The best time to visit Abu Dhabi very much depends on personal choice. Some tourists prefer to visit when there are tonnes of events taking place.
Whilst others visit for pleasant temperatures and everyday activities in Abu Dhabi. The low season may be suitable for budget travellers who don’t mind spending more time indoors during the day.
In this post, we are going to dive into each season’s events, weather, and suitable activities for the time of year.
This allows all types of travellers to choose the best time to visit Abu Dhabi for themselves.
Best Time Of Year To Visit Abu Dhabi
November In Abu Dhabi
November is the start of the cooler season in the UAE. It is the best month to visit Abu Dhabi when it comes to seasonal events. It is probably one of the busiest, particularly, towards the latter end of the month.
The biggest event on the calendar in November has to be the F1 Grand Prix. It attracts thousands of visitors to the Emirate and the whole weekend is full of celebrations.
From yacht parties to concerts, and races to award ceremonies, it is the biggest internationally famed event on the Abu Dhabi calendar!
One of the most impressive spectacles of all is the closing when the Red Arrows fly over the Yas Marina track!
There are quite a few local and international special occasions which are celebrated in Abu Dhabi in November. The Emirate always marks the celebrations of other religions and locals always love to take part.
Flag Day and Commemoration Day are UAE-specific celebrations taking place at either end of the month. Whilst Diwali and Thanksgiving are celebrated as well.
There are a number of festivals including the Abu Dhabi Food Festival, The Abu Dhabi Boat Festival and the Science Festival to name a few other things happening throughout the month.
Weather In Abu Dhabi In November
Abu Dhabi’s weather in November is warm but pleasant with lower humidity, making it comfortable to spend time outside.
The average daytime temperature is 27°C (81°F) and in the evening it’s around 18°C (64°F). It’s best to pack light layers for the evenings outside.
Rainfall is low with an average precipitation of 7 mm. The sea temperature is around 25°C (77°F), perfect for swimming and enjoying waterparks, pools, and beaches.
It can get a little windy at times, but outdoor activities can still be enjoyed. November is a great time to visit Abu Dhabi and enjoy various activities.
Why Visit Abu Dhabi In November
November is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi for the Formula 1 Grand Prix with pleasant weather to enjoy the outdoors.
Check out this detailed post on visiting Abu Dhabi in November.
December In Abu Dhabi
December is another month of special events including UAE National Day which holds significant importance in the Emirates and is widely celebrated.
National Day is a bank holiday and there are always tonnes going on from firework displays across the city as well as special events at hotels and restaurants.
Some of the most iconic landmarks come alight over the festivities in the UAE colours. It is a fantastic time to visit to get a feel for the culture and patriotism in UAE.
As previously mentioned, Abu Dhabi is particularly embracing of international celebrations. Christmas is widely marked with malls adorned with decorations, Christmas trees in hotel lobbies, not to mention pop-up Christmas Markets in a number of places.
The festivities are loved by locals and tourists alike. The markets tend to have activities for children, live performances and festive treats. Such markets can usually be found on Al Maryah Island and Yas Mall.
NYE is also huge with plenty of fireworks, parties and festive brunches.
There are a number of other key events such as the Abu Dhabi Marathon, not to mention cultural festivals which are well worth visiting. These include the Sheikh Zayed Festival, Al Dhafra Festival and Mother of the Nation Festival.
Mother of The Nation Festival is usually on the Corniche, whilst Sheikh Zayed Festival is about 45 minutes out of town in the Al Wathba region, close to the Long Salt Lake and the fossil dunes.
The Al Dhafra Festival is in the western region of the Emirate, close to the Saudi Arabia border and takes at least a 2-hour drive to get to from downtown.
Weather In Abu Dhabi In December
December in Abu Dhabi has temperatures ranging from 17°C to 26°C, which is perfect for exploring the city.
The UAE experiences year-round sunshine with occasional days of rain due to its desert climate.
December may have up to three rainy days, and the sea temperature is around 25°C, providing a refreshing swim.
