Things to do in Dubai When it Rains - Wet/Rainy Activities

rain dubai

Rain - the bane of many a made-up mane, falling water is something many of us would rather avoid entirely. In a desert oasis like Dubai, you may think you're safe from the sprinkly pestilence. But you'd be wrong. Dead wrong. See, it turns out Dubai does experience rain. But don't let a little rain spoil your vacation. Instead, seek shelter from the storm, and fun undercover. Below, we've detailed the best things to do in Dubai when it rains. You don't even have to lift a finger. Now, prepare your eyes for an onslaught of useful information.

Including:

  • Ski Dubai
  • IMG Worlds of Adventure
  • Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
  • Wavehouse
  • VR Park Dubai
  • and more!
Image of Person, Outdoors, Water, Nature,

Ski with the roof up

Even at its coldest or wettest, Dubai's temperature never really dips below 65-70°F. So even when it's raining sideways, you might be looking to chill out those warm bones. Well, if it's chill you want, look no further than Ski Dubai - the world's biggest indoor ski center.

Featuring slopes, ski lifts, and even penguins, stepping inside this icy park is like being transported to another country entirely. You're free to ski, snowboard, or toboggan to your heart's content. You can even descend in a giant snowball, if that's your sort of thing.

With all your equipment provided and instructors on hand for newbies, it's the perfect place to try out winter sports if you've never partaken. If you're a seasoned vet, feel free to go ahead and tear it up however you like.

Image of Fun, Amusement Park, Person,

Themed park

"Theme parks? But they're outside!" We hear your cries, but they are in vain. Stifle your screams into your nearest pillow and listen up. IMG Worlds of Adventure isn't just your average, weather-friendly theme park. It's not only an inside theme park; it's the biggest indoor theme park on the planet.

With thrilling rides themed around beloved characters from pop culture, including Cartoon NetworkTM and MARVEL, you'll spend hours exploring and enjoying each of its five zones.

Will you survive a night in the Haunted Motel? Can you help the Avengers stop Ultron? Are your legs strong enough to outrun a velociraptor? Only time, and a visit to IMG Worlds of Adventure, will tell. Who says the rain has to keep you away from the rollercoasters? Not Dubai, that's for sure.

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Beneath the waves

With all the rain tumbling down outside, the last thing you might want to do is surround yourself with water. But you'd be wrong, rain avoider! There's a whole world to explore under the ocean, so go check out Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo and see it for yourself.

The bulk of the experience takes place in a massive underwater tunnel, where you'll be able to see all sorts of aquatic species going about their day all around you. Perfect for photo ops, as well as a strangely serene stroll, it's a one-of-a-kind experience in Dubai, and well worth a visit.

After you've wandered along the tunnel, you'll reach the Underwater Zoo, where you can get up close and personal with tons of exotic fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic wonders. You'll meet spider crabs, otters, piranhas, penguins, and other colorful characters. Despite its watery nature, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is easily one of the best things to do in Dubai when it rains.

Image of Adult, Male, Man, Person, Female, Girl, Teen, Chair,

Wave for the camera

Even the oldest of us like to pretend we're young again every once in a while. For some, that can mean buying modern clothes to help us look young. For others, it can be doing silly things our bodies aren't capable of achieving anymore. But what if there was a way to relive your youth without any unnecessary embarrassment? Just head to Wavehouse in the Atlantis Hotel and transport yourself back to the good old days of 80s arcades!

They've got bowling alleys, arcade games, and even a surfing simulator to embarrass yourself on. Plus, you can pair all that fun with a host of delicious American diner-esque dishes, from succulent burgers to mouthwatering pizzas. Just make sure you surf those calories off; your metabolism isn't getting any younger, either.

Image of Photography, Face, Head, Person, Portrait, VR Headset,

Explore worlds without rain

If you want to avoid the rain, why not travel to another world entirely? It may sound farfetched, but thanks to the state-of-the-art technology on offer at VR Park Dubai, your dreams of a rain-free world can become a reality.

For four hours, you'll have the opportunity to choose 7 from 25 games and enter virtual reality. Simply slip the headset on, pick your poison, and play away. Can you make your way out of the VR Maze? Can you stop the robot uprising in Robocom? You can even challenge your friends or family to competitive games, including sports, platforming, and puzzle-solving genres.

And who knows, maybe when your four hours are up, the rain will have passed, and you'll be free to roam the sunny streets once more?

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Find a way out

Of course, escaping the rain is your top priority. But what if your rain escape leads you into a trap?! Imprisoned in a room that demands all your wits and grit to escape? An...escape room, if you will. Well, lucky for you, all your nightmares can come true thanks to No Way Out escape rooms!

