Things to do in Dubai at Night - Evening Activities

By Dom Bewley
dubai at night

You know what they say about the nighttime - it's when the sun sets, and things get dark. Do you know what else they say about the night? It's when the real fun starts. That is what they say, check the dictionary. So, if you're in Dubai, make the most of your evenings by checking out the best things to do at night! We've taken the pain out of it, and put all the best bits down below. Enjoy!

Including:

  • Ain Dubai evening boat tour
  • Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner
  • Dubai Magical Night Tour
  • Dubai Ice Rink
  • VR Park Dubai
  • and more!
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Flashing, reflecting, refracting lights

There's nothing quite as stunning as seeing the bright lights of a burgeoning city beaming off of the sea. Well, maybe there are, but in this instance, we'll pretend otherwise. That's because one of the best things to do in Dubai at night is an evening boat tour of the city's coast!

For an entire 60 minutes, you'll explore Dubai Marina, enjoy stunning views of the city's skyscraping 5-star hotels and the luxury yachts docked here, and cruise past Jumeirah Beach and get a chance to ogle at the opulent high-rise residences here and on Bluewaters Island.

But the best sightseeing on this tour is undoubtedly the Ain Dubai. At 250 meters, it's the tallest observation wheel on the planet, dwarfing the likes of The London Eye and the High Roller in Las Vegas.

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BBQ in the barrens

Deserts can be unforgiving beasts. Miles upon miles with no water, shade, and the delirious mirages of water fountains and freshwater streams are all things we'd rather avoid. However, a curated trip to the desert can actually be a blast, and that's what you'll experience on this desert safari and bbq dinner.

You'll start proceedings by being driven from the city into the desert in a 4x4, where you can watch the beautiful scenery of the setting sun. Then, you'll reach a camp, where you and many others can enjoy a delicious bbq meal of grilled meats and other Arabic delights.

Then, settle in for the evening's entertainment. Belly dancing, shisha, sandboarding, camel riding, and more are all available to partake in, should you feel up for it after the epic feast. After all that, you'll be taken straight back to your hotel. Epic nights don't get much better than that, and you never have to worry about dying of thirst. Brilliant!

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Tour the night

While touring the Dubai coast and seeing the city's lights dance off the water is one thing, seeing them up close on dry land is quite another! So why not go explore the city's nightlife on a magical evening tour of Dubai?

Highlights include the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, the Burj Al Arab, Dubai Harbour, and more. And believe us, all of these are truly spectacular to see at night. And, while you're cruising in luxury, air-conditioned comfort, your guide will fill you in on the history of each landmark, as well as the city's near-future plans.

If you want to learn a little more about the city you're visiting, as well as snap some of the fluorescent delights on full display, do yourself a favor and take a curated tour!

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It was a cold and icy night

How does carving some sweet powder on solid ice sound for an evening? Is that what people call it? Carving powder? Who cares, because you can carve whatever you want when you take a PM trip to Dubai Ice Rink!

Head to the Dubai Mall, put on your best icing skates, and get ready for some pirouette action as you dazzle the crowds with your ice skating moves. Or, crawl around the edge of the rink holding on for dear life as your feet betray you. Whatever floats your boat. That wasn't an iceberg pun, simply a happy accident.

Suitable for both skating enthusiasts and newbies, the rink has ice marshals on hand to ensure you don't hurt anyone else, let alone yourself with your long, gangly dancers' legs. Still, if you can brave the embarrassment, or you're somehow an 'expert' ice skater, you'll have tons of fun doing the business.

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Reality, but not as you know it

Sometimes, reality doesn't quite cut it. Even if you're in Dubai, you might be looking for some alternatives to the beautiful city, the mesmerizing desert, and the wonderful waters. You might be looking for something a little more out of this world. Well, put your search to rest, because Dubai's own VR Park has just the ticket, a ticket to the extraordinary.

With 25 games to choose from, pick seven to play and enter the virtual space. Then, whichever mind-blowing experiences and adventures you like!

Play a few rounds of VR sports, hop across platforms in mythical, uncharted worlds, and even face off against your friends in competitive modes. Try your hand at the likes of Dubai Drop, Dune Bash, Robocom, Arena, and many more!

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Eat, drink, and be merry

And finally, let's end this exploration of the best things to do in Dubai at night with everyone's favorite evening pastime - dinner. Nothing quite beats an epic meal to end the day, and you'll be pleased to hear that Dubai has a massive amount of amazing restaurants within its opulent walls.

Whatever you desire is sure to be on offer in the city. Even the fussiest eaters will find plenty of delightful places to sit down for a plate or three. In fact, there are so many that we wrote an entire article talking about them. If you don't feel like reading all that, don't worry, we'll break the best one down here.

If all-day brunch is your jam, check out Bubbalicious at the Marriott's Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. It's all you can eat, and covers every Earthly cuisine imaginable, so you're bound to find some treats to enjoy.

Looking for something a little more lively? Try the French restaurant Bagatelle, which happily combines a delicious yet unique menu with live music and refreshing drinks in the evening. Many people even head there after dark to make the most of the festivities!

Or, for a classy Italian spot, seek out Armani/Ristorante, and indulge in the likes of foie gras, lobster, and all the other good things on this Earth.

And those are our picks for the best things to do in Dubai at night! Looking for some daytime ideas too? Why not check out Go City? With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want.

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Dubai in April

Dubai is fast becoming one of the most exciting places to visit on the planet. Thanks to an explosion of outside investment, a growing expat community, and year-round sun, plenty of folks flock to its shores every year to see what all the fuss is about. If you're one of them, or you're teetering on the edge of decision, let us help. Is April the perfect month to plan your vacation in Dubai? Read on, and discover our guide to Dubai in April. Including: Dubai in April - weather Water parks Beaches Desert shenanigans and more! Dubai in April: What to Expect Unlike most places in the northern hemisphere, where summer kicks into gear at the end of May/early June, Dubai sees its summertime rise in April. With highs of 93°F and lows of 72°F, it's probably the most comfortable summer weather you'll get if you're not into baking heat and mid-afternoon siestas. Leave the jackets at home, ladies and gentlemen - you won't need them. Instead, pack light, airy clothes that will keep you as cool as possible. As this is peak summer temperatures in much of the world, let's explore some fun summertime experiences that will help you make the most of the heat and let you cool off too! Dubai in April: What to Do Water is wet, and you can be too When the temperatures reach the 90s, are there many better places to cool off than a water park? Turns out Dubai feels the same way, as you'll find a number of brilliant water parks around the city. Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm is one of the best, with plenty of amazing rides to tickle the fancy of kids and big kids alike. From death-defying drops to snakey slides, you'll find a world of wet wonder within its walls. You'll also find a kids-only area for the really little ones. And, if you need a break from all the excitement or just a sliver of shade, head to the park's beach area and lounge beneath a parasol. Over on Yas Island, one of the landmasses around Dubai's coast, you'll find another amazing waterpark at Yas Waterworld. Visitors will be treated to a wealth of over 40 rides, including the world's largest sheet wave machine for your surfing pleasure and Slithers Sliders, which sees you twisting and turning through a snake's body before crashing out of its open maw. And then, for a kid-centric water park, you have LEGOLAND® Water Park. Featuring a colorful cast of LEGO characters made popular by the companies' cinematic outings, your little ones will enjoy over 20 rides of varying shapes and styles. Into the dunes April might be the last time to make the most of Dubai's dunes before the long and unforgiving summer grips the city. And rather than venture in on your own with no idea how to survive the sea of sand, why not take a curated tour of the dunes and take part in some activities? For the grease monkeys out there, you can try your hand at quad-biking or driving a dune buggy. Animal lovers might prefer a slower, natural tour atop a camel. And, if you're in the market for some good food and great relaxation, you'll want to check out the desert BBQ tour. No matter which you'll choose, you can expect 5-star service. A kitted-out 4x4 replete with delicious air-con and comfortable seats will pick you up from your hotel and take you out of the city. And, when the experience is over, they'll bring you right back. The perfect way to avoid all the hassle of booking cabs or planning public transport routes, our desert tours ensure you get to see stunning sights and thrilling experiences without worrying about planning! Refuel at one of Dubai's amazing restaurants After all the excitement of Dubai's myriad experiences, you'll need to get some food in you. Thankfully, Dubai has a metric ton of restaurants of all shapes, sizes, and cuisines within its walls. Italian-lovers will appreciate the upmarket sophistication of Armani/Ristorante, which has delicious lobster, wagyu beef, foie gras, and braised lamb ravioli, among many, many others. For a modern take on Indian culinary classics, waddle over to Masti. Thanks to award-winning chef Prashant Chipkar, you'll be surprised by the small plates and delight at the variety of spicy delights on offer. And, for a more aquatic affair, try Long Teng and its specialist seafood dishes. Thanks to its large aquarium, you can pick out the perfect fish or crustacean for your dinner, or sit down to some of its many vegetarian choices. View from the top If you want to see Dubai from up on high, why not ascend the world's largest building and get another perspective on this desert oasis? Thanks to Burj Khalifa, you can do just that. At over 2,700ft, you won't be taking the stairs. Thankfully, a double-decker elevator is there to help you on your way. Traveling at 10 meters per second, it still takes long enough for you to read the video displays that explain Dubai's history and how the Burj Khalifa came about. Then, when you reach your destination above the clouds, you'll find telescopes to zoom in on the people and places below. Then, head up to the top deck, snap some pics on your camera, and speak to the attendants to learn more about the landmarks visible below. Beach life And finally, we couldn't let you go without mentioning Dubai's sandy shores. There's plenty of spots to choose from, but we recommend you hit up Jumeirah Beach Residence - or JBR. This massive beach has everything you could ever want - clean white sand, warm blue water, and enough space to stretch out and make the most of it. You can't swim after sundown due to the lack of light in the water, but you can certainly pitch your tent on its shores all night long. 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Dom Bewley
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Things to do in Dubai for a Birthday

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