Locals may find the weather to be cold, while visitors from colder climates may feel warm.
Why Visit Abu Dhabi In December?
December is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi for pleasant weather and to enjoy outdoor activities such as the beach and kayaking around the mangroves or wakeboarding.
In particular the UAE National Day and the Christmas Markets and cultural & heritage festivals.
Check out this detailed post on visiting Abu Dhabi in December.
January In Abu Dhabi
Visiting Abu Dhabi in January is very pleasant as the temperatures are at their lowest making it easy to explore everything the Emirate has to offer.
Similarly, from the second week onwards, most tourists have left the city as most schools return after New Year. January is a great time to still have a chance to access some of the cultural festivals as many run until March or April time.
Mother of Nation Festival usually ends in the first week of January. Whilst the Sheikh Zayed Festival and the Al Dhafra Festival tend to run much later allowing January visitors to have a unique cultural experience.
The Abu Dhabi Golf Championships usually take place in January and tend to attract international golfing enthusiasts.
Weather In Abu Dhabi In January
January in Abu Dhabi has comfortable temperatures, with an average daytime temperature of around 24°C (75°F).
The high temperatures during the day can reach up to 26°C (79°F) and the low temperatures can drop to around 16°C (61°F) in the evenings.
The humidity during January is relatively low, making the weather pleasant for outdoor activities.
Abu Dhabi in January experiences very little rainfall, with an average precipitation of just 5 mm.
The humidity ranges from around 48% to 66%, which is lower than in the summer months. The wind speed is generally low, with an average of around 9 km/h (6 mph).
Why Visit Abu Dhabi In January?
January is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi, particularly after the second week to experience all of the outdoor activities and some of the cultural festivals without the crowds.
Check out this detailed guide to Abu Dhabi in January.
February In Abu Dhabi
February is not quite as busy as November or December although plenty of tourists continue to enjoy the cooler weather throughout the month.
It’s a great time to visit weekend ripe markets and enjoy the beautiful parks and beaches. Some cultural festivals continue through the months of February such as the Sheikh Zayed Festival and the Al Dhafra Festival.
Valentines Day is very popular in Abu Dhabi with many restaurants and hotels marking the occasion.
The Mubadala Open Tennis takes place in Abu Dhabi in February, as does the Padel Master.
February Weather In Abu Dhabi
During the day, the temperature can range from around 23°C (73°F) to 29°C (84°F), with an average temperature of 26°C (79°F).
The evenings in Abu Dhabi during February are typically cooler, with temperatures dropping to around 19°C (61°F).
Humidity levels are generally low, averaging around 55%, which makes it a comfortable time to visit.
Abu Dhabi experiences very little rainfall in February, with an average of only 10 mm of rainfall throughout the month.
The wind speeds in Abu Dhabi in February are usually light to moderate and around 10-15 km/h (6-9 mph).
Why Visit Abu Dhabi In February?
February has perfect weather with cool evenings and it is ideal for a romantic Valentine’s Day in the Emirate or for tennis fans wanting to visit the Mubadala Opens.
Check out this detailed guide to visiting Abu Dhabi in February.
March In Abu Dhabi
March is generally a busy month in the Emirate. For the next couple of years at least, it is safe to say Ramadan will fall in March. With that comes changes in opening hours across Abu Dhabi.
Not to mention an incredible opportunity to experience Iftars and Suhoors. Iftars are essentially the breaking or the fast during Ramadan.
Many hotels provide a lavish spread in the form of a buffet with lots of Arabic cuisines. It is a really beautiful experience. Expats and tourists alike are welcome to join any of the Iftar events across the city.
Just before Iftar, canons are fired across the city to mark the end of the fast. It’s an age-old tradition and it is worth checking out the nearest one. They happen across Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
Suhoor on the other hand is the last meal before dawn. Again many hotels and restaurants serve suhoor in the small hours of the morning. It truly is unique to see families share their last meal before a day of fasting.
