Our guide to kids’ events in Dubai and the UAE
There are more things to do with kids in Dubai than most families ever get through, yet finding the right plan for this particular weekend, this weather and these ages is still a puzzle. Toddlers, primary schoolers and teenagers all want different things, and an idea that works perfectly in January can be uncomfortable in August.
The listing at the top of this page brings together dated children’s events across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah: shows and theatre, puppet performances, outdoor movie nights, workshops and classes, family concerts and festive events. Use the filters (When, Type, Emirate, Price) to narrow it to this weekend, a particular emirate or free events. Finished events drop off automatically, and every listing links to the official organiser or ticketing page. Below, we share how we plan family time through the year and what to check before booking.
Plan around the seasons
The weather shapes family life here more than anything. From roughly October to April, mornings and evenings are warm rather than hot, and this is the time for parks, beaches, outdoor markets, open-air cinema and festivals. Several of Dubai’s seasonal favourites, including Global Village, Dubai Miracle Garden and Dubai Safari Park, typically close over summer and reopen in the autumn, so check each one’s season before you set off.
From May to September, temperatures regularly pass 40°C, and the best plans move indoors: malls, play centres, aquariums, ice rinks, museums and air-conditioned theatres. Summer camps and holiday workshops fill the long school break, and many attractions run family offers in the quieter months.
Some of the most reliable plans need no date at all. KidZania at The Dubai Mall lets children role-play grown-up jobs in a child-sized city, and there is a sister site at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. The Dubai Mall also has the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo and an ice rink, while Mall of the Emirates is home to Ski Dubai, where children can meet penguins and play in real snow. Theme parks, waterparks and play centres are not dated events, so we list them on our attractions page.
Shows, theatre and first concerts
Live performance is a wonderful way to spend a family afternoon, and the cooler months bring the most choice. Touring children’s musicals, puppet shows, pantomimes around the festive season and character concerts appear regularly at venues such as Dubai Opera, Theatre by QE2 at Mina Rashid, the New Covent Garden Theatre at Mall of the Emirates and Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. In Sharjah, Masrah Al Qasba stages children’s productions in a family-friendly waterfront setting.
Film concerts, where an orchestra plays the score live while a family favourite is shown on a big screen, have become a popular first concert for children. Many shows for younger audiences are around an hour long, which suits short attention spans. For older children and teenagers, a big musical can be a memorable first night out; browse our shows and theatre listings for current productions.
Outdoor movie nights and free fun
Through the cooler months, outdoor cinema is one of the easiest family evenings in the UAE. Community parks, beach venues and hotel lawns screen animated films and family classics under the stars, often with beanbags, picnic blankets and food stalls. Some are free with registration, while others charge a small fee that may include a snack or a seat.
Arrive early to claim a good spot, bring a light layer for the evening breeze and pack insect repellent for lawn screenings. Many outdoor events are weather dependent, so check the organiser’s page on the day if the wind picks up or rain is forecast.
Workshops, classes and things to make
Children who love making things will always find something new. Cooking classes, pottery, art studios, science sessions, coding clubs and nature workshops run through the year, often on weekend mornings and throughout the school holidays. Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz hosts galleries and creative spaces that sometimes run family programmes, and Expo City Dubai regularly holds hands-on activities for young visitors.
Libraries, including the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, run storytelling and reading events. See our workshops page for more classes that welcome children, and check the age guidance on each listing, as some sessions expect a parent to stay and join in.
Family festivals and seasonal highlights
- Dubai Fitness Challenge: a month-long citywide programme, usually from late October into November, with free family events including mass runs and rides.
- Festive season: December brings pantomimes, Christmas tree lightings, gingerbread workshops and holiday markets in hotels and malls across the UAE.
- UAE National Day: on 2 December, with fireworks, heritage activities and family celebrations across the emirates.
- Dubai Shopping Festival: usually around December and January, with family entertainment, fireworks and activities in malls across the city.
- Eid and Ramadan: both move each year with the lunar calendar. Eid holidays bring fireworks and family events, while Ramadan evenings often feature markets and cultural activities.
Choosing the right event for each age
For babies and toddlers, short sensory shows, puppet theatre and baby-friendly concerts work best, ideally in the morning before nap time. Look for events that say lap tickets are available or that allow buggies, and sit near the aisle so you can step out if needed.
Children aged around four to ten are the sweet spot for musicals, magic shows, film concerts and hands-on workshops. Pre-teens and teenagers tend to enjoy bigger productions, science and coding sessions, sports events and comedy that is billed as family friendly. Every event page shows the organiser’s age guidance, and it is worth following, as some venues will not admit children under a set age.
Practical tips from parents
- Check the age and height rules. Shows, rides and play areas often list a minimum or maximum age, and some require an adult to stay with younger children.
- Book weekend slots early. Saturday morning sessions, festive shows and school holiday workshops fill quickly.
- Pack for the air conditioning. Indoor venues can be chilly, so a light layer helps, even in summer.
- Use the Metro for mall days. The Red Line serves The Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, and buggies are allowed, which saves the parking hunt.
- Think about sun and hydration. Even in winter the midday sun is strong, so hats, sunscreen and water bottles are essential outdoors.
- Look for free options. Public beaches, parks and community events cost little or nothing, and our offers page lists family deals for paid plans.
Beyond Dubai
A short drive opens up even more. Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island has a cluster of theme parks and a waterpark, and Saadiyat Island adds museums with children’s programmes; see things to do in Abu Dhabi. Sharjah is one of the most family-focused emirates, with the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, usually held in spring at Expo Centre Sharjah, the Sharjah International Book Fair in the autumn, and attractions such as Al Noor Island and the Sharjah Aquarium; our things to do in Sharjah page has more. For quick ideas, try things to do this weekend.
Run a kids’ class, club or family show? Submit an event and we will check the details with you before it goes live.