13 Things to Do in Dubai in October

One of the best times of year to visit Dubai is autumn, and October in particular. The city of skyscrapers glows with a special light , and the temperatures – unlike the scorching summer heat – are quite pleasant (between 24°C and 35°C) for outdoor activities.

Find out in this article how to enjoy a unique experience during the month of October.

If you want to put the finishing touch to your trip to this magical city, I recommend booking an excursion with dinner and a show in the Dubai desert, as at this time of year you’ll enjoy the pleasant evening climate and can bid farewell to the city in style. What’s more, you’ll be safe from the sandstorms that occur in other months of the year.

The adventure of sleeping in the Dubai desert usually includes a dinner full of local aromas and flavours, ending with an oriental-style show in a Bedouin camp under the starry night sky. You’ll see the sky clearer than ever! Is there a more romantic way to end your getaway?

There’s no better way to spend October in Dubai than by booking a dinner cruise, when the weather allows you to make the most of this romantic experience.

On this approximately 1 hour 30-minute tour aboard a luxurious boat, you’ll be able to admire wonderful panoramic views of the illuminated city and its main landmarks, such as the Arabian Tower and the Burj Al Arab, whilst enjoying a delicious buffet-style dinner featuring Arabic and international dishes, which includes a welcome drink.

And the unique and unrivalled highlight of your trip to Dubai in October is a hot-air balloon ride, an experience from a height of between 600 and 1,200 metres where you’ll be left speechless by the impressive skyscrapers by the sea.

This way, you can admire the best panoramic views for between 40 and 70 minutes. Mind you, if you decide to book this balloon flight, bear in mind that the total duration is four hours as it includes return transport to and from your hotel and a complimentary drink.

You’ll also be accompanied by a certified pilot who will guide you throughout the entire experience.

My favourite experience if you wake up to a hotter-than-usual day is to book a dolphin encounter at the Atlantis Water Park in Dubai. You’ll have the chance to swim alongside the dolphins and learn all about the habits and routines of these marine mammals. And if you’re a bit nervous, don’t worry because you’ll be accompanied by a professional guide at all times.

And don’t worry about the equipment, as you’ll be provided with a wetsuit and buoyancy aid before you get in the water.

What’s more, this experience includes free entry to Dubai’s impressive Aquaventure water park and discounts for entry to the Lost Chambers Aquarium, so you can enjoy all its attractions and slides – over a hundred of them – like a kid. Start first thing in the morning and make the most of your day!

If you’re lucky enough to spend at least four days in the exotic city of Dubai, I suggest you set aside one of them to book a trip to Abu Dhabi, which is just an hour and a half away. October is one of the best months to visit because temperatures drop by 5°C (averaging around 30°C) and it’s a great time for sightseeing.

In this article, I explain in detail how to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi easily. In my case, I chose to make the trip to Abu Dhabi on a guided tour so as not to miss a thing.

What to see in Abu Dhabi?

• Sheikh Zayed Mosque, popularly known as the Grand Mosque, is white in colour and one of the most beautiful and impressive places of worship you’ll come across. A true architectural masterpiece.
• Louvre Abu Dhabi: a modern, futuristic building well worth a visit, even if only from the outside. It reminded me, in a way, of the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia.
• Qasr Al Watan: this is the presidential palace of the United Arab Emirates. If you’re travelling to Abu Dhabi, you’re in luck because this gem recently opened its doors to the public, specifically in March 2019.
• Ferrari World: the only theme park dedicated to the famous Ferrari brand, located on Yas Island, an artificial island next to the city. Perfect for speed lovers!

With apologies to the Americans, Halloween is one of the most exciting festivals in the city. This festival is celebrated in style on 31 October in Dubai’s hotels and shopping centres, which are decked out in traditional decorations such as pumpkins, witches, monsters and skeletons so that locals and tourists alike can enjoy a terrifyingly fun day.

