Dubai in December and for New Year's Eve: weather, where to stay
Published on 14 November 2026 · Nreservi team"Dubai weather in December", "Dubai New Year's Eve", "hotel in Dubai for New Year": from autumn onwards, these searches come back every year among Algerian travellers looking for winter sun. On our site too, most hotel searches for Dubai target December to March. Here is what the weather is like, what to know about the night of 31 December, and which district to choose for your stay.
What is the weather like in Dubai in December and January?
Winter is Dubai's most pleasant season: mild days, cool evenings and very little rain, a few days a month at most.
| Month | Average high | Average low |
|---|---|---|
| December | about 26 °C | about 15-16 °C |
| January | about 24 °C | about 13-14 °C |
| February | about 25 °C | about 14-15 °C |
The sea stays above 20 °C on average all winter, so swimming is possible, especially in the warmest hours. Pack a light jacket for evenings on a terrace or on the beach, and for the air conditioning in the malls.
Time difference: Dubai is 3 hours ahead of Algeria
Dubai runs on Gulf Standard Time (UTC+4) all year round, with no daylight saving; Algeria is on UTC+1, with no daylight saving either. When it is noon in Algiers, it is 3 pm in Dubai, in December as in July. Keep it in mind for your hotel check-in and for calls home.
New Year's Eve in Dubai: the night of 31 December
The highlight is the Burj Khalifa fireworks at midnight, in Downtown Dubai. It is also the busiest night of the year in that area. For the night of 31 December 2025, the Dubai authorities and the local press announced:
- free public viewing areas around the Burj Khalifa;
- phased road closures in Downtown from 4 pm;
- a metro running non-stop for 43 hours, with the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station liable to close from 5 pm if it got too crowded.
For 31 December 2026, the arrangements should in principle be similar, but exact times are only published a few days before the celebration: check the official Dubai announcements before going out, and set off early if you want a good spot.
Where to stay for New Year's Eve?
- Downtown: at the foot of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall, the closest location to the fireworks, as long as you accept the crowds and roads closed for much of the evening. Before booking, ask the hotel how to reach it on the night of the 31st. The Armani Hotel Dubai occupies part of the tower itself.
- Dubai Marina and JBR: towers around a canal, JBR beach and its lively promenade in the evening. A good choice for a seaside holiday; on the 31st, plan your journey ahead if you want to see the Burj Khalifa.
- Palm Jumeirah: the palm-shaped island and its large resorts, such as Atlantis The Palm, next to the Aquaventure water park. Ideal for families who want to enjoy the hotel.
- Deira and Bur Dubai: old Dubai, on both sides of the Creek, with the gold and spice souks; an area served by the metro, useful for comparing prices.
Whatever the district, the end-of-year holidays are in high demand: book early, preferably a cancellable room, and check what the price includes (breakfast, any charges payable at the hotel).
What to do in Dubai in winter?
- Go up the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world, and stroll through the Dubai Mall.
- Cross the Creek by abra, the small boats linking both banks, to reach the Deira souks.
- Enjoy the beaches of JBR or Jumeirah, facing the Burj Al Arab.
- Spend a day in Abu Dhabi: the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the parks of Yas Island.
Booking your hotel in Dubai for the holidays
On Nreservi, you search for your hotel in Dubai online, then our team confirms availability and price. From Algeria, you pay in dinars without a bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly agency. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you once payment is made. A question about a district? NIA, our WhatsApp assistant, and our team will answer.
To choose your district in detail: where to stay in Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina or JBR and Abu Dhabi or Dubai: where to stay.
Sources: Wikipedia (Climate of Dubai) and weather2travel (monthly averages); timeanddate and citytimediff (time zones); The National (30/12/2025) and Gulf News (December 2025) for the New Year's Eve arrangements; accessed 14/11/2026. Times for 31 December 2026 will be set by the Dubai authorities.
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