Many tourists avoid visitng during the holy month of Ramadan, however from our experience its a fantastic time to visit.
Theme parks and other attractions are not busy during the day. Not to mention there are so many deals and discounts.
Other celebrations such as Mother’s Day and St Patricks Day, not to mention Holi Festival are also celebrated in March.
Easter will fall in March and from what we have seen in the Emirate, the event is marked in multiple hotels in the form of Easter brunch and egg hunt activities, even during Ramadan!
Ultra Music Festival falls early on in the month and we are still waiting to hear the next confirmed date.
Weather In Abu Dhabi In March
The average daytime temperature in March is around 29°C (84°F). However, temperatures can range from as low as 18°C (64°F) to a high of 34°C (93°F) throughout the month.
March is relatively dry in Abu Dhabi, with an average of only 6mm of rainfall throughout the whole month. Humidity levels are moderate, averaging around 60%, which can make the temperatures feel warmer than they actually are!
Winds in Abu Dhabi in March are generally light to moderate, with an average wind speed of around 12 km/h (7 mph)
Why Visit Abu Dhabi In March?
Visit Abu Dhabi in March to get a full cultural experience of Ramadan and enjoy Iftars and Suhoors with the locals.
Not to mention pick up lots of heavily discounted sale items at the malls which is perfect for those visiting to shop.
Check out this detailed guide to visiting Abu Dhabi in March.
April In Abu Dhabi
Ramadan will continue to spill into April for the next couple of years so. It is another time to enjoy all of the Iftars and Suhoors.
Eid Al Fitr, is the holiday which marks the end of Ramadan and dates are dictated by the moon sightings. It is usually a time when families and friends go on holiday together, be it abroad, or on a UAE staycation.
For those staying in Abu Dhabi, there are usually concerts and firework displays across the Capital.
As the month draws to a close, it begins to get very hot so a number of theatre productions and concerts tend to take place later in the month which is a fantastic indoor option.
Weather In Abu Dhabi In April
Abu Dhabi in April is warm and pleasant with an average temperature of 27°C (80°F) that can occasionally spike to 33°C (91°F).
The evenings are comfortable with temperatures dropping to 20°C (68°F). Humidity is around 60% and sandstorms caused by northwesterly winds can offer relief from the warmer temperatures.
April is one of the driest months with very little chance of rain, averaging only 2mm of rainfall.
Why Visit Abu Dhabi In April?
April is a fantastic time to continue enjoying the cultural experiences of Ramadan Iftarrs, Suhoors and Eid celebrations.
Check out this detailed post on visiting Abu Dhabi in April.
May In Abu Dhabi
Once May comes around the peak tourism season is coming to an end as temperatures heat up. Average temperatures are pretty intolerable for most so the majority of activities and events are inside in May.
With that comes festivals, concerts, comedy shows and incredible theatre line-ups. The Abu Dhabi Culture & Tourism Department teams up with various partners across the city to bring all sorts of entertainment to the Emirate.
Weather In Abu Dhabi In May
Abu Dhabi in May has hot and dry weather typical of the desert climate. Temperatures range from 38°C (100°F) during the day to 26°C (78°F) at night, with an average of 35°C (95°F) during the day.
Rainfall is low at only 10mm and humidity levels are around 55%, making it slightly more tolerable than June, July, and August.
The wind speeds in May are light to moderate, around 10-15 km/h (6-9 mph). Early morning and early evening are the best times to be outside, with swimming in the pool possible from 3 pm onwards.
Why To Visit Abu Dhabi In May?
May is a great month for those who love the arts! It is the first month of the summer season when events move inside. With that comes comedy shows, lots of concerts, festivals and theatre shows.
Check out this detailed guide to visiting Abu Dhabi in May.
Summer June To September In Abu Dhabi
June through September are some of the most difficult months to be in Abu Dhabi. Residents tend to go on holiday over the summer period and pretty much all events are exclusively indoors.
A tonne of fantastic summer camps run for kids over the period since most are off school from July through August.