At the end of October, the IMG Worlds of Adventure theme park, where Marvel and Cartoon characters come to life, usually organises a special Halloween event, where visitors can experience the zombie apocalypse, get lost in the haunted maze and enjoy a spine-chilling experience. Don’t hesitate to book a night-time bus tour of Dubai to kick off the evening and get a taste of how this festival is celebrated in Dubai.

After enjoying your tickets to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper, do you think you’ve seen everything Dubai has to offer? I’m sure the Diwali Festival of Lights, held in October or November in Dubai (depending on the year), will change your mind with its spectacular displays across the city.

Dubai is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. With a population of nearly 3 million Indians, this community represents the largest demographic group in the country. As a result, the city welcomes Diwali, India’s festive celebration, with great enthusiasm; it is a major event on the city’s calendar of activities. In fact, for Hindus, this festival is as revered as Christmas is for Christians.

Dance, music and colour throughout the city

You can watch a light show in the main square. There will also be performances and dancing alongside Dubai’s famous fountains, which are transformed into a vast, colourful stage set to the rhythm of Indian music for the occasion. The day usually ends with fireworks at key locations across the city, including Bluewaters Island.

Camels are part of the culture and daily life of the Emirates, which is why it is so common to book a camel ride in Dubai. These animals provide food, sustenance, transport and also entertainment for the locals. One of the most deeply-rooted traditions, which continues to this day, is camel racing, a sport whose season begins in October.

The camels train all year round, follow a special diet and undergo veterinary check-ups, just like top-level athletes. Generally, the races start first thing in the morning, around 7 am, and finish around 8.30 am, by which time the sun has given the locals a break. Bear in mind that entry to this event is free and it takes place two or three days a week.

And if you’d like to take centre stage yourself afterwards, don’t hesitate to book a camel ride through the Al Marmoom Oasis.

Practical tips for watching the races

• Cameras are not permitted on the race tracks.
• Refreshments can be purchased inside.
• You cannot bet on the winning camels.
• If you can, don’t forget to pack a pair of small binoculars in your suitcase.

If you thought that Oktoberfest, that popular beer festival held in Munich (Germany) since 1810 and which has spread to countries all over the world, hadn’t reached Dubai, you were very, very much mistaken. Never doubt the power of barley!

In fact, the festival is one of the best ways for tourists to welcome autumn in the city of a thousand and one nights. Oktoberfest is celebrated every year in October at various hotels in Dubai, such as the ‘Sheraton Jumeirah’, the ‘Grand Hyatt Hotel’ and the ‘JW Marriott’. Check out the programme and if you do decide to go, don’t forget to raise a toast with a shout of… “Prost!”

Sausages, beer galore and plenty of fun

Before you go, you must learn the number one rule: just like in Germany, here beer is ordered and served by the litre. Work up an appetite first! The UAE’s Oktoberfest captures the spirit of the original event, but at thirty degrees. In many hotels, you’ll likely be able to enjoy your Paulaner whilst lounging on a sun lounger. Not a bad swap, is it?

What’s more, the staff at the accommodation often copy the traditional dress and don one of the typical regional costumes. German food (sausages and pretzels) has also made its way to this city on the Persian Gulf for the festival. You’ll feel like a true Bavarian!

One of my favourite autumn activities is observing the season’s colours in the parks. At this time of year, the Miracle Garden opens its doors and shines with a special beauty. And as with everything in Dubai, it’s a space filled with flowers… on a grand scale! The park is listed in the Guinness Book of Records thanks, among other attractions, to the world’s largest flower clock and a recreation of one of its legendary aeroplanes.

It also offers daily parades and shows featuring its fantastic floral floats, accompanied by live music and street dancers. Important tip! Although you cannot bring food into the grounds, there are over 30 food and drink outlets, including restaurants, cafés, sweet shops and a tempting fresh fruit juice kiosk. Perfect for a refreshing break!

What to see at the Miracle Garden?

