than the coast, and winter nights at the top can drop below 10°C. Take the winding road up for the viewing deck, ride the Jais Flight zipline, or plan a sunrise trip and bring a warm jacket.
On cold winter mornings the mountain sometimes makes the news for near-freezing temperatures, so check the weather before you set off and drive carefully on the bends.
11. Stargaze at Al Qudra
Away from the city lights, the Al Qudra desert has some of the clearest night skies near Dubai. Lay out a blanket, let your eyes adjust for 20 minutes and look for planets and shooting stars. Our UAE meteor shower guide lists the best nights to go.
Nights around the new moon are darkest. A free stargazing app on your phone helps you name what you are looking at.
12. Cycle the Al Qudra track
The Al Qudra cycle track loops for kilometres through the desert, past lakes, gazelles and the occasional camel, and cool winter mornings are the best time to ride it. No bike? Wolfi’s bike rental at Last Exit Al Qudra is open every day from early morning, right at the start of the track, so you can pick up a road or mountain bike and go.
Start at sunrise to beat the heat and the crowds, carry plenty of water as there is little shade on the loop, and see our guide to the best cycling tracks in Dubai for other routes.
13. Spend a weekend morning at The Ripe Market
Dubai’s favourite outdoor market is back for winter. The Ripe Market sets up at Academy Park every Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 9 PM, from 10 October 2026 until 2 May 2027, with local makers, fresh produce, food stalls, live music and activities for children, and it is celebrating 15 years this season.
Go in the morning for the coolest weather and the best choice of produce, or late afternoon when the lights come on and the food stalls get busy.
14. Hike Wadi Shawka in Ras Al Khaimah
For a hike that most visitors never find, drive to Wadi Shawka in the Ras Al Khaimah mountains. Marked trails of different lengths climb from the dam into the hills, with wide views over the wadi and, after rain, small pools in the rocks. It is one of the best winter hikes in the northern emirates, and quieter than Jebel Jais. Start early, wear proper shoes and carry more water than you think you need.
15. Watch the sunset from Fossil Rock in Mleiha
In Sharjah’s Mleiha desert, the Mleiha Archaeological Centre runs guided hikes up Fossil Rock, where you can find fossils of sea creatures from the time the area was under water, followed by sunset over the dunes. The centre also organises stargazing evenings and desert camping, making Mleiha one of the most unusual winter days out in the UAE. Book the guided activities ahead.
Read More: UAE Winter Camping Permit: Rules, Cost, and How to Apply Online
Tips for enjoying winter in the UAE
- Desert and mountain nights can be much colder than the city, so pack a jacket.
- Fog is common on winter mornings; drive slowly, keep your distance and follow the speed limits shown on the signs.
- Book camps, glamping and festival tickets early for weekends and public holidays.
- Carry sunscreen even in winter: the midday sun is still strong.
- Leave no trace: take your rubbish home from beaches, deserts and wadis.
Frequently asked questions
When is winter in the UAE?
The cooler season runs roughly from late October to March, with the coolest weather in December, January and February.
How cold does it get in the UAE in winter?
Daytime temperatures on the coast are usually in the 20s°C. Nights in the desert are much cooler, and on Jebel Jais temperatures can drop below 10°C.
Where can I go camping in the UAE in winter?
Popular spots include the Al Qudra and Al Faya deserts, Hatta, the Sharjah desert and Ras Al Khaimah. For glamping, try Hatta Resorts, Longbeach Campground in Ras Al Khaimah or the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp on Jebel Jais.
Do I need a permit to camp in the UAE?
It depends on the emirate and the area. Some places require a permit or registration, so check with the local municipality before you go.
Is Longbeach Campground open?
Yes. Longbeach Campground in Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah, is open for its tenth season. Check its website or Instagram for dates, rates and current offers.
Is Global Village open now?
Yes. Season 31 opened on 14 October 2026 and runs until May 2027. Tickets are AED 25 from Sunday to Thursday and AED 30 for any day.
What are the best free things to do in the UAE in winter?
Evenings at Kite Beach, karak by the sea at Al Mamzar’s public beach, desert stargazing at Al Qudra and cycling the Al Qudra track are all free.
What can families do in the UAE in winter?
Global Village, the Sheikh Zayed Festival, The Ripe Market, beach parks such as Al Mamzar, snorkelling at Sandy Beach and family glamping at Longbeach Campground are all good choices for children.
Where can I snorkel in the UAE in winter?
Snoopy Island at Al Aqah, near Dibba in Fujairah, is one of the easiest spots. Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort faces the island and offers day passes and snorkel gear.
Where can I stay overnight in Hatta?
Hatta Damani Lodges have hillside lodges with mountain views, and Hatta Resorts also runs trailers and domes near Hatta Dam. Check which are taking bookings this season and book early for weekends.