With 10 spooky rooms on offer, including authentic offerings from the IT and Ring universes, you and up to 8 prisoners - sorry, friends - will battle the clock, devious traps, and puzzles, and contend with creepy actors playing their parts as they try and scare you senseless.

And if that wasn't enough, you can even stay after your game and sit down for a bit of interactive horror cinema. Each showing features wind, water, and other special effects that will assault your senses as you watch. But, be careful. You never know when one of the actors will be creeping right behind your seat. If you have the stomach for it, No Way Out is definitely one of the best things to do in Dubai when it rains!

And those were our picks for the best things to do in Dubai when it rains! Looking for some sunny activities when the weather finally clears up? 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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Sunset Dinner Cruise Dubai Marina
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Things to Do in Dubai Marina During Your Trip - Attractions & Activities

Dubai is a stunning city full of juxtapositions and surprises, in a nation firmly rooted in tradition and Middle Eastern history that has not only incorporated but embraced modernity and innovation. From the classical courtyards and wooden dhow boats of Dubai Creek's historic district to the gilded boulevards and shining Burj Khalifa of Downtown Dubai, to the aqua blue waters of Palm Jumeirah. The Emirate is a pearl in the desert, offering a host of activities and attractions to entice visitors of all ages. Travel further into the city, to the thriving pulse of Dubai Marina, one of the Emirate's newer residential and entertainment districts and you'll discover even more fun on your vacation. This picturesque neighborhood is the perfect combination of both beach and cosmopolitan vibes, build on man-made canals and situated on the coast of the Arabian Gulf. Here you'll find shiny modern high-rise luxury apartment blocks, five-star beach resorts, dozens of restaurants, local and international boutiques and shops, and a multitude of running and walking paths for your enjoyment. If you’re looking for things to do in Dubai Marina during your trip, check out our list of the best local activities and attractions, including... Speedboat Sightseeing Tour Sunset Dinner Cruise at Dubai Marina The Walk and The Beach at JBR Zero Gravity Beach Club Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates and more... Speedboat Sightseeing Tour Sunset Dinner Cruise at Dubai Marina The Walk and The Beach at JBR Zero Gravity Beach Club Your visit to Dubai Marina should also include a stop at Zero Gravity Beach Club. This massive beach club and entertainment compound is one of the area's hottest attractions. By day Zero Gravity is a place of enjoyment and relaxation, where you can lounge under a beach umbrella or take a dip in the club's glass-walled infinity pool. You won't go hungry with an on-site restaurant and bars. As the launch site for skydivers taking the plunge at SkyDive Dubai you can watch parachutists come in over the beach from your more comfortable perch. When day turns to night the club plays host to some of the best live music and top international acts performing in the city. Getting In: Admission to Zero Gravity Beach Club is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go Dubai pass. Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates (located near Dubai Marina) Located a short distance from Dubai Marina, is one of Dubai's original megamalls, Mall of the Emirates. The mall of the Emirates is home to hundreds of shops, from Prada and Topshop to the Emirate's very first Apple store, along with a state-of-the-art 4D mega movie theater multiplex, and the Middle East's first indoor ski resort: Ski Dubai. Ski Dubai is an awe-inspiring 3,000-square-foot winter wonderland (filled with real snow!) for all ages to enjoy. Whether you're speeding down the twin-track bobsled track or the world's first indoor black diamond run, or rolling down the hills on a giant padded snowball, you'll find something to indulge your inner thrill-seeker. If you'd rather take it easy, head to the snow cavern -- filled with interactive exhibits and games, this is a nice alternative to skiing and is good for those with mobility concerns. For a great view, take a ride up the chairlift for a sweeping view of the freshly dropped snow. Finally, don't miss out on the daily march of the Ski Dubai penguins, as the resort's most famous inhabitants come out for a strut. Getting In: Ski Dubai - Snow Classic tickets and Ski Dubai Ski Slope tickets are included with the Go Dubai pass. Remember to Save on Dubai Marina Attraction Admission There you go - a few great recommendations for things to do in Dubai Marina during your trip. Admission to a number of these top Dubai attractions and activities are included on the Go Dubai pass. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save on combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more.
Lindsay Eagan
A child decorates a Christmas tree on the beach
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Things to do in Dubai in December