• Clock: this marvellous installation, measuring over 15 metres in diameter, is constructed from real flowers and plants, with designs that change with the seasons – something particularly noteworthy in a country with such an arid climate.
• Emirates 380: can you imagine flying in a plane designed with flowers? Well, although you can’t actually travel in it, in the garden you can admire the Airbus A380 – a life-size replica of the Emirates A380, Dubai’s flagship airline – which has become the world’s largest floral installation, created using 500,000 fresh flowers. Really fascinating!
• Smurf Village: an attraction specially designed for children. Here you can see a village full of these blue characters made from floral arrangements. In the evening, they put on fun shows to liven up the night.
• Lake Park: a very cute lake surrounded by little houses and boats covered in flowers, frogs made from shrubs and flamingos (though they’re fake). It’s well worth a visit!

If you’re a keen traveller, you’ll probably love Global Village, a leisure park that usually opens every year at the end of October and features recreations of over 40 countries, aiming to introduce visitors to their cultures through dances, traditional products and crafts.

My favourite show, held in the heart of the theme park, was the fire-breathing dragon display, right next to the lake. On its banks you’ll also find the iconic floating market, where you can sample cuisine from across Asia whilst enjoying the performance. A perfect plan!

How did the idea come about?

The origins of this unique park date back to 1996 on the banks of Dubai Creek, where vendors set up stalls selling typical products from different countries. However, little remains of these humble beginnings, as the site has now been transformed into a huge park.

Watching migratory birds in their natural habitat is one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have in October on your trip to Dubai. In the wetlands, just a few metres from the bustling city of Dubai, lies the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary,
which is home to thousands of species.

What species can I spot?

Although the reserve is closed to protect the animals and the local ecosystem, you can access the birdwatching hides free of charge and capture the numerous pink flamingos on camera as they migrate each year in search of a better climate to shelter and find food.

Amongst the pink feathers, you can spot grey herons, cormorants, white storks, ospreys and many other species. The reserve, comprising 6 kilometres of wetlands, includes a series of salt flats, marshes, mangroves and lagoons where the birds nest.

A more feasible and economical alternative to traditional safaris in Kenya or Tanzania is to visit Dubai Safari Park, which reopens in October following its summer closure due to high temperatures. Exploring the park can take four to five hours, and if you prefer, you can purchase the night-time pass, which will make you feel as though you’re in an Indiana Jones film.

Dubai Safari Park, located in Al Warqa 5, is home to approximately 3,000 animals from all over the world. Its focus is on environmental education, conservation and animal welfare, and it comprises five key areas: African Village, Asian Village, the Arabian Desert, Explorer Village and Adventure Valley.

There are two types of park entry:

• Visitors purchasing a general admission ticket can access all the villages in the park, except for one attraction, the Safari Journey, a 35- to 40-minute experience where you can see lions and giraffes up close from a vehicle, as if you were on the African savannah.
• Visitors who purchase a ticket for the Safari Journey will also have access to all the villages in the park.

Nuria’s Traveller Tip

One of the rules for entering the park is to cover your shoulders and knees. If you do not comply with this dress code, you may be turned away.

You’re probably wondering what the best time of year is to visit Dubai in terms of temperatures, so you can enjoy everything there is to see and do in Dubai. Specifically, in October, we can expect lows of 24°C and highs of around 35°C. You’ll be able to enjoy the good weather, but without being roasted alive as you might be in July or August in Dubai. At this time of year, temperatures are up to 5 degrees lower.

In my experience, I suggest you avoid the middle of the day and make the most of the mornings and afternoons. The good news is that it never rains this month, so forget about packing an umbrella – you won’t need it! That’s the way to go, isn’t it? In this article, I’ll give you some other practical tips for travelling to Dubai.

Can you imagine relaxing in one of Dubai’s best hotels at a great price? In October, it’s possible. Unlike the winter months, which are the most expensive of the year as it’s peak season, in autumn you’ll find plenty of bargains because it’s the shoulder season.

As for tourist numbers, you’ll find the city isn’t as crowded as in other periods. In October, most theme parks reopen after the summer break due to the high temperatures, and the metropolis begins to come back to life. You’ll feel like an Arab sheikh with almost the whole city to yourself!