Since it is the low season, many hotels, spas, restaurants and attractions run fantastic deals to entice tourists.
In fact last year, Visit Abu Dhabi Tourism Board created a special summer card to provide very affordable access to multiple attractions across the city.
The summer period is perfect for frugal travellers who want to experience theme parks and indoor activities at a reduced price and the summer is the perfect time to do it.
There are some fantastic deals to stay at luxury hotels and some restaurants run kids eat-free over the school holidays.
The swimming pool and beach are just about tolerable in the late evening so there is a small window to be outside over the desert summer.
Check out this post on indoor activities for adults in Abu Dhabi and this one for indoor activities for kids.
Summer Weather In Abu Dhabi
From June through September, Abu Dhabi experiences extremely hot and dry weather. The average daytime temperature in June is around 40°C (104°F) and can reach as high as 44°C (111°F) during the day.
The temperature at night only drops to around 29°C (84°F) making it uncomfortable for outdoor activities.
July and August are even hotter with average daytime temperatures around 42°C (108°F) and can go up to 47°C (117°F) during the day.
The temperature at night only drops to around 32°C (90°F) making it very uncomfortable to be outside.
September is still very hot with an average daytime temperature of around 39°C (102°F).
The temperature can spike up to 43°C (109°F) during the day, and the average temperature at night is around 29°C (84°F).
Humidity levels are also very high during this time, with an average of 60-80%. There is very little rainfall during these months, with an average of only 1-2mm.
Wind speeds are generally low to moderate with an average of 12-15 km/h (7-9 mph).
Reasons To Visit Abu Dhabi Over Summer
Summer is a really good time for frugal travellers to pick up a deal on luxury hotels, restaurant offers and discounted rates on all attractions including theme parks.
However, anyone visiting over summer needs to be comfortable with spending most of their time indoors.
Check out any of these detailed post on visiting:
Visiting Abu Dhabi in August
October In Abu Dhabi
October is the first month of the cooler day which tends to see tourists return to Abu Dhabi. Many places such as the UK and Ireland have a school break and so the tourism season commences towards the end of the month.
October is a month when reopening parties tend to take place. Some businesses across the Emirates predominately operate outdoors so October is the first suitable month to reopen.
Such parties may include Pura Eco Resort and Art Lounge at the Louvre, Abu Dhabi.
More recently, Abu Dhabi has been running Octoberfest in many of the bars and hotels making for some fun evenings al fresco with German-themed music, food and beverages.
There are also a couple of international sporting events including a golf tournament and UFC attracts many people to Abu Dhabi in October.
Surprisingly, Halloween is huge in Abu Dhabi with many places running special brunches and parties. Yas Mall and Galleria Mall run a special spooky pop-up festival with performances, characters and markets.
Weather In Abu Dhabi In October
October marks the beginning of the cooler season in Abu Dhabi, with average temperatures ranging from 23°C (73°F) to 35°C (95°F) during the day, and dropping to around 20°C (68°F) at night.
The average daytime temperature is around 30°C (86°F). Abu Dhabi experiences very little rainfall in October, with an average of only 2 mm and precipitation of 1% throughout the month.
The wind speeds are generally light to moderate, with an average wind speed of around 10-15 km/h (6-9 mph).
Humidity levels decrease in October, with an average of around 55%, making it a more comfortable month to explore the outdoors.
It’s a good time to enjoy Abu Dhabi’s beautiful beaches and outdoor activities such as desert safaris, kayaking through mangroves or boat trips and visiting landmarks and mosques.
Reasons To Visit Abu Dhabi In October
Abu Dhabi goes all out with Halloween celebrations in October!
Check out this detailed post on visiting Abu Dhabi in October.
We hope you found this post about the best time to visit Abu Dhabi useful. Did you visit? Leave a comment we love to hear about your experiences.
Disclaimer: This post about the best time to visit Abu Dhabi contains affiliate links, using them will not cost you any extra. We may receive a small commission to keep us writing.