December is a popular time to visit the desert state of Dubai. It’s one of the coolest times of year when it comes to the climate, whilst still providing the warmth that many will be missing back home. The emirate’s venues and attractions are alive with events too. Fancy a pre-Christmas break, or even spending the festive season amongst the souks, beaches and skyscrapers of Dubai? Check out our guide to Dubai in December! What’s the weather in Dubai in December? Usually weather sections are good news/bad news. Not so with Dubai in December, where it’s pretty much all positive. Whilst cold by Dubai standards, average daily temperatures hang around the mid-twenties Celsius, dropping to 16-19°C by night. That’s warm enough for most people to take a turn on Dubai’s beaches by day and head out and about by night with nothing more than a light coat, which are also useful additions for anyone entering the fierce air conditioning of the city’s malls and other indoor attractions. Describing it as rain probably makes too much of the showers that appear across two to four days of the month, since just 14 mm of precipitation is usually recorded for all of December. Like much of the rest of the year, days are dominated by sun, with eight hours of sunlight and 11 hours of daylight. Humidity levels hover around 60%, ensuring this isn’t much to worry about either. No wonder December in Dubai is peak tourist season! Making the most of the weather Out of bounds for several months because of the extreme heat, December welcomes people back to the dunes of the desert beyond the sky-piercing structures of downtown. An extraordinary contrast to the modern center of Dubai, the traditions of the sands can be explored with a desert safari and BBQ dinner. Capturing the dunes at sunset, this evening of Arabian delights includes authentic hospitality in the form of food, drink and entertainment. You’ll also have the chance to have your hands hennaed and ride a camel. Morning desert safaris and 4x4 quad bike rides are other ways to explore these landscapes. Further contrasts can be found at Miracle Garden. Never one to do things on a small scale – we give you the Burj Khalifa as an example – the Miracle Garden is the largest flower garden in the world, containing around 250 million individual plants. Open from October to April each year, December is a great time to visit both it and its attached butterfly garden – home to 15,000 of the insects from 26 different species. But if you’re somehow already missing the winter, you only need to head as far as the Mall of the Emirates, where amongst its boutique stores you’ll find Ski Dubai. It’s artificial mountain slopes provide over 22,000 square meters of skiable snow, alongside a small colony of gentoo and king penguins. Honor National Day If you hadn’t realized it already, behind its brash contemporary exterior Dubai has a soul that traces its heritage back to the pearl fishers of the Middle Ages. Saved from destruction, it’s Dubai Creek where much of this history is easiest to discover. The ideal place to start is Dubai Museum, occupying the 18th-century walls of Al Fahidi Fort. It is joined by the attractions of the Shindagha historic district, incorporating ancient structures in the heritage village and the Crossroads of Civilization Museum to boot. Cross the creek by boat or metro and you’ll be standing in the alleyways of the city’s souk marketplaces, from the reflected light of the gold souk to the rich aromas of the spice souk. It can all be enjoyed from the waters on a dhow dinner cruise of Dubai Creek. These are all the more special on the UAE’s national day on December 2, with skies lit up with major fireworks displays come evening. Christmas in Dubai Dubai has become a favorite destination for Christmas escapes. Acting as an international vacation and business hub has helped to ensure the season doesn’t go unnoticed, even if the vast majority of Dubai’s population are Muslim and don’t abide by the religious aspects of December 25. Large Christmas trees decorate many public spaces and santas set up workshops in many of the city’s malls with the help of their elves. Dubai Harbor and Souk Madinat Jumeirah are just two of the Christmas markets that appear, with ice rinks, food stalls and gift buying some of the attractions that await. Homely festive meals such as roast turkey with all the trimmings are easy to find in the restaurants of downtown, whilst those keen to attend mass are able to do so at Dubai’s churches. How to spend New Year in Dubai You only have to wait a few days after Christmas for the next celebration – New Year’s Eve. From quiet beginnings, midnight on December 31 has become an important way to advertise Dubai on the world stage. Celebrations usually center around the Burj Khalifa, with crowds gathering beside the Dubai Fountain next to it for several hours in preparation for the light show on the side of the building and the fireworks display above it. If you’d rather have a gala experience, there are plenty to choose between, with most of the city’s top venues the location of parties of one form or another, including the QE2. You’ll want to dress up for the occasion, so don’t forget to pack a cocktail dress or rent a three-piece suit in good time. Enjoy all Dubai in December has to offer Sun, sea, sand – and snow too if you want it – Dubai in December is everything you’ll want from a vacation destination during the festive season. Cool enough to explore the desert but warm enough to hit the beach, the Christmas events aren’t the only reason to holiday in Dubai in December. Grab your vacation time with both hands by taking advantage of the reduced attraction admission provided by Go City. Travel with one of our passes in tow and huge savings on many of the city’s top attractions will be at your finger-tips!
Ian Packham

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