Making The Most of May in Dubai 2025
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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 (as long as we don’t have a repeat of 2024’s weather patterns!)
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 in Dubai is at its lowest point in May, so it is a drier heat than usual, and rainfall is unlikely, though not unheard of, in May in Dubai. However, dust storms are common at this time of year, impacting visibility and air quality.
Sea temperatures are not quite at their summer peaks but do significantly warm up in May, making it ideal for beachgoers to enjoy a dip in the azure waters of the Persian 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 2025
Gone are the days when May was considered a quiet month in Dubai, when nothing much happens – quite the opposite. May in Dubai is shaping into 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 2025. Click on the green links for more details and ticketing information (we are affiliates of Platinumlist and Ticketmaster.ae, which are major ticket sellers in the UAE).
Cultural & Heritage Events in May
- Please note we are still updating this listing for 2025 – More events may be added as new information becomes available.
Live Music, Comedy and Theatre in May
- On May 2nd, award-winning Egyptian singer Angham will enchant the audience with her tuneful melodies at the Coca-Cola Arena.
- You can catch the popular Korean DJ and singer Peggy Gou at the Soho Garden Festival at Expo City on May 3rd.
- Nassif and friends will entertain audiences at the Coca-Cola Arena on May 9th. Offering a night of incredible music, the high-energy concert will feature Nassif Zeytoun, Rahma Riad, Mortadha Ftiti, and Ricky Rich.
- P-Pop Alert! Global sensation Bini will bring their Biniverse World Tour to the Coca-Cola Arena on May 18th!
- Join Greek superstar Nikos Vertis at the Coca-Cola Arena for some heartfelt tunes on 22nd May.
- Carmine Burana, a mesmerising mix of music, dance, and emotion, will be performed on May 23rd at Dubai Opera. This bold reinterpretation is sure to captivate the audience and create an unforgettable evening.
- Come and feel the noise as Stomp creates music in a way that only they know how! This inventive act’s international tour kicks off at Dubai Opera on May 29.
- Enjoy and ABBA Reunion Tribute at Theatre at QE2 on 30 and 31 May 2025
Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi, you can chuckle away at the Abu Dhabi Comedy Festival as well as visit the Abu Dhabi Book Festival. Don’t forget to check out our sister website to see what else is happening in Abu Dhabi this May!
Sporting events in May
- Dubai Basketball will take on Buducnost Voli on May 4th at the Coca-Cola Arena.
- Fancy an Arctic run in the desert? Yep, it’s Dubai. Of course, you can do that. The action is happening at SkiDubai on 18th May 2025, starting early in the morning.
- Between the 9th and 11th May GameExpo returns to Dubai’s World Trade Centre with impressive showcases, tournaments and more!
May events for Kids
Suggested Dubai Activities in May 2025
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 2025
Dubai is a city burgeoning with family-friendly activities year-round.
May is a popular time to visit Dubai with your family, as schools in Europe take a short half-term break towards the end of the month. Schools locally often take a short break at this time, too (though with Eid Al Adha occurring in early June this year, many schools have opted for no half-term break in May 2025).
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—four theme parks in one location! 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 an evening 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 now falling much earlier in the year, during March/April rather than late spring, we are seeing May as still being a popular month to visit with fewer discounted deals.
That said, it is cheaper to visit Dubai in May than April. And as long as you’re in before the second Eid (Eid Al Adha—early June in 2025), you should get good accommodation pricing along with an active events calendar in May
Do also bear in mind many Europeans have a mini school break near month end that can push prices up towards the end of May.
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 2025 due to an Eid break occurring in early June.
Